WCF Recap: Regaining back respect
May 31, 2009 by Chrisangelo · 1 Comment
It was a great series Denver, you stood your own and gave is us some great games to watch. Now it’s time to step aside and watch the Lakers play the winner of the Orlando-Cleveland series (As I’m writing, Orlando’s up 94-77)
In the last two games, the Lakers reminded everybody who the best team in the NBA was and exactly what happens when they click on all cylinders.
Fresh out of being blown out in Denver by 19, the Nuggers are looking to steal another win againt the Lakers in Staples. And they were one quarter away from doing it. And what happened? Got blown out in the fourth and lost by 9.
SEASON ENDERS: COCA-COLA TIGERS
The Tigers are toothless but never worthless. It seems at the start of the season, they were a ragtag crew without any direction. This changed when the inmates ran the asylum. Yes, Binky Favis and his coaching staff were exiled when the players sought for reform. Their mentoring answer came from a former MVP who was in the reserved list for so long that his salary was one of the highest pay the league ever given… a coach. Yes, Kenneth Duremdes helmed the Tigers and the Tigers found some sort of glory that made them a step higher than becoming cellar dwellers. In the Fiesta Cup, former Air21 mentor Bo Perasol joined the team where they again, haggled with the ditch and ended their campaign again in the wildcard stages.
SEASON ENDERS: ALASKA ACES
May 29, 2009 by SYDMAN · Leave a Comment
Alaska’s season blew hot and cold. In the Philippine Cup, they were on fire ruling the classification round and dethroning Sta. Lucia in the semifinal round (the boring part of the semis) before losing against the Tropang Texters in the best of seven finals. In the Fiesta Cup, thanks to the damage known as Galen Young, even Rosell Ellis’ abilities couldn’t elevate the Aces out of the cellar. In fact, the main issue that dealt Alaska the early boot was their unimpressive turnover rate. Alaska rotates 7 or 8 men, which is why it is easy who’ll they leave out when the next season kickstart.
FUTURE ENDEAVORS CLUB:
Ervin Sotto – I didn’t know he was still with the club until I saw him huddling with his teammates in uniform. Alaska surely needs a tall guy… that could give them impact (1.5ppg, 1.1rpg in 13 games)
Kelvin dela Pena – Larry Fonacier found it hard to break to the rotation with Cariaso and Miller hogging most of the minutes so double Kelvin’s woes. Like I said in my 2009 Draft Coverage, he entered the draft too early (1.4ppg, 0.9apg in 7 games).
SEASON ENDERS: BARAKO BULL ENERGY BOOSTERS
May 29, 2009 by SYDMAN · 2 Comments
Barako Bull had the talent and the skills to score a championship… in the Philippine Basketball League and even in the Liga Pilipinas. The exodus of its top stars and the acquisition of low quality players made their team dismally weak. After the franchise changed its name, Yeng Guiao left the squad because he couldn’t handle nurturing future stars only to lose them after a season. At the start of the season, Mick Pennisi was traded to San Miguel, leaving Guiao and assistant coach Rhoel Nadurata as the only remnants of the original team (now only the Andy Jao and the management are the ones left). Topex Robinson and Paolo Bugia also left the team with Rich Alvarez, Cyrus Baguio, and Celino Cruz eventually leaving the team via lopsided trades. When the Fiesta Cup commenced, the team was a core of disgruntled vets and untested talents.
THE FUTURE ENDEAVORS CLUB:
Magnum Membrere – I think the former Ateneo guard could still stick in the league but he needs to get more minutes from Leo Isaac (2.8ppg, 1.8rpg in 13 games).
Mike Holper – If given time, he could become a poor man’s Nic Belasco. (2.6ppg, 3.8rpg in 20 games) Traded out of Ginebra seems to be a good career move… until he played on games sparingly.
John Arigo – I don’t know his contract… but I doubt if this is long-term. The problem with this Reggie Miller-clone is he is too injury prone. This took out his swagger in Coke and in Barako Bull. An injury-prone slasher is usually the initial casualties of contract destruction. (6.8ppg, 2.4rpg in 28 games)
Leo Najorda – Once a chief Guiao henchman, the overpopulation of SG’s and SF’s is making his stock disposable. I guess a good move is for him to try ways to break to the Burger King roster (5.7ppg, 2.8rpg in 31 games).
Warren Ybanez – Admit it, every team wants a guy like Ybanez. The guy is under the radar and he listens and executes what the coach wants. If he had more to show, then his career would be safe (3.2ppg, 1.8apg, 1.5rpg, 1.0spg in 25 games).
Alex Crisano – The team lacks bigs which is why the former Gin King would still have a job this season. The underdog-overachieving Barako Bull tag should also make his next season promising but without the wins, I doubt if Crisano would want to be a backup guy of an underachieving squad (4.5ppg, 3.6rpg in 33 games).
NEXT SEASON’S ROSTER:
Paolo Hubalde – After years of street clothes and minutes played as a practice player, Hubalde found himself part of the Booster core. The UE Warrior showed his skills but when Isaac gave time to Membrere, he quickly piled up a list of DNP’s. I guess one of these guys would not make next season’s roster. Basing on performance, Hubalde fared better (6.6ppg, 3.0rpg, 2.0apg in 27 games)
Mike Hrabak – What a disappointment. Last season he was poised to claim double digit scoring but instead he docked the spotlight. He’ll still be in the roster but I doubt if he’ll be a force (3.0ppg, 2.8rpg, 1.1bpg in 33 games).
Jojo Duncil – The UST slasher needs to check his shot selections, defense, and turnovers. It would be wise to make this guy a baby version of Gary David since he has the potential (6.7ppg, 2.1rpg in 29 games).
Reed Juntilla – With Guiao out, Barako Bull’s prodigal son returned to active duty from a stellar performance with Harbour Centre during the Fiesta Cup. Look for this guy to improve next season (5.9ppg, 2.1apg in 14 games).
Larry Rodriguez – Someone please tell Leo Isaac that this guy is the league’s next Freddie Abuda? He is a small forward with a potential to play like a post threat! He is well-rounded and his basketball shtick will definitely improve once people trust him. Funny how he scored 21 points in the Fiesta Cup wildcard despite playing less than 18 minutes that game (8.3ppg, 5.8rpg in 28 games)?
TOP DOGS:
Jeff Chan – Bar none, he is the steal of the draft. His wonders worked especially at the latter stages of the Philippine Cup where he played more like a star. I am counting that he will seriously improve at the span of next season (9.0ppg, 3.1rpg, 1.9apg).
Carlo Sharma – We had a dazed look when Guiao was favoring more on this Shell and Coke reject for Enrico Villanueva. Eventually we knew the reason and now while we still think he is far from the league’s elite, Sharma is a playing to move past as a random big guy (10.1ppg, 5.0rpg in 32 games).
Gabby Espinas – The benefits of a ragtag roster gave the former NCAA Rookie MVP the chance to blossom. In the two conferences, he was the only to score both in double digits (12.3ppg, 8.3rpg in 33 games). If Tony Chua and the Barako Bull management is smart, they need to NOT trade Espinas because a couple of years more and he could be a better trade bait than what he is NOW!
The draft will be an important source for talent for the Boosters (if they didn’t screw this and they decide to throw away their picks for Gilbert Lao or Mark Andaya). I expect them to use the Cyrus Baguio and Junthy Valenzuela picks for themselves. PBL MVP Chris Ross is a potential scorer that would solve their scoring woes. Rico Maierhofer is a SF at best until his lanky frame decides to gain muscle. Jervy Cruz? Could be a good choice but you have to question his lack of height to endear himself with all the hardships as a PBA big guy. Picking players up from the free agent pool should also strengthen their squad with the way Sam Eman, Jondan Salvador, Richard Yee, Paolo Bugia, Yousif Aljamal, Willie Wilson, and Junjun Cabatu’s talents are being wasted away.
And yeah, the most important thing…
DON’T TRADE YOUR GOOD PLAYERS OVER CRAPPY DEALS!
Next up, ALASKA!
Game over!
TMZ-ish Post, Joe Devance & Gabe Norwood @ Fashion Week
May 28, 2009 by Benhur · Leave a Comment
We’re at Philippine Fashion Week earlier this night coz my friend’s sister’s bestfriend’s father-in-law’s son is one of the designers in today’s Design Fusion Visions & Trends Show.
If I Were A Bron
May 28, 2009 by .:. · 3 Comments
For the third time in the Eastern Conference Finals, the Cleveland Cavaliers bowed again in the end game against the Orlando Magic. They can’t find an antidote for the hulking Howard, neither to the Magic’s squadron of shooters. Now, I wonder how the Cavs can salvage their chances in advancing to the NBA Finals against Lakers(?).
NIKE RELEASES ZOOM LEBRON VI MVP
May 23, 2009 by .:. · 2 Comments
Nike Philippines is set to release a special colorway of the Zoom LeBron VI to celebrate his recent 2008/2009 Most Valuable Player citation from the NBA.
Only 23 pairs of this special shoe will be released on May 30, 2009 at Nike Park Bonifacio High Street at exactly 12:23pm. The shoe retails at P7,495.
A special Witness MVP tee will also be made available in limited Nike stores in June.
About the LeBron VI
The Zoom LeBron VI performance basketball shoe represents the essence of LeBron James: team, toughness, passion and vision. James worked with Nike designer Ken Link to create a shoe that meets his performance needs and the needs of players with a powerful, dynamic style of play. The Zoom LeBron VI not only has a full-length Zoom Air unit in the mid-sole for the ultimate responsive ride, but also has a Zoom Air unit double-stacked in the heel. The cushioning system helps the forefoot for transition when jumping. Deep sipes in the shoe allow for natural motion, which means the shoe works with the athlete’s movement, rather than against it.
The shoe’s collar has been engineered with a wider opening so it’s easier to slip on and wear while maintaining a full-length fit feel. On the collar, graffiti art highlights LeBron’s mantras—passion, family, winning, fearless and vision.
For more information, visit nike.com.ph.
WCF Game 1 Recap: Where having Kobe around is amazing happens.
May 20, 2009 by Chrisangelo · 1 Comment
Take a look at yesterday’s scoreboard. Take a look at it closely. Then tell me exactly who the winner is without taking a look at the final score.
That’s right. Last night, Carmelo Anthony torched the Lakers with 39 points on 70% FG shooting, The Nuggets shot 49 percent from the field comparing to LA’s 41. They had 11 more freethrow attempts than the Lakers. Their bigmen outscored LA’s biggies 37-27. Now tell me who won the game?
Just a few moments after Jerry West, Kobe’s second father in his words, publicly said that LeBron might have passed Kobe as a player, Mr Bryant torched the Nuggets with 40 points, 18 in the 4th quarter including 15 points in the last 6 minutes. Now who knows if Jerry West said that intentionally to fire up Kobe but knowing how Kobe’s game for years now, he won’t take that seating down.
THE 2009 NBA EASTERN FINALS PLAYOFFS
May 20, 2009 by SYDMAN · 3 Comments
I was busy minding my work, thinking of scripts and designs of how I could make a news program look neat when some guy buzzed me.
BUZZ!!!
The Sydman: Woot?
chrisangelo: Would you be kind enough to do the ECF preview?
Yes… this humongous piece of nothing is a YM buddy. When I’m at work he randomly pops up and makes me do things I don’t like (not perverted things fortunately… not yet anyway).
chrisangelo: I already did the WCF preview para covered natin.
The Sydman: Err… pwede. Kaso alaws na Boston eh.
chrisangelo: Come on man. You can do it.
By the way, if you want to see his West review, click here: http://hoops.blink.ph/2009/05/19/wcf-preview-best-in-the-west/
Actually the Eastern Finals is barely making me giddy. Aside from the fact that I have yet to watch the playoffs ardently (blame Sky Cable and my work), Kevin Garnett’s injury made the playoffs so unappealing (Boston should have eaten Orlando raw).
WCF Preview: Best in the West
May 19, 2009 by Chrisangelo · 5 Comments
Oh how times have changed. Just before the playoffs have started, if you would ask people what would be their take on a Denver vs Los Angeles match up, it would be very different from their opinions right now.
After two very impressive outings by the Nuggets and 2 lackluster performances by the Lakers, everybody’s been on a tear about how “The Lakers aren’t ready for this Nuggets team” and how “The Nuggets are the best in the West” right now.
But now I throw a question at you people.
Who has significantly improved in the post-season between the two teams?
I’m gonna give you a hint, it’s not the Nuggets.
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