AIR 21 EXPRESS
Coming off its first Finals appearance, Air21 did not make a massive change in the lineup that was a few points shy of hoisting the 2008 Fiesta Conference crown. The pick up of JR Quinahan boosts their frontline that was taken advantaged off by true post up big men last year. I felt they really needed an extra point guard to give their leader, Wynne Arboleda, some rest but failed to get that done in the off-season. In one of their quietest off-seasons to date, they may have lost their chance to solidify the positives that came out from last conference.Egay Billones and Marvin Cruz must help Wynne if they really want to go back in the finals
rookie cholo villanueva is a good addition in the line up but he must gain his playing time so he can play his game
HOLDOVERS: Egay Billones, Marvin Cruz, Nino Canaleta, Homer Se, Douglas Kramer, Wynne Arboleda, Gary David, JC Intal, Arwind Santos, Ranidel De Ocampo
ADDITIONS: JR Quinahan, Cholo Villanueva (rookie)
ALASKA ACES
Involved in one of the bigger moves in the off-season by trading for last year’s No. 1 pick – Joe Devance, Alaska hopes that move will be enough to take them through to the Finals (the Aces lost Game 7 of last season's Philippine Cup to eventual champion Sta. Lucia). Devance should be a perfect fit for the Alaska offense with his ability to shoot as a big man. What we have to see is if he can find the toughness needed to be effective in the league. The Aces look solid from top to bottom with excellent acquisitions in the break. All the players that logged in major minutes last year will be back and with the addition of Devance and rookies Mark Borboran and Kelvin de La Pena. This is a much better lineup than what they had last year. The Aces have to be one of the more fancied teams to make a good run this year.
HOLDOVERS: Joachim Thoss, LA Tenorio, Larry Fonacier, Willie Miller, Reynel Hugnatan, Jeffrey Cariaso, Tony De La Cruz, John Ferriols
ADDITIONS: Joe Devance, Mark Borboran (rookie), Kelvin De La Pena (rookie), Ervin Sotto
COCA-COLA TIGERS
No drastic changes for a team that missed the semis of both conference. Of course we remember that they made waves in the middle part of last year by grabbing Asi Taulava and Nic Belasco. But this team has a very
small window of success that it is looking at given that key men Taulava, Belasco, John Arigo and Mark Telan are all in their 30’s. Getting easy opportunities through fastbreaks and turnovers was one of the main problems the team needed to address in the off-season but was only able to pick-up Froilan Baguion to add some speed to their backcourt. That means we should expect the team to try to grind out wins through their deliberate post-up game and half-court defense. That being the case, it looks like the team may only go as far as Asi can take them.
HOLDOVERS: Nic Belasco, Cesar Catli, MC Caceres, Aris Dimaunahan, Ronjay Buenafe, Mark Telan, RJ Rizada, Ricky Calimag, John Arigo, Alex Cabagnot, Mark Macapagal, Asi Taulava
ADDITIONS: Froilan Baguion, Lawrence Bonus (rookie)
BARANGAY GINEBRA KINGS
Oh championship bliss! Fresh from winning the Fiesta Conference in front of a record setting number of loud fans, Barangay Ginebra was curiously quiet in the off-season. I heard that Coach Jong Uichico always likes to add fresh blood to a champion team and with only Junjun Cabatu to parade as a new face, look for Ginebra to make moves within the season to shore up its lineup. With age starting to creep up slowly on some of its key players, Ginebra was not able to address one of its needs…young blood. Although the lineup is still loaded with stars, many of them have shown the inability to stay healthy all year (didn’t they almost lose the entire team to injury in the Fiesta Finals?). Big men Eric Menk and Rafi Reavis have been unable to complete a full season without injury for the last number of years. And with Mark Caguioa reportedly still in the US at present, it looks like the run-and-gun Kings might be very slow off the gates once more.
HOLDOVERS: Billy Mamaril, Rafi Reavis, Macky Escalona, Jay-Jay Helterbrand, Chris Pacana, Paul Artadi, Junthy Valenzuela, Eric Menk, Mike Holper, Mark Caguioa, Ronald Tubid, Sunday Salvacion, Alex Crisano
ADDITION: Junjun Cabatu
PUREFOODS TENDER JUICY GIANTS
A much-improved team this year, Purefoods was able to recognize the problems and find solutions in the off-season. With Paolo Bugia and rookies Chad Alonzo and Beau Belga, the team solved their size problem and now has an enviable stable of big men to support Kerby Raymundo and Rico Villanueva. Topex Robinsons gives them a third guard with experience to support Roger Yap and allows Chico Lanete for continued maturity while Jonathan Fernandez, another rookie, should fill in nicely as their third shooter off the bench after James Yap and Peter June Simon. This team was a game away from hoisting the Philippine Cup, and with the improvements they made, don’t be surprised if they’ll be able to win that game this time around.
HOLDOVERS: Chico Lanete, Jondan Salvador, Peter June Simon, Roger Yap, Rico Villanueva, James Yap, Kerby Raymundo, Richard Yee
ADDITIONS: Topex Robinson, Paolo Bugia, Aaron Aban, Jonathan Fernandez (rookie), Richard Alonzo (rookie), Beau Belga (rookie)
RAIN OR SHINE ELASTO PAINTERS
One thing is definite, this will be a more exciting team from last season. Every couple of years, there comes a rookie that is a no-miss prospect that can change your team. Luckily for Rain or Shine, it could be this year for the franchise. Gabe Norwood should single-handedly make this team worth watching. Luckily for Norwood, he won’t have to carry the load by his lonesome. Although the team had to give up Joe Devance for Sol Mercado, I feel Mercado should be a better fit for them because of his toughness. Look for him to have a very productive PBA career in the mold of a Mark Caguioa or Jeffrey Cariaso. TY Tang, on the other hand, finally gives the team a steadying point guard to run their offense. Eddie Laure’s addition will also be a boost, giving the team an able body that isn’t afraid to shoot. Expect the team to have a better record this year. Their main concern will be that they don’t have enough bigs compared to the rest of the league. The Philippine Cup will be tough for them but watch out for this team in the Fiesta Conference if they can get a good import.
HOLDOVERS: Rob Wainwright, Jireh Ibanez, Jay-R Reyes, Donald Dulay, Mark Isip, Ryan Arana, Allan Salangsang, Denver Lopez
ADDITIONS: Mark Andaya, Gherome Ejercito, Eddie Laure, Gabe Norwood (rookie), Solomon Mercado (rookie), TY Tang (rookie)
RED BULL BARAKO
The only team to make the Final Four in both conferences last year, it looks pretty bleak to replicate that feat this year. Losing arguably half of their most important players from their last championship (Fiesta ’05-’06) in Rico Villanueva, Lordy Tugade, Junthy Valenzuela, Larry Fonacier, Topex Robinson and Mick Pennisi in a span of two odd years, head coach Yeng Guaio might have to pull out his biggest magic wand to pull off his greatest magic trick. The loss of Pennisi will open up an already gaping hole in the middle, while their trio of Valenzuela and Tugade represent the longest tenured Barakos and their loss would mean the team will be in search for a leader in the locker room. This will by Cyrus Baguio’s team but he might be easier to control with the loss of their shooter in Pennisi. With four new additions, who can coach Guiao turn into a gem this year?
HOLDOVERS: Celino Cruz, Warren Ybanez, Cyrus Baguio, Joselito Duncil, Leomar Najorda, Magnum Membrere, Rich Alvarez, Carlos Sharma, Michael Hrabak
ADDITIONS: Gabby Espinas, Larry Rodriguez (rookie) Jeffrey Chan (rookie), Paolo Hubalde
SAN MIGUEL BEERMEN
It seems every season, SMB makes moves to tweak its already formidable lineup. This year is no different. Their biggest move would be grabbing Jay Washington, while taking in Mick Pennisi should also be considered a coup. Although these moves would’ve taken many teams over the hump, I am not so sure if this will hold true for SMB. Don’t get me wrong, these two guys are great talents but I don’t think talent was the problem that needed to be solved. The two things that seemed absent last year was toughness and hunger. The addition of Marc Pingris really showed what a tough and intense player can bring to this team. Washington has been one of the best talents in the league but his toughness and desire have often been questioned. Pennisi has shown toughness but how many Red Bull players have we seen lose their toughness when they transfer to another team. This team still seems to be looking for a leader and that question has to be answered for them to be successful. Head coach Siot Tanquincen has been sometimes been branded as having the Midas Touch, able to turn garbage into gold. His task for this team is different, he has to make gold glitter again.
HOLDOVERS: Mike Cortez, Jonas Villanueva, Dorian Pena, Dondon Hontiveros, Wesley Gonzales, Marc Pingris, Olsen Racela, Lordy Tugade, Samiguen Eman, Ken Bono, Danny Seigle
ADDITIONS: Bonifacio Custodio (rookie), Anthony Washington, Mick Pennisi
STA LUCIA REALTORS
The reigning Philippine Cup champions bring back all of their members from their memorable championship run. And that just might be the problem. With the two teams that pushed them to the limit (Purefoods & Alaska) getting much better, this team might find it difficult to hold them off. Rookie Kelvin Gregorio is no slacker and could help the team but the Realtors were unable to fill their biggest need, a contributing young big man. With both Marlou Aquino and Dennis Espino senior citizens of the league, SLR fans are wondering how much more miles can the two big men put on those big feet. MVP Kelly Williams will need to put up even better number this year (if that’s possible) for his team to even hope to repeat as champions, which will be a first in the league since 1985.
HOLDOVERS: Nelbert Omolon, Paolo Mendoza, Philip Butel, Ryan Reyes, Marlou Aquino,
Dennis Daa, Dennis Espino, Joseph Yeo, Melvin Mamaclay, Kelly Williams, Norman Gonzales, Dennis Miranda, Christian Coronel
ADDITION: Kelvin Gregorio (rookie)
TALK ‘N TEXT TROPANG TEXTERS
Another one of the teams expected to improve. A team that is moving forward without Asi Taulava, picking up some good young talent in the draft. While rookie Jared Dillinger may be an unknown talent to most of us, his skill with his size gives TNT versatility and the team will be hoping he will fare better in head coach Chot Reyes' system than Jay Washington. Jayson Castro gives Jimmy Alapag a quality back-up coach Chot can mold while Rob Reyes – no relation to their coach -- gives them another big man that can crash the boards. With the pick-up for four players in the Draft, you can see that coach Chot is loading his team with hunger and toughness, which seemed inconsistent with his team last season. The young players should light a nice fire for his proven stars. This is a new Tropa which we expect to run teams to the ground and play tough defense. Coach Chot is hoping that his team can finally achieve their potential.
HOLDOVERS: Jimmy Alapag, Harvey Carey, Macmac Cardona, Yousif Aljamal, Florendo Ritualo, Yancy de Ocampo, Jec Chia, Ali Peek, Don Allado, Gilbert Lao
ADDITIONS: John Paul Escobal (rookie), Jason Castro (rookie), Jared Dillinger (rookie),
Rob Reyes (rookie)
predictions-
rain or shine will improve this season i think they will go to the quarter finals
redbull will not go to the semi finals this conference
ginebra and purefoods will battle for the crown
Ginebra will win the crown this conference
marky (man in the middle) hehehe ingats ka jan sa taiwan ha txt mo kame pag may time ka tsaka mag y.m. ka para mejo tipid pare saya ng farewell party mo hehehe nagpunta mga Classmates natin nung High school (Ace, Harvey, Jerome, Bryan, Tantan) tsaka mga tropa sa ermita (Jibe,Cyrus,Mong,Toto,Michael,Rash,Mane) and madami pa iba na di ko kakilala hehehe salamat bro ha basta magiingat ka jan lague mamimis ka namin kip in touch ha
hai boring nasayang nanaman ang isang buong araw ko la kasi talaga magawa puru psp lang and nuod ng TV hehehe congrats sa ginebra nanalo sila hehehe higa plus laro equals ayan tignan nyo sa pix laki tyan hehehe
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