PBA's 38th Season

Asia's first professional hoops league opens its 37th season with an awesome video. While some of the new fan group names are a bit corny, you cannot discount the effort AKTV gave in this commercial's production, notably the breathtaking CG effects.

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A Eulogy for the Powerade Tigers

 

     December 2001, PBA Governor's Cup, The uncertain Pop Cola Panthers barge in to the battle for 3rd against the Shell Turbo Chargers. Donning their black and blue jerseys in what could be the final game of the team. During the term of the conference, it was uncertain if the Panthers will be sold to the SMC Conglomerate or not. Fresh from acquiring Purefoods from the Ayalas, SMC wanted the franchise along with Cosmos Bottling Corporation, but some factions did not want that to happen. The result is Pop Cola becoming the Swift Panthers for a few games. Like the Tigers, Pop was coming off a great run in the All Filipino Cup; Barging in from Winless (0-9) in the Governor's Cup 2000, to a win shy of making the finals against SMB. The team would eventually take third place honors and RFM would have its last significant run as Selecta-RP before Lee sang min ended it in the Asiad.

     The same can be said for their descendants, the Powerade Tigers. Donned with their fully sublimated black and blue threads(which reminded me of the Panthers)The team caught the league (and it's history) by becoming the first 8th seeded to reach the finals. Not only did they barge through it, they did it with a dramatic fairy tale fashion that would even put some of our local soap operas to shame. Down by as much as 17 pts and an ejection from one of it's guards, the Tigers clawed their way back into the game and won in overtime. In one of the best games in the history of the league, led by Gary David's flaming hands. However, not the same can be said for the next two conferences It became a squad needing a single win to make it to the semis but was electrocuted by the Meralco Bolts in 2 straight knockout games.

      There are more colorful stories inside Coke's stay in the PBA. On its first season, it was able to reach the finals and ultimately won on Christmas day of 2002 with it's core of 90's Alaska players beating their former team. I remember hearing coach Chot Reyes on our leadership seminar back in college where he predicted the Tigers will get a title that season upon day one of the team's practice. The team reached the finals the next three conferences and won their last title at the expense of Cedric Ceballos and the San Miguel Beermen.

      The next few conferences weren't as lucky as the Tigers languished into mediocrity and ultimately at the bottom of the standings until this season's Cinderella run.

      Some faithful fans do try to connect the Tigers with the Sunkist/ Swift/ Pop/ Sarsi Lineage, others don't. This time, we'll see if fans will still connect them with the Harbour center franchise. The Harbour center team is a proud organization itself, winning multiple PBL championships and the first Asean Basketball League crown. One thing that a proud franchise would be expected do in the PBA is that it would try to be competitive,  No lopsided trades, no players selling. Hopefully the tiger core will see the light once again.

     As I end this post, I say goodbye to the second incarnation of the Swift Mighty Meaties. Thanks for the christmas day miracle, the flaming hands, those awesome sublimated jerseys. Coke will be etched in the annals of PBA history along with it's predecessors. Goodbye Powerade tigers.

Review: Converse EB2

As the Sixers take atop the Atlantic division, we take a look back at their forward's signature kicks from the past season, the EB2. The shoe was released 2 years ago as the 2nd part of the EB line trilogy.

The material used is a combination of suede and leather. White stitching and red highlights add certain color contrasts with it.

Mick Pennisi's epic flop

Mick Penissi puts Philippine Basketball back into the international map (including being #2 in sportscenter with this epic viral flop.


Here is his explanation.

Rondonovation

Time flies fast.

Just 2 weeks ago, Linsanity was at an all time high. The C's on the other hand was at a downfall. Losing consecutive games and massive criticism at our point guard. Rondo was also at the top of several trade talks before going to the all star break. After the break, KG's pre all star game team meeting proved to help address a sense of urgency.

The Celtics had won 4 straight games since then. Including 2 triple doubles by Rondo in that stretch. The last win today proved to be the biggest win so far, an overtime win against the Knicks. Rondo tried to cope up and withstand Linsanity, The result ended in a 18 point, 17 rebound and 20 assist performance, the best since Magic Johnson. It was his 17th Triple double and 4th in this season. Lin produced decent numbers but clearly wasn't enough.

PBA Commisioner's Cup video

Remember the NBA opening (past & present) we had last time? The PBA now has their own tournament opening video.

Rondo to the all star game

 

Rajon Rondo makes it to the 2012 All Star game, replacing the injured Joe Johnson.

Fire Burns Anew.

As if last conference's Cinderella Run wasn't enough, The Powerade Tigers needs to overcome adversity once more. This time it is no longer doubters, FB trolls, First seeded teams or sportscasters shouting "no chance in hell". This time the Tigers are against survival. Literally and Figuratively.

With the team's rumored sale offer and uncertain future, followed by Marcio's trade on hold (I don't care what the higher ups from the teams say, this is an unfair trade, and the PBA should stop entertaining these kinds of trades). The team faces a new type of distraction perhaps.

Aided by it's 6'11 import (and one time White Mamba teammate) Dwayne Jones as inspiration, The tigers once down again by a large margin nearing the endgame made a late game rally to win 122-120, beating their semifinals opponent, the Rain or Shine Elastopainters. As if it was the same scenario as the last nail biting semis series.

People were saying if the team got a good post player, then it can address its weaknesses and become a much fiercer squad than last year.  Now with Jones virtually playing a significant fraction of the game. This team is on a better shape than last conference's squad.

Jones finished with 34 points to compliment David's 32. J-Shock Casio scored 14 points, all in the second half.

Tigers choose former C's Big man as next Conference's Reinforcement

The Powerade Tigers acquire former Celtics big man Dwayne Jones. Last time I saw a Tigers/ Celtics connection, It was a guy named Tony Harris a guy who scored 105 points in a single game and led the team to multiple titles in the early 90s.

To think I used play this guy in NBA Live 2006's season mode.

Finals!

ROAR by ~neueziel on deviantART

Are You Ready?Are you with me or not?

Cause I'm Going all out so show me what you got.

Boston Big 3: The last stand?

Following the emotional high of the Celtics' deep 2002 playoff run the atmosphere in the air was festive, Basketball is now back in Boston. After years of tragedies, frustration and people "not walking through that door" The C's found themselves at a place they used to be familiar with, title contention. And while the series against the future Brooklyn Nets was lost 4-2, there is an uplifting tone that this team can finally be brought back to the glory days.

Eventually, a new guy was bought at the helm. Former Celtic Danny Ainge, the perennial shooting guard from the 80's who also had duels with MJ back in 92' and 93'. Ainge was known for bold moves which acquired criticisms for the team's hardcore fans.

The early years' results were then disastrous. The Celtics flirted with mediocrity, followed with consecutive eliminations from  the Pacers and Nets before plunging to the lottery and eventually, the deeper part of the lottery. It was such a decline, conference finals elimination, conference semifinals elimination, first round elimination, lottery and climaxed at the second worst record in franchise history.

Since the C's became a 1 superstar team, top notch free agents didn't want to sign with our team. Because of that, we were hoping that a draft pick can help us, Danny did that, but his luck at odds were at 50-50 some of the names drafted/ traded by Ainge in the pre-big 3 era were Al Jefferson, Gerald Green, Rajon Rondo, Delonte West, Orien, Greene, Tony Allen, Leon Powe etc.. . A bunch of guys became solid contributors, the others went to international leagues. Good thing that Ainge was able to "harvest" some of those stars and turn them to the big 3.

Why am I saying this? That long frustrating wait might be a reality come next season.

The Big 3 era was fun while it lasted. 2 conference semifinals appearance, 1 miraculous yet stalled playoff run, and a dream championship turnaround season. In the Philippines, where most fans are obviously just in for the bandwagon, this finally led to some.. C's merchandise. Last time I saw them was as a kid in the 80s and it was fun seeing people in C's jerseys while commuting around the metro.

The sneaker game also went so well for the C's. Sneaker companies began producing kicks with Celtics colorways. We did not have to rely on the Truth's kids exclusive sneakers (dumb move). Even brands without endorsements from major C's stars were shelling out their colorways.


This is probably the last stand the 2nd Big 3 era will have as the main protagonists. I kinda want them to remain here next season, for significantly less but still making way for the team to sign some big names at the free agent market. That's how the Celtics teams of old conduct their business, slowly transition aging starsto veteran leaders and guide the young stars for them to lead the team. But times today are so much different from when Red handled the helm.

The future might be as bright as it is dark. The C's will finally have money to attract big names and free agents, but will they agree to sign in Boston? players now are all about, going to the big markets, weather and hanging out with their friends. Supposed the C's were unable to grab big names next offseason, history might repeat itself moving forth. As sad as it may be, to contend at present, you'll need a "super team".

All facets considered, how will this last stand shape out?

Today is the start of a brand new 66 game season, while getting off in the wrong foot. An injured captain with his backup out for the season. Bandwagon columnists are predicting them below the 4th seed. The season is still long, and trigger happy trader Danny Ainge wouldn't stop by a second to make a critical deal done. Anything can still happen. 

Hey, before playoff time, no one gave the Mavs a chance last year.

The one chance in hell: Powerade Tigers!

El Granada Photo by: Nuki Sabio, Editing by yours truly.

I have been supporting the Powerade Tigers since they were still known as Swift Mighty Meaties, but this game is the best I've ever seen them perform. And that is not an exaggeration.

Yes I have seen them all. Tony Harris' 105 point explosion, the 1995 near grandslam run, going at the bottom for the mid 90s, having a brief run at the battle for thirds in 98', languishing again in 99-2000 before finally capping off with semifinal appearances in 01' . The year after that, they were acquired by the SMC and won some titles, including one on Christmas day of 2002 and then went to mediocrity the later half of the decade.

A year and a half ago, the team was renamed as the Powerade Tigers. It was a though welcome for the new look squad. The team went to a bad stretch in the all Filipino cup, losing their last 7 games and extending their losing streak through the commissioner's cup (A total of five months). A heartbreaking missed buzzer beater against Gilas ended the Tiger's chance for a playoff in the commissioner's cup. The Tigers performed well in the governor's cup, but was ousted due to quotient.

Watching last year's Powerade Tigers was tough. Watching them live was even tougher.

I remember rushing in if they are slated in the first game of a doubleheader, going to the Big Dome's restroom to change and wear my Powerade Jersey as I enter the lower box and cheer for them the whole game duration only to come up short, ending in a sorry loss. While exiting the halls of Araneta,  I remove the jersey and change back regular clothing to avoid ridicule and confrontation. Some PBA fans are tough, overly emotional and sometimes, can be tactless and rowdy.And yes, most of the games I watched then were losses.


Luckily, the team was able to get a set of fangs in the draft. with Marcio Lasiter and JV Casio, Powerade fans were jubilant. Then again, outside the Powerade fandom, no one gave this team a chance. Season previews placed the team in 7th or 8th. As the season started, the team was at .500 at best. With their top prized #1 pick and top play maker out for the first few games,  they struggled the rest of the games, but recovered in the last 4 to cement their mark at the 8th spot.

Come Playoff time they are now placed against B-Meg Llamados. No one outside of the "Katigre Pack" gave them a chance. Some "Experts" even made insulting and demoralizing statements towards the team. The Llamados were on an 8 game roll, but the Tigers were also on a "Mini Momentum" of their own, winning 4 of their last 5.The first game caught the Llamados off guard via a big win.

The real story of this underdog upset was Game 2, particularly the third quarter.With Casio down due a sprained ankle and Celino Cruz being ejected off a scuffle. Powerade was down big, their 2 point guards out within a 10 second span. But the mark of a true hero is when your back is against the wall, then the stars shine the brightest. Gary David played like a man possessed firing three after three, burning the net with ease. And the rest as they say, was history.

One can say there are other better performances in the league's rich history, actually there are a lot. But this story, from the frustrating buildup, down to the game 2's dire circumstances made this extra special.

El Granada was one of those stars who was always at the back, the one who always gets the short end of the stick. Kinda reminds me of today's Monta Ellis or a Pre-Big 3 Paul Pierce. Always snubbed, looked down and ridiculed for being a great player in a weak team. But once given the chance, would let all of the years of built up frustration out. That was him last night, playing like a man possessed. Other team's fans may find this reaction arrogant and wild, but those guys have probably supported teams that were always on top. Sometimes, looking from outside in, tells you the true value and importance of a victory.


Don't get me wrong, B-Meg is my (far) second favorite team in the league and I know they've prepared and played their hearts out. Calling this a fluke, or overconfidence for B-Meg is a joke.

So after this epic win, what now?

Most underdog stories end their Cinderella run after beating the strongest foe in the tournament, sometimes they go further but they just run out of gas. History has shown that. Shell blew out Ginebra in 99' after they defeated Mobiline. The 2011 Memphis Grizzlies ran out of gas with a 7 game series against the Thunder.  The 2007 Warriors was defeated by the Jazz in 5, same with the 94' Nuggets and 99' Knicks. Heck, even television and movie stories don't help, Shohoku was blown out of inter high contention by Aiwa after giving it their all in beating the national champions Sannoh.

But every team is different. If there's one team that can do that, it is the Tigers. This team is made to change history. I'm not guaranteeing a win or a loss in the next series (that was a moral lesson we learned from a certain "Someone") What I can say is that, when the tigers smell blood, they will fight to the end.

Yes, There is a chance in hell.

Figure Fridays: Shaq Attack

PBA Atin to Retro Jersey Launch

Last September 30, 2011 at the Robinsons Galleria, The PBA finally launched its limited edition retro jersey line for the fans. Legends, Current Players, Jersey collectors and longtime fans flocked the sports loop. All 25 greatest players of the PBA were immortalized thru their jerseys during the event.



While the designs were still open for improvement and  It really took a long while before the PBA finally produced the Jerseys Albeit, in limited numbers. It is a big step for the underground basketball jersey collectors and longtime fans of the PBA alike.

 

I really wanted to cop the Aerial Voyager's 1995 Sunkist Jersey, Sadly they did not have stocks available. Instead, I grabbed Ricky Brown's Great taste Jersey.

 

Legends were there to sign autographs for the fans.


Mission Accomplished!

Figure Fridays: McFarlane Sportspicks Ben Wallace

One of the best defenders of the first half of the past decade, Big Ben is the cornerstone of the Post Grant Hill Pistons, leading the team to its third title in 2004. The Undrafted and Undersized center showed the way that hardwork and determination can take you far.

Dallas wins 2011 title

Congratulations to the Dallas Mavericks for Winning the 2011 NBA Title and proving that Hardwork, Sacrifice, Humility and Dedication are the tools on building a contender.

PBA Exhibit

Last April, I was able to glance upon the PBA memorabilla exhibit at galleria sports loop. The exhibit featured used shoes, game used balls, Standees, Handprints and trophies for the public to see.

Photography: Beantown Heroes

Due to Stresses at work, I tried to go back to Shooting Figures as a stress release.

Here are the shots I did the past 2 Days. The Heroes of Beantown.

Review: Sakuragi Hanamichi Figure (TK Holdings)

It's been nearly 2 decades since Takehiko Inoue's Masterpiece graced the Manga and our television screens. While there were tons of merchandise back then, Cards, Shirts and even Stationeries. The series is lacking in the figures department. With few articulated figs by Bandai and a lot of bootleg super deformed figures over the past 18 years.


Fast forward to 2010, A new Sakuragi figure finally debuted in the market. The Figure is made by a relatively new company known as TK Holdings. How does this bode out? Let's See: