New Nike Video, New Breed

Nike Basketball - “New Breed, New Game, New Legacy”. Featuring Ateneo Blue Eagles, FEU Fighting Tamaraws and San Beda Red Lions channeling the strength of their respective team animals and transforming into today’s new breed of basketball players.

Roar or Soar? Who’s the best Collegiate team this year?

I really hate to do this mainly because of..

1) They are from two different leagues so comparing these teams would really be pointless. They could meet at Champions cup but.. I don’t think both teams will play with a complete line up in this year’s Champion’s Cup.

2) I’m 100% certain that I’m going to take heat from the red or blue guys after writing this entry and since I’m a peace loving guy, I don’t want that. lol

But since I have nothing else to do and I already told a reader that I’ll do it, fine. I’ll break it down, take my pick in a 3 game series and justify my claim. Alright let’s begin..

Ateneo just finished a dominating UAAP run, taking all but a single game against FEU, taking out UE in the Semis and then sweeping their rival La Salle in the Finals. While on the other hand, San Beda came off a tough NCAA season losing games to JRU, Mapua and even CSB (Technically). San Beda took out Mapua in the Semi Finals and then dispatched a tough tough JRU team in 3 games to complete a grand slam.

Now, looking at the way they ended their campaign.. it’s easy to assume that Ateneo would take out San Beda easily. But come on, you guys have to admit, San Beda had a tougher run to the title and as much as I’m afraid to say it, most of the UAAP teams are a tad overrated this year.

With that being said, lemme try to breakdown this “fantasy” match up between Ateneo and San Beda.

Frontline

Ateneo possesses two of the best bigmen in the UAAP today on their starting line up. Rabeh Al Husseini (2008 MVP) and Severino “Nonoy” Baclao (2008 Finals MVP, 2007 Champions Cup MVP) while on the other side of the fence, Beda plays with Sam Ekwe (2 time NCAA MVP) and JR Taganas to start for them. Justin Chua and Jobe Idon’tknowhowtospellhissurname mans up the Ateneo bench while Jake Pascual and Dave Marcelo does the substitute role for the Lions.

Frontline breakdown: Rabeh won’t be as effective and as dominating as he was in the UAAP because he’ll be hounded by four different defenders, specifically Sam Ekwe and JR Taganas. Now, this would most definitely be in favor of the Lions considering that their offense doesn’t rely heavily on Ekwe and Taganas while the Eagles almost instantly goes to Rabeh every single time they set up. I expect Ateneo’s frontline to produce more points but I’ll have to give the frontline advantage to San Beda because of what I’ve said above.

 

Wingmen

On the blue side: Chris Tiu, Eric Salamat and Ryan Buenafe. In the red corner: Ogie Menor, Bambam Gamalinda and JR Tecson.

 

Wingmen Breakdown: Ateneo has better wingmen. Hands down. Chris Tiu, Ryan Buenafe and Eric Salamat can explode any given Sunday on the other hand, Beda’s wings are at times inconsistent. Ogie’s game can either help his team big time or pull it down in the Abyss. Tecson and Gamalinda are solid players, but like what I’ve said, they’re inconsistent. Wing advantage goes to Ateneo.

Backcourt Breakdown

The Hermida-Escobal-Tirona backcourt is prolly the most underrated backcourt in Collegiate Basketball today. All of those guys are solid point guards which can shift to the two guard spot easily. On the other hand, I think Ateneo’s soft spot is in their backcourt. Jai Reyes, Yuri Escueta and Kirk Long doesn’t really match up well to the experienced trio of Beda. Backcourt advantage easily goes to San Beda here.

The Verdict

I know I’m going to recieve (as usual) hate mails for saying this, but I’m actually picking San Beda to win against Ateneo in three tough tough games. It’s really hard for me to pick between two great teams but I feel San Beda is still, the best Collegiate basketball team today, as it was in the past three years.

 

Anyway, I’m all done now. You can send your hate mails after the tone. :D

The Araneta Chronicles: San Beda College vs Jose Rizal University

How about this for a change huh? Ever since last week, it has been all about La Salle vs Ateneo, Ateneo vs La Salle, Green vs Blue, Blue vs Green, Chris Tiu on TV, Rabeh for MVP, Shawarma Parties, Bonfires and so forth. That’s why I’m feeling a bit down for the guys over at the other side of the world, just so you know, the NCAA had it’s craziest season so far. And it’s not over yet.

On one side, here’s a team looking to create a dynasty. On the other, a team trying to break a 38 year drought. How’s that for a change huh?

Read more

Chris Speaks: Breaking the Pros

Hi guys, welcome to another edition of Chris Speaks and today we’ll talk about Breaking the Pros. What exactly is this entry all about? You’ll soon find out.

For many years now, we’ve seen great prospects from the UAAP and the NCAA, dominating the collegiate ranks and turning the whole Philippine basketball world crazy with a variety of moves that gives them a nod in the pro world. People would then go on and make crazy statements like.. this one is the future of Philippine Basketball and this guy will soon overtake this guy in terms of popularity and court dominance. But I’m surprised with how much most of the guys who were “supposed to dominate” the pro league would most likely end up on the team’s bench, a journeyman or to amateur leagues like the PBL, NBL/NBC and now an alternative pro league in Liga Pilipinas. Read more

The Hoops.Blink.Ph 2007 Hoops Awards!

What’s up hoopsters? Today you’ll be witnessing history, for this day, January 6th 2008 we will be holding the first ever annual hoops award!

I was supposed to choose my own set of winners but since I haven’t consulted any of the writers and the readers then I figured it should be called the Chrisangelo 2007 Hoops awards and that name would suck. So I decided to wait post an initial entry, wait for your response and create another blog post to determine the winner, cool huh?

Note: To gain more response and thus make this a more formal *pukes* thread, I’m going to post this everywhere, my blogger, my multiply and other forums… I suggest you post this to your blog too.. just don’t forget to put the original url.

Voting ends next Sunday, January 13 2008

So here we go!

Read more

Ball Hog: NBA Trades, Distrito Update, MJ vs LB, Chicken Curry, NCAA - UAAP Merger and More

NBA Trade Speculations As Read By Suntey

Oh, here’s Anthony Suntey, giving one NBA piece. Rather than giving his own thoughts, it’s more like a summary of what he is reading and hearing about the trades and speculations. Just like me! Oh well.

Distrito out by November?

FORMER Philippine Basketball Association player Rudy Distrito, who is serving a six-year sentence for manslaughter, is hoping he will be released in November 2008. This was according to Ruffy Ignacio, secretary-general of the PBA Legends USA Foundation. Ignacio relayed the information after he received a call from Distrito following his meeting with the parole board, which didn’t indicate a release date but was reportedly “happy with the goals Rudy set out to accomplish.” Full Story

PBA Legends to honor Jaworski

THE Philippine Basketball Association Legends USA Foundation board of directors unanimously approved a resolution declaring March 8 as Foundation Day, in honor of basketball great Robert Jaworski. Story here. Read more

HITS AND MISSES: WNBA Finals, Three FIBA Slots, UAAP-NCAA News and Joe Lipa Sacked

SEPTEMBER 20, 2007

THE INTRO:

The cage-gods have bestowed the precious FIBA-EUROPE CROWN to Russia, led by Utah star Andrei Kirilenko. Now as we’ve read in Claysius’ blog, AK-47 wants out. I have to agree with this statement. Kirilenko is a natural power forward despite his size and his strengths are being wasted playing outside his comfort zone. Pinning it on Jerry Sloan though makes me cringe. Sloan, an NBA fixture for more than four decades is virtually untouchable. Making him sound like a devil incarnate is not great for his image. One can wonder if this public bashing will affect his chances to upgrade his last season performance.

WELCOME TO HITS AND MISSES.

1) THE EAGLE HAS LANDED… PERMANENTLY

Andy Seigle tore his ACL attending the Red Bull camp, which could very well mark an abrupt end of his injury-plagued career. The former rookie of the year was released by Ginebra when he asked for a maximum pay salary despite his weakened status. Well, if this was Seigle circa late 90’s, the Gins would have surely signed him. Yeng Guiao, the Red Bull coach recalled Seigle as an out-of-shape talent because of his injuries. He could have had a career rebirth since the Barakos are looking for size to fill in the center spot. He’ll join the likes of Jun Limpot, Vic Pablo, and Poch Juinio as former stars without a team. Read more

HITS AND MISSES: Yeo Traded, Go Johnny Go, Coach of Fame, O-Down and San Beda vs Letran

The Intro:

During that Ill-fated Joseph Estrada term, Philippine Basketball had an upright bounce. The MBA was at its peak, taking out several PBA benchwarmers but the biggest hit the PBA took was the pillaging of the amateur ranks. Romel Adducul, Eddie Laure, Willie Miller, Gherome Ejercito, Chris Calaguio, Omanzie Rodriguez, Ronald Magtulis, Dale Singson were amongst the stars taken out from Manila. This prompted the PBA to hunt down players with foreign blood to add furious play in their league. While the MBA disintegrated a year after Erap got the boot, players like John Ferriols, Reynel Hugnatan, Peter Simon, and Dondon Hontiveros could have never been known had not for the MBA.

Welcome to Hits and Misses.

1) NINJA VANISH!

Dimmed as the saving grace of the Coca-Cola Tigers Joseph Yeo has now been sent to the Sta. Lucia Realtors in exchange for Mark Isip and Cesar Catli. Yeo’s rookie season was disappointing. He shot blanks day in and day out and Binky Favis lost interest on him during the Fiesta Cup. He could gain renewed spurt under Boyet Fernandez’ guidance. However, he needs to take out his arrogance because if he thinks Enrico Villanueva is such a tough nut to crack, wait ‘til he gets on Dennis Espino and Marlou Aquino’s nerves.

2) THE CONQUEROR CONQUERED; MAIN MAN NO MORE.

Following the acquisition of San Beda Lion Yousif Aljamal, Vic Pablo has been taken out of the Talk N Text roster. The former FEU Tamaraw was a former second pick overall of the Baranggay Ginebra Kings (he was dealt to Pepsi for Manny Victorino) in 1993. He played in various teams like Pepsi, SMB (traded for Alvin Teng), Shell (traded for Bong Alvarez), and TNT (traded for Mark Telan). On the other hand, 1993’s top pick Jun Limpot also got the boot from the Purefoods camp. Last year was disastrous for the Real Deal. Injuries and old age, and a too late understanding that BANGING is part of being a power forward soured his chances to finish his career as a Giant. He started out as a Sta. Lucia Realtor and then he was dealt to Ginebra for the pipe-like Marlou Aquino before moving to Purefoods for Andy Seigle and Rodney Santos. Lucky for Olsen Racela, who’ll likely end up in the SMC Management, and Johnny Abarrientos (Playing for Ginebra but could finish his career as an Alaska Ace), as they are the oldest in the PBA. Read more

Saturday Bullets-Links: Caguioa Hilot, Paolo Orbeta Shaver, Pera For Jawo, Eala Plans, Pride Chicken and Team Pilipinas 2016

Caguioa Goes Hilot

Caguioa will head to a “manghihilot” when he arrives home Monday to repair his hyper-extended elbow. Will the “mangihilot” be able to repair his bruised ego? Get this quote from Marky… “I wasn’t as aggressive as I normally am during games,” said the 6-foot spitfire from Barangay Ginebra. “I can’t quite understand why.”

Di pa pala “offensively aggressive” si Mark nun?

Paolo Orbeta Shaver

NCAA - CSB’s Paolo Orbeta is under NBI investigation for point shaving and gambling. OrBETa, Oh why involve yourself in a mob. NBI is watching. What league is next? UAAP? PBA? PBL?

Pride Chicken

China and Philippines, both expected to figure well in the FIBA - Asia meet, will now battle for pride. With FIBA classification for future tournaments no longer based on rankings but by THE LUCK OF DRAW, this game is the mother of all non-bearing games for Team Pilipinas. At stake? 9th Place finish. Will Chot Reyes hide Ren Ren again for him not to be scouted?

The Noli Eala Plans

Attorney, err, Layman Noli Eala got some plans for the RP Team. SO too the PBA Board, they got a plan too, for Noli Eala. Let’s see which plan will happen first, Noli’s or the Board’s.

Bill Velasco’s Team Pilipinas 2016

Plan ahead? This is it. This could be the furthest Team Pilipinas line-up as of writing. Because of this, I want to beat him out, I’ll prepare Team Pilipinas 2030. As of this time all players of RP 2030 Team are still being conceived. Asi Taulava vowed to conceive a boy this month just so another Taulava will try to do the mission un-accomplished. BTW, Bill’s list is “intriguing.”

Pera for Jawo

Yup, Pera for Jawo. Now that the deal is on-hold, it’s PERAsol for JAWOrski. Bo Perasol is still calling the shots for Air21’s off-season practice scheme. Bo said too, that chances are, Jaworski and Air21 will make the deal. Jaworski is still in U.S. for a business trip.

Sydman’s Hits and Misses 4

Hits and Misses 4

A Saturday after my Leviathan had a rare 20-0 in a DOTA game (for DOTA players out there, I had boots of travel, perseverance, cuirass, bracers, dagger of escape, and heart of tarasque) it’s time for H and M 4!!!!!

Yipppeeeee!!!

Pwe.

Anyway, game starts now!

10. A TRIBUTE TO THE COMMISH – Jun Bernardino is now in heaven, looking down on us on how we should do against the other teams.

HIT: In his reign the league established its best years as an institution. He drew crowds despite the fact that Ginebra never was a superpower then and he was able to push the team limits to 10.

MISS: He could have been a great leader for Philippine Basketball. Read more

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