LA Tenorio to Ginebra. Who would have thought Noli Eala can pull a Mitch Kupchak trade? Just right after his big time performance against the Americans, I tweeted his trade value will go crazy. And it became a reality. The deal was as complex as a calculus math problem. But everything fell into the right place, thanks to our sister teams Petron and…Barako.
And right now, the decision of picking Chris Ellis over Chris Tiu makes sense. Some of the barangay hopefuls were disappointed as the management did not choose the most popular rookie. Fans know what the team needs, a legit point guard. Instead, they got an athletic forward who will give rotation headaches to Siot Tanquincen. Ellis needs to prove himself so he can take some minutes off Ababou and Maliksi. But that’s a different article. So..
Ginebra is replicating the Lakers in a good and positive way. Both teams made off-season moves to bolster their lineups. Strong got even stronger. But just like coach Siot said, the championship is not a guarantee.
How many times did LA kill Ginebra? Don’t know but one thing’s for sure, he likes to play against us. Which is why I’m glad he’s now with the team. Who remembers the LA Tenorio heartbreaking game winner trey against Ginebra last February 18, 2012? That hurts so bad. Here’s the link, at the 1:43 mark, the Lieutenant hits the dagger:
Tenorio’s heroics help Alaska pull road miracle vs GinebraTo sum things up, LA Tenorio is a better upgrade than Chris Tiu. We don’t need fan base, we’re already established. Do I sound bitter? Kidding aside, both are proven winners but the former has more experience and clutch DNA in his game. Tenorio is also a natural point guard that could help facilitate the offense of Ginebra. Any given night he knows how to put the ball in the basket and could be relied upon taking big shots.
LA will definitely feel the love of Ginebra fans as the season nears its opening on September 30. This blog post is for him. Welcome to the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel family! Follow him on twitter : @LA_Tenorio
PBA blockbuster deal: Winners and losers
The latest trade in the PBA features six players changing uniforms for the upcoming 38th season. And the teams involved are half the number of squads in the league : Alaska, Ginebra, Barako, Petron and GlobalPort. This one will definitely shake things up in PBA.
So let’s see who came out on top and who struck out in this gigantic deal.
Winners:
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| Alaska Aces logo |
The Alaska Aces know what they’re doing. They took advantage of LA Tenorio’s uprising in the Jones Cup where he played big time and won the tournament MVP award. Right after that, his trade value went on a crazy level. Mr. Uytengsu did not waste time to use it so he can get two solid starters in JV Casio and Dondon Hontiveros. Youth and experience combined is a welcome addition for the new look Aces.
He is the man of the moment and it will continue even more as he suits up for the most popular ball club in the league, the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel. Expect showtime as Ginebra injects new blood in the lineup.
The Petron Blaze Boosters helped their sister team in this trade. But it also helps them unload Hontiveros to somehow ease the squad’s problematic player rotation.
Just like John Wilson and KG Canaleta, Rico will get more playing time with his new team. When he was with Ginebra, it’s either a DNP-Coach’s decision or limited minutes.
Losers:
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| GlobalPort team logo |
Some may think GlobalPort also won in this deal. Well, you got a point. But for me, trading your no.1 pick for an ageing 2-time MVP is senseless. I understand Mikee Romero’s vision of win-now philosophy. And he really has this affection for Miller. But he said it will take two years to rebuild his team, meaning he’s not yet done with player movements. The most important thing to note, Willie Miller will be 37 by that time if my math is right.
Seriously, where do you think this team is headed? Are they following Powerade’s foot steps? Or are they the long lost, adopted sister of the SMC family? Hope not. But they’re showing some signs.
Hans Thiele and Wesley Gonzales
These two gentlemen might be headed to ABL. Or if they make it to the final roster, don’t expect minutes and exposure for these guys. If you’re a non-superstar player, your wish is not to be traded to Petron or Ginebra.
Overall, Alaska and LA Tenorio’s new team Ginebra San Miguel won this trade. The Aces are younger and will surely make a big impact in the 38th season. For Ginebra, they finally got what they wanted since Helterbrand and Cortez are catching up to father time.
11 years in the making and I can’t believe it up until now. Pero nung nakita kong bihis nang todo si Mark, parang naramdaman ko na. At long last, we can call him MVP without any trace of doubt. I can’t imagine how fans will chant “M-V-P” when Caguioa steps into the free throw line as Ginebra plays again in the season opener of the PBA.
You know what? I thought the Jaworski jersey retirement helped a lot, especially when we all saw the passing-of-the-torch-bro-fist between the two Ginebra icons. With that, Caguioa got a lot of attention from the players, fans and media that propelled Mark to win his Govs’ Cup BPC which paved the way to his first MVP award.
But the main reason why Mark Caguioa won is his maturity. MC47 played consistent basketball all through out the season and he transformed himself into a great Ginebra leader. Remember when Mark Caguioa was sidelined for one year (2008-2009)? People thought that was the end and he won’t be the same anymore even if he comes back. Pero nakabalik sya, with flying colors pa. That was the game changer for Mark. He changed his approach on how he handles basketball, people and life as a whole.
He could’ve won it before, but God knows better. And he needed those obstacles in his career for him to realize that he’s got to change his outlook in life. Now he’s our MVP, no one can take that away from him.
One thing a basketball player must learn is to put everything on the court and don’t think about filling the stats sheet. Mark Caguioa did that. And he got the reward his fans have long been waiting for.
Long overdue. Well deserved. For Ginebra fans, we want more! A championship or another mvp award will do. Hindi ako demanding.
I’m hearing some news MC47 will create a twitter account to thank his fans. That would create history for sure, he got more than a million votes in the PBA Online poll, what more in the twitter universe? Ginebra fans dominate in every category!
Editor's Note: For more hoop stuff, please follow Robi.
The Best Player of the Conference plum will be awarded on Wednesday before game 2 of the PBA Finals between B-MEG Llamados and Rain or Shine Elasto Painters.
These are the top 5 BPC contenders ranked according to average statistical points:
Gary David – Powerade 33.00
Mark Caguioa – Brgy.Ginebra 29.33
Marc Pingris – B-MEG 27.69
James Yap – B-MEG 26.13
Paul Lee – Rain or Shine 26.08
Statistical points comprise 40 percent of the criteria, media votes for 30 percent, players’ votes get 25 percent while the PBA commissioner’s office has a share 5 five percent.
Gary David known as “El Granada” is leading the race in terms of ave.SPs. He is the best player in the conference stats wise (24.8ppg, 3.9prg, 2.3rpg) but it doesn’t guarantee him a win since team standings are also taken into consideration. It is not a secret that superb individual stats should reflect on the team’s success. He failed to carry his team in the PBA Playoffs which could be the reason why he will not win the award. That’s the bitter reality for Powerade and Gary David fans.
Meanwhile, Mark Caguioa is the front runner in the Govs’ Cup BPC race. Caguioa has the best total SPs (449) among the other four and he played consistent basketball all throughout the conference by averaging 17.9 points per game. The whole PBA community saw how he played warrior basketball despite his eye injury and how he transformed as a Ginebra leader. His team got into the semi finals but failed to enter the finals after losing to the B-MEG Llamados in the knockout game. Critics can capitalize on that failure to enter the finals as a reason for him not being named as BPC.
B-MEG teammates Marc Pingris and 2-time MVP James Yap were not in the top 5 after the eliminations. But since then, these two stars played excellent basketball and gave their team back to back finals appearances.
Pingris averaged an identical 9points, 9rebounds per game while Yap has 14.6ppg and 4.5rpg. James Yap was not in his usual self this conference, even him would admit that because he definitely played better in the past seasons and conferences. Meanwhile, Marc Pingris continues to do his role which sometimes can’t be seen in the stats sheet. He’s the best local defender out there, no doubt. But honestly, I don’t think that’s a BPC-type of performance. He can be the Defensive Player of the Year though. The legit advantage these two players have over David and Caguioa is their finals appearance.
The last contender in the BPC race is Paul Lee. The rookie sensation from Tondo averaged 14.2ppg and 2.8rpg and 3.4apg. He also led Rain or Shine to the PBA Finals, first time of the franchise. I believe he can contribute more as a scorer if not for the team’s system and structure. Coach Yeng Guiao gives equal chance and opportunities for his players. Nevertheless, he still has a shot to win it. But right now, I think he is the sure winner for the Rookie of the Year award.
The Govs’ Cup BPC Award is now in the hands of voters.
What’s your take? All we can do is wait and debate.
Editor's Note: For more "robi-ness, follow Robi.
July 18, 2012. NBA-PBA Legends Game. First time to watch live at the newly constructed Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. And I was in the VIP suite.
Here are some of the photos captured from my camera phone (DSLRs are not allowed, or at least it depends if you have a “backer” in the arena).
First, the external look of MOA Arena.
And this is the part where I was amazed. We all grew up watching games at Araneta, where “mano- mano-tanggal-ng-ticket” happens. Here, you got ladies scanning your ticket’s QR code.
And then I got amazed for another time (x2) when I saw the VIP suite, all I can say was “WOW”. I bet you will also say that once you get in there.
MOA Arena looks like the Atlanta Hawks’ Philips Arena
Mini bar
Luxury seats exclusive for VIP suite patrons
Before I got here, I thought I’d miss one half of my life because of the blockbuster PBA Wednesday games. Good thing they have a TV..
Kindly visit my facebook page for more photos:
MOA Arena VIP Suite
Editor's Note: This post is by Robi. For more, check his blog
