UAAP Finals: Game 1 thoughts

(Note: Yes, this is a late post but I’m vacationing from blogging these days. It sickens me… a little.)

It sucks how calamities bring out the best in all of us.

For some reason, those candy wrappers, tissue papers, bus tickets, empty bottles, and plastic bags got their revenge on the metro. This is a lesson that we need to learn. I hate it when the punishment gets too overboard.

And while yeah, the Facebook girl (not going to say her name because her FB page was allegedly hacked) might be a tasteless nobody, we know for a fact that most of us deliver when it matters most.

We are clutch performers.

In the Ateneo versus UE tilt, Jai Reyes shouldn’t have been in that game. His family lives in flood-stricken Marikina where they had to de-attach their selves to their material stuffs in order to survive. When the flood was flushed out, mud greeted the poor family.

Norman Black and the rest of the Ateneo community could have stopped him and made him rest the game but when he was asked if he could play in that Game One, he hurled a response.

This was a bad move for Ateneo’s part. Sure Frank Golla and Chris De Chavez were also part of the lineup but they are rookies. At this point, Jai was needed more than ever. Why ask Jai to play barely recovering from that ordeal? Do you know the emotions that Jai has right now? No one can imagine the frustrations he had that fateful Saturday. I am not an Ateneo alum but at this point, you are looking at a guy pissed.

As he was airlifted from his house to the Araneta Coliseum, he is looking for an outlet to vent his frustrations out… he is looking for a physical representation of Typhoon Ondoy.

Damn you Ateneans… you just unleashed a monster!

Reyes is in the middle grounds. He is not that offensive-minded like LA Tenorio, Jun Reyes, and Richie Ticzon. And yet, he is not that defensive-minded like Chris Quimpo. When his time to move to the PBA knocks, he’ll probably have a life a la Magnum Membrere and Macky Escalona. He needs to have proper PBL experience and a Liga stint could have in further honing his talents once he begins his rise up. For me, he’ll just be another Jec Chia until that heavy shower of triple bombs. In the Game 1, you have to think twice on what he accomplished. He hit five booming triples to send the UE Warriors reeling. He usually doesn’t do that. While he is capable, he’ll make sure the offense would administer points via a pass for Rabeh, Buenafe, or an ill-advised trey. In Game One he was dead on… right on the money!

While yeah, the Recto school also experienced flooding, Recto schools have grown to live with the floods. The only difference here is more often, floods mean no classes and a person just getting stranded in the campus where lovers would use this as reason when their parents ask them why they didn’t go home that night. Katipunan is also another place that gets usually drenched but

Rabeh Al-Hussiani is UE biggest problem. In three games against the Warriors, he has averaged 27 points and higher. When Pari Llagas got into foul trouble, he doubled his efforts to dominate. His size alone can’t be a good thing for Elmer Espiritu. Lawrence Chongson let Rabeh go wild as he clamped on the other players of the squad. Eric Salamat (barely used), Nonoy Baclao, Eman Monfort and Ronjay Buenafe were somewhat missing links in their bread and butter areas. Nico Salva was an unexpected source of scoring. Kirk Long But it was Jai Reyes and his big time hurls that whipped the Warriors into submission. Paul Lee starred once more for UE who saw guys like Raffy Reyes, Rudy Lingganay, and Paul Zamar scoring. Val Acuna will be a scary player if he continues to develop but as of this moment, he needs to score those lay-ups. He muffed three tries that could have scare Reyes and Long in scoring those unpredictable long toms.

Sure, argue the fact that Jai Reyes was lucky. But there is a saying that if you lost something, something greater will replace it.

Could this be championship? Or better yet… a Finals MVP?

Check out the action tomorrow.

UAAP Season 72 Finals Preview

And we’re down to two.  Defending champions Ateneo Blue Eagles and UE Red Warriors emerged victors from the madness that is the Final Four and will be battling for the right to become this year’s champs.  For Ateneo, it will be their chance to repeat since 1987 – 1989, when Alex Araneta, Eric Reyes, Danny Francisco, and Jun Reyes brought glory to Katipunan.  For UE, winning will break a 23 year title drought, which was last handed to them through the exploits of Allan Caidic and Jerry Codinera.

 

For the Blue Eagles, it has a season of dominance.  Mirroring last year’s run, they’ve only lost 1 game, a 80 – 75 upset by the UP Fighting Maroons.  Since the loss they have won 11 straight.  While at most times Rabeh Al-Husseini (16.5 ppg 7.1 rpg) is still a dominant center, they have also found solid play from others like SG Eric Salamat (11.9 ppg 3.6 apg 2.1 spg), PG Jai Reyes (8.0 ppg), and PF Nico Salva (7.5 ppg 3.6 rpg).  But what has defined them this season is their defense, which is the best in the league.  Nonoy Baclao (5.8 ppg 8.0 rpg 2.5 bpg) and Kirk Long (5.5 ppg 3.6 rpg) may have lower numbers than expected but it is their defense, along with Salamat, has been anchoring their dominant run.  Eman Monfort (5.6 ppg) has been a surprise this season with his steady backup quarterbacking and booming 3 point shots.  Ryan Buenafe (6.6 ppg) may have lower than expected numbers but has delivered in the latter part of the eliminations and may be going out of his sophomore slump.  They showed no mercy to the UST Growling Tigers, giving warning to UE that they are primed and ready. 

For the Red Warriors, it has been a season of surprise.  While they have a competitive lineup, they were not rated among the favorites this season.  Having a rookie coach in Lawrence Chiongson and losing a star player in Marcy Arellano will do that to you.  They started the season losing big to Ateneo, 72 – 57 and they certainly do not want to end it the same way.  But a lot has changed since opening day.  Paul Lee (14.6 ppg 5.8 rpg 4.9 apg) mirrored the team by starting out slow but eventually found his niche as a facilitator in offense (as an OG at that), leading the league in assists and the team in scoring.  Elmer Espiritu (13.6 ppg 8.1 rpg 2.8 bpg) has been arguably the most exciting player in the UAAP because of his high leaping dunks and spectacular blocks. Pari Llagas (13.4 ppg 8.4 rpg) is the revelation of the season, blooming into a reliable and often times deadly center.  Val Acuna (10.4 ppg) came out of nowhere to become the main threat from the outside. And David Zamar (6.1 ppg) has steadily improved from last year’s promising debut.           UE had to win 2 games against the higher seeded FEU Tammaraws.  But honestly, the way FEU was playing in the 2^nd round and with the unfortunate Mark Barroca issue, they never had a chance.

 

The leagues most dominant team versus a team with its confidence at an all time high.  A team with an 11 game winning streak versus a team with a 7 game winning streak.  Blue versus Red.  Something’s gonna give.

 

OFFENSE – Ateneo relies on Al-Husseni to jump start their offense.  Most of the time they dump the ball down low and see what the defense gives them.  Then he either does his thing or move the ball around until they find the open man. Occasionally they do a high-low play with Baclao feeding the post or taking the perimeter shot.  Other times its Eric Salamat or Ryan Buenafe from the top of the key, penetrating and breaking down the offense.   The beauty with the Ateneo system is that Al-Husseini can have an off night, and they can still win handily.  They always seem to have surprise contributors, whether it’s Salva, Monfort, or Long.   

UE on the other hand relies on a free flowing, albeit undisciplined offense.  It all starts with Lee.  Fantastic ball handling leads to breakdowns in offense, usually for scores or assists to the open man.  A trademark play is the alleyoop to Espiritu for the jam. Llagas has his moments down low and has shown above average low post moves. And Acuna, Zamar and PG Ronnie Lingganay (7.0 ppg 5.3 rpg) can get hot from outside.   They may not be as deep as Ateneo but 3 or 4 of them having good games can be enough.

Team numbers are almost the same: 78.3 points for Ateneo and 78.7 points for UE.   

Advantage: Even

  

DEFENSE – Ateneo is the best defensive team in the league.  They are better now than last year’s team.  Coach Norman Black has instilled this to his boys and has produced.  Baclao brings the blocks, Salamat brings the steals, and Long brings the man-to-man defense that will be tested against Lee.  One game they held NU to 10 points, in the first half.  ‘Nuff said.

 UE focuses more on offense but can deliver the stops when necessary.  Espiritu can spike the ball all the way to the Lower Box area and they can play physical when needed.  Still, Ateneo is far superior on this aspect.

The Blue Eagles lead the league in most defensive categories and has the solid system in place. 

Advantage: Ateneo

 

BENCH: The starting lineup of Al-Husseni, Salamat, Long, Baclao, and Reyes averages 47.7 ppg and the bench is not far behind at 30.6 ppg.  In stark contrast UE’s starters of Lee, Llagas, Espiritu, Acuna, and Lingganay averages a combined 59 ppg which is almost 75% of the team’s offense.  Contain the starters, and you contain the team.  Also Ateneo can go 10 – 11 deep while still sustaining their offense and defense.  UE doesn’t have that luxury. 

Advantage: Ateneo

 

COACHING: Norman Black has the profile, experience, and trophies to show for it.  He had a somewhat slow start with his collegiate coaching career but now has led the blue Eagles to its 2 most dominating seasons and on the verge of a repeat.  He instills discipline, defense, and a solid system.  Lawrence Chongson is a rookie coach, taking over from Dindo Pumaren, and 2 years after their undefeated run in the eliminations, they are back in the finals.  He does not have a system and relies on a free flowing offense.  This is an unconventional formula and while it has produced wins, remains to be seen if it will produce the end goal of a championship.

At the end experience tends to win out over style.  Black simply has the results to show for it.  Numerous PBA championships with 2 teams, including a grand slam, and Ateneo never being out of the Final Four ever since he took over.  Hard to ignore that. 

Advantage: Ateneo

 

PREDICTION:  It will be Ateneo’s defense and depth versus UE’s freewheeling offense.  Should Ateneo win it all, it will be either via a sweep or 3 games.  Should UE win it, it will be in 3.  UE’s momentum and morale is at a high right now and they could easily win a game against the Blue Eagles.  But a game is what they can only get.  They may have been beaten before as favorites by UST but the Blue Eagles have learned from that.   I said before it’s the Blue Eagles to loose and they are primed to repeat.  This will be the Blue Eagles’ year….again.

 

 

Fastbreaks:  Over at the NCAA, San Sebastian finally loses to Letran, this after setting the NCAA record at 15 straight games won.  They are not a sure bet to get no.1 because right at their heels are JRU and defending champion San Beda, both at 13 – 2.  And guess what, Baste gets to play those 2 next.  At least they don’t have the same pressure as UE had after they swept the elims.  Remember them?  LaSalle quickly snuffed out the momentum and snatched the crown in 2 games……Japeth Aguilar will most likely be banned from playing with Smart Gilas as a guest team. More problems for the kid.  If this happens, I don’t expect Gilas to participate.  After all, what’s the use of training and preparing if your best Pinoy center is not with the team?……Ron Artest says that if the Lakers don’t repeat, blame him.  Lakers look primed to repeat but not without challenge from the Magic, Celts, Cavs, and Spurs.  Speaking of the Lakers, Lamar is going Hollywood by marrying Chloe Kardashian.  See Lamar?  Aren’t you happy you resigned with LA? “THANK YOU GOD!  LOVE, LAMAR”.

Denique Quattuor; Et Tu, Barroca?

The dust has settled and after 2 months of interesting, intense, and inspiring battles, 4 teams emerged from the fray, in order to claim the right of being the 2009 UAAP Season 72 champions.  The Ateneo Blue Eagles, FEU Tamarraws, UE Red Warriors, and UST Growling Tigers are the Denique Quattuor, the final four left to battle for the crown. 

 

For the first time in 14 years (not counting their suspension year) the DLSU Green Archers are out of the final four.  Their lineup this year was glaringly weaker in than in the previous years, with no established superstars, a slew of promising rookies, and veteran role players.  Not to say they didn’t have a chance, but it boiled down to their final playing day.  Needing a win against lowly NU coupled with a loss by UST to 2^nd placer FEU, they blew their chances by losing to the Bulldogs by 2 points.  The loss reflected their entire season: potential and heartbreak.  Gang green, take solace from the fact that your team actually has a good future with 3 RP Youth team members in its roster.  Mark my words, the troika of Bringas, Marata, and Banal will be a force to reckon with in the future.  Also, despite his antics, Joshua Webb is developing to be one La Salle’s resident household names, not unlike Mark Cardona and Joseph Yeo.   Franz Pumaren is rumored to be going out, because of his desire to run for congress.  If so, this shouldn’t be an appropriate last hurrah for arguably Philippine collegiate basketball’s best coach in the past decade. Another championship run and a crack against the Blue Eagles in the finals should be the fitting ending.  Brother Dindo will be a more than adequate as well as fitting replacement if ever.   He will succeed Franz, and will be the third brother to handle the team including Manong Derek.

 

Before I get to my Final Four review and predications, an uproar that sprung up quickly sprung out of nowhere that has put the Final four in the backseat temporarily is the Mark Barroca controversy.  Allegations of game fixing by the best PG in the UAAP has sprang up because of 3 successive sub par games, highlighted by a 0 point game against La Salle which they almost lost and an 8 point game, all in the first quarter, in their loss against Ateneo in the last game of the season to determine who will be number 1 seed.  Now I’m not privy to all the details but here’s what we know:  Barroca has stopped practicing with the team earlier this week.  Varying reasons were given, from being sick with flu, to being out of the city.  Reports had it that some of his teammates actually want him to be off the team and was being considered by the coaching staff.  It was revealed yesterday that Barroca will most likely be dropped by the team.  Barroca has maintained innocence and has been hurt that the allegations and the apparent lack of support from the team and coach Glen Capacio.  It is reported that he no longer wants to play for the varsity,  plans to finish up his studies from FEU, and continue playing with Smart Gilas.   The timing could never be worse as they are gearing up to face the league’s hottest team in UE.

 

We may never know all the facts and details behind this but this is most unfortunate not only to the School but the UAAP as well.  Rumors of game fixing have always been rampant, both in the UAAP as well in the NCAA.  Last year, FEU player Mac Bacarael was shot, which was also linked to game fixing. In recent memory, only 1 player has been charged and sanctioned and this was Paolo Orbeta of St. Benilde.  The league will need to take a tougher stand on this as this in threatening its position as the premier collegiate league in the country.  For Barroca, it’s a shame that he’s in this quandary right now as he is a big talent with big potential. 

 

 

Now back to the action.

 

Ateneo (1)(13 -1) vs UST (4) (6-8)

 

Why Ateneo will win: They have practically the best team all season.  It has evolved from being centered on last year’s MVP Rabeh Al-Husseni to a more complete and deeper team this year.  Despite Ryan Buenefe’s number’s being down from his ROY campaign last year, others have stepped up, particularly Nico Salva and Eman Monfort.  Eric Salamat has elevated his game to the next level, Kirk Long has found his niche as a defensive stopper, and Jai Reyes is showing steady leadership.  This has translated to a more team oriented offense as well as stifling defense.  For the 2^nd consecutive year they have lost only 1 game and is a combined 29 -2. 

 

Why Ateneo will lose: Occasionally still prone to complacency and stagnation.  They barely won against FEU in the last game, having listless 1^st and 3^rd quarters.  Their loss to UP also showed that they are vulnerable.  3 years ago they were also favored against the Tigers in the finals, and then lost in 3 games.  Salva is also suspended for the 1st game for his punching foul against FEU. 

 

Why UST will win:  They have this year’s MVP in Dylan Ababou.  He has shown a quantum leap in his game and has carried the Tigers to the Final four, despite the losing record. When hot, Khazim Mirza is difficult to stop, especially from the 3 pt area.   Jeric Teng is a future star. Ateneo has had problems with athletic teams and UST plays with the run and gun style reminiscent of Ginebra during the Jawo days.  Although undersized, Camus and Afuang have traditionally given Al-Husseni problems.

 

Why UST will lose: Ateneo is simply the better and more balanced team.  The Tigers have no teeth down low and will get into periods of disorganized offense, leading mostly to 1-1 plays.  They also have the propensity to lose big leads.

 

Prediction: Ateneo in 1.  They are just too good and too deep to lose against UST.

 

 

FEU (2) (11 – 3) vs UE (3) (10 – 4)

 

Why FEU will win:  While it will be difficult especially with the Barroca situation, FEU is more than Barroca.  Rookie RR Reyes is showing why he deserves the ROY over Jeric Teng, taking up the PG slot and moving Barroca to the SG slot.  JR Cawaling has proved to be steady and reliable.  Aldrech Ramos is the only player averaging a double-double.  Paul Sanga is almost automatic from beyond the arc and can get really, really hot.  FEU has a deep rotation with quality and has shown that it can win despite Barroca playing sub par.  They can use the Barroca situation as a rallying point.

 

Why FEU will lose: The Barroca Effect.  I’m not referring to the loss in stats, but its affect to the team’s morale.  This can potentially cause divisions within the team.   This is a big distraction that is definitely not easy to ignore. He was also a big part of the team’s offense and someone else will need to step up. 

 

Why UE will win: They are the hottest team right now, with 5 consecutive wins.  Paul Lee has seemed to find his niche as an all-around player after starting out slow.  He now leads the league in assists.  Elmer Espiritu is now the league’s most exciting player with his dunks and blocks.  Pari Llagas has proved me wrong by being a steady low post threat.  Val Acuna can be deadly from the outside. UE is arguably the most athletic team in the league. 

 

Will UE will lose:  They may be peaking too soon. Shackle Paul Lee, and their offense suffers.  They are not as deep as FEU.

 

Prediction: UE in 2.  The Barroca Effect may be too much for FEU to overcome, unless he comes back and plays as if nothing happened, or FEU rallies behind this and plays inspired ball.

 

Fastbreaks: The PBA is 3 weeks away and teams are almost complete with tinkering with their lineups.  Burger King has left a slot open for Japeth Aguilar, should he wants to change his mind…..The NBA legends beat the PBA legends but both showing them Allan Caidic still rules.  I picked the right guy to idolize.  Their talking about having him play with the national team, at 46.  It’s just amazing how no other player comes close to his shooting ability.  Not Dondon, not Renren, definitely not Paolo Mendoza…..The best ever player has taken his place in the Hall of Fame.  MJ should take up Bryon Russel’s challenge just for kicks….San Sebastian is now at 14-0 but heated challenges are coming from San Beda and JRU.  We’ll see after next week if they still have the immaculate slate…..Heard Pearl Jam’s latest. While OK, its eon’s away from their grunge days.  Their previous album with the avocado was better.   

Land Reform + UAAP Power Rankings 2

For a team that traditionally does not make any much noise during the off-season, the Sta. Lucia Realtors has caused a few ripples in the past few days. After being quiet for most of the off-season, the Realtors made 2 surprising transactions. First, Denok Miranda was traded to San Miguel for a 2012 first round pick.  A couple of days later, Dennis Espino is traded to Coke for Jason Misolas and a future 2^nd round pick.  The reason given: salary cap issues. 

This has caused some agitations with the SLR faithful.  Why trade their starting point guard, one of the best defensive guards of the league, and the anchor of the backcourt defense, for only a draft pick that can be availed 3 years from now, from a powerhouse team that will most likely have a low draft position? Also, why trade arguably the best player in the history of the franchise, one who is the team’s career leader in points, rebounds, and games, who has played all of his 14 years with the same team, and last year led the team to it’s first All Filipino Championship, for a career reserve player and only a 2^nd round pick?

 

This also has caused speculations that the franchise is in peril.  The situation is eerily similar to the moves Tanduay and Shell made before their franchises folded, as well as to Barako Bull’s player movements this year.  Firequinito.com  pointed out Sta. Lucia Realty’s financial position as recovering from losses last year due to the worldwide financial crisis.  Some sites went as far as identifying SLR as one of the 2 PBA franchises in financial trouble this year.  All signs seem to point to possible disbandment.  While things may still happen between now and Oct. 11 when the next season opens, there are a few things to consider to think otherwise. 

• Last year’s MVP Kelly Williams was signed to the maximum salary of PHP 350K/month for 3 years. 
• The treatment for his illness last season which also caused SLR’s fortunes to turn sour was shouldered by the company.  The cost was pegged at about 1 million PHP.
• Joseph Yeo was also signed for 3 more years.  Details of the deal are unclear but reports are it is close to the maximum salary as well.
• Gabby Espinas was acquired from Barako Bull, filling a need to strengthen it’s frontcourt as well as compensate for its perennial weakness: rebounding.
• 3 of its core young players are not rumored to be on the trading block: Williams, Yeo, and Ryan Reyes.  For a while Bitoy Omolon was rumored to be going to Ginebra but Coach Boyet Fernandez has emphasized his importance to the team.
• The remaining trade rumors surrounding the team involve it’s older players: Paolo Mendoza to Ginebra for Homer Se and Cholo Villanueva, Marlou Aquino and  Bitoy Omolon to Ginebra for Sunday Salvacion, Paolo Bugia, Doug Kramer, and a draft pick (wouldn’t that be a surprising return back to Ginebra for the Skyscraper).

 

Looking at all these it seems that the franchise direction and directives have changed.

 

• Due to financial constraints, they want to lower total salaries to get within the salary cap, while maintaining their core.
• They want to get younger – They drafted Mark Benitez and Charles Waters as well as signed Josh Urbiztondo, Chris Pacana, and Jervy Del Rosario.  Released Norman Gonzalez, Philip Butel, Melvin Mamaclay, and Christian Coronel.  Espino is traded, Mendoza and Marlou are trade baits.
• They want to maintain their system as a defensive team – They signed Ardy Larong, known defensive nuisance and occasional trouble maker.  Urbiztondo was the PBL’s Defensive Player of the year last year.  Pacana is a solid defender. 
• They are looking at the future, specifically 2012 – This is when the Smart Gilas team members’ contracts run out.  Players like Andy Barroca, Aldrech Ramos, Chris Lutz, Rey Guevarra, Jason Ballesteros, Jayvee Casio and heartthrob Chris Tiu will be available.  Heck if Japeth Aguilar and Rabeh Al-Hussaini sign with Gilas they will be available here as well. 

This can give some optimism to the Realtor fans, dubbed as the BELIEVERS (after SLR’s improbable All Pinoy Championship).  While they lament on the value of what the team received in lieu of Miranda and Espino, you have to consider that the market is a seller’s market.  Miranda could have fetched more (maybe another player plus the draft pick) but given the financial constraints, the draft pick for 2012 is an OK deal.  Not the best but certainly not highway robbery.  Also, Espino is in the twilight of his career.  True it would be more fitting for him to retire as a Realtor, but he also helps the team by being traded this year and being taken off the books.  He was also earning the maximum salary along with Marlou.  SLR won’t be able to sign Kelly Williams and Joseph Yeo had the man fondly called Cap remained with the team.  My guess is he was traded to the Tigers as a handshake deal.  Coke will absorb his salary for this year, but in return SLR gets a reserve player in Misolas and a 2^nd round pick.  I wouldn’t be surprised if Espino ends up with SLR after a year or 2 for his farewell tour. 

 

Marlou is no longer the dominant center 10 years ago.  He has his moments but you can’t expect him to sustain the high level of play for the entire conference, let alone entire year.  Mendoza is an undersized 6’0 shooting guard who does not shoot consistently, not a natural playmaker, and a liability on defense.  Both are earning high salaries. If there are more movements to come, expect them to be in the forefront. 

If Sta. Lucia is indeed in trouble, then it is a shame. While it does not have the deep pockets, powerhouse lineup, and championship pedigree, the Realtors offer a team that can stand up to the corporate giants of the PBA.  Despite its less than stellar lineup last year, they actually had a winning record at (25-22), highlighted by their 3^rd place finish over the San Miguel Beermen in the All Filipino.  Had Kelly Williams and Ryan Reyes been consistently healthy in the 2^nd conference, they could have very well been in the final four, perhaps even the championship.  Coach Boyet Fernandez is an underrated coach who deserves praise while Team Manager Boss Buddy Encarnado is practically an institution in Philippine basketball.  Here’s hoping that they don’t go the route of Tanduay and Shell and they can bounce back, maybe winning a few championships over the SMC teams along the way.

 

UAAP Power Rankings 2 

A week ago the DLSU Green Archers were a foregone conclusion but after last weekend, the landscape changed, dramatically (previous rankings in parenthesis):

 

1. Ateneo 12 -1 (1) - Expected wins over Adamson and UP were blowouts.  One just wonders if they are peaking too soon.  Last game against FEU crucial to determine number 1 seed. 

2. UE 9 - 4 (3) – Elmer Espiritu is the new human highlight film of the UAAP, Paul Lee has found his comfort zone, and Pari Llagas has blossomed to a reliable center. The Red Warriors are the hottest team at the moment.  Whoever is seeded 2nd will be in for a fight.

3. FEU 11 - 2 (2) – Game against LaSalle may have woken a sleeping giant. Had a hard time disposing the Archers and had to go to OT.  Not a good sign going into its showdown with the Blue Eagles. RR Garcia is making his case for Rookie of the Year. 

4. DLSU 5 - 8 (4) – A few weeks back I wrote “never count out the Archers”.  They’ve seemed to have gotten their confidence back after taking FEU to OT, then winning over UST.  Now they only have to beat NU, while UST has to win against UE to avoid a playoff for the number 4 seed.  Money’s on them getting it if this should happen.  Just hope they don’t screw it up against NU.

5. UST 6 - 7 (4) – On the path towards self destruction.  After needing only to win 1 of its remaining 3 games to move to the Final Four, they lose against DLSU and gets blown out by Adamson.  ADAMSON!!!! Coach Pido has his work cut out for him against UE.  Dylan Ababou’s MVP chances are in danger.  Let’s see how they stand up to the pressure. 

6. Adamson 4 - 9 (7) – Surprise blowout win against UST is a building block for the future.  Its young frontline and Lester Alvarez will be something to look forward to next year.

 7. UP 3 - 10 (6) – Lost big to Ateneo but story of the game was team captain Arvin Braganza’s (who was playing a career game) father fainting while watching the game, and eventually succumbing to a heart attack hours later.  Such a tragedy shouldn’t be experienced by anybody.  My prayers go out to the Braganza family. 

8. NU 2 - 11 (8) – What can I say, still agonizing to watch.  Maybe Henry Sy’s money can get in better players next year.  Still, if they beat DLSU…..NAHHHH.

 

Fastbreaks: More PBA rumors as the offseason winds down: Joe Devance for Junthy Valenzuela and Sunday Salvacion.  Kerby Raymundo for Joe Devance and Tony Dela Cruz.  Yancy De Ocampo for JC Intal and Paolo Bugia…..NBA Legends Kareem, Dominique, Tim Hardaway, and Robert Horry are in town.  Unfortunately I don’t have tickets and I have work.  Would have been nice to see Timmy Hardaway go crossover crazy against the PBA stars.…..Smart Gilas will not let its players play in the PBL’s next conference.  Commish Chino Trinidad needs be creative in finding marquee players…..Looks like AI will indeed be signing with the Grizzlies.   All those prayers may have helped……Watched an episode of Hardball last week and saw Commish Barrios explain the intricacies of the PBA salary cap.  I’ll expound this more in future article but in a nutshell, the cap is at 32 million, but covers only the 14 active players and does not cover any bonuses and other perks.  So you can have as many as 20 players but only the 14 active players are counted.  I guess that explains why a lot of players in San Miguel and Ginebra are injured.

UAAP Roundup

Two-thirds into Season 72 of the UAAP and surprisingly this is our first extended look into what has been an eventful season so far.  The multitude of player movements in the PBA, the rookie draft, and Team Pilipinas’ campaign in Tianjin has overshadowed the premier collegiate tournament of the country  (sorry NCAA) somewhat, but as this season winds down, the spotlight will be shining on the all the teams and its players.  Practically all 8 teams will have 4 playing dates left and they are jockeying for position to make the final Four, and win the championship. Here is my take on the UAAP as we approach the end of the elimination round.

 

POWER RANKINGS           

Contenders

 

1. Ateneo  - The Blue Eagles have picked of from last year, currently leading the field at 8 wins with a single loss.  Counting last year, they’re an amazing 24 – 2. They’ve coasted at times and prone to complacency, leading to their solitary loss to UP but on the big games they’ve shown up (witness their statement game in their 2^nd meeting against LaSalle).  This is probably their best chance to go back-to-back, their first since their glory days of 1987-1989 with Alex Araneta, Eric Reyes, and Jun Reyes.  It’s theirs to lose.

 

2. FEU – A week ago I would have given them the number 1 spot.  Was the hottest team with 8 straight wins leading into Sunday’s game against UE, then got ambushed by the Red Warriors. Still, they’ve showed that they are the team with the best chance of dethroning Ateneo with their combination of length, athleticism, and depth.  They have to prove that their stumble against UE was exactly that, just a stumble.  

3. UE – The Red Warriors are on a high, bouncing back big time after being beaten by Ateneo by stirring wins against Adamson and FEU.  They seem to be peaking at the right time and they have to tools to upset the top 2 teams.  They just need to show more consistency in playing at a high level.  They could very well sustain that as it is facing a relatively light schedule in its last 4 games by playing teams with worse records than they have. 

 

Iffy’s 

4. UST – The Tigers have the league’s best scorer in Dylan Ababou and employs a transition based offense not unlike Ginebra during the Jaworski days.  Coach Pido Jarencio has instilled this high octane offense, enabling them to lead the league in scoring.  Just like Ginebra before, however, the team is devoid of any low post threat. This inability to have an inside game has given them problems especially when the defense adjusts to them.  They can still pull off an upset or two but the lack of an inside presence is too glaring.

 

5. LaSalle – The Green Archers have been beaten by Ateneo 6 straight times already, dating back to last year.  Cleary this is not their year, hurt most by the graduation of resident stars JV Casio and Rico Maierhoffer.  They are in danger of missing the Final Four since 1998, Franz Pumaren’s 1^st year as coach.  This has caused clamor for him to be replaced (younger bro Dindo is waiting in the wings).  Come on fellas!  Is this the way you repay the man who has given you success and 5 titles over the past 11 years?  He deserves better.  Just accept the fact that not every year can be your year and other schools will be better. They’ll be scary next year though.  

Maybe next year

6. UP – Winless 2 years ago, 3 years last year, and 3 wins and counting this year, with wins against Ateneo and LaSalle.  They’ve shown steady progress.  Plays with a lot of heart, yet that can only get you so far.  Still the future is bright for the Maroons.  A lot of their defeats this year are of the heartbreaking kind, so with a little seasoning, and they could be where UST is at right now.   

7. Adamson – They have a more balanced lineup than UP, so they should be better than their record.  Chalk it up to youth and inexperience. Coach Leo Austria needs to be patient with his brood as they have potential, as shown with their win against LaSalle, but overall has performed below expectations this year.  They need an established go to guy to have a better shot next year.

 

8. NU – At times this team is agonizing to watch, especially if they go “threegger happy”.  It seems that all their plays have them shooting from beyond the arc, no matter the situation.  They need to show more discipline in their offense and more teeth in defense.  One game this year had Ateneo limiting them to single digits in the first 3 quarters of the game, scoring only 4 in one. Not surprisingly, they only made two 3-point shots the whole game.  Only 2 wins to show for the whole year, with victories with only with the lower tier teams (UP and Adamson).  They’re one team rooting for expansion next year. 

 

STARS 

• Rabeh Al-Hussaini: Ateneo (17.4 ppg 6.7rpg) – Reigning MVP isn’t even in the top 5 of the official rankings, but their record speaks volumes.  The Blue Eagles will not be where they are at without him. Defenses have adjusted to his play but his points remain the same.  Still 6.7 rebounds seem a bit low for someone who is supposed to be the league’s dominating center.

 

• Dylan Ababou: UST (20.2 ppg 7.0 rpg) – What playing for the national team can do for your game.  Nothing flashy, but plays with fundamentals.  Would be the runaway MVP by now had the Tigers sported a better record.  Don’t count them out in the Final Four. 

 

• Mark Barroca: FEU (13.7 ppg 5.6 rpg 3.0 apg 1.7 spg) – Another beneficiary of the Smart Gilas program.  So good that he is considered the best PG in the league, while playing at OG.  Led Harbor Center to championships in the PBL, trying to do the same for FEU. 

  

LOOK OUT FOR

• Aldrech Ramos: FEU (10.9 ppg 10.7 rpg 1.5 bpg) –Showed flashes last year, plays more this year, and averages a double-double. Gives you some of the most spectacular blocks in the UAAP.  Give him a few more pounds, a few more post up moves, more seasoning with Smart Gilas, and you have the league’s next dominating big man after Rabeh leaves. 

 

• Nico Salva: Ateneo (8.5 ppg 4.4 rpg) – Overshadowed by more highly touted rookie Ryan Buenafe last year Salva has steadily improved this year, almost quadrupling his scoring average from 2.6 to 8.5 this year.  He has compensated for Baclao’s scoring deficiencies and has become a reliable scorer off the bench.  Look for him to blossom next year with Rabeh and Nonoy graduating.  In the meantime, watch out for him during the warm-ups for few of his awesome dunks.

 

• Khazim Mirza: UST (15.4 ppg 8.2rpg) – Effectively playing second fiddle to Abbou. Mirza has seen his share of explosive and highlight plays (dunked over Salva in their first meeting).  Also has a deadly 3-point shot.  Expect him to be the main man when Dylan leaves next year.  Needs to bulk up more.

 

 

MISSING IN ACTION 

• LaSalle Stars – Last year you had Casio and Maierhoffer. Before that you had Yeo and Cardona.  And so on, and so on.  This year you don’t have any household names.  Nobody stepped up for the Gang Green this year.  This after having supposed to be having the best recruiting class for the school in recent memory.  Rumors of discord within the team abound.  Most telling stat: no one is averaging double digits.

 

• Ryan Buenafe: Ateneo (4.5 ppg 3.7 rpg) – Seems to be in the proverbial sophomore slump.  His move towards the bench was with the hope that he will be the main scorer but for now that seems to have transferred over to his batchmate, Salva.  A combination of inconsistent outside shot, defenses now more prepared for his drives, and an apparent lack of conditioning have contributed to this.  He is too talented to be performing this way.

 

• Jewel Ponferada: NU (8.1 ppg 6.9 rpg) – Luster in name hasn’t been translating to game. Talent supposed to be better than his numbers.  Last year he was regularly dunking in games, this year no recorded slams.  Maybe because of all the 3’s his teammates are putting up. 

  

 

Fastbreaks: Smart Gilas now officially takes over the national team.  SBP head Noli Eala wants no pros, Coach Toroman wants at least 3 (Aguilar, Dillinger, and Norwood).  And I though they were supposed to be having a unified program…..Speaking of Eala, could it be a case of sour-graping after being booted out of the PBA 3 years ago?…….Please give Kelly Williams and Ryan Reyes a chance to play.  I know they want another chance after being hit with injuries…..They’ve finally signed up CJ Giles for the team.  Here’s hoping that he can help the Team Pilipinas  immediately by giving them an inside defensive presence, and in the future, marrying and having Fil-Am kids……PBA off-season almost over, with Purefoods and Talk N Text already with complete lineups. Can’t wait for Oct. 11 for the opening…..”Dead God, My old coach now wants me and I hope you can help me sign with the Bobcats. I will definitely practice, but will not come off the bench.  Thanks.  Allen Iverson”

HOOPS HODGEPODGE: Team Pilipinas @ Jones Cup + Ateneo ruling the UAAP

HOOPS HODGEPODGE

The past week has seen a lot of hoops activity. Some insights on these happenings.

Team Pilipinas in the Jones Cup

I actually wanted to write this article 3 days ago. But I’ve sharing the same grief that the whole country has been experiencing since the tournament began, hence no motivation to write something decent. Six games so far into the tournament, with only 1 win to show for it. Now if this was a rag tag team like on occasions we’ve sent in the past or collection of stars from the collegiate leagues this would have been less bitter to swallow but we’re talking about our National Team, among the best our pro league can offer. Utterly disappointing.

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Sydman and Chrisangelo’s BREAKDOWN PART 3!

What will happen when two schools of thought combine? One is said to be SYDMAN (aka Drixlazar), The Idea Diarrhea because of his reeking, continuous, overflowing, brownish basketball ideas while the other is the Chrisangelo, the Walking Pornographic Bastard who like many of you, browses the net for everyday girl-on-doberman porn action!

From the depths of society, two bitchin’ talents merging with a promise to promote the truth to the wide scale audience! Forming the biggest idea that will forever shape the stellar internet-basketball-blog-writing-world into another orbit?

We don’t really hope to achieve anything… but educate you about the basketball world! And we’re going to do that by giving you guys an un-expert-like opinion to frequently asked questions by basketball fans.

Believe us. We’re serious.

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Advisory Group Meeting - Part II - Jaworski, In The House

Part I here.

After the break, here are further details about the so-called Advisory Meeting. We were able to get access to this event.

Robert Jaworski was able to make the meet and Tim Cone hurriedly left the building to attend to something.

LEGEND: (<— Not the Jaworski Legend)

• Sonny Barrios - (SB)
• Robert Jaworski - (RJ)
• Yeng Guiao - (YG)
• Jong Uichico - (JU)
• Norman Black (NB)
• Chot Reyes (CR)

SB: Good thing Bobby, you made it.

RJ: Well, pare, alam mo ang basketball, laro ng limang tao yan na nagtutulungan. Iisang grupo, na may iisang hangarin, na manalo na hindi iniisip ay ang sarili lamang. Kaya tayo nandidito ngayon ay para pag-usapan ang mga bagay na sa bandang huli, tagumpay ay mararating nating lahat. Para sa ikaliligaya ng bawat Pilipino.

NB: WTF!

SB: Before the break, Mr. Senator, we were on the topic of us hiring foreign coaches to handle our team. What do you have to say about this? Also, on the issue of enlisting naturalized players, what’s your stand.

(The following are REAL statements from Robert Jaworki as picked up from various news reports.)

RJ: Hiring a foreign coach is a little way off. Honestly, I hope you don’t mind, I don’t have anything against foreign coaches, but we have to have some degree of pride at the right time.

What if you have a foreign coach and the national team wins? What do you achieve? ‘Champion kami!’ Who’s your coach? ‘A Scaramooch.’

A two-month seminar where the foreign mentor can pass on his “best attributes and best messages” to local coaches who already have international experience can produce very, very good results.

With regards to the naturalization, there are available legal arenas for help. We have so many overseas Filipino workers. Spread the word around for a 20-, 25-, 30-year old half-Filipino player who didn’t qualify, say, for the German national team. Then have him come over.

Naturalizing a foreigner would always involve a question of law.

(Back to PHONY conversations now.)

JU: Yeng, make him stop! He misses the senate floor so much, if we allow him to talk law and legalities, he’ll recite the preamble. Pagpa-practisan tayo nyan.

YG: Ok, ok, ok, Mr. Senator we got your 2 points. Since I am for signing up of foreign seven footers and NOT for foreign coach hiring, I’ll be on the middle ground with you. You back me up with my anti-foreign coach and I’ll back out of my 7 footer (AKA, Adam Parada chase) wish. Deal?

RJ: Deal. And, don’t worry too much about Japeth Aguilar Yeng. If you want him, he’ll be here. I’ll contact my former goon, Peter, to send his boy back here to help us.

SB: So, that’s the consesus. No to foreign coach for PBA backed team and no to naturalization of player for now.

CR: (whispering to JU) Parang si Jawo lang ang nasunod ah.

YG: Good thing you mentioned Japeth Mr. Senator. I’d really love to have him on board this basketball quest. But who are your other players in mind?

RJ: I’d like to have Billy Mamaril at center, Jun Jun Cabatu and Japeth Aguilar at forwards, Dudut and Paolo Hubalde as my guards.

JU: What the?! That’s new-gen Ginebra players!

NB: It aint right Sonny.

RJ: Well, it aint right but at least it’s historic.

NB: Speaking of history, Sonny and I coached the best finishing PBA backed team, a sweet silver finish. Now Yeng, top that.

YG: You know what Norman, I think top 2 finish then is equal to top 5 finish now. Considering the East Asian teams are still powerful and that West Asia teams have caught up with the basketball fever. And it gets tougher guys… Did you know that FIBA is considering merging FIBA Asia and FIBA Oceana? That could mean, welcome Ausies and Kiwis.

JU: Wow! Top 2 without Australia and New Zealand is already tough. Adding the two Oceana teams, top 2 is virtually impossible to re-accomplish.

RJ: Pare, alam mo ang basketball, walang imposible. Nasa tamang paghahanda, dedikasyon ng grupo, sa iisang hangarin manalo kahit sino pa o gano kalaki at kabilis ang kalaban.

JU: Here we go again. Enough of the pep-talk Coach.

RJ: This is not pep talk Jong. This is the truth. We were down 1-3 in 91 against Shell and people said, it’s impossible. And looked what happen? Game 7, last play drawn up, a bucket of by an unlikely fellow, Rudy. Boom, we were champions. Against all odds.

YG: I wholeheartedly agree. And I can attest to this. A rag tag team can win it all if basketball is played the right way and with passion. Add to the mix, the patriotism, we can make this work.

SB: The only problem we got is more than half of our team are filams and just landed in the Philippines 1 to 3 years now. How can we instill the patriotism thing and the love for Pilipinas.

RJ: Easy!

CR: How Senator?

RJ: Let’s enroll them to a remedial “Araling Panlipunan, Sibika at Kultura” classes for grades V and VI. Let’s do trips to Intramuros, Coreigidor, Libingan ng mga Bayani and all those historic places. While we are educating our filams with these trips, we’ll get more media exposure and publicity. That should solve the lack of patriotism of some of our guys.

YG: Galing mo talaga coach.

RJ: Who’s yor daddy now?

YG: You! BTW, Tim texted me Coach, he’s asking if you’re still here.

RJ: This is OT, but tell him, I am here and I got one good offer for him. I am proposing an exhibition game between his 96 Alaska Team (Jolas, Bong, Johnny, Poch and Cariaso) and my Gordons Gin 96 team (Noli, Marlou, Bal, Pido and Vince). That’s enticing eh?

SB: Hey Sonny that’s intriguing. Your basketball wisdom never fails to amaze me. BTW, I’ll propose that to Joaqui Trillo as an undercard for the 08-09 Season All-Star game. Since we are into agreement with some of the most important aspects of the team build-up, may I close this meeting. You’ll all get the minutes of the minutes at Hoops.Blink.Ph.

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

Chris Ranks: Who really has the best system in College basketball? (UAAP Edition)

Yeah, unless you’re illiterate or Korean (Inside joke here) you’ll probably get what I mean in the title alone. The question is, how can you say your school has the best basketball system in the country? Well, it’s easy.. let’s look at who produced the best players in the PBA since the new millennium!

Sorry NCAA guys! You’ll have to wait. I’ll do the NCAA edition tomorrow.. right now, let’s give the UAAP kids some attention first.

I compiled the names every single one of the draftees from a UAAP school since the year 2000. I only included players who were drafted in the first two rounds except for two notables who were drafted in the third round. (FEU’s Celino Cruz and ADMU’s Jec Chia)

The scoring system will be simple. The number of the asterisks on the players name would be the indicator of the points they will be having. The school with the most number of points wins! (Well duh)

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