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.

SMB trade with Air 21 top rookies is finally granted by Salud

Finally SMB wish of acquiring Air 21 top 3 rookies was approved by the commissioner. SMB's revised offer now involved Danny Seigle, Dorian Peña, Paul Artadi and Dondon Hontiveros for Air 21's Noy Baclao, Rabeh Al-Hussaini and Rey Guevarra.

Salud said "This revised trade is certainly a marked improvement from the first trade offer San Miguel made to Air 21. I assessed the trade both on the market balance of the seven players involved. I'd like to believe that this trade isn't one sided anymore"

I'm surprised that SMB included Dondon Hontiveros as part of the trade. SMB have plenty of players in Hontiveros position which they can offer like Tugade and Salvacion. But that just my opinion. With this trade its evident SMB is on the rebuilding process of getting younger. Which was evident when they battle TNT on the just finished All Filipino finals, SMB old age was exposed as TNT was just a tireless workhorse through every game, while the beermen was gasping for air come crunch time.

Trade Between Air 21 and SMB was turn down by Commissioner Salud

It would have been great if the trade wasn't turned down, well great for SMB. The trade involved Air 21's top three picks of Noy Baclao, RAbeh Al-Hussaini and Rey Guevarra, in exchange for SMB's Danny Seigle, Mick Pennisi and Joseph Yeo.

Salud made the swift and decisive move to turn down the offer of the beermen to acquire the services of the top three picks in exchange for the veterans. "The trade involving Air 21 rookie pick Baclao, Al-Hussaini and Guevarra for San Miguel's Seigle, Pennisi and Yeo has been turned down because I believe the trade is lopsided," Salud stated.

But the Beermen informed Salud that they will come up with a better offer to get the services of the three rookies. "Whatever they will offer, that will also be subject for study," added Salud.

I think the Commissioner made a good decision because lets face it, those top 3 picks against those SMB veterans? Seigle for me is already damage goods because of his repeated injuries, Pennisi is getting old and Yeo well his kinda lost in the SMB rotation.

Talk and Text is the Champion for this years PBA Philippine Cup

Watching the game you can feel that the TNT would surely win it, the way they played last night you can just see, they were the more determined team, they were hungrier, their execution was great and above all they are just full of energy.

The Talk and Text won 4-2 with a 95-82 game 6 win. To be the new Philippine Cup. Ryan Reyes and Jimmy Alapag lead the way for TNT with 17 and 15 points respectively. Jay Washington top score for the Beermen with 29 points.

At the start of the finals everyone was saying both teams are equals, with both of them having all star lineups and deep bench. But the way I see it, TNT was of a clear advantage from the start, yes both of them have star studded line up but TNT lineup was more athletic and much more younger than SMB. But for now Congratulations to TNT for a job well done.

PBA will take a short break and will resume on Feb 18 with teams parading imports with 6'4" in height.

Talk N Text takes game 5 to lead 3-2 in All Filipino Cup Finals

Talk n Text is now 1 win away to win the All Filipino Cup Finals with a 99-75 win in game 5 over SMB. TNT was led by Jimmy Alapag who scored 16 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds as TNT took a 3-2 lead.

SMB got close to within four in the third 59-55, but TNT outscored them 21-9 for a 74-64 lead going in to the final quarter.

The onslaught continued in the fourth as Fonacier hit 3 straight triples for a 96-72 lead for TNT, with 5:30 left to play.

Game 6 is on Friday.

Talk N Text wins game 2 to take a 2-0 lead

Unlike in game 1 were the SMB just ran out of gas in the final quarter, they where in the thick of things in the 4th. But even that was not enough, and now Talk N Text is up 2-0 winning game 2 110-102.

Talk N Text was ahead 42-40 at the end of the half before Fonacier, Alapag and de Ocampo made a 10-0 run to take a 52-42 lead. It seems that game 1 would repeat itself again for the Beermen but this time SMB was up to the challenge as they rallied behind Alex Cabagnot in an 18-7 rally to get close, 59-58, TNT finished the 3rd period was a 73-69 lead.

But in the 4th quarter, Jason Castro together with Jared Dillinger took over,a s they built a 12 point lead 91-79. Dillinger who had 11 of his 20 points in the 4th quarter was forced to sit out after committing his 5th foul but a 3 point play by de Ocampo got TNT ahead 97-84.

Talk N Text will gun for a 3-0 lead this Friday, while the Beermen will try to do the impossible - win four of the next five games to steal the crown.

Talk and Text Takes Game 1 of the All Filipino Cup Finals

TNT showed why they are the top team after the eliminations as they beat the Beermen 92-81 in Victorias City.

TNT point guard Jason Castro led the way with 18 points, and also earned the best player of the Game that day.

San Miguel took a 20-11 lead in the first quarter, but TNT managed to trim the lead 46-44 at the end of the second quarter. In the second half the Beermen was still holding the lead 68-67 but TNT went hot on the fourth as they opened a 10-0 run to take the lead 77-68. But SMB was not the same when Washington went down due to cramps and seemed to lost the fire and their execution resulting in some costly turnovers.

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.

ALASKA GUNS FOR 3-0 LEAD AGAINST SMB

Never expected this from the beginning , I thought this would be a tight match that will stretch to until game 7. But Alaska has other plans in mind, after being swept by Purefoods on the All Filipino Finals, they are now up 2-0 against the fancied SMB team and is gunning for a 3-0.

Cant wait to go home early tonight to watch the game, and also to see who wins the MVP this year. Also to be awarded tonight will be the Rookie of the Year, Most Improved Player, Mythical Selections and the All Defensive Team.

But of course the highlight will be game 3 of the finals match. I just hope for SMB that Gabe Freeman won't be in foul trouble again, because he really is the spark that SMB needs to overcome the Aces.

IT'S ALASKA AGAINST THE BEERMEN FOR THE FIESTA CONFERENCE FINALS

Whoaaaa, my wish come true heheheh, I have posted before that I really wanted an Alaska SMB finals match, and bot it came true. I just see Alaska as the much better team to face a powerhouse SMB Beermen. After defeating a star studded TNT team last Wednesday 90-81 winning their series 4-3. They will go up this Friday against another star studded team the Beermen, the defending champion for the Fiesta Conference.

Diamon Sompson led the Aces with 21 points, 9 rebounds and 3 blocks. Which will be a good match against last year best import Gabe Freeman.

Can't wait this Friday for their match.....

San Miguel Beermen are back in the Fiesta Cup Finals

The Beermen are the first to enter the Fiesta Cup Finals and are set to defend their title, as they defeated the B-MEG Derby Ace 91-83. The Beermen also got their revenge against the Llamados who defeated the Beermen last on the All Filipino conference. The Beermen now will have to wait for their opponent as the Aces and Texters are all tied 3 games a piece and will battle it out this Wednesday.

Gabe Freeman had another monster game as usual, the reigning best import had 26 points and 22 rebounds. The Llamados were led by Tony Washam with 30 points and 12 rebounds.

Watching the game last night, I really wanted the Llamados to win not that I'm their fan but so that i can watch more basketball games this Wednesday hahaha. But I expect the Beermen to win this one, mainly because of their import Freeman and also the Llamados are without Kerby Raymundo, without Kerby the Llamados don't have an inside threat, that can draw double teams away from perimeter players such as James Yap and Washam. Don't feel bad Llamados fans, there is always the next season. As for the Beermen I hope they would go up against Alaska, Why???? I just don't like the Texter's especially last conference where they walk out of the game, what kind of player and coach gives up on the game, the HELL if the referees are blind as the bat or the call is not going their way. They just have to fight it out. So for me I would really prefer an Alaska vs SMB duel hehehehhehe.

PUREFOODS SWEEP ALASKA TO WIN 2010 KFC PHILIPPINE CUP

Defense is again the key to Purefoods victory as it limited Alaska below 80 points to win 86-76, sweeping Alaska in the best of seven finals. Before the game Purefoods James Yap was named Best Player of the Conference then at the end of the games was honored as Finals MVP, which was fitting as he led Purefoods in scoring in 4 games. But its not all James Yap, its all in the teams effort and their excellent defense. It was a nice run for the Purefoods TJ Giants which went on a roller coaster ride during the elimination round, then being pushed to the limit by Rain or Shine, survive the star studded San Miguel Beermen, then sweeping the number1 team Alaska.

Purefoods also became the first team in the PBA to sweep a best of seven affair in an all Filipino tournament. Congratulations Purefoods for a job well done.

And now we wait for the import reinforced tournament.

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.

ALASKA MILK SIGN SAMIGUE EMAN

This was no surprise, Samigue Eman can't improve himself just by being a bench warmer, in San Miguel he simply can get enough playing time since the Beermen are loaded with plenty of superstar, in his position alone he will have to fight it out with the likes of Danny Ildefonso, Danny Seigle, Dorian Peña, Mick Pinissi, Jay Washington. So i think going to alaska might benefit him.

Alaska Milk signed Eman to a 3 year contract worth 11 million pesos, which gives the Aces a potent triple tower combination, with Joe Devance, and Sonny Thoss. (looks familiar? much like the dreaded triple tower of the Lakers Gasol, Bynum and Odom).

I just hope Eman will have more playing time with Alaska although its impossible for him to play in this conference which is already in the semis phase, but maybe in the next conference. And wish he can improve in his game. I saw him play before when he was still in college at Davao, at he was a sore to watch, people sometimes would laugh cause here is a 6 foot 9 guy, who gets push around by other schools centers who are way smaller than him. But i know that he only lacks a good trainer and a coach that will guide him. Good Luck to you Eman hope you can make us Davaoeños proud.