The PBA’s 37th season is set to open this Sunday, and we’re barely able to contain our excitement. Here are 37 things to look forward to in the upcoming season.
1. Debuting SMART-Gilas players
InterAKTV/Markku Seguerra
Technically, we’ve seen him in a PBA uniform before, when he played one game for Burger King in 2009. But instead of making a cameo appearance, Aguilar will be an honest-to-goodness part of the Talk ‘N Text lineup. The word “potential” has been bandied about for so long when it comes to Aguilar, and it’s time to see if he can finally make good on the promise of his talent.
2. Japeth Aguilar
3. Paul Lee playing for Yeng Guiao
Paul Lee, by himself, is already an exciting player. But Paul Lee under the tutelage of hard-nosed coach Guiao should be incredible: an aggressive, bull-strong guard with blue-chip talent, imbibed with the in-your-face mentality characteristic of Guiao’s wards.Also, this.
4. The Ginebra chant
Love ‘em or hate ‘em, the PBA is at its best when a whole stadium of Barangay Ginebra fans rock the venue with their signature chant.5. Ginebra fans going crazy online
When their favorite team was eliminated from finals contention in the 2011 PBA Governors’ Cup, Ginebra fans nearly had an Internet meltdown while chastising Talk ‘N Text for allegedly dropping a game to Petron Blaze. We’re expecting the barangay to go crazy on Twitter, Facebook, and message boards this season as they complain from everything about the lack of trades for their team, their perceived lack of support from San Miguel Corporation management, the coaches’ rotation, the glut of guards in the lineup, and everything else. Ginebra fans are the best.6. Grand Slam encore
Talk ‘N Text’s failed Grand Slam chase made for good drama last season, and it’d be interesting to watch them try to climb that mountain once more.7. The Cebuano hotshot back in SMC
After being traded away last year by San Miguel, it’s heartening to see Dondon Hontiveros return to the Petron Blaze Boosters. Iba Ang May Pinagsamahan!8. Tim Cone coaching vs. Alaska
Tim Cone will coach James Yap when the new PBA season opens. PBA/Nuki Sabio
Over the years, so many things have changed in the PBA, while Tim Cone and Alaska remained constant. It’s going to be weird seeing the Aces without Cone at the sidelines, and it’s going to be downright bizarre to see the American coach going head-to-head against his old team this season. Mark your calendars: October 12 features the first game of the season between Alaska and Tim Cone’s B-MEG.
9. The Dynamite Danny-Willie Thriller combo
It’s like a bizarre dream combination from the early 2000s, and while the Barako Bull duo of Willie Miller and Danny Seigle may be a little past its prime, these guys can still ball. Hopefully both guys stay healthy enough to keep Barako relevant.10. Shopinas.com
Everything about the franchise is sparkling new. The face of the franchise right now is Franz Pumaren, who will likely attempt to install his La Salle press into the new team. with sophomore Elmer Espiritu filling in the Rico Maierhofer role. Espiritu, while physically gifted, is basically unproven as a franchise player. Picking up familiar pieces from his old Green Archers team like Brian Ilad and Hyram Bagatsing is a curious move by Pumaren as well. There are so many question marks about the franchise that you can’t help but want to watch.By the way, that gives us an excuse to link to this video once more.
11. Shopinas.com team governor Sheila Lina
We don’t think anyone from the PBA Board of Governors will disagree when we say that among its members, Shopinas.com executive Sheila Lina might be the most pleasant to look at. Just don’t ask us to pick who’s second.
Air 21 Global President and CEO Sheila Lina
12. Feuding coaches
In the Governors’ Cup finals, Petron Blaze coach Ato Agustin famously challenged Talk ‘N Text coach Chot Reyes to a fight after game 3. A few days ago, Reyes and Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao had a verbal altercation. While PBA commissioner Chito Salud has called such behavior unacceptable, fans wouldn’t mind seeing coaches feuding from time to time. It adds color to the league, and frankly, it’s boring when they act all diplomatic.13. Jayjay’s last hurrah
Jayjay Helterbrand hasn’t been around much the past two seasons because of various injuries, and when he did play, he has only been a shadow of his old, lethal self. But if he does end up retiring after the Philippine Cup, at least he’d be able to do it on his own terms. Better yet, his fans could give him the love he deserves as he embarks on what could be his farewell tour.14. Ren-Ren Ritualo, gunslinger
Ritualo’s career hasn’t been the same since he was traded to Talk ‘N Text in 2006, being reduced to a backup and later, a fringe player. But after reuniting with his old college coach at Shopinas.com, we might just see flashes of the old King Archer back this season.15. Sakuragi
When people criticize PBA players for not playing with passion, it’s obvious that they’ve never seen Marc Pingris play.16. The B-MEG triangle offense
Members of B-MEG take in every word new coach Tim Cone says during their training sessions. InterAKTV/Jaemark Tordecilla
It’s also a talented, veteran crew that has, for so long, relied on isolation plays featuring marquee players James Yap, Kerby Raymundo, and Peter June Simon to manufacture points. Can Cone install his equal-opportunity offense fast enough for the team to contend? He says he can. With 13 championship rings, it’s hard to argue with him.
17. Powerade’s buildup
For the umpteenth time, the Powerade Tigers have embarked on an offseason buildup, and lord knows if it will actually work. But with Jayvee Casio and Marcio Lassiter, the team finally has some young pieces for the future. It may not translate yet to wins, but if it does, then that means we’ll get to hear more of Bo Perasol’s twang in post-game interviews.(What is up with Coach Bo’s accent? We couldn’t quite place it. Did he work at a call center? Does he hang out with Ben Tulfo during the offseason?)
18. Big Game James
The last two years have been a roller-coaster ride for James Yap and very little of it actually involved the game he plays for a living. After plenty of election campaigning for brother-in-law and now-president Noynoy Aquino, a messy-ish separation from wife Kris, and some injury struggles to end the season, it would be nice to see Yap, one of the great basketball talents of this generation, make a return to just playing ball.19. Captain Marbel’s final flight
Kenneth Duremdes currently serves as alternate board governor for the Powerade Tigers, but there are murmurs that he’ll be back in action one last time. Hopefully, one of the most exciting players in league history can finally get the farewell he deserves.20. Once Tigers: Dylan Ababou and Allein Maliksi
The two former University of Santo Tomas stalwarts have taken on varied paths after leaving college. Ababou, the star of the Tigers, joined SMART-Gilas, and spent most of the next two years riding the national team bench. His old backup Maliksi, on the other hand, played in different commercial leagues and won the PBA D-League’s first Most Valuable Player award, to boost his stock. In the 2011 PBA Draft, Barako Bull actually drafted Maliksi ahead of Ababou.We’ll see, however, how the next chapter of their intertwined careers play out in the PBA.
21. Joel Banal at Alaska
Everyone is talking about Tim Cone, but we’re curious to see how his replacement, Banal, will do at the helm of the Aces. A great basketball tactician who should have been a head coach all this time, we suspect that Coach J will do just fine.22. Captain Hook and Sol Train
Meralco will now have had a full offseason trying to get their two star players, Mac Cardona and Sol Mercado, in groove together. But with point guard Chris Ross still out, it remains to be seen if the two can co-exist in the same backcourt. Will they share the ball, or fight over it?23. Marcio Lassiter, Rookie of the Year sleeper
We spoke to a very, very, very good PBA head coach last month, and he said that if he had the top pick in the draft, he would have taken Lassiter first overall on talent alone.24. Mark the Spark
PBA/Nuki Sabio
25. AKTV’s new in-game reporters
Angelicopter, Erika Padilla, Jessica Mendoza, and Sel Guevara will be the fresh new faces to brighten up the new season of the PBA.26. Jason Castro, superstar
We saw just how important The Blur was for Talk ‘N Text last season, when the Tropang Texters lost momentum in their Grand Slam chase after Castro got injured. We expect a more dominant season for Castro this year.27. B-MEG assistant coaches Johnny Abarrientos and Jeffrey Cariaso
It’s a curious reunion of former Alaska pillars Abarrientos and Cariaso with their old coach Tim Cone over at the Purefoods franchise. Not quite as bizarre as Cone not coaching Alaska, but still odd.28. Final curtain for great centers?
Over the past decade or so, Asi Taulava, Eric Menk, and Danny Ildefonso have ruled the paint in the PBA. In the twilight of their careers, this might be the last chance for PBA fans to see these men play major minutes for their teams.29. Arwind Santos, MVP?
InterAKTV/Markku Seguerra
30. The return of J-Wash and Rabeh
What will happen to Petron Blaze when fellow alpha dogs Jay Washington and Rabeh Al-Hussaini return to the fold? Arwind Santos has proven himself as a true franchise player and whether there’s room for more than one on the Boosters bench remains to be seen.31. Imports with unlimited height
We haven’t seen an import conference with no height limits for imports since 2007-08, when giants like Chris Alexander, Steve Thomas, Adam Parada, and Jameel Watkins manned the paint for PBA teams. In this season’s Commissioner’s Cup, teams will be allowed to sign reinforcements with no restrictions on height.It’s a great idea, seeing as center is the position most teams are weakest at anyway. Plus it’s a chance to maybe see Big Daddy Marcus Douthit in the PBA again.
32. PBA players in the national pool
Before the start of the season, PBA commissioner Chito Salud revealed that the league was willing to form a 16-man pool that the national team can tap. Hopefully the PBA and the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas can come to an accord to make sure that the country’s best players are available to represent flag and country.33. ‘Ang Bumangga, Giba!’
We know it’s not the same team, technically, but we’re excited about the return of Barako’s old slogan. Also, we’re glad that coach Junel Baculi and his killer mustache is back in the PBA sidelines.34. Ginebra’s young guns
The Gin Kings might have on of the oldest lineups in the league, but coaches Siot Tanquingcen and Jong Uichico figure to rely on some of their young players to make key contributions. Expect John Wilson to play a major role, with Jimbo Aquino, Rob Labagala, and Reil Cervantes chipping in quality minutes as well.35. Extra Rice Incorporated
Beau Belga and JR Quinahan’s frontcourt partnership is rekindled at Rain or Shine. And with Yeng Guiao as their coach, expect some major bruising coming the way of opposing teams.36. Mark Yee, starter
Mark Yee's hand got caught in Anthony Grundy's cookie jar. Screencap from BTV by Carlo Ricohermoso
No comments:
Post a Comment