B-MEG Llamados barge into the winning column with a 96-88 win over the Gin Kings

I was suppose to post this Monday but was a bit busy at home, but the game last Sunday was exciting, as this was a rematch to last conference semis match between the B-MEG Llamados and the Brgy. Ginebra Kings.

This time around the Kings have most of their players healthy while B-MEG doesn't have Pingris and De Vance due to injury. But still B-Meg won over Ginebra 96-88.

Although Ginebra started the game on fire, it didn't take long for B-MEG to adjust and even took the lead on the first quarter, and the rest was history, Ginebra after a strong start never got its bearing again as B-MEG just took control of the game until the end.

B-MEG was again led by scoring apostle PJ Simon with 21 points followed by James Yap 18 points and the sudden uprising of Yancy De Ocampo with 16 points.

Ginebra was led by their import Bozeman with 30 points and former B-MEG star Kerby Raymundo with 20 points.

What baffled me was Ginebra's player rotation or the players used by Ginebra, I'm no Kings fan but I considered Ginebra, Petron and TNT, the teams with powerhouse lineup. But last Sunday, Dylan Ababou, Helterbrand, Menk and even Maierhofer did not play, I'm not sure of the status of Menk and Helterbrand, but I know Dylan and Maierhofer are ready to play, but the coach did not even used them. I know quite a few Ginebra fans don't like the way the coach decided on what players to used on that game, well its still early in the tournament, and maybe Coach Siot is still trying to find the right combination for his powerhouse lineup.

Alaska Has no Plans of Trading LA Tenorio

Rumors have been circulating around the net that Alaska is planning to trade star point guard LA Tenorio.

But the Alaska management is quick to react that LA Tenorio isn't going anywhere.

Alaska team manager Joaqui Trillo said the team's prized point guard is not on the trading block.

"He's very happy with us and we have no plans of trading him," said Trillo.

"Talks about Tenorio being put on a trading block are all rumors," added Trillo. "In fact, I've talked to La in one of our practices and joked with him that if ever he wants to be traded, isama niya ako"

Alaska so far has one minor addition to its roster and that is Nino Gelig. Gelig began his career with Talk N Text Tropang Texters from 2004 to 2006 and last played for the Welcoat Dragons from 2006 to 2008.

B-MEG's Kerby Raymundo and Alaska's LA Tenorio to be traded?

There has been rumors circling around the net that B-Meg's star power forward Kerby Raymundo will be traded to sister team Barangay Ginebra. LA Tenorio, Alaska Milk's star point guard is also on the trading block.

Raymundo who was plagued by injury last year, and is just getting his form back, is being eyed to be traded to Barangay Ginebra for JC Intal and a 1st round pick by Barangay Ginebra. Barako Bull is the third team on this trade as sister teams B-Meg and Ginebra cannot traded directly with each other. If the trade do push through B-Meg's gets JC Intal, a 1st round pick and possible Enrico Villanueva. Barangay Ginebra gets Kerby Raymundo and Ababou. Barako Bull will have Ronald Tubid and KG Caneleta.

Several sites and forums have posted that the reason Kerby is being traded is because of a rift between him and James Yap.

But this is still unconfirmed, and remain to be a rumor.

On the other hand a trading LA Tenorio came to me as a surprise, I know Tenorio together with Thoss is the cornerstone of the Alaska franchise. Compared to the earlier rumor of Kerby being traded this one involving LA Tenorio for me is the least to happen.

B-Meg top official Rene Pardo has hinted in his Facebook account trade deals happening in the next few days.

"Daming (several) trade on the table. It's that time of the year again," said Pardo.

The former league chairman defended the need by teams to use this exercise on certain occasions.

"Trading of players is a vital part of the PBA. Sometimes it seems that a team is on the losing end of trade because not all factors are made aware to the public. The important thing to understand is that no team will agree to a trade that will not benefit its objective of being competitive in the league," he said.

Pardo, however stressed there's no final deal yet involving their team.

"Nothing final on our end as of now. Puro what if pa lang," said Pardo.

Trade Involving Maierhofer, Maliksi, De Ocampo, Aquino and Future Pick Approved By PBA Commissioner

A trade involving B-MEG's Rico Maierhofer, Ginebra's Yancy De Ocampo and Jimbo Aquino, Barako Bull Allein Maliksi was approved by Philippines Basketball Association Commissioner Chito Salud.

In the approved transaction Ginebra will receive Rico Maierhofer and Allein Maliksi, Barako Bull will receive Jimbo Aquino and a 2013 first round and 2012 second round picks from Ginebra, while B-MEG will receive Yancy de Ocampo and a 2012 second round pick from Barako Bull.

With this trade Ginebra Gin Kings has finally found the needed upgrade in their frontline, with Maliksi and Maierhofer.

B-MEG on the other hand has added a center in De Ocampo (Although De Ocampo prefers to play outside the shaded lane) but with a 6'9" height and a nice touch outside would be a good fit in their triangle offense.

Barako Bull on the other hand added a guard to their lineup in Jimbo Aquino a former top gun of the San Sebastian Stags.

2nd Overall Pick Paul Lee Shines as Rain or Shine Defeats Barangay Ginebra Kings 94-93

A win is a win though, no matter what the score is. Me and my friends though were just after one thing. To see if the 2nd overall pick Paul Lee was as good as what the papers say. Well he did not disappoint us at all. Considering he's still a rookie, he played great last Sunday's lone opener game.

Paul Lee scored 21 points with 5 rebound and a couple of steals. Although they almost lost the game on a 4th quarter meltdown. Lee showed us how good he is.

JC Intal missed the last of his three charities in the final 1.3 seconds then new look John Wilson (did you see his hairdo?) muffed a follow-up shot as the Kings let the Elasto Painters preserve the win.

"It's a big win for us in the first day, first game of the season. We had some jitters. Good thing, we had a good lead going into the endgame," said ROS coach Yeng Guiao.

As for his prized rookie

"He's physically tough. He's special. You don't coach that. It comes from him, We really have a good pick," said Guiao.

"He's a big help really. We had a hard time breaking the zone. It's easier now with him there," Guiao added.

Now with Paul Lee's impressive first game, other teams will now be prepared for him, and now will really see how good Lee really is.

Texters Defeats Ginebra in Overtime to win Commissioners Cup

Talk n Text defeated the Gin Kings in overtime 99-96 and is now poised to win a Grand Slam if it will win the last conference in the PBA, the Governor's Cup.

Jimmy Alapag and Jason Castro lead the TNT with Alapag scoring 24 points with 6 assists and 5 rebounds while Castro has 19 points. The kings was led by Willie Miller with 21 points and Brumfield who did not finish the game due to cramps scored 18 points.

I never thought the Kings would give this much a challenge to the powerhouse TNT squad, but they did, and this was such an finals. Credits should be given to the Kings, who after being defeated in game 1, most critics and fans already assumed that the kings wont stand a chance against TNT, but they did, and in game 6 the kings could have extended the series to a winner take all, but fell short in overtime.

As for the Tropang Texters in winning their back to back championship. They will surely go all out next conference to win a grand slam, which I think the last team to achieve this is Alaska.

It's Ginebra Versus TNT in the PBA Commissioner's Final

Ginebra defeated Smart Gilas 92-85 last night to face early qualifier TNT. Lets talk first about Smart Gilas at the start of the tournament I was not in favor of letting Smart Gilas joining the conference, because for me it would not benefit the Smart Gilas team, but against Ginebra I have changed my mind. The physical play of Ginebra, the defense, and the way the fans of ginebra was in all out support of the Gins King was for me a very good experience for the national squad. I think with this experience I hope it would toughen up the Nationals to help them reach their goal in qualifying for the Olympics.

And now for the winner Ginebra, with their import struggling their locals showed up to play, especially Ronald Tubid, his 3's in the final quarter was a dagger in the hearts of the nationals, Tubid end up scoring 22 points to lead the Gin Kings, while Douthit in foul trouble in the second half lead the nationals with 25 points.

The best of 7 finals between TNT and Ginebra will be on Wednesday (April 27, 2011).

The once Mighty San Miguel Beermen is now last on the PBA standings

This is an unusual sight for the fans and also for the SMB franchise. The San Miguel Beermen lost another game last Sunday against sister team Barangay Ginebra Kings, 106-92. Now the Beermen is on the bottom of the team standings at 1-5 and is in danger on bowing out early. That is if they don't win in their last games against TNT and if the following teams Powerade, Air21 and B-MEG fail's to win in their last assignment but that is a big IF.

Some of my friends always argue of the trade SMB did with Air 21 saying SMB lost some veterans that are contributing to the team compared to the 3 rookies of Air 21 wherein only Al-Hussaini seems to be the only one productive. But maybe the management and coaching staff of SMB saw another thing, after all rebuilding a team takes time, maybe a conference or two will see if those 3 new acquisitions of SMB are really worth it.

Alaska's LA Tenorio is PBA Player of the Week

With LA's performance in the past week, and giving Alaska a 2-0 start, earned him the honor's of Accel-PBA Press Corps Player of the Week. LA is the first to receive the award in this years Commissioner's Cup.

With his crucial play against the Gin Kings last week where in he had a triple, a steal, all in the final 4 seconds to help Alaska seal the win over Ginebra was more than enough to prove his the player of the week. Aside from averaging 18 points.

Cone must be really proud of his starting point guard.

San Miguel Beer Forward Jay Washington is PBA Player of the Week

With the seat to the finals at stake, SMB forward Jay Washington, is taking his game to a new heights. Against the crowd favorite Barangay Ginebra, the 6 foot 7 forward shone the brightest for the Beermen in their on going duel in the PBA Philippine Cup. Putting up impressive numbers that made him the Accel PBA Press Corp's Player of the Week for the period of Jan 5 to 9.

In the first 3 games of the best of 7 series, Washington average 20.3 points, 8.7 rebounds and 1.7 blocked shots.

The 2005 top draft pick first scored 19 points in the first game and 29 on the second game, all of which SMB has won.

The Beermen though have lost game 3 last Sunday 95-78. Game 4 will be this Wednesday 5:00pm.

AIR 21 PICKS BACLAO NO.1 IN THE PBA 2010 DRAFT

Well it came to a surprise for me last Sunday with Air 21 picking Nonoy Baclao as the top overall pick over Rabeh Al-Hussaini. Which in turn led to some report that because of that Rabeh was a little hurt. But I think it doesn't matter if you get to be the first pick or the last pick, as long as you get selected and get to play. Air 21 also get to pick on no 3 and selected Rey Guevarra.

The list of players drafted:

1. AIR 21 - Nonoy Baclao
2. AIR 21 - Rabeh Al-Hussaini
3. AIR 21 - Rey Guevarra
4. ALASKA ACES - Elmer Espiritu
5. RAIN OR SHINE - Josh Valmandingham
6. AIR 21 - Sean Michael Anthony
7. GINEBRA - John Wilson
8. GINEBRA - Jimbo Aquino
9. B-MEG - Narciso Llagas
10. MERALCO - Shawn Weinstein
11. MERALCO - Riego Gamalinda
12. GINEBRA - Robert Labagala
13. B-MEG - Val Acuna
14. MERALCO - Claiford Arao
15. RAIN OR SHINE - RJ Jazul
16. MERALCO - Khasim Mirza
17. BARAKO - John Hermida
18. POWERADE - Jose Reyes
19. POWERADE - PASSED
20. AIR 21 -PASSED
21. ALASKA - Marvin Hayes

Ricardo "Ric Ric" Marata

I just got back from my vacation, and was shocked to see the news that Former PBA player Ric Ric Marata was dead. Although I had a few memory of Ric Ric as a player since i was still an elementary student at that time or high school, although he was not the superstar for the team he played he was a key player because of his tenacity and of course his shooting prowess ( he had an awkward looking jump shot if i recall correctly).

Marata, 45 died early Saturday morning (2:30 a.m.) in New York. The real cause of death has yet to be determined.

Marata's nephew, Ginebra's high leaping swingman Cyrus Baguio, is among the second generation of Marata players. His other nephew is La Salle Green Archer Samuel Joseph Marata.

RUDY HATFIELD TO RETURN TO THE PBA

Rudy Hatfield is set to return to the PBA and will resume playing for the Ginebra Gin Kings. Hatfield is one player that i like because of his tenacity, and his nose for the ball. And the Gin Kings could really use his help down low after suffering a 4-0 defeat against Alaska which showed the Kings lacking a strong inside defender and a scorer. Hatfield took a leave of absence from Ginebra in 2007 for personal reasons. Hatfield played 6 years in the PBA, averaging 13.4 points and 10.8 rebounds. This is a very good news to PBA fans and especially to the die hard Ginebra fans.

ALASKA ACES ARE IN THE FINALS

Alaska Milk is in the All Filipino finals. Well i didn't expect this to happen, well the 4-0 standing of their best of seven against Ginebra King. Although i knew that Alaska will win that series, because alaska have been a consistent team through out the elimination except for those couple of games on the end of the elimination round. I was expecting it to be 4-1 or 4-2 cause i know the kings are also that a strong team together with their sixth man the fans. But i think injuries to Menk and with Helterbrand and Caguioa coming off injuries, the Aces are just too much for the Kings.

Alaska won last night over Ginebra 102-95 . La Tenorio led the team with 20 points 10 assists and 2 steals while Ginebra was led by last year MVP Jayjay Helterbrand with 20 points 6 assists and 2 steals.

Alaska awaits the winner between the San Miguel Beer and Purefoods which is currently tied with 2 games apiece.