A kinda quick preview of the 2013-14 PBA Philippine Cup

Marlou Aquino or EJ Feihl?

This coming Sunday (November 17), the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) returns with the 2013-14 edition of the Philippine Cup, more famously known before as the All-Filipino Cup. Among the 3 conferences, I personally like this the most since without the aid of imports, our homegrown talents get the chance to showcase their skills more in an even playing field (though technically, the imports DO provide more balance to the league). With the offseason highlighted by a flurry of trades and draft-day deals, a number of teams have bolstered their rosters with hopes of snatching what I consider the most prestigious crown in Philippine basketball. Let's take a quick look at the current rosters for the ten teams with details on key players and projected starting line-ups.  (Averages are from the 2012-13 season from www.pba-online.net)

Air 21 Express

Forty freaking years old. Ageless.

Bulk of the scoring duties will fall upon the arms of KG Canaleta (16.72 PPG) and Mac Cardona (12.12 PPG) but it is Asi Taulava  who will play a more prominent role in a squad that lacks quality big men. "The Rock" proved in his brief 3-game stint last season that he can still be a force down low at 40 years of age (12.67 RPG, 1.33 BPG). Vic Manuel, Wynne Arboleda, and Joseph Yeo can provide ample yet inconsistent support to what is relatively a lackluster Air 21 squad. I like their Eric Camson pick though and I hope his game translates to the big leagues.

Projected Five: Arboleda, Cardona, Canaleta, Manuel, Taulava

 Alaska Aces

Ze ROY slaps ze MVP.

Reigning Rookie of the Year Calvin Abueva (12.25 PPG, 9.37 RPG) looks to build upon a successful rookie season as he gradually becomes the face of the Alaska franchise. He will be complemented by the underrated Cyrus Baguio (13.39 PPG), 2011 Number 1 pick Jayvee Casio (12.04 PPG, 102 3PM) and contributions from reliable veterans Dondon Hontiveros, Tony Dela Cruz, and Sonny Thoss. Alaska has kept its core intact with the only notable additions being draft day surprise pick, Ryan Buenafe (hah!) and the comebacking Leo Avenido (meh). Look for Alaska to be one of the better squads this season.

Projected Five: Casio, Baguio, Abueva, Dela Cruz, Thoss

Barako Bull Energy Cola

The only reason to watch a Barako Bull Energy Cola game.

Barako Bull had one hell of a chance to rebuild their franchise in an instant with three 1st round picks this year but a series of dumbfounding moves led to a collection of washed-up veterans (Willie Miller, Dorian Pena, Mick Pennisi, Denok Miranda), unrealized potential (JC Intal, Jonas Villanueva, Ronjay Buenafe), and a gang of unspectacular support players. I wonder what Barako Bull fans (if there are still any) are thinking right now given a roster that's both lacking and uninspiring. At least they still have "Dynamite" Danny Seigle. Oh wait..

Projected Five: Miranda, Miller, Intal, Pennisi, Pena. Yuck. Just give me five Pennisis please.

 

Barangay Ginebra San Miguel

It's still HIS team whether we like it or not. Right? Right?

The crowd favorites made some major moves this offseason, the biggest of which were selecting 7-foot behemoth Greg Slaughter with the No. 1 pick and then swinging for a draft day trade to land James Forrester with the No. 4 pick. Separate trades also netted them Jay-R Reyes and Emman Monfort and a comebacking Dylan Ababou (and Japeth Aguilar to a lesser extent) will certainly be a big boost. While I would like to believe that it's time for LA Tenorio (14.04 PPG, 5.00 RPG, 5.75 APG, 1.48 SPG.. such gaudy numbers) to take over this squad, it's still Mark Caguioa (17.17 PPG) who will remain the heart and soul of this team and as long as he stays healthy, this will be a formidable team throughout the season.

Projected Five: Tenorio, Caguioa, Baracael, Ellis, Aguilar

 

Global Port Batang Pier

Brotherhood. Heh.

I loooove how Global Port Batang Pier played the 2013 draft infusing their squad with a nucleus of young talent while at the same time shipping off some of their superstars. The result? A nice core composed of established veterans led by Sol Mercado (16.16 PPG, 6.86 APG) and Jay Washington (9.56 PPG, 6.63 RPG) and college standouts Terrence Romeo, RR Garcia, and Nico Salva. Another interesting player to look out for is the comebacking Eric Menk. He can certainly provide leadership and experience to the young bigs of Global Port. Such moves make Global Port an exciting talent-laden team to watch out for this season. 

Projected Five: Romeo, Mercado, Washington, Salvador, Nabong.

 

Meralco Bolts

I can finally call him a Bolt of Energy.

I still think their franchise-best semis finish last conference was more due to the Mario West effect. Remove West and what you get is just a standard PBA lineup, certainly not something you'd term as a championship caliber team. They tried to address the departure of West by acquiring prolific high-scoring guard Gary David (18.77 PPG) amidst a noticeable drop-off in David's performance since the Gilas stint. David will be surrounded by a solid crew composed of Reynel Hugnatan, Cliff Hodge, Mike Cortez, and Jared Dillinger. If the Gary David of "nagliliyab" fame is rekindled, then this team has a decent chance of contending. Otherwise, it will be a long season for the Bolts 

Projected Five: Cortez, David, Hodge, Hugnatan, Al-Hussaini

 

Petron Blaze Boosters

Future MVP and the future of Philippine basketball.

If last conference's Finals performance was any indication, then The Kraken also known as June Mar Fajardo (12.33 ppg, 9.33 rpg, 1.20 bpg) is poised to dominate the PBA for years to come. In just his rookie year, he has already shown flashes of being Petron's franchise player, rewarding the San Miguel franchise's faith in choosing him as the No. 1 overall pick last year. Surrounded by a ton of talent which includes 2013 MVP Arwind Santos (12.48ppg, 8.46rpg), Marcio Lassiter (12.07ppg), and Alex Cabagnot (11.85ppg, 5.11apg), the Blaze Boosters is primed to continue their winning ways from last conference... as long as no Petronovela happens. And perhaps their biggest move this offseason is making MINOR trades (Chris Ross, Yousef Taha) which should be a breath of fresh air to Petron's fans.

Projected Five: Cabagnot, Lassiter, Santos, Kramer, Fajardo

 Rain Or Shine Elasto Painters

Barack breaks JWash's ankles.

Yeng Guiao is a genius at maximizing and uncovering the potential of his players. Just look at the careers of Beau Belga, Ronnie Matias, Larry Rodriguez, and Jireh Ibanes so far. Combine that with such a stacked lineup (Paul Lee, Chris Tiu, JR Quinahan, Ryan Arana, Jeric Teng, Jervy Cruz, Raymond Almazan, and more) and ROS sure seems like a lock for a semis stint at least. Leading the way will be the Gilas members Gabe Norwood and Jeff Chan (11.94ppg), the former showing a much-improved brand of play and the latter proving to be the modern version of Allan Caidic. With Yeng Guiao at the helm of a highly talented crew, ROS will surely wreck havoc throughout the whole league this season.

Projected Five: Lee, Chan, Norwood, Cruz, Belga

 

 San Mig Coffee Mixers

Dye your hair red and I'll be full convinced with the Sakuragi monicker.

So, what do you receive as a fine reward for winning the recent Governor's Cup? Land the 2nd overall pick in the draft and select Ian Sangalang! LUCKY. What was already a premier squad just got stronger. Recent Finals MVP Marc Pingris (9.19ppg, 7.84rpg) will undoubtedly be the leader of the team with a barrage of firepower behind him: James Yap (13.31ppg), PJ Simon (12.75ppg), and Joe Devance (9.85ppg). They also injected youth into their squad in the form of rookies Sangalang, Isaac Holstein, and Justin Melton. SMC's greatest asset though is their team chemistry and resiliency which was in full display in last conference's Finals. I won't be surprised if they end up in the Finals once again.

Projected Five: Barroca, Yap, Devance, Pingris, Reavis

 

Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters 

The Blur has got to be one of the most creative nicknames in the past decade.

Do not be fooled by the lackluster showing last conference. With most of their Gilas members now fully rested, TNT figures to be in the thick of things during the Philippine Cup. Their campaign will be led by the best point guard in Asia, Jayson Castro (14.45ppg) and a star-studded cast which includes Jimmy Alapag, Ryan Reyes, Ranidel De Ocampo, Larry Fonacier, Sean Anthony, and Ali Peek. That's not including a comebacking Kelly Williams. Expect a better showing from Norman Black and his troops this conference.

Projected Five: Castro, Fonacier, Anthony, De Ocampo, Peek.

 

So, who do you think wins the 2013-14 Philippine Cup? I'm going with Petron, of course. *grins*