My 2013 Filoil Premier Cup Season Awards

The Elimination round of the 2013 Filoil Premier Cup is about to end (tomorrow's a great double header and last day of eliminations : SBC v AdU and DLSU v ADMU), I threw out all statistical points and I picked the following that I think are the deserving winners. Here it goes.

UAAP Mythical Five: 

PG - Roi Sumang (UE)
SG - Kiefer Ravena (ADMU)
C - Charles Mammie (UE)
SF - Jericho Cruz (AdU)
PF - Bobby Ray Parks (NU)

NCAA Mythical Five :

PG - Nard Pinto (AU)
SG - Mark Romero (CSB)
C - Ola Adeogun (SBC)
SF - Nosa Omorogbe (UPHSD)
PF - Arthur dela Cruz Jr. (SBC)


Individual Awards :

MVP : Bobby Ray Parks (NU)
Rookie of the Tournament : Jason Perkins (DLSU)
Defensive Player : Raymond Almazan (CSJL)
Most Improved Player : Francis Abarcar (SBC) / Junric Baloria (UPHSD)

JMP

Hardcourt Hottie

I often watch the women's tournament in the Filoil Premier Cup. One time, a fine lady is burning hoops at the San Juan Arena. Her name? Bea Daez of the UP Lady Maroons. I checked some photos thru the net and here's what I found :

Who would have thought that this number 7 from this UP squad will look like this with make-up on and hair styled. And come to think of it, she leads the tournament in scoring withan average of 25 points per game. That's the highest output even with the Men's and Junior's stats combined. Well BEA, I'm speechless! Go UP! :)

JMP

My All Time Red Lions First Five

I've been watching the Red Lions games for over a decade and a half and I've seen a tons of players donning the Red and White Jersey. But the question is, who is the greatest of them all? I've listed my all-time greats in each position. 

PG - Borgie Hermida (2006-2010)

He played for San Beda for over 16 years. Well, that is something. He remained loyal to the Mendiola-based squad eventhough UAAP teams are trying to get his services especially in an era where most of the Red Cubs are lured over to play in the other league. I know that Borgie is not as talented as other generation of Red Lions like Emmanuel "Boybits" Victoria or a legend in Bonnie Carbonnel. But for me, his 16 years of loyalty is enough for him to be on my list. 

SG - Ralph Emerson Rivera (1994-1997) 

My first glimpse of an NCAA game came during the opening day of the 1996 season. I was a grade schooler then. Then I saw this shooter from San Beda wearing the number 6 jersey. From then, I idolized him. I even wear his number when I joined some intramurals and barangay leagues. Ralph Rivera is a well known scoring machine during his time. He battled against the toughest opponents before like Willie Miller of Letran, Patrick Benedicto of Mapua among others. He powered his team into NCAA Finals in '97 against a powerhouse SSC-R Stags of Rommel Adducul, Ulysses Tanigue, Jasper Ocampo, Brixter Encarnacion and more. For me, he is the most legit scoring guard that ever don the Red and White jersey. 

SF - Arjun Cordero (2001-2004)

I was at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum together with Jonas Villanueva's (yes, the former Red Cub and FEU Tams, now a PBA player) brother Joseph watching the Red Lions in a do-or-diegame against the Perpetual Altas. It was a close game and the Altas are leading by 2 with a couple of seconds left. Jerome Paterno inbounding the ball at the end court. He heaved abaseball pass to Marco Arbole which passed the ball to Arjun. He was free within 8 feet. He tried to make a lay-up but it fall short. That is the only memory many of us will remember about Arjun Cordero. But for me, he is still one of the best RL that ever played. He is a consistent Mythical Five member during his junior up to his final year. He is an undersized power forward but  a versatile and athletic small forward guy. For many of us, the missed lay-up will be most remembered. But for me, the one thing that I will remember about Arjun is that he had chosen San Beda over other schools. 'Nuff said. 

PF - Caloy Loyzaga (1950-1955)

I'm not that old to have watched "The Big Difference" in action but his legacy and memories as a Red Lion will never be surpassed by anyone. Arguably the best basketball player ever played in our country. With that, he can also be the best Red Lion that ever played. He served and continues to serve as an inspiration to young Bedans that have hoop dreams andmaking big for their alma mater. For me, Caloy is a lock for my All-time Red Lions great if not, the greatest of them all. 

C - Sam Ekwe (2006-2008)

I'm losing my interest watching San Beda Red Lions games when I heard that an 'import' has arrived in the Den. Then in my 22nd birthday, I opted to watch the Red Lions on their opening game against JRU. Then, I saw the import towering most of his counterparts. The Red Lions were victorious that day, trouncing the Heavy Bombers by 30 points. The rest they say is history. Sam Ekwe guided the RL to their 13th basketball crown, a first in 28 years. He have gotten the ROY and MVP awards in his rookie year. He also helped the Red Lions to secure their 3rd 3-peat championship during his sophomore and last playing year. Well, what more I can say. He is just changed the landscape of Philippine college basketball. JMP

2013 Filoil Premier Cup Juniors Division Stand-outs

I seldom watch the Juniors division in the Filoil Premier Cup primarily because it will be the same old story for the past 4 years. It will still be the San Beda Red Cubs that will dominate the high school basketball scene. Nonetheless, I watched some games and here's my likings and the players who caught my attention:

Mark Decapia (SBC) : Much-heralded teammates like Arvin Tolentino, Jayvee Mocon, Ranbill Tongco, Andrei Caracut and others, shadowed this guy. I saw him played against UST and I'm impressed with his gutsy-ness on the court. He is not afraid to go on the shaded lane to get some fouls when needed. I can say that he is the best slasher from this Red Cubs team second to RP Under-16 member Andrei Caracut. 

Ice Dandan (UST) : He is like a Khazim Mirza. He is long and he's a 3-point shooter. The only difference is  that this guy has more basketball IQ than Khazim. He knows how to pick his shot even for his age. I just don't know if he is related to UP head coach Ricky Dandan or former NU head coach Manny Dandan. Watch out for his 3's in the UAAP. 

Prince Rivero (LSGH) : He is a force inside the shaded lane. One game against the San Beda Red Cubs, he created problems to his defenders especially to much-talked-about incoming senior, Arvin Tolentino. I didn't know much from this guy but someone told me that he is a former NU Bullpup and a current member of the RP Under -18. Well, if he can play for our country, then he must be good. 

Diego Dario (UPIS) : Arguably the best player in this UPIS team, this boy is the do-it-all guy for the Junior Maroons. He can shoot from the outside, he can defend, he can dribble, he can pass, he can do everything in short. But he does not have good teammates to make their team a contender. 

John Gerby Alacre (CSJL) : He is a tough dude. I even compare him to Glenn Khobuntin, a former Letran Squire. A tough guy inside the lane; can get you offensive rebounds from time to time; well, he is your guy at the power forward spot. 

John Paul Cauilan (NU) : When I first saw this guy, I already said to myself that he is an Arvin Tolentino prototype. He is a long player with a good touch from the outside. He can also defend and run the floor occasionally. With him on the NU roster, I think the Bullpups can regain their title this season especially that Jerie Pingoy already graduated for their rival, the Baby Tams. Their other problem will be Thirdy Ravena of ADMU. But that's for another story. JMP

Haters Club

Approximately one year ago, I was at the San Juan Arena watching the quarterfinals of the 2012 Filoil Premier Cup. It was packed arena considering the game is between the DLSU Green Archers and the SSC-R Stags. DLSU is parading their highly-skilled recruit then by the name of Jeron Teng. The Stags are then bannered by "the Beast" Calvin Abueva. Then it happened. On one possession, it was DLSU's ball and its the crucial stretch of the game in the 4th. Close game. Almond Vosotros fired a three. I saw Calvin Abueva and Jeron Teng jacking for position underneath the basket to get the possible rebound. Missed 3. Then out of nowhere, Abueva swings his elbow on the blind-sided Teng. It was a horrible and awful act. Jeron's mother who is watching in the stands rushed into the court and saying "bad words" to Abueva. Then the rest is history. Calvin Abueva was tagged as a dirty player and that distinction has been carried into his PBA career.  But to ask you seriously, what does it take for you to be hated by the fans?

If you have been watching the 2013 Filoil Premier Cup, you know who's the baddest player in the tournament. That is LPU's Andrei Mendoza. Yes, the same guy that was banned a year ago because of his misconduct over a game he is not even a part of. He was just in the stands and suddenly mocks a fight over a former Letran teammate. This year, LPU seems to be into a lot of fights inside the court. There were altercations against Ateneo, which involves Mendoza and Kiefer Ravena. Then, it was UST's turn. It involved Mendoza again and Jeric Teng. EAC Generals was next with Mendoza again for the nth time and EAC's Jan Jamon. Then, the DLSU Green Archers which involves Norbert Torres and the whole LPU bench. 

Really, I don't know what Andrei Mendoza does on the court. I mean, I can't even feel what he wants his opponents to feel. I've been watching him closely but for me, he just plays physical basketball. He is a type of player that will knock you out when you run over a screen. Your testicles will feel every inch of the pain once you fight over a rebound or a lose ball. 

I've been comparing Calvin and Andrei but I don't see any similarities to be hated.  Except they play physical basketball. That's all. I know for a fact the Calvin was hated because he is damn good. Andrei isn't as good as Calvin's pinkie finger, talent-wise. But they are both hated. On a fan stand point, both of them just play physical and rough basketball. But that is part of the game. Sabi nga ni Jawo "kung ayaw mo masaktan, mag-chess ka na lang". For the record, Calvin's idol when he was young is Robert Jaworski. JMP

At Second Sight

After a month of college basketball, we saw a preview of what these UAAP & NCAA teams will show come to their seasons in their respective mother league. Some teams are currently on abroad for training and honing their line-ups. Others use the Filoil Premier Cup as a medium and sort of a tryout venue. Here's my current assessments of the top teams in this summer tourney.

ATENEO BLUE EAGLES (6-1):

Projected Starting Lineup:
G - Juami Tiongson
G - Kiefer Ravena
C - Poy Erram
F - Ryan Buenafe
F - Chris Newsome

X - Factor Off the Bench :
G Nico Elorde and F Von Pessumal

The Ateneo Blue Eagles are 6-1 and playing great basketball considering they are really short-handed especially in the front-court position. Poy Erram has only played one game; Giboy Babilonia missed their last game due to a dislocated shoulder; Von Pessumal suffered a dislocated finger due to a freak accident and Jerie Pingoy still not cleared to play by his HS mother school FEU. Also, Ryan Buenafe is in the lineup but haven't suited up yet because of his academic duties.

Nonetheless, they have just lost once considering they have played small-ball. Sometimes, Kiefer Ravena is forced to play the SF position, Chris Newsome at PF and undersized Vince Tolentino at C. Nico Elorde has been a revelation off the bench and has been averaging double figures in points. Von "Steph Curry" Pessumal has also been shooting the lights out and in a way, compromising with what they don't have which is inside presence. At one instance, Von shot 4 out of 4 three-pointer in one quarter against UE.

If Ateneo wants to get their unprecedented 6-peat in the UAAP, they need to stay healthy. They need Ryan Buenafe and Poy Erram to be in shape come UAAP season. Coach Bo Perasol has been excellent so far on his gameplans. If not for the UST game, they could have been unblemished. But a 6-1 record is still worthy of the number 1 spot in Group B standings.

SAN BEDA RED LIONS (3-1):

Projected Starting Lineup:
G - Baser Amer
G - Ryusei Koga
C - Kyle Pascual
F - Rome dela Rosa
F - Arthur dela Cruz

X - Factor Off the Bench :
G Utoy Abarcar

After their training in the US, the Red Lions only played 4 games. After their OT loss to National University, they have chalked up 3 straight wins against JRU, UP and FEU. The JRU game is an ugly win as Coach Boyet Fernandez have said in a statement. They have been outrebounded and out-hustled by the Heavy Bombers.

The biggest revelation for me is the play of former Red Cub Utoy Abarcar. This guy is plain gutsy. He is not afraid to go up against much-heralded opponents and most of the time, he can stand on his own against them. The only problem is that he is too errone-prone and seems to be out-of-control type of a player. But still I would prefer him as the 2nd string PG in the Red Lions rotation.

As I have noticed, the Red Lions are still playing Ronnie Magsanoc plays from last year. That's not surprising since Magsanoc and Fernandez have worked before in Meralco in the PBA. But for me, they will be better and lethal to opponents if they play what used to be Frankie Lim's playbook which is run and gun type of plays. They can be the fastest starting five in college basketball today.

NATIONAL UNIVERSITY BULLDOGS (8-0):

Protected Starting Five:
G - Gelo Alolino
G - Bobby Ray Parks
C - Alfred Aroga
F - Dennis Villamor
F - Mark Javillonar

X Factor Off the Bench:
F/C Troy Rosario

The NU Bulldogs have been perfect since last year. They are 19-0 and currently 8-0 this summer. They may have won their first 3 games via last-second heroics, but still I think that they are ready for the big dance in the UAAP. Eventhough Jean Mbe is still uncertain to play due to eligibility issues, for me they are already a marked team as early as now.

Their X - factor off the bench will be F/C Troy Rosario. This guy is a beast inside the paint once he forced to be. I think if he can be consistent all year, NU can go places.

If NU wants to duplicate last year's success or even surpass it, they should play steady basketball. They should execute crucial plays into perfection. Somebody should also take charge besides Bobby Ray Parks. He is already a marked man so they should find a next gunner after him.

DE LASALLE GREEN ARCHERS (5-0):

Projected Starting Five:
G - Almond Vosotros
G - Jarelan Tampus
C - Norbert Torres
F - Jeron Teng
F - Jason Perkins

X - Factor Off the Bench:
G - Gabby Reyes

Still one of the only two unbeaten teams this summer, the DLSU Green Archers seems they are back like its the 90's. They have won convincingly against all opponents and they looked tougher and bigger compared to last year's.

This is because of the resurgence of sophomore Gabby Reyes. A seldom-used guard from their HS squad at Zobel, Gabby suddenly shows that he belongs to the big league. He can shoot the 3, he can defend, he can dribble drive, he can play. He has been the constant reliever of Jeron Teng and have been providing great minutes for Coach Gee Abanilla.

The ACL injury to Yutien Andrada is a big loss to the campaign of the Green Archers but I think they have enough materials to replace him. A little bit under 10 points and 5 rebounds a game can easily be filled by rookies Jason Perkins, Kib Montalbo and Gabby Reyes. I know Jeron Teng will be steady all year but these 3 guys will be the x - factor for their squad. Give those three enough playing time and the DLSU Green Archers can bid goodbye to their dark years.

UST GROWLING TIGERS (3-3)

Projected Starting Five:
G - Robin Tan
G - Jeric Teng
C - Karim Abdul
F - Kevin Ferrer
F - Kim Lo

X - Factor Off the Bench:
G Tata Bautista

The UST Growling Tigers are one of the favorites not only in this Filoil Premier Cup but to the coming UAAP season. Eventhough losing to Ateneo the UAAP championship, they have been the consistent favorites of the press, journalists and UAAP coaches due to the eventual loss of personnels of the Blue Eagles. They have proven this by beating Ateneo as early in the PCCL and here in Filoil summer tourney. The Tigers may have lost chief playmaker Jeric Fortuna, but some of the bench players from last year seems to have the initiative to took over the position vacated by the latter.

The key off the bench will be Tata Bautista. Robin Tan seems to be Coach Pido Jarencio's choice for the starting point guard but I like Tata during the crucial stretches of the game. This is evident during their game against CSJL where Tata scored the winning basket.

Even with the upset loss against SWU, I still believe that the UST Growling Tigers can still go deep into the playoffs of the summer tourney and also and most importantly in the coming UAAP season.

FEU TAMARAWS (3-3):

Projected Starting Five:
G - RR Garcia
G - Roger Pogoy
C - Christian Snetchu
F - Russel Escoto
F - Chris Tolomia

X - Factor Off the Bench:
F Mac Belo

The FEU Tamaraws will be the most controversial team coming this season. A new head coach, implementing a 2 - year residency rule on their HS star who wants to play for Ateneo, two superstars who have not still gelled together eversince, a drug scandal for their foreign recruit and a lot more. Losses to AdU, NU and SBC may have knock-outed the Tams' confidence but still they have showed signs of brillance and signs that they can be a cohesive unit inside and outside the hardcourt.

For me, their key player coming from the bench will be forward Mac Belo. He may have been undersized at the 4-spot but he can play and does have a big heart. He can even outrebound guys bigger than him. During the game against San Beda, he showed that he can play big and thus he even outplayed Ola Adeogun for some plays. Regardless on whether Arvie Bringas will come back and play, I think Mac Belo deserves a little more playing time than he used to have.

A UAAP Final Four slot is up for grabs for the Tams. They should just keep the distractions away and as the popular quote says "Eyes on the prize".

ARELLANO UNIVERSITY CHIEFS (4-2):

Projected Starting Five:
G - John Pinto
G - James Forrester
C - Prince Caperal
F - John Rey Cadavis
F - Levi Hernandez

X - Factor Off the Bench:
G/F Keith Jasper Agovida

The Arellano University Chiefs could break into the Final Four for the first time this coming season. After a month of summer league action, writers and basketball analysts dubbed the Chiefs as the main contender for San Beda's championship reign. With a 4-2 record, they have already beaten some of the UAAP and NCAA elites like the UPSHD Altas, one of the Final Four members last year.

The Chiefs' main men will be John Pinto and James Forrester but they will be well-scouted by opponents coming into the season. If they want to achieve something thia year, they must find time in honing rookie Keith Jasper Agovida. This lanky-versatile forward can man the frontcourt for them even he is a little undersized and underweighed. He showed this during their game against FEU where he outrebounded much bigger Tamaraws by using his speed and basketball IQ. He could be the Chiefs' main man off the bench all throughout the year.

Its a gutsy statement if I will say that they are a lock with the NCAA's Final Four. But its true. They are a legitimate contender for the NCAA Championship.

UE RED WARRIORS (4-2):

Projected Starting Five:
G - Roi Sumang
G - Lord Casajeros
C - Chris Javier
F - JM Noble
F - Adrian Santos

X - Factor Off the Bench:
C Charles Mammie

UE's dream of a Final Four seems to be a doable task especially with their showing in the Filoil Premier Cup. They have beaten the UAAP first runner-ups last year, UST by a big margin. If not for their last-minute collapse against SSC-R, they could have been 5-1 and that sole loss is from the UAAP 5-peat champions Ateneo. As early as now, I tagged them as the darkhorse in the coming UAAP season. Materials-wise, they have everything to contend with the championship.

The biggest reason for UE's resurgence is their recruit Charles Mammie. This hulking center is averaging in double figures in points and rebounds. Mammie's presence inside the paint could be like of Greg Slaughter during his playing years with Ateneo.

They may have the strongest lineup on paper, second to DLSU and NU. And with that, I think they can pull off some surprises in the Filoil Premier Cup and in the UAAP. JMP