Wednesday, September 27, 2006
Go, Joe!
Congratulations to East Rombo's very own Joe-poy Pandaraoan, as well as to his fellow patchers from UNLSC.org! Great job, mga 'pre! Can't wait to get my hands on the mod already!
Monday, September 25, 2006
1-0
Boy, that was some win, huh?
In true Doug-style-fashion, with a mere second remaining in the game, Doug Kramer delivered Game 1 to the sea of Blue as he snuck in from behind to hit the game-clinching backdoor short-stab! Doug has truly made a statement throughout this season: that he, unlike Reggie Evans, has learned how to handle the ball in the clutch.
Of course, due credit goes out to Macky Escalona as well for his fantastic find. (But it's much harder to come up with tasteless, double-meaning jokes based on his name, so...)
We were there, by the way, but we only managed to grab tickets for upper b seats. Thus, this brief, poorly-lit clip of the post-game festivities. Of course, I didn't catch the game-winner on video myself--because, seriously, who watches a game live only to wait for a moment like this to unfold through the lens/es of a camera? (A professional photographer or videographer, of course, but that's not my point, smartass.)
Sana makakuha ng tickets for Thursday. At sana makapagpaalam ako.
In true Doug-
Of course, due credit goes out to Macky Escalona as well for his fantastic find. (But it's much harder to come up with tasteless, double-meaning jokes based on his name, so...)
We were there, by the way, but we only managed to grab tickets for upper b seats. Thus, this brief, poorly-lit clip of the post-game festivities. Of course, I didn't catch the game-winner on video myself--because, seriously, who watches a game live only to wait for a moment like this to unfold through the lens/es of a camera? (A professional photographer or videographer, of course, but that's not my point, smartass.)
Sana makakuha ng tickets for Thursday. At sana makapagpaalam ako.
GO ATENEO!
ONE BIG FIGHT!
ONE BIG FIGHT!
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
Winning in Defeat
*blog posted at http://carloricohermoso.net on September 9, 2006
In losing, they became winners. In defeat, there is dignity. That's what you may say about the Ateneo Blue Eagles who fell a good play short of scoring an upset victory over the UE Red Warriors.
It's a no-bearing game to begin with, except that this is a battle for pride. Curiously, this year's hosts UE has an advantage over Ateneo since the latter is coming off a hard-earned victory against the FEU Tamaraws last Thursday, hence a day of rest prior to this game (something very fishy *cough*). Ateneo's position at the top is well established as UE was handed down back-to-back defeats from the Adamson Falcons and the UP Fighting Maroons which relegated them to second place. In this game, it was all about Ateneo and UE's claim to supremacy over the other.
The Ateneo Blue Eagles had to overcome a lethargic 1st half marked by poor outside shooting and free throw shooting. They wouldn't just pound the ball inside and relied their luck on their ouside shooting. Too bad lady luck wasn't smiling at the Eagles. Meanwhile, UE's top-guns Marcy Arellano and Bonbon Custodio found their rhythm from the outside, and the UE guards were connecting on their lay-ups. UE's big men in Elmer Espiritu and Kelvin Gregorio were boxing out properly and were a threat to Ateneo's inside scoring. What kept Ateneo afloat were the successive technical fouls slapped on coach Dindo Pumaren (there was a foul at Escalona from our side, magugulang talaga boys mo), a stupid mockery by James Martinez on Zion Laterre (poetic justice), that stupid technical by Canizares for excessive complaining (Dindo Pumaren shouting at Canizares was a sight to behold), and a technical on Hans Thiele (wtf is wrong, Eric Salamat was just playing ball). Custodio's 6 turnovers and 15 by UE almost contributed to the Warrior's downfall.
The Eagles fell as big as 20 points down by the third quarter before Coach Norman Black used another of his "Black" magic tricks by putting in seldomly-used point-guard Eman Monfort. The heir to the "14" jersey number after 14 greats Enrico Villanueva (1997-2002) and Larry Fonacier (2003-2004) responded by hitting a trey which was enough to spark a rally by the Eagles to cut the deficit to from 20 points down to 12 by the end of the third quarter. His courage to drive in against UE's giants (and dish out an assist) earned him the Ateneo crowd's applause.
Again I stress that this is a no-bearing game and the Ateneo Eagles could have handed UE the win just to rest (as the saying goes, "A step backward, two steps forward"), but the Eagles have so much pride in them. Norman Black risked putting in his top stars JC Intal, Macky Escalona, Doug Kramer, and Chris Tiu along with Eman Monfort in the line of injury. The Ateneo defense (highlighted by Macky Escalona's block on Custodio and Kramer's block on Elmer Espiritu) gave JC Intal room to operate for two dunks - one which brought the deficit down to one 75-76 with 10s remaining following another Custodio turnover. Intal was the epitome of "never give up, never surrender" as he must have scored Ateneo's last seven points when the Blue and White were down by eight entering the last two minutes through a trey, "the" dunk, and a hard-work effort shot under the basket over Espiritu. Macky Escalona fouled Custodio and latter made up for all his boo-boos by scoring crucial freethrows to put the Warriors up by three, 75-78. Finally, Chris Tiu ran out of ammo on his trey as he fumbled his last second shot.
But in defeat, the whole of Ateneo crowd (including I), were in standing ovation for the Blue Eagles as if the Eagles won the game. No, it wasn't a sign of bitterness or denial. It was more of psychological edge over UE, that even if they won the game, they know in their hearts that Ateneo is a team that can come back from a 20 point deficit -- something that they aren't familiar with. The loss was a statement against the UE crowd - that even if they copied Ateneo, UST, and La Salle's cheers, they couldn't match Ateneo's "One Big Fight." The game showed how UE can be so cocky and aggressive (highlighted by Martinez's stupid facial on Laterre), that it really hides their insecurities.
In defeat, Intal and company won the hearts of the Ateneo faithful. After the game, Intal was still disappointed with the outcome -- you know he wanted to win the game badly. It was a good practice game, a warm-up for the final four, and finally a statement to UE -- you know Ateneo can get back at you guys.
In any case, it was a good game that UE played, highlighted by their tenacity in rebounds (55 as against 39), blocks (9 against 3), assists (17 as against Ateneo's 1o) and superior field goal (43% as against 32%) and free throw (78% against 67%) shooting.
Finally, the game was a mockery to the UE pep-squad themselves, who are fastly earning a reputation of copycats. I hope they'll come up with something original (their "Get That Ball" cheer's drum beat is almost the same as ours, their "Go UE, Beat Ateneo" is a ripoff of La Salle's "Beat Ateneo, Animo La Salle" cheer, plus their hand movements in a cheer were synonymous to UST's "Go USTe" hand movement). I think I'm going to make a poster "Copycats" next time UE and Ateneo face each other.
Go Ateneo, One Big Fight!
In losing, they became winners. In defeat, there is dignity. That's what you may say about the Ateneo Blue Eagles who fell a good play short of scoring an upset victory over the UE Red Warriors.
It's a no-bearing game to begin with, except that this is a battle for pride. Curiously, this year's hosts UE has an advantage over Ateneo since the latter is coming off a hard-earned victory against the FEU Tamaraws last Thursday, hence a day of rest prior to this game (something very fishy *cough*). Ateneo's position at the top is well established as UE was handed down back-to-back defeats from the Adamson Falcons and the UP Fighting Maroons which relegated them to second place. In this game, it was all about Ateneo and UE's claim to supremacy over the other.
The Ateneo Blue Eagles had to overcome a lethargic 1st half marked by poor outside shooting and free throw shooting. They wouldn't just pound the ball inside and relied their luck on their ouside shooting. Too bad lady luck wasn't smiling at the Eagles. Meanwhile, UE's top-guns Marcy Arellano and Bonbon Custodio found their rhythm from the outside, and the UE guards were connecting on their lay-ups. UE's big men in Elmer Espiritu and Kelvin Gregorio were boxing out properly and were a threat to Ateneo's inside scoring. What kept Ateneo afloat were the successive technical fouls slapped on coach Dindo Pumaren (there was a foul at Escalona from our side, magugulang talaga boys mo), a stupid mockery by James Martinez on Zion Laterre (poetic justice), that stupid technical by Canizares for excessive complaining (Dindo Pumaren shouting at Canizares was a sight to behold), and a technical on Hans Thiele (wtf is wrong, Eric Salamat was just playing ball). Custodio's 6 turnovers and 15 by UE almost contributed to the Warrior's downfall.
The Eagles fell as big as 20 points down by the third quarter before Coach Norman Black used another of his "Black" magic tricks by putting in seldomly-used point-guard Eman Monfort. The heir to the "14" jersey number after 14 greats Enrico Villanueva (1997-2002) and Larry Fonacier (2003-2004) responded by hitting a trey which was enough to spark a rally by the Eagles to cut the deficit to from 20 points down to 12 by the end of the third quarter. His courage to drive in against UE's giants (and dish out an assist) earned him the Ateneo crowd's applause.
Again I stress that this is a no-bearing game and the Ateneo Eagles could have handed UE the win just to rest (as the saying goes, "A step backward, two steps forward"), but the Eagles have so much pride in them. Norman Black risked putting in his top stars JC Intal, Macky Escalona, Doug Kramer, and Chris Tiu along with Eman Monfort in the line of injury. The Ateneo defense (highlighted by Macky Escalona's block on Custodio and Kramer's block on Elmer Espiritu) gave JC Intal room to operate for two dunks - one which brought the deficit down to one 75-76 with 10s remaining following another Custodio turnover. Intal was the epitome of "never give up, never surrender" as he must have scored Ateneo's last seven points when the Blue and White were down by eight entering the last two minutes through a trey, "the" dunk, and a hard-work effort shot under the basket over Espiritu. Macky Escalona fouled Custodio and latter made up for all his boo-boos by scoring crucial freethrows to put the Warriors up by three, 75-78. Finally, Chris Tiu ran out of ammo on his trey as he fumbled his last second shot.
But in defeat, the whole of Ateneo crowd (including I), were in standing ovation for the Blue Eagles as if the Eagles won the game. No, it wasn't a sign of bitterness or denial. It was more of psychological edge over UE, that even if they won the game, they know in their hearts that Ateneo is a team that can come back from a 20 point deficit -- something that they aren't familiar with. The loss was a statement against the UE crowd - that even if they copied Ateneo, UST, and La Salle's cheers, they couldn't match Ateneo's "One Big Fight." The game showed how UE can be so cocky and aggressive (highlighted by Martinez's stupid facial on Laterre), that it really hides their insecurities.
In defeat, Intal and company won the hearts of the Ateneo faithful. After the game, Intal was still disappointed with the outcome -- you know he wanted to win the game badly. It was a good practice game, a warm-up for the final four, and finally a statement to UE -- you know Ateneo can get back at you guys.
In any case, it was a good game that UE played, highlighted by their tenacity in rebounds (55 as against 39), blocks (9 against 3), assists (17 as against Ateneo's 1o) and superior field goal (43% as against 32%) and free throw (78% against 67%) shooting.
Finally, the game was a mockery to the UE pep-squad themselves, who are fastly earning a reputation of copycats. I hope they'll come up with something original (their "Get That Ball" cheer's drum beat is almost the same as ours, their "Go UE, Beat Ateneo" is a ripoff of La Salle's "Beat Ateneo, Animo La Salle" cheer, plus their hand movements in a cheer were synonymous to UST's "Go USTe" hand movement). I think I'm going to make a poster "Copycats" next time UE and Ateneo face each other.
Go Ateneo, One Big Fight!
Jumbled up UAAP Standings
*blog posted last August 30 at http://carloricohermoso.net
Five game-dates remaining. 8 crucial games. All because of Ateneo's upset loss against the UST Growling Tigers.
At the three fourths mark of the eliminations, we see Ateneo at 8-1, UE creeping at 7-2, UST at 5-5, and FEU at 5-6. Adamson catches up at 4-5, NU at 3-7 with UP at 2-8. Right now, Ateneo and UE are assured of a twice-to-beat-advantage, whatever happens to their remaining games (their placings will be another thing to decide on). UP is the only team assured of at least preparing for the next season. Meanwhile, UST, Adamson, FEU, and NU each have a crack at the last two slots of the final four.
For Ateneo, they will be up against NU, FEU, and UE . The odds are against Ateneo, since they will be facing a well rested FEU (who will have almost 10 days of rest before the match). To add insult to the injury, they will be up against UE two days after. Should they win against NU, the battle may be over for the Bulldogs. A win against FEU will boost UST's chances of securing a final four slot, and finally a win against UE may give them the top spot.
UE faces relatively easy tasks of going up against Adamson and UP, before facing Ateneo. Wins by the Warriors against Adamson and UP will not only boost their chances at the top spot and give Ateneo the boot off the top spot, but also will make things difficult for Falcons to make it to the next round.
For the Pido Jarencio-led UST Growling Tigers who are riding high on a three game winning streak from NU, FEU, and Ateneo (argh), they will be battling first round tormentors UP and Adamson. Should they win their remaining games, they may not only secure the third spot, but put pressure on the Falcons and the Tams and leave the two fighting on the last spot. Another possibility is that UST, AdU, and FEU each have a 6-6 record (which assumes all of them gain a win each).
The Tamaraws meanwhile are a waiting team, and their game against Ateneo may prove to be crucial for them. Currently having a 5-6 record, they may either gain a 6-6 record with a win against Ateneo or as far as 5-7, should they lose. As mentioned, they have an advantage over the Eagles with a long rest a burning desire to survive and move to the next round.
Adamson is another interesting team to mark, as they're aiming for a top four spot since the final four format was implemented in 1994. Their last appearance in a finals was way back in the days of EJ Feihl, Marlou Aquino, and Kenneth Duremdes in 1992 (against a Nestor Echano, Vic Pablo, and Johnny Abbarientos led-FEU). Currently spotting a 4-5 record, they're up against NU, UE, and UST. They may go as high as third place (and dislodge UST off that spot) or may even go as low as 5-7 and get the boot should UST win against them and FEU win against Ateneo. The UE-AdU game is a game of survival for Adamson, and their game against UST is a game for the right for the final four slot.
NU, as mentioned, has to win its last two games against Ateneo and Adamson if they want to make it to the next round. Not only those tasks, but also pray that UST loses its last two games, Adamson loses at least two games, and FEU loses to Ateneo, so that all of them (UST, FEU, Adamson, and NU all carry a 5-7 record). Ateneo shouldn't count the Bulldogs out- they were almost beaten by this ragtag scrappy team in the UAAP opening day.
To sum it up:
Ateneo must win its last three games if it wants a safe place on the top.
A UE loss (assuming Ateneo does well in the next 3 games) may permanently relegate them to second place.
FEU has two weeks rest before facing off Ateneo. If they lose and Adamson win two of its games and UST win one, they will be eliminated for the first time since 2002.
NU has to win its last two games and pray that UST,
Adamson, and FEU lose so they may at least tie those three schools with a 5-7 record.
UST needs at least a victory to assure themselves a slot in the final four.
UP is booted out.
It all sums up to one cliche: it's not how you start games, rather its how you finish them. Each of the teams will have to fight it out to the finish.
Let the last leg of the UAAP eliminations begin.
Five game-dates remaining. 8 crucial games. All because of Ateneo's upset loss against the UST Growling Tigers.
At the three fourths mark of the eliminations, we see Ateneo at 8-1, UE creeping at 7-2, UST at 5-5, and FEU at 5-6. Adamson catches up at 4-5, NU at 3-7 with UP at 2-8. Right now, Ateneo and UE are assured of a twice-to-beat-advantage, whatever happens to their remaining games (their placings will be another thing to decide on). UP is the only team assured of at least preparing for the next season. Meanwhile, UST, Adamson, FEU, and NU each have a crack at the last two slots of the final four.
For Ateneo, they will be up against NU, FEU, and UE . The odds are against Ateneo, since they will be facing a well rested FEU (who will have almost 10 days of rest before the match). To add insult to the injury, they will be up against UE two days after. Should they win against NU, the battle may be over for the Bulldogs. A win against FEU will boost UST's chances of securing a final four slot, and finally a win against UE may give them the top spot.
UE faces relatively easy tasks of going up against Adamson and UP, before facing Ateneo. Wins by the Warriors against Adamson and UP will not only boost their chances at the top spot and give Ateneo the boot off the top spot, but also will make things difficult for Falcons to make it to the next round.
For the Pido Jarencio-led UST Growling Tigers who are riding high on a three game winning streak from NU, FEU, and Ateneo (argh), they will be battling first round tormentors UP and Adamson. Should they win their remaining games, they may not only secure the third spot, but put pressure on the Falcons and the Tams and leave the two fighting on the last spot. Another possibility is that UST, AdU, and FEU each have a 6-6 record (which assumes all of them gain a win each).
The Tamaraws meanwhile are a waiting team, and their game against Ateneo may prove to be crucial for them. Currently having a 5-6 record, they may either gain a 6-6 record with a win against Ateneo or as far as 5-7, should they lose. As mentioned, they have an advantage over the Eagles with a long rest a burning desire to survive and move to the next round.
Adamson is another interesting team to mark, as they're aiming for a top four spot since the final four format was implemented in 1994. Their last appearance in a finals was way back in the days of EJ Feihl, Marlou Aquino, and Kenneth Duremdes in 1992 (against a Nestor Echano, Vic Pablo, and Johnny Abbarientos led-FEU). Currently spotting a 4-5 record, they're up against NU, UE, and UST. They may go as high as third place (and dislodge UST off that spot) or may even go as low as 5-7 and get the boot should UST win against them and FEU win against Ateneo. The UE-AdU game is a game of survival for Adamson, and their game against UST is a game for the right for the final four slot.
NU, as mentioned, has to win its last two games against Ateneo and Adamson if they want to make it to the next round. Not only those tasks, but also pray that UST loses its last two games, Adamson loses at least two games, and FEU loses to Ateneo, so that all of them (UST, FEU, Adamson, and NU all carry a 5-7 record). Ateneo shouldn't count the Bulldogs out- they were almost beaten by this ragtag scrappy team in the UAAP opening day.
To sum it up:
Ateneo must win its last three games if it wants a safe place on the top.
A UE loss (assuming Ateneo does well in the next 3 games) may permanently relegate them to second place.
FEU has two weeks rest before facing off Ateneo. If they lose and Adamson win two of its games and UST win one, they will be eliminated for the first time since 2002.
NU has to win its last two games and pray that UST,
Adamson, and FEU lose so they may at least tie those three schools with a 5-7 record.
UST needs at least a victory to assure themselves a slot in the final four.
UP is booted out.
It all sums up to one cliche: it's not how you start games, rather its how you finish them. Each of the teams will have to fight it out to the finish.
Let the last leg of the UAAP eliminations begin.
Evaluating the PBA Freshmen, Class 2005-2006
*blog composed last May 11, 2006. Reposting at Eastrombo.
"Masaya ang rookie days namin. Para kaming mga bakang pinakawalan sa kural. Mga batang-bata. Kung maglaro, basta na lang maglaro. Sasabihin mo, 'Mga professional ba ito?'"
- Abet Guidaben
The eliminations of the ongoing PBA Philippine Cup is nearing its end, as the playoffs will start at June, and the PBA will wrap up the season after about a month and a half. The PBA has been putting on a show for about seven months now. At this stage, we can safely evaluate how the PBA rookies, who first came into the league via the Rookie Draft back in August 2005, have performed so far for the PBA's 31st season.
First Round:
1. Anthony Washington (Talk 'n Text Phonepals)
This former PBL Fantastic Freshman awardee and Rain or Shine player created a lot of brouhaha the moment he stated his intentions of joining the draft. He was one of two amateur aspirants whom National Team coach Chot Reyes included in the National Team lineup back when two Philippine Team squads went up against the Iran National team back in April 2005. Air21 Express drafted him as the first overall pick as a trade bait, since Washington is more of a wingman rather than a post player. Loaded with too much players at the wings, and lacking big men at the post, Air21 traded him to favorite trading buddy Talk 'n Text, in exchange for Yancy de Ocampo, who coincidentally was Air21's first overall pick in the 2002 draft. In a team loaded with big names in Willie Miller, Jimmy Alapag, and Asi Taulava, with a lot of veterans playing for the Phone Pals, Washington was seldomly used in the rotation, and was eventually put into the injured list for the rest of the season due to a shoulder injury. How ironic. I don't even remember a game when he produced decent numbers for a rookie.
*note: "J-Wash" started playing again for the Talk 'n Text squad just last Friday, May 12, sporting an afro he probably grew while being in the injured list. True to what the analysts say, he is more of a wing player than an inside player.
2. Alex Cabagnot (Sta. Lucia Realtors)
This rookie immediately became popular probably because of one thing: he erased Mark Caguioa's scoring record in Eagle Rock High School. I thought he also came with a blonde, undercut, gelled hair. He almost made a controversy and was almost banned from the league when he supposedly refused to sign up with the Sta. Lucia Realtors and left for the US after the draft. Fortunately for him, it was just a misunderstanding between the team and his agent. On his second game in the pro-league, he showed his stuff against schoolmate Caguioa and Helterbrand, and he owned the two by playing big in the fourth quarter back in October 9, 2005. The media immediately responded to the Caguioa-Cabagnot shaping rivalry as the two were seen trash-talking in that game. In their second elimination game against each other, Caguioa owned him as the glib-talker Caguioa declared, "C'mon men, you can't compare him (Cabagnot) with us. Look at the score. Hindi man lang siya lumaban." Cabagnot was 0/13 from the field en route to an egged game when his team went up against Purefoods back in December 14, 2005. His playmaking skills are still questionable, so is his consistent scoring. His tandem with Paolo Mendoza is something nice to look at. Unfortunately for him, while I may consider him to be at the top five of this rookie batch, his team is playing badly, as they ended up seventh in the PBA Fiesta Cup and right now, they're at bottom in the standings with a 3-10 win-loss slate.
3. Denok Miranda (Coca-cola Tigers)
Denok Miranda, a former UAAP mythical five awardee, flew in for SMB-RP Team's injured Willie Miller in the 2005 Jones Cup. In a team loaded with veterans, he played big in the last two minutes in their game against Japan, completing a three-point play with 18 seconds left. With his impressive stints in the UAAP and the PBL, he was drafted by the Coca-cola Tigers as the third overall pick. He's probably a perfect draft pick for the Tigers, as the Tigers are looking for a pure point-guard in their line-up, especially as Johnny Abarrientos is getting older. Unfortunately for him, he went down with an ankle injury in the earlier part of the Fiesta Conference. In the ongoing Philippine Cup, he has earned Coach Binky Favis' confidence to lead the Tigers five as he is inserted into the Tigers' starting line-up, with co-FEU alumnus Abarrientos coming off the bench. He's had his share of career high games, especially one against Red Bull wherein he registered 21 points and 6 assists. As I see it, he's not creating that much impact with the Coca-Cola Tigers as their offense is concentrated on John Arigo, Ali Peek, and Billy Mamaril. He's on my top 5 list, though, but he hasn't lifted his team enough for him to win the Rookie of the Year award.
4. Jondan Salvador (Purefoods Chunkee Giants)
Jondan Salvador is a veteran rookie, having played in the MBA with the Professional Davao Eagles back in 2002, before the league folded up. He moved on to the PBL with the Monta?a, eventually earning the MVP honors after bringing his ballclub to its first finals trip in their franchise history. He also had stints with the SMB-RP National Team in the Jones Cup before drafted by Purefoods as the fourth overall pick of the 2005 draft. It was most notable that he was immediately inserted into the starting line-up by Coach Ryan Gregorio. I believe Kerby Raymundo and Jondan Salvador could be the next Alvin Patrimonio-Jerry Codi?era tandem in their team. He can play in the paint as well as play good defense. He plays effectively like a center, despite his size. He could have been a hot candidate for the Rookie of the Year honors, if not for his MBA stint and his unfortunate ACL injury in Game Four of the Purefoods-Red Bull Fiesta Conference Finals match. Marc Pingris assumed his starting role and has been playing good basketball in Jondan's absence, and right now is a hot candidate for the Most Improved player award. Meanwhile, we'll probably see Salvador again in the next season.
5. Macmac Cardona (Talk 'n Text Phonepals)
He doesn't probably need much introduction as he has established his reputation in the amateur wars in the UAAP with La Salle. We all know about his no-nonesense-attitude, his unorthodox shooting which earned him the monicker "Captain Hook" which earned him the UAAP Rookie of the Year award back in 2001 and the finals MVP award in 2004, powering the Archers into the 2001 and 2004 championships (the latter being nullified about a year later). We all know how much he has learned with his Translation studies degree. He was a scoring champion in the PBL with almost 22 points a game while strutting his stuff with the exciting Harbour Center Portmasters and the ICTSI Archers.
Whoops, I still did introduce him.
His drafting as the fifth overall by the Air21 Express was memorable, not only to him, but to his followers, as ol' trashtalking buddy and Ateneo rival Wesley Gonzales received him to the howl of the fans (Wesley even gave him a hug!) But he never got to play along side Wesley, as he was traded to Talk 'n Text for Patrick Fran, as the Express are overloaded with guards in Ritualo, Tubid, Gonzales, and David. In the Phonepals line-up, he filled in to injured Willie Miller's shoes, piling up decent numbers at about 6 points a game. Eventually Miller returned, knocking his spot at the starting line-up as he rode the bench more. Following Coach Joel Banal's resignation and Coach Derrick Pumaren's promotion as coach, he slowly gained his gungho play, doubling his scoring output with a consistent 13-14 points a game. His intensity and fire is back, plus his new-look hair. His hookshots still eludes the defense played on him. With Willie Miller's depature, he is expected to play more minutes, double his output, and talk more trash on the court. (Gawd, you should have seen that Ginebra-TnT game which I'll blog... after I finish this).
6. Ni?o "KG" Canaleta (Air21 Express)
He didn't play much in the PBL, as he concentrated more on playing with the Cebuana Lhuiller backed National team, which was eventually disbanded due to the BAP-POC mess. He siglehandedly brought the rookie-filled UE squad back in 2004. Even with UE, he brought the house down with his rim-rattling dunks. Air21 is just fortunate to use their 6th pick to choose him, bringing with him his afro styled hair.
The only draft pick ever to suit up for Air21, KG Canaleta has brought his acts with the team, entertaining fans with oohs and ahhs in every slam dunk that he throws down. His popularity rose, following the Slam-Dunk contest in Laoag back in November 2005, as well as a MVP-like performance in the Rookie-Sophomore Blitz game. He also extended his range from inside the paint to beyond the arc. Hopefully, he will not only enter the national consciousness as a dunking king, but also an unstoppable scorer and shot-blocker. With the departure of Renren Ritualo in a stupid move by the Air21 Express, he is expected to fill in the shoes of the "Rain Man." Consistency is one thing he should work on, if he is being groomed to as Air21's next franchise player. He just did score 27 points last Friday against Alaska, but we have yet to see him peak.
7. Michael Holper (Ginebra Gin Kings)
With all the big-name rookies drafted ahead of Mike Holper, I believe he was Ginebra's next-best choice in the rookie draft. He didn't make an impact in the PBL though, as his team, Bacchus-Air Philippines, had a forgettable stint in the 2005 PBL Unity Cup. What can I say? He has solved Ginebra's small forward problem, a position vacant since Jun Limpot's departure. He adds to the list of Ginebra's big men, and he complements Romel Adducul and Eric Menk presence inside the paint. He's so versatile he can play the power-forward, the center spot (a position he's forced to play on Adducul, Menk, and Seigle's injuries), and even the #2 spot (in a game we watched in Cuneta when Ginebra played against San Miguel, in that rare Caguioa-Holper-Lampley-Adducul-Menk line-up). He's an added muscle inside the paint, both in the offensive and defensive side. He emphatically swats shots, and sneaks inside the paint for the putback. He can also shoot from outside, although not on a consistent basis, but if he can work on more outside shots (and actually making them), he can be an inside-outside threat. Another thing he can work on is his post-play, although that post assignment usually goes to Menk or Adducul. The only thing that's preventing him to bloom is Ginebra's star-studded line-up and its guard-oriented offense, that's why he's expected to make the most of his minutes on Menk and Adducul's injuries. A rookie to watch for in the coming years. Truly fit for the Ginebra camp. He reminds me of Nic Belasco's rookie year back in 1997 with Pop Cola.
(Dammit, I wrote a longer write-up for Mike Holper but I wasn't able to save it and my website session expired. Cookies. Gotta code those cookies soon.)
8. Paolo Hubalde (San Miguel)
He was the BIGGEST surprise of the rookie camp. San Miguel pulled off a shock when it drafted the son of the 1977 MVP and one of PBA's 25 greatest players Freddie Hubalde of Crispa. He had a forgettable stint in the PBL with teammate Holper, as their team Bacchus-Air Philippines didn't play big in the 2005 PBL Unity Cup, although he blossomed in the UE camp under Coach Dindo Pumaren, following the departure of Coach Boysie Zamar, James Yap, Ronald Tubid and Paul Artadi. Noli Eala describes Paolo Hubalde as a product of the rookie camp wherein he probably impressed San Miguel coach Jong Uichico.
The only problem he is encountering at the moment is San Miguel's powerhouse line-up. Yuh, that's an understatement. He has to fight minutes with Olsen Racela, Denver Lopez, Dondon Hontiveros, Chris Calaguio, Brandon Cablay, and Wesley Gonzales (whew!). Jong Uichico drafted him as a future pointguard, should Olsen Racela retire in the coming years, but he has Denver Lopez and Cablay now. The only thing I'm seeing is San Miguel releasing him to the dispersal draft soon with Welcoat Paints coming in the PBA soon. I hope that the PBA fans would not remember him only as the winner of the Trickshot challenge in the 2005 PBA All Star Weekend.
9. Leo Najorda (Red Bull Barako)
The former PBL star from Welcoat, and the 2003 NCAA MVP who led his alma mater San Sebastian to the NCAA championship, was picked by Red Bull as the last pick of the first round. Red Bull, I believe, got a quality player in Najorda which he can add to his unpredictable starting line-up combinations. He's a big man who can shoot decent shots from outside, as well as grab those rebounds and score from the inside. Coach Yeng Guiao described him as "a veteran rookie" when he scored 14 of his 17 points in the fourth quarter against Ginebra last November 11, 2005 (most of it he scored in garbage time). Unfortunately for him, he was sparingly given quality minutes in the floor in their championship run last 2005-2006 PBA Fiesta Conference. Right now, he's coming off the bench and usually subs Enrico Villanueva and is scoring a good 4-5 points a game. We've yet to see him make a difference in the Red Bull line-up again, but anytime he's given the opportunity, we know that he'll make the most of it.
"Masaya ang rookie days namin. Para kaming mga bakang pinakawalan sa kural. Mga batang-bata. Kung maglaro, basta na lang maglaro. Sasabihin mo, 'Mga professional ba ito?'"
- Abet Guidaben
The eliminations of the ongoing PBA Philippine Cup is nearing its end, as the playoffs will start at June, and the PBA will wrap up the season after about a month and a half. The PBA has been putting on a show for about seven months now. At this stage, we can safely evaluate how the PBA rookies, who first came into the league via the Rookie Draft back in August 2005, have performed so far for the PBA's 31st season.
First Round:
1. Anthony Washington (Talk 'n Text Phonepals)
This former PBL Fantastic Freshman awardee and Rain or Shine player created a lot of brouhaha the moment he stated his intentions of joining the draft. He was one of two amateur aspirants whom National Team coach Chot Reyes included in the National Team lineup back when two Philippine Team squads went up against the Iran National team back in April 2005. Air21 Express drafted him as the first overall pick as a trade bait, since Washington is more of a wingman rather than a post player. Loaded with too much players at the wings, and lacking big men at the post, Air21 traded him to favorite trading buddy Talk 'n Text, in exchange for Yancy de Ocampo, who coincidentally was Air21's first overall pick in the 2002 draft. In a team loaded with big names in Willie Miller, Jimmy Alapag, and Asi Taulava, with a lot of veterans playing for the Phone Pals, Washington was seldomly used in the rotation, and was eventually put into the injured list for the rest of the season due to a shoulder injury. How ironic. I don't even remember a game when he produced decent numbers for a rookie.
*note: "J-Wash" started playing again for the Talk 'n Text squad just last Friday, May 12, sporting an afro he probably grew while being in the injured list. True to what the analysts say, he is more of a wing player than an inside player.
2. Alex Cabagnot (Sta. Lucia Realtors)
This rookie immediately became popular probably because of one thing: he erased Mark Caguioa's scoring record in Eagle Rock High School. I thought he also came with a blonde, undercut, gelled hair. He almost made a controversy and was almost banned from the league when he supposedly refused to sign up with the Sta. Lucia Realtors and left for the US after the draft. Fortunately for him, it was just a misunderstanding between the team and his agent. On his second game in the pro-league, he showed his stuff against schoolmate Caguioa and Helterbrand, and he owned the two by playing big in the fourth quarter back in October 9, 2005. The media immediately responded to the Caguioa-Cabagnot shaping rivalry as the two were seen trash-talking in that game. In their second elimination game against each other, Caguioa owned him as the glib-talker Caguioa declared, "C'mon men, you can't compare him (Cabagnot) with us. Look at the score. Hindi man lang siya lumaban." Cabagnot was 0/13 from the field en route to an egged game when his team went up against Purefoods back in December 14, 2005. His playmaking skills are still questionable, so is his consistent scoring. His tandem with Paolo Mendoza is something nice to look at. Unfortunately for him, while I may consider him to be at the top five of this rookie batch, his team is playing badly, as they ended up seventh in the PBA Fiesta Cup and right now, they're at bottom in the standings with a 3-10 win-loss slate.
3. Denok Miranda (Coca-cola Tigers)
Denok Miranda, a former UAAP mythical five awardee, flew in for SMB-RP Team's injured Willie Miller in the 2005 Jones Cup. In a team loaded with veterans, he played big in the last two minutes in their game against Japan, completing a three-point play with 18 seconds left. With his impressive stints in the UAAP and the PBL, he was drafted by the Coca-cola Tigers as the third overall pick. He's probably a perfect draft pick for the Tigers, as the Tigers are looking for a pure point-guard in their line-up, especially as Johnny Abarrientos is getting older. Unfortunately for him, he went down with an ankle injury in the earlier part of the Fiesta Conference. In the ongoing Philippine Cup, he has earned Coach Binky Favis' confidence to lead the Tigers five as he is inserted into the Tigers' starting line-up, with co-FEU alumnus Abarrientos coming off the bench. He's had his share of career high games, especially one against Red Bull wherein he registered 21 points and 6 assists. As I see it, he's not creating that much impact with the Coca-Cola Tigers as their offense is concentrated on John Arigo, Ali Peek, and Billy Mamaril. He's on my top 5 list, though, but he hasn't lifted his team enough for him to win the Rookie of the Year award.
4. Jondan Salvador (Purefoods Chunkee Giants)
Jondan Salvador is a veteran rookie, having played in the MBA with the Professional Davao Eagles back in 2002, before the league folded up. He moved on to the PBL with the Monta?a, eventually earning the MVP honors after bringing his ballclub to its first finals trip in their franchise history. He also had stints with the SMB-RP National Team in the Jones Cup before drafted by Purefoods as the fourth overall pick of the 2005 draft. It was most notable that he was immediately inserted into the starting line-up by Coach Ryan Gregorio. I believe Kerby Raymundo and Jondan Salvador could be the next Alvin Patrimonio-Jerry Codi?era tandem in their team. He can play in the paint as well as play good defense. He plays effectively like a center, despite his size. He could have been a hot candidate for the Rookie of the Year honors, if not for his MBA stint and his unfortunate ACL injury in Game Four of the Purefoods-Red Bull Fiesta Conference Finals match. Marc Pingris assumed his starting role and has been playing good basketball in Jondan's absence, and right now is a hot candidate for the Most Improved player award. Meanwhile, we'll probably see Salvador again in the next season.
5. Macmac Cardona (Talk 'n Text Phonepals)
He doesn't probably need much introduction as he has established his reputation in the amateur wars in the UAAP with La Salle. We all know about his no-nonesense-attitude, his unorthodox shooting which earned him the monicker "Captain Hook" which earned him the UAAP Rookie of the Year award back in 2001 and the finals MVP award in 2004, powering the Archers into the 2001 and 2004 championships (the latter being nullified about a year later). We all know how much he has learned with his Translation studies degree. He was a scoring champion in the PBL with almost 22 points a game while strutting his stuff with the exciting Harbour Center Portmasters and the ICTSI Archers.
Whoops, I still did introduce him.
His drafting as the fifth overall by the Air21 Express was memorable, not only to him, but to his followers, as ol' trashtalking buddy and Ateneo rival Wesley Gonzales received him to the howl of the fans (Wesley even gave him a hug!) But he never got to play along side Wesley, as he was traded to Talk 'n Text for Patrick Fran, as the Express are overloaded with guards in Ritualo, Tubid, Gonzales, and David. In the Phonepals line-up, he filled in to injured Willie Miller's shoes, piling up decent numbers at about 6 points a game. Eventually Miller returned, knocking his spot at the starting line-up as he rode the bench more. Following Coach Joel Banal's resignation and Coach Derrick Pumaren's promotion as coach, he slowly gained his gungho play, doubling his scoring output with a consistent 13-14 points a game. His intensity and fire is back, plus his new-look hair. His hookshots still eludes the defense played on him. With Willie Miller's depature, he is expected to play more minutes, double his output, and talk more trash on the court. (Gawd, you should have seen that Ginebra-TnT game which I'll blog... after I finish this).
6. Ni?o "KG" Canaleta (Air21 Express)
He didn't play much in the PBL, as he concentrated more on playing with the Cebuana Lhuiller backed National team, which was eventually disbanded due to the BAP-POC mess. He siglehandedly brought the rookie-filled UE squad back in 2004. Even with UE, he brought the house down with his rim-rattling dunks. Air21 is just fortunate to use their 6th pick to choose him, bringing with him his afro styled hair.
The only draft pick ever to suit up for Air21, KG Canaleta has brought his acts with the team, entertaining fans with oohs and ahhs in every slam dunk that he throws down. His popularity rose, following the Slam-Dunk contest in Laoag back in November 2005, as well as a MVP-like performance in the Rookie-Sophomore Blitz game. He also extended his range from inside the paint to beyond the arc. Hopefully, he will not only enter the national consciousness as a dunking king, but also an unstoppable scorer and shot-blocker. With the departure of Renren Ritualo in a stupid move by the Air21 Express, he is expected to fill in the shoes of the "Rain Man." Consistency is one thing he should work on, if he is being groomed to as Air21's next franchise player. He just did score 27 points last Friday against Alaska, but we have yet to see him peak.
7. Michael Holper (Ginebra Gin Kings)
With all the big-name rookies drafted ahead of Mike Holper, I believe he was Ginebra's next-best choice in the rookie draft. He didn't make an impact in the PBL though, as his team, Bacchus-Air Philippines, had a forgettable stint in the 2005 PBL Unity Cup. What can I say? He has solved Ginebra's small forward problem, a position vacant since Jun Limpot's departure. He adds to the list of Ginebra's big men, and he complements Romel Adducul and Eric Menk presence inside the paint. He's so versatile he can play the power-forward, the center spot (a position he's forced to play on Adducul, Menk, and Seigle's injuries), and even the #2 spot (in a game we watched in Cuneta when Ginebra played against San Miguel, in that rare Caguioa-Holper-Lampley-Adducul-Menk line-up). He's an added muscle inside the paint, both in the offensive and defensive side. He emphatically swats shots, and sneaks inside the paint for the putback. He can also shoot from outside, although not on a consistent basis, but if he can work on more outside shots (and actually making them), he can be an inside-outside threat. Another thing he can work on is his post-play, although that post assignment usually goes to Menk or Adducul. The only thing that's preventing him to bloom is Ginebra's star-studded line-up and its guard-oriented offense, that's why he's expected to make the most of his minutes on Menk and Adducul's injuries. A rookie to watch for in the coming years. Truly fit for the Ginebra camp. He reminds me of Nic Belasco's rookie year back in 1997 with Pop Cola.
(Dammit, I wrote a longer write-up for Mike Holper but I wasn't able to save it and my website session expired. Cookies. Gotta code those cookies soon.)
8. Paolo Hubalde (San Miguel)
He was the BIGGEST surprise of the rookie camp. San Miguel pulled off a shock when it drafted the son of the 1977 MVP and one of PBA's 25 greatest players Freddie Hubalde of Crispa. He had a forgettable stint in the PBL with teammate Holper, as their team Bacchus-Air Philippines didn't play big in the 2005 PBL Unity Cup, although he blossomed in the UE camp under Coach Dindo Pumaren, following the departure of Coach Boysie Zamar, James Yap, Ronald Tubid and Paul Artadi. Noli Eala describes Paolo Hubalde as a product of the rookie camp wherein he probably impressed San Miguel coach Jong Uichico.
The only problem he is encountering at the moment is San Miguel's powerhouse line-up. Yuh, that's an understatement. He has to fight minutes with Olsen Racela, Denver Lopez, Dondon Hontiveros, Chris Calaguio, Brandon Cablay, and Wesley Gonzales (whew!). Jong Uichico drafted him as a future pointguard, should Olsen Racela retire in the coming years, but he has Denver Lopez and Cablay now. The only thing I'm seeing is San Miguel releasing him to the dispersal draft soon with Welcoat Paints coming in the PBA soon. I hope that the PBA fans would not remember him only as the winner of the Trickshot challenge in the 2005 PBA All Star Weekend.
9. Leo Najorda (Red Bull Barako)
The former PBL star from Welcoat, and the 2003 NCAA MVP who led his alma mater San Sebastian to the NCAA championship, was picked by Red Bull as the last pick of the first round. Red Bull, I believe, got a quality player in Najorda which he can add to his unpredictable starting line-up combinations. He's a big man who can shoot decent shots from outside, as well as grab those rebounds and score from the inside. Coach Yeng Guiao described him as "a veteran rookie" when he scored 14 of his 17 points in the fourth quarter against Ginebra last November 11, 2005 (most of it he scored in garbage time). Unfortunately for him, he was sparingly given quality minutes in the floor in their championship run last 2005-2006 PBA Fiesta Conference. Right now, he's coming off the bench and usually subs Enrico Villanueva and is scoring a good 4-5 points a game. We've yet to see him make a difference in the Red Bull line-up again, but anytime he's given the opportunity, we know that he'll make the most of it.
Why the Eagles are on Top: A Look in the UAAP Stats
*note: the stats that were compiled and used were at the end of the first round. The author is taking a break from his version 8 coding just to finish this entry.
The roller-coaster, suspense-filled first round of eliminations in the UAAP Men's basketball tournament has ended. The Ateneo Blue Eagles are on top with an immaculate 6-0 card with an emphatic win over the UST Growling Tigers. Trailing behind are the pre-season favorite UE Red Warriors (5-2) and Adamson Soaring Falcons (3-3). The last four teams NU Bulldogs, UST Tigers, UP Maroons, and FEU Tamaraws all share the fourth and last place with identical win-loss slates of 2 wins as against four losses.
There must be reasons why they're positioned as such, and they're shown by the statistics of each team, each player, and each game. Stats are like grades: they measure and reflect how each team is doing/ has done so far, though on the other hand they don't capture the game experience as a whole. Trying to point out reasons behind each team's performances in the first round, I printed the stats from UBelt.com studied and compiled them (with the aid of a calculator) while going home on one lazy early morning.
Grab some popcorn. There are lots of numbers and analysis involved.
Ateneo Blue Eagles
The Blue Eagles are second in scoring, with 86.3ppg. This is a far-cry from their 70.2ppg from last season. They're led by starters Doug Kramer (15.8ppg), JC Intal (15.3ppg), Macky Escalona (11.8ppg), Chris Tiu (9.5ppg), and Rabah Al-Hussaini (8.2ppg). The supporting cast of Jai Reyes, Ford Arao, Yuri Escueta, and Zion Lattere are contributing a good 3-5ppg. While they're at fourth in total field goal attempts (with 413 total field goal attempts), worst in three point shooting (17 treys out of 70 attempts - also worst in the league), and second most fouled team in the league (with 194 attempts from the stripe), the Blue Eagles are making their shots with better shot selection at 44% FG shooting - the league's best. This also explains why the Eagles are the worst offensive-rebounding team (12.5 offensive rpg): they're making their shots, so what's the use of getting the offensive rebound?
In terms of playmaking, the Blue Eagles are playing efficient and smooth basketball. They are playing selfless basketball with 19.5 assists a game, the most in the league. That's like 39 points in one game, or even 58 points if all of their assists are converted into treys. The assists department are led by Macky Escalona (with 5.8 assists) and JC Intal (5.2 assists), with Chris Tiu and Yuri Escueta dishing out 2 assists each. Most of their assists are converted into points when they feed the "dog" Doug Kramer, who is leading the league in field goal shooting. Incidentally, Escalona and Intal (who's playing like a point-forward) are 2-3 in the league in assists. It's also worth noting that Intal dished out 10 assists in their game against UE (and two rebounds shy of a triple-double), and Escalona dished 10 assists in their game against UST and 9 assists each in their games against FEU and UP. The Ateneans turning the ball over 15.3 times a game, the least in the league. Leading the pack are Intal (3.2 TOs - 6th in the league), Escalona (2.3 TOs) and the rest with about a turnover each. What are those compared to Marvin Cruz and Bonbon Custodio, who throw the ball away at least 5 times a game? With very few turnovers, they limit the chance of their opponents to score (well, sometimes - remember Ford Arao's third quarter booboos in their game against NU?).
Speaking of their defense, still the Ateneans are dominating the field as they're allowing their opponents to score 75.3 points a game, the lowest in the league tied with Adamson. That's like leading as much as 10 points in each game. They're hauling down 29.5 defensive rebounds/game - the best in the league tied with UP and behind Adamson. By grabbing defensive boards, they're limiting their opponents' opportunities of scoring. They're forcing their opponents at least 18.5 turnovers - that's like preventing their opponents to score at least 36 points. Their steals department is something to note also as the Blue Eagles are second in the steals department with 5.2 steals a game. Intal and Escalona belong in the top 10 thieves in the UAAP as they combine for 3.4 steals a game (with each stealing at least 1.2 times).
2nd highest scoring team, most accurate shooters, most efficient basketball, least turnovers, great defense, and most especially a great fighting unit. Great basketball.
NU Bulldogs
The NU Bulldogs, I say, are the most scrappy team around. They have thrown 442 shots and made only 164 attempts en route to a 37% FG shooting (worst in the league). While they're having the worst 2 point shooting and free throw shooting at 41% and 59% respectively, they have shot 57 out of 186 from the three point land (accounts to 171 points) which have kept them afloat in their ballgames (They've made 15 attempts against UP and 13 against UST). So explains why they're the third-most offensive rebounding team with 15 caroms: they grab offensive rebounds and aim their crosshairs on the ring, miss their target, get the offensive rebound (repeat cycle). What's puzzling is their assists department - they're only sharing the ball 13 times (which translate to 26 or 39 points).
Speaking of scrappy, yes while they lead the league in steals (6.7) and blocked shots (5) and forcing turnovers (with 21.83 opponent's turnovers/game), they're just limiting their opponents to at least 83.8 points - the third worst. This can be attributed to their excessive fouls as they're giving up 28 fouls a game - which translated to giving at least 26 free throw attempts to their opponents. They're second worst at grabbing the defensive boards with 25.5 defensive rebounds a game.
Edwin Asoro is like a man possessed, as he leads the Bulldogs' charge with 17.3 points, 10.1 rebounds, 1.7 blocks, 1.3 steals, and woohoo- turnovers with 3.6 a game. Jonathan Fernandez, who incidentally hails from Pangasinan, seems to be the second coming of former NU Bulldog "Alaminos Assasin" Lordy Tugade because of his outside sniping
UP Fighting Maroons
UP tops the scoring parade with 88.5ppg: the reason being they're tied with UST having the second most opportunities to shoot the basket with 425 attempts, making 170 of them. They're also the most fouled team, attempting 209 free throws and making 146 of them. The triumvurate of Marvin Cruz, rookie Migs de Asis, and Nestor David account for half of the Maroons' output. The supporting cast led by another rookie Martin Reyes dish out about 8-7 points a game. The Maroons hauled down at least 16 offensive rebounds a game, giving them more opportunities to score (They're also the top rebounding team with 45.5rpg). However it is worth noting that the Maroons are averaging 13.7 assists per game, third lowest in the league. Either they're too trigger-happy (with 40% Field goal shooting - second worst in the league) or they have confidence in making their shots.
While the Maroons are the highest scorers in the league, they're also the worst defensive team as they gave up 91.8 points a game. That's horrible. Nine of them throw the ball at least once adding up to 18.5 turnovers a game (second worst), with highest honors going to Marvin Cruz (with 5 a game). They the most fouling team with 29.3 fouls a game (led by Buyco, Cruz, and David). In their game against Ateneo, they gave out 36 fouls (ouch), which allowed Ateneo to make 39 out of 49 free throw attempts (49 - that's half of Ateneo's points).
Leading the Maroons to the final four would be a hard task to Coach Joe Lipa, who led the Maroons to the 1986 UAAP Championship with the likes of Benjie Paras, Ronnie Magsanoc, and Eric Altamirano in its line-up.
UE Warriors
They're the pre-season favorites. Their living-up to it with a 4-2 record (as of this writing). I mean, you can speak greatly of them. Really. This season's UE Warriors could be one of the biggest teams that came from Recto since James Yap's 2002 team, or Allan Caidic's 1985 team. The A-B-C connection of Marcy Arellano, Mark Borboran, and Bonbon Custodio are leading the Warriors attack with 13.1, 14.6 and 18.9 points a game - that accounts to more than 50% of the Warriors' 84.7 output. They're the second most unselfish team with 16.3 assists a game.
However, one statistic struck me: their turnovers. The Warriors are throwing the ball 21.3 times - the worst in the league. I mean, that's the least that I'd expect out of the Warriors - but no. Ew. They had 30 against NU, 27 against FEU, and 25 against UST. Fine, they're forcing 20.1 opponent turnovers (2nd best in the league) and limiting their opponents to 81.3 points a game (3rd best), but they're throwing their balls away - that just knocks me off. Leading the UE-Give-the-Ball-Away contest are the A-B-C, who account for almost half of UE's total turnovers (with Bonbon Custodio leading with 4.7 turnovers). Had they played better ball handling, they could have given Ateneo a run for its own money.
Dindo Pumaren ought to teach his team ballhandling 101.
***
That's it kids, forgive me if I failed to analyze the darkhorses Adamson, FEU, and UST. Besides, I haven't watched all of their games except once each in their games against Ateneo. Hehe. I have lots of blogs to do and code to write. :)
Until the end of second round ;)
The roller-coaster, suspense-filled first round of eliminations in the UAAP Men's basketball tournament has ended. The Ateneo Blue Eagles are on top with an immaculate 6-0 card with an emphatic win over the UST Growling Tigers. Trailing behind are the pre-season favorite UE Red Warriors (5-2) and Adamson Soaring Falcons (3-3). The last four teams NU Bulldogs, UST Tigers, UP Maroons, and FEU Tamaraws all share the fourth and last place with identical win-loss slates of 2 wins as against four losses.
There must be reasons why they're positioned as such, and they're shown by the statistics of each team, each player, and each game. Stats are like grades: they measure and reflect how each team is doing/ has done so far, though on the other hand they don't capture the game experience as a whole. Trying to point out reasons behind each team's performances in the first round, I printed the stats from UBelt.com studied and compiled them (with the aid of a calculator) while going home on one lazy early morning.
Grab some popcorn. There are lots of numbers and analysis involved.
Ateneo Blue Eagles
The Blue Eagles are second in scoring, with 86.3ppg. This is a far-cry from their 70.2ppg from last season. They're led by starters Doug Kramer (15.8ppg), JC Intal (15.3ppg), Macky Escalona (11.8ppg), Chris Tiu (9.5ppg), and Rabah Al-Hussaini (8.2ppg). The supporting cast of Jai Reyes, Ford Arao, Yuri Escueta, and Zion Lattere are contributing a good 3-5ppg. While they're at fourth in total field goal attempts (with 413 total field goal attempts), worst in three point shooting (17 treys out of 70 attempts - also worst in the league), and second most fouled team in the league (with 194 attempts from the stripe), the Blue Eagles are making their shots with better shot selection at 44% FG shooting - the league's best. This also explains why the Eagles are the worst offensive-rebounding team (12.5 offensive rpg): they're making their shots, so what's the use of getting the offensive rebound?
In terms of playmaking, the Blue Eagles are playing efficient and smooth basketball. They are playing selfless basketball with 19.5 assists a game, the most in the league. That's like 39 points in one game, or even 58 points if all of their assists are converted into treys. The assists department are led by Macky Escalona (with 5.8 assists) and JC Intal (5.2 assists), with Chris Tiu and Yuri Escueta dishing out 2 assists each. Most of their assists are converted into points when they feed the "dog" Doug Kramer, who is leading the league in field goal shooting. Incidentally, Escalona and Intal (who's playing like a point-forward) are 2-3 in the league in assists. It's also worth noting that Intal dished out 10 assists in their game against UE (and two rebounds shy of a triple-double), and Escalona dished 10 assists in their game against UST and 9 assists each in their games against FEU and UP. The Ateneans turning the ball over 15.3 times a game, the least in the league. Leading the pack are Intal (3.2 TOs - 6th in the league), Escalona (2.3 TOs) and the rest with about a turnover each. What are those compared to Marvin Cruz and Bonbon Custodio, who throw the ball away at least 5 times a game? With very few turnovers, they limit the chance of their opponents to score (well, sometimes - remember Ford Arao's third quarter booboos in their game against NU?).
Speaking of their defense, still the Ateneans are dominating the field as they're allowing their opponents to score 75.3 points a game, the lowest in the league tied with Adamson. That's like leading as much as 10 points in each game. They're hauling down 29.5 defensive rebounds/game - the best in the league tied with UP and behind Adamson. By grabbing defensive boards, they're limiting their opponents' opportunities of scoring. They're forcing their opponents at least 18.5 turnovers - that's like preventing their opponents to score at least 36 points. Their steals department is something to note also as the Blue Eagles are second in the steals department with 5.2 steals a game. Intal and Escalona belong in the top 10 thieves in the UAAP as they combine for 3.4 steals a game (with each stealing at least 1.2 times).
2nd highest scoring team, most accurate shooters, most efficient basketball, least turnovers, great defense, and most especially a great fighting unit. Great basketball.
NU Bulldogs
The NU Bulldogs, I say, are the most scrappy team around. They have thrown 442 shots and made only 164 attempts en route to a 37% FG shooting (worst in the league). While they're having the worst 2 point shooting and free throw shooting at 41% and 59% respectively, they have shot 57 out of 186 from the three point land (accounts to 171 points) which have kept them afloat in their ballgames (They've made 15 attempts against UP and 13 against UST). So explains why they're the third-most offensive rebounding team with 15 caroms: they grab offensive rebounds and aim their crosshairs on the ring, miss their target, get the offensive rebound (repeat cycle). What's puzzling is their assists department - they're only sharing the ball 13 times (which translate to 26 or 39 points).
Speaking of scrappy, yes while they lead the league in steals (6.7) and blocked shots (5) and forcing turnovers (with 21.83 opponent's turnovers/game), they're just limiting their opponents to at least 83.8 points - the third worst. This can be attributed to their excessive fouls as they're giving up 28 fouls a game - which translated to giving at least 26 free throw attempts to their opponents. They're second worst at grabbing the defensive boards with 25.5 defensive rebounds a game.
Edwin Asoro is like a man possessed, as he leads the Bulldogs' charge with 17.3 points, 10.1 rebounds, 1.7 blocks, 1.3 steals, and woohoo- turnovers with 3.6 a game. Jonathan Fernandez, who incidentally hails from Pangasinan, seems to be the second coming of former NU Bulldog "Alaminos Assasin" Lordy Tugade because of his outside sniping
UP Fighting Maroons
UP tops the scoring parade with 88.5ppg: the reason being they're tied with UST having the second most opportunities to shoot the basket with 425 attempts, making 170 of them. They're also the most fouled team, attempting 209 free throws and making 146 of them. The triumvurate of Marvin Cruz, rookie Migs de Asis, and Nestor David account for half of the Maroons' output. The supporting cast led by another rookie Martin Reyes dish out about 8-7 points a game. The Maroons hauled down at least 16 offensive rebounds a game, giving them more opportunities to score (They're also the top rebounding team with 45.5rpg). However it is worth noting that the Maroons are averaging 13.7 assists per game, third lowest in the league. Either they're too trigger-happy (with 40% Field goal shooting - second worst in the league) or they have confidence in making their shots.
While the Maroons are the highest scorers in the league, they're also the worst defensive team as they gave up 91.8 points a game. That's horrible. Nine of them throw the ball at least once adding up to 18.5 turnovers a game (second worst), with highest honors going to Marvin Cruz (with 5 a game). They the most fouling team with 29.3 fouls a game (led by Buyco, Cruz, and David). In their game against Ateneo, they gave out 36 fouls (ouch), which allowed Ateneo to make 39 out of 49 free throw attempts (49 - that's half of Ateneo's points).
Leading the Maroons to the final four would be a hard task to Coach Joe Lipa, who led the Maroons to the 1986 UAAP Championship with the likes of Benjie Paras, Ronnie Magsanoc, and Eric Altamirano in its line-up.
UE Warriors
They're the pre-season favorites. Their living-up to it with a 4-2 record (as of this writing). I mean, you can speak greatly of them. Really. This season's UE Warriors could be one of the biggest teams that came from Recto since James Yap's 2002 team, or Allan Caidic's 1985 team. The A-B-C connection of Marcy Arellano, Mark Borboran, and Bonbon Custodio are leading the Warriors attack with 13.1, 14.6 and 18.9 points a game - that accounts to more than 50% of the Warriors' 84.7 output. They're the second most unselfish team with 16.3 assists a game.
However, one statistic struck me: their turnovers. The Warriors are throwing the ball 21.3 times - the worst in the league. I mean, that's the least that I'd expect out of the Warriors - but no. Ew. They had 30 against NU, 27 against FEU, and 25 against UST. Fine, they're forcing 20.1 opponent turnovers (2nd best in the league) and limiting their opponents to 81.3 points a game (3rd best), but they're throwing their balls away - that just knocks me off. Leading the UE-Give-the-Ball-Away contest are the A-B-C, who account for almost half of UE's total turnovers (with Bonbon Custodio leading with 4.7 turnovers). Had they played better ball handling, they could have given Ateneo a run for its own money.
Dindo Pumaren ought to teach his team ballhandling 101.
***
That's it kids, forgive me if I failed to analyze the darkhorses Adamson, FEU, and UST. Besides, I haven't watched all of their games except once each in their games against Ateneo. Hehe. I have lots of blogs to do and code to write. :)
Until the end of second round ;)
Thursday, September 07, 2006
SBC vs Letran (Round 2)
I haven't been following the whole NCAA Season but I've managed to watch a few games. Among them was yesterday's thriller between San Beda and Letran College. Actually I never watched the whole game, but I saw glimpses of it from time to time while I was using the computer. Anyway, if you were rooting for San Beda, it was a game to remember. But this game would be one to be forgotten for the Letran faithful.
The first half belonged to Letran as their defense contained the Red Lions causing one of the lowest scoring quarters in NCAA history (don't know exactly but its less than 10 for both teams). You would hear the crowd shout in unison as big plays were made on the defensive end. As Bill Velasco said, "The Letran Knights are playing like the Detroit Pistons."
But the second half was a different story. The Red Lions, led by Yousif Aljamal and Pong Escobal, slowly began chipping off the lead, agressively attacking the defense. While the Letran Knights, on the other hand, were losing their defensive edge, commiting fouls, which would send San Beda to the freethrow line, getting them back into the game.
Yousif Aljamal finally made the game-deciding play, blocking Bautista with the shotclock winding running down leading to a fastbreak layup that gave the Red Lions the lead for good, 4:06 in the fourth quarter. Rookie Sam "the Slam" Ekwe, though did not contribute much in scoring with four points, made up with his rebounding, hauling in 21 boards.
If this is a sign for things to come for the semifinals, you can be sure that this year's NCAA Final Four would be one to remember.
The first half belonged to Letran as their defense contained the Red Lions causing one of the lowest scoring quarters in NCAA history (don't know exactly but its less than 10 for both teams). You would hear the crowd shout in unison as big plays were made on the defensive end. As Bill Velasco said, "The Letran Knights are playing like the Detroit Pistons."
But the second half was a different story. The Red Lions, led by Yousif Aljamal and Pong Escobal, slowly began chipping off the lead, agressively attacking the defense. While the Letran Knights, on the other hand, were losing their defensive edge, commiting fouls, which would send San Beda to the freethrow line, getting them back into the game.
Yousif Aljamal finally made the game-deciding play, blocking Bautista with the shotclock winding running down leading to a fastbreak layup that gave the Red Lions the lead for good, 4:06 in the fourth quarter. Rookie Sam "the Slam" Ekwe, though did not contribute much in scoring with four points, made up with his rebounding, hauling in 21 boards.
If this is a sign for things to come for the semifinals, you can be sure that this year's NCAA Final Four would be one to remember.
