MISSION: 2012

Is Smart-Gilas "FIBA-Asia Ready?" Can they do it? Can they qualify for the 2012 London Olympics? The questions of  every Filipino basketball fan. We've been tired of being booted out in the qualifiers. Filipinos are tired saying, "almost!" When can we reach the promised land?

The wounds of the last Busan Asian games 9 years ago are still fresh. The South Koreans edged us by a point- they emerged as champions beating China in the gold medal match. The Phillipines should have been the team that played China in that championship round. Not before that dagger of the South Korean player which stabbed the hearts of the Filipino basketball nation. Score was: Korea 69- Philippines 68, South Koreans advances to fight China with their Great Wall, NBA star center Yao Ming.

The top two teams will qualify in the Olympics which meant that China and South Korea qualified. All that is left for the Philippines is a heartbreak, who finished fourth in the Busan Asian Games. We were that close to clinching an Olympic berth. The Filipinos could have seen Asi Taulava in his prime challenge Yao Ming.

The past is the past. Let's just move on, focus on the future. With this new breed of players donning the National colors, let us pray, hope and trust our players. I know they can do it! The Philippine Team is composed of collegiate and amateur standouts  united by one goal, The 2012 London Olympics. The Philippines has focused on youth, playing together for a long time developing a sense of familiarity among players. This will result in cohesiveness in the offensive stretch. Headed by coach Rajko Toroman, the European style might just be the key for us to notch that Olympic berth.

With the current line-up, I think the Smart-Gilas is ready. With a few adjustments I think they can challenge Asian basketball powerhouses. I expect Marcus Douthit to be healthy and lead the Nationals along with JV Casio and Chris Tiu. I expect a total team effort, a smart, organized and efficient basketball this time.  I hope that the big men: Japeth Aguilar, Greg Slaughter, Jason Ballesteros will do their job in backing up Marcus Douthit. Rebounding and great defense should be a habit. Defense, Defense, Defense...the Philippines got to play hard defense. Knowing Asian countries are bannered by players taller than us, the big men will have a tough job. And for our shooters, they should find their spots and just continue shoting from the perimeter. The ball movement and outside shooting is already there, they just need to practice more to increase their percentage. Also we need to add an inside-outside game or post-up game, and thats what Marcus Douthit can provide. Let us just hope he stays healthy.

Passion. Intensity. For basketball and for country.

May God bless Philippine basketball. May God bless Philippine sports. Lets go SMART-GILAS!

Credits

Videos:
YouTube Videos
RP5Basketball-2002 Asian Games Philippines versus South Korea philippinebasketballteam part 1
preyes- Yao Ming vs. Asi Taulava (Part 2)
anubadapatpassword- Smart Gilas Highlights

Photos:

Google Images Search

Who's Your MVP?

The NBA PLAYOFFS is just right on the corner. Teams jocking for that playoff spot. Regular season is  about to end. No more sloppy plays. No more rookie mistakes. No place for excuses. Every ball possession counts. This is the post season! WIN or GO HOME!

As the Playoffs nears, the MVP race also tightens...

My Top MVP's: (as of 3-28-'11)
1. Derrick Rose, Bulls (Record: 53-19)
2. Kobe Bryant, Lakers (Record: 52-20)
3. LeBron James, Heat (Record: 51-22)
4. Dirk Nowitzki, Mavericks (Record: 51-21)
5. Dwight Howard, Magic (Record: 47-26)
6. Kevin Durant, Thunder (Record: 48-24)
7. Manu Ginobili, Spurs (Record: 57-16)
8. Dwyane Wade, Heat (Record: 51-22)
9. Chris Paul, Hornets (Record: 42-31)
10. LaMarcus Aldridge, Blazers (Record: 42-31)

The leader of the pack this season is Derrick Rose. He transformed the Bulls into a contender this season. He is my MVP candidate and maybe the Most Improved Player or the Defensive Player of the Year too. Three awards bagged by one layer in a single season, not impossible.


First, He's my MVP bet because he carried the Bulls to elite status this year. Pouring much time of practice in that pull-up jumper plus being unstoppable once he penetrates, he's become an inside and outside threat. He added three point shooting in his arsenal. The Bulls rose in ranks. They are the no.1 seed in the East if the Playoffs starts today. And they have proven that they are championship contenders by beating teams: Boston, Orlando and Miami Heat that sent the Heat players crying. The Bulls are back! MJ must be smiling right now.

He's also my Most Improved Player of the Year. He has really improved from the last season. He averages 20.6 PPG last year and now he averages almost 25 points a contest. What an improvement! He is also much wiser now. Credit the Bulls' fluidity in offense because of him manning the point. He has proven that he can score, he can pass and he dunks, with power and style.

He plays defense too. Averages 1 steal and 1 block per game. Not bad for a   6-3 point guard.

You may call him "The Raging Bull", "Pit Bull" or the "Unstoppa-Bull". For me he's just simply D-Rose.



















Credits to:
whiteblaze01 (YouTube Video)

Hot Shots

Top PBA pure-shooters of  Today in every team: (2011 PBA Commissioner's Cup)



Ren Ren Ritualo, Meralco Bolts


Mark Macapagal, Powerade Tigers


Jeff Chan, Rain or Shine Elastopainters


Tony dela Cruz, Alaska Aces


Sunday Salvacion, San Miguel Beermen


Marcio Lassiter, Smart Gilas


Larry Fonacier, Talk n Text Tropang Texters


James Yap, B-Meg Llamados


Don Don Hontiveros, Air 21 Express



Willie Miller, Brgy. Ginebra Gin Kings

TOP 10 Under-rated Players of the PBA

Often overlooked by fans and coaching staff, these guys were spared of the limelight. Maybe because of a star-studded roster or teammates with greater talents, thus having just few minutes of playing time and less popularity compared to some of their teammates. But if given a chance to shine, these players can do the job and carry their respective teams.

10. Samigue Eman, Alaska Aces
6-9 center, product of University of Mindanao, Samigue Eman is the definitioin of a pure an decent center in the PBA. With his stature he can easily block shots, grab rebounds and can be an intimidating force down the middle.  With this kind of physical prowess and talent, Eman has to sharpen his skills to increase his minutes.


9. Leo Najorda, Air 21 Express
Was once a part of the Yeng Guiao coached Red Bull Team, this player was developed and honed. He was one of the first options when games go into crunch-time. Now in a new team, followed by  the arrival of Don Don Hontiveros and Danny Siegle from San Miguel, this guy might just spend more time in the bench than on the court.


8. Jeff Chan, Rain or Shine Elastopainters
Left handed, streaky, and athletic. With the likes of a Manu Ginnobili, or was that an overrated compliment. But this guy can hit both the mid-range and the three points. Pure shooter in his college days, Jeff Chan sure can be a franchise player. But there's another franchise player in the Rain or Shine roster whom he needs to battle with- Gabe Norwood.




7.. Nelbert Omolon, Meralco Bolts
Also a Cebuano Hot Shot (next to Don Don Hontiveros, hehehe). This guy is maybe one of the best players I've ever seen move without the ball. Terrific scorer and athletic and reliable finisher on the other end. Nelbert Omolon is perfect for the small-forward position. and he's a great defender too. Only, he has to battle MacMac Cardona for that starting job.




6. Ren Ren Ritualo, Meralco Bolts
The spit-fire, 100% pure shooter and once a member of the National team. This guy was the real Archer of the PBA. He was so great before in his college and PBL days, I even likened him to Kobe Bryant (another overrated observation). But what happened to RenRen nowadays? Maybe hes been plagued by injuries. But we know he's gonna be back in his usual self soon.

5.. Rich Alvarez, Talk n Text Tropang Texters
The Blue Eagle. Great 3 or 4 guy. Can play great defense. Rebounds and blocks shots. Rich was acquired by the Tropang Texters to add more toughness in its roster. But Rich found himself warming the bench playing alongside Ali Peek and Ranidel De Ocampo as a back-up.




4. Peter June Simon, B-Meg Derby Ace
This player can take over games. One proof is when he took over that game against the unbeaten(5-0) Smart Gilas Team in the 2011 PBA Commissioner's Cup. He came in aggressive that game. Without James Yap, they have to rely on him for added scoring. But wait till James Yap comes back. Simon's minutes might just get back to what it was-few. Give way for King James...




3. Joseph Yeo, San Miguel Beermen
Great combo guard, great shooter and excellent slasher. thats why they call him "The Ninja". Joseph Yeo can be the team's first option. All he needs is to slowly gain confidence in his shots and he is good to go. But he must sacrifice his minutes for that Star studded San Miguel line-up.



2. Harvey Carey, Talk n Text Tropang Texters
Harvey Carey can be likened as the "garbage collector" of the Talk n Text Tropang Texters. This guy performs all the dirty work. From defending the big men of opposing teams, diving for looseballs, grabbing offensive and defensive rebounds. I mean this guy is pure hustle!  If you talk about Talk and Text, players like Jimmy Alapag or Kelly Williams automatically comes to mind. But seldom is Harvey Carey included in the topic. This guy doesn't love the bright lights but he deserves it big time!



1. Don Don Hontiveros, Air 21 Express

The most underrated player in the PBA. He may not have to fight for that starting line-up, or envy his teammates for popularity cause he is one of the most popular personality in his team, but one thing this guy is missing is an MVP or Player of the Conference Trophy. Given his deadly sharp-shooting outside, ball-handling skills, great defense plus lots of experience- Don Don is very MVP-worthy. He's been a member of the National team several times in different generations already. His 3-point shooting percentage is off the charts. He can score at will. All he needs is one big break to cement his legacy in the PBA as one of the all-time greatest shooters.