Ginebra Gin Kings Christmas victory, a glimpse of championship?

                               Image via WikipediaChristmas day is really a treat for the PBA fans. For the past 5 years, it’s very usual that Ginebra will play on that day to treat the fans with a hell of a game. The game last Saturday against the Aces surely proved the “Never Say Die” attitude of the Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings. Down by 20 in the opening period, Ronald Tubid ignited the run that would trim the deficit before halftime. Then, it was Mark Caguioa’s turn to sustain the Kings in the second half.

Rudy Hatfield and Rico Villanueva chipped in significant numbers to help the Gin Kings to overcome a tremendous power of the Alaska Aces. Joe Devance led the Aces with 21 points,
while LA Tenorio and Sonny Thoss had 18 and 9 respectively. Cyrus Baguio had an awful game, finishing with just 7 points on 3 of 16 shooting in the field.

The way Ginebra played during the Christmas day can give the Barangay a glimpse of their capability to go a long way to the championship. It seems that they were able to overcome their own fears against the Aces, who had swept them twice in the playoffs last year. A balanced scoring and a stellar defense really brought the Kings alive down from a 0-1 deficit to advance to the semis. If they will continue to play with the same level of intensity and determination, surely Barangay Ginebra will regain its All-Filipino championship.

Why Team Pilipinas cannot make it to the London Olympics?

Image via WikipediaSmart Gilas Team Pilipinas, the country’s representative for the upcoming 2011 FIBA Asia Olympic Qualifying in Lebanon will have a hard time to make it to the top to qualify for the 2012 London Olympics. With only 6th place finish to show up after the Asian Games in Guangzhou, China, the PHL 5 has a lot of homework to do if they want to be competitive in the upcoming Olympic Qualifier. Though the PBA lend 3 of its mainstays to beef up the national team, it was not even enough to avoid a worst finish by the Philippine Team in the history of the Asian Games. Here are the following reasons why Smart Gilas Team Pilipinas will not make it to London in 2012:

1.Height
The perennial problem of the Philippine Team to defend the big man of other Asian countries will still be the number one problem that needs to be addressed. With the addition of naturalized big man Marcus Douthit, the team is optimistic that they can defend the middle. However, the absence of Japheth Aguilar to injury will affect the rotation of the big man. Good thing is that Philippine’s Shaq version, Asi Taulava is still available for duty. However, the aging giant must have additional complement in order to defend the shaded lane. If only we can still have the bulk bodies of previous RP team such as Dennis Espino and Eric Menk to name a few, we can still be able to match up with the giants of China, Korea, Iran and other Middle East countries.

2.Injuries
The current roster is plagued by injuries of JV Casio, Marcio Lassiter and Japeth Aguilar who was sent home due to a slight posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) tear in his right knee. Sol Mercado was also slowed down by a foot injury during the Asian games. With only 7-8 months to go before the FIBA Asia qualifying, these injuries must heal as soon as possible. The 2002 RP Team in Busan also suffered the same fate in the absence of Danny Seigle , who was still in his prime during that time. Just imagine if he was in the lineup. The outcome could have been different. Given the history of injuries on the RP team rosters, Coach Rajko Toroman should ensure a proper conditioning training to the boys to avoid any further brittle legs to show up especially next year.

3.System unfamiliarity
With the arrival of Marcus Douthit in the team, another adjustment must be made in the team. The games in Guangzhou just show the results of being unfamiliar to the system of the PBA mainstays. If only they are fully concentrated on the system (i.e. their mother teams have allowed them to stay for Gilas for quite a while), the players could have fully adapt to the Gilas system. Douthit’s arrival can surely be another factor how the familiarity concern will be raised again to the Smart Gilas team.

4.Inconsistent outside shooting
How we wish we have another version of Allan Caidic, who is a dead shot in the 3 point line even the guards are on top of him. The opening loss in Iran in the Asian games shows the problem in the consistency of the wing men to connect beyond the arc. Mac Baracael, Chris Tiu and JV Casio should make those kick out passes from the big men. The only weapon against the big men of Iran, China and Korea is to snipe from the outside. Team Pilipinas is doomed to fail if these shots will not fall in!

Seven months to go before the FIBA Olympic Qualfier in Lebanon. The time is drawing near for the Smart Gilas Team Pilipinas to prove if they can really make it to London in 2012.

Spurs back on track, nip Hornets by big 2nd half rally

Image via WikipediaThe San Antonio Spurs got back on track after losing to division rival Dallas Mavericks last Friday by defeating the New Orleans Hornets on the road 109-95. Manu Ginobili led again the surge with his 23 points, 15 all coming on the 2nd half to give the Spurs an NBA best 14-2 record. Tim Duncan added 21 points and Richard Jefferson bounced back from a nightmare performance by scoring 19 points. The Spurs also got a big lift from the bench with George Hill’s 14 points.

It was a very convincing win for the Spurs that though they were down 17 going to the 2nd half, they were able to build their own 17 point lead going down the stretch by clamping down the Hornets to just 35.5 % field goal percentage as compared to 60.5% for the Spurs. David West finished with 23 points but only 5 coming on the 2nd half. Chris Paul added 15 with Emeka Okafor and Marco Belinelli chipping in 12 points apiece.

The win gave the Spurs 2 games ahead of the division rivals New Orleans Hornets and Dallas Mavericks.

Ginebra Gin Kings came back on winning ways, nip Llamados

Image via WikipediaEric Menk reminisced his vintage form as he scored 20 to lead the Kings on a thrilling win over the B-Meg Derby Ace Llamados, 89-86 at the Big Dome. With the help of fellow veterans Ronald Tubid, Mark Caguioa, Rudy Hatfield and Willie Miller, Ginebra Gin Kings overcame a close game which tends to slip their hands last week against the Beermen.

Tubid’s back to back treys brought the lead to 5 but PJ Simon’s own three pushed the Derby Ace within the distant. However, Thriller Miller came out with 2 big pressure packed free throws to give the Kings the final push. The Llamados had one last try to tie the game but James Yap’s triple was not on the act of shooting as he was fouled before the shot by Mark Caguioa.

The win solidified the Kings’ hold at second place behind the league leader San Miguel Beermen. They will try to secure one of the two quarterfinals slot which has a twice to beat advantage over the 7th and 8th seeded team in the next round if they can win the next 3 remaining outings.

The scores:

Ginebra 89 - Menk 20, Caguioa 18, Tubid 12, Miller 12, Hatfield 11, Cortez 9, Mamaril 4, Wilson 2, Aquino 1, Villanueva 0, Helterbrand 0.

B-Meg Derby Ace 86 - Simon 26, Yap J. 14, Gaco 13, Yap R. 10, Allado 10, Maierhofer 4, Villanueva 3, Salvador 2, Canaleta 2, Pingris 2, Adducul 0.

Quarters: 21-22, 38-37, 62-62, 89-86