UAAP Season 74 Juniors Outlook

(image from coolbuster.net)

What this will NOT be is a team-by-team preview. Rather, I've opted to simply focus on some interesting "story lines" for this year's UAAP Juniors tournament. Sans big names like Kevin Ferrer, Kiefer Ravena, and Von Pessumal, this season's Juniors bracket might seem devoid of star power, but that doesn't mean it won't be packed with drama and excitement.

Here are some interesting things to look out for in Season 74:

Off-Topic: Top Basketball Anime/Manga

Most of the main characters in Slam Dunk
(image from bestanimepicture.com)

Slam Dunk:

Slam Dunk was created by Takehiko Inoue. It revolves around one of the zaniest characters in all of manga-dom: Hanamichi Sakuragi. He tries to get into basketball to impress his crush, Haruko Akagi. As the story progresses, Hanamichi's natural physical gifst (height and athleticism) help him become part of the Shohoku basketball team. It's a classic underdog tale about someone who knows squat about basketball eventually becoming a great success. Hanamichi forms interesting connections with his teammates, as well as his rivals from other schools. Character development is really good. Animation is well done, especially since it was animated back in the 90s. My only gripe is that the anime didn't finish the whole story. One has to read the manga to see how Shohoku did in the Inter-high tournament. Definitely one of my all-time favorite anime series! Inoue even got a commendation from the Japanese Basketball Association for helping popularize basketball in Japan!

Some Questions for the 87th Season of the NCAA

NCAA: Brazen @ 87
(image by iMac Adriano)

I don't follow the NCAA as closely as the UAAP, which is why I won't write a full-blown preview. I'm not too knowledgeable about the backgrounds of the key players, nor am I privy to their backstories. But I've always found the oldest collegiate league in the Philippines quite interesting. 

And Season 87 promises to be more interesting than usual.

The Pantheon of Champions

(image from mhelgarrido.blogspot.com)

The Ateneo Blue Eagles UAAP Basketball Championship Timeline

There was a time when the terms “cellar-dweller” and “Ateneo” could be seen in the same sentence. There was a time when Ateneo’s UAAP Basketball season was a mere footnote in a college student’s life. There was a time when one could buy good seats to an Ateneo-La Salle game minutes before tip-off.

But that was way back in the 90s. The Dark Ages.

The past.

To say things are different now is a gross understatement.

Smart-Gilas Gains Momentum after SEABA Conquest

Japeth Aguilar makes Malaysia pay with this tomahawk
(image by Rogelio Amat)

For the 6th time, the Philippines are champions of the Southeast Asian Basketball Association. They thoroughly manhandled the opposition to finish with an immaculate 4-0 record and an average winning margin of 40 points. Despite fielding in only 9 men throughout the competition, coach Rajko Toroman still succeeded in steering the Smart-Gilas squad to success, with one impressive performance after the other.

2011 West Asian Basketball Championships Mini-Recap

Mohammad Samad Nikkhah Bahrami is bound to showcase
his incredible skills again in Wuhan, China
(image from ESPN Taiwan)

I wanted to cover the 2011 WABA Championships as best I could, but there was a dearth of resources online, so it was practically impossible. Anyway, all we know is that Iran topped the tournament by sweeping all three of its games. Jordan followed suit by escaping Iraq and dismantling Syria. Syria edged Iraq on Day 1 to finish with a lone victory against two losses. In the end, Iran, Jordan and Syria will join Lebanon as the WABA representatives to the 2011 FIBA-Asia Men's Championship in Wuhan, China, while the WABA hosts, Iraq, stay home and go back to the drawing board.

Smart-Gilas Pilipinas Runs Away with the 2011 SEABA Crown!

Philippines over Indonesia, 89-50

Philippines 89 - Barroca 17, Douthit 16, Tiu 13, Baracael 12, Aguilar 9, Lutz 7, Ababou 6, Casio 5, Ballesteros 4

Indonesia 50 - Gunawan 14, Faisal 12, Prawiro 11, Poedjakesuma 4, Indrawan 4, Prihantono 3, Sitepu 2, Dewanto 0, Chandra 0, Wuysang 0, Thoyib 0, Situmorang 0

QS: 31-10, 46-27, 67-35, 89-50

- There was no surprise here as the Pinoys dominated from start to finish.

- Mark Barroca was hot, shooting 6-of-8 from the field and a perfect 4-of-4 from the line, en route to 17 points. Naturalized center Marcus Douthit scored 16 markers and grabbed 7 boards as a solid inside presence. 

- Rony Gunawan led the home team with 14 points and 6 boards, but shot just 6-of-15 from the field. 

- The Filipinos were better in most stat categories -- outshooting and out-rebounding the Indons, and committing less TOs too.

Japeth Aguilar made a living amongst the clouds.
(image by Rogelio Amat)

Southeast Asian Basketball Championship scores for June 25, 2011

Philippines 106 - Barroca 18, Aguilar 18, Baracael 17, Ababou 14, Tiu 11, Lutz 11, Douthit 8, Casio 5, Ballesteros 4

Singapore 51 - Wong 20, Lim 10, Goh 6, Oh 4, Koh M. 4, Ng 3, Fok 2, Khoo 2, Folkoff 0, Wu 0, Koh K. 0, Matialakin 0

QS: 30-9, 60-23, 77-43, 106-51

- The Pinoys displayed superior form against the hapless Singaporeans. From the start, it was clear that both teams weren't in the same class.

- Mark Barroca showcased his offensive capability, finishing with 18 points and 5 assists. Japeth Aguilar continued to impress with a double-double -- 18 points and 15 rebounds. 

- Mark Douthit was rested today, playing just 10 minutes and scoring 8 points. Seldom-used Jason Ballesteros did a good job manning the slot in lieu of Douthit. Ballesteros ended up with just 4 points, but led all players with 16 boards.

- As expected, Wei Long Wong was the lone bright spot for Singapore, hitting 5 triples en route to 20 points.

Mark Barroca led the way for the Pinoys against Singapore
(image by Rommel Bangit/Flickr)

Shengyu Lim is a young, up-and-coming guard from SG
(image from redsports.sg)

2011 NBA Draft: Pictures and Transactions

David Stern ushered in the aspiring rookies, but he also holds
the key to whether the league will endure a lockout or not.
(image by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)

This might be the leanest draft in years, but that doesn't mean there was a dearth of interesting things that happened. I just hope an NBA lockout won't kill all this momentum.

PBA Roundup for June 18-24, 2011

Samigue Eman tries to foil Gabby Espinas's inside try
(image by Nuki Sabio/PBA.ph)

MERALCO BOLTS over ALASKA ACES, 81-78

Mark Isip came up big again for Meralco as the Bolts got their 2^nd straight win against the Alaska Aces last Saturday. Import Champ Oguchi missed a late three-pointer, and Isip collared the offensive rebound then knocked in a free throw to seal the deal for Meralco.

Southeast Asian Basketball Championship scores for June 24, 2011

Philippines 94 - Lutz 20, Aguilar 19, Ababou 13, Douthit 11, Casio 8, Baracael 7, Barroca 6, Tiu 6, Ballesteros 4

Indonesia 54 - Poedjakesuma 10, Prawiro 8, Thoyib 8, Indrawan 6, Prihantono 5, Wuysang 5, Situmorang 4, Dewanto 2, Ahmad 2, Gunawan 2, Setepu 2, Faisal 2, Chandra 0

QS: 20-9, 49-22, 71-38, 94-54

- This time around, the Philippines didn't leave any doubt. No anxious moments. No shaking heads. Just full on dominance.

- Chris Lutz starred for the Pinoys, hitting 14-of-15 free throws en route to his game-high 20 points. Japeth Aguilar had another stirring performance, producing 19 points on 9-of-11 field goal shooting.

- Second straight game Marcio Lassiter didn't play. Looks like he's headed back to the homeland early to assess his back injury. Here's to hoping it isn't anything serious.

Andi Poedjakesuma was the lone bright spot for the Indons.
(image from thejakartaglobe.com)

Chris Lutz was the spark for Smart-Gilas Pilipinas
(image from GettyImages)

Southeast Asian Basketball Championship scores for June 23, 2011

Philippines 97 - Casio 19, Aguilar 18, Douthit 14, Tiu 12, Barroca 9, Baracael 8, Lutz 8, Ababou 5, Ballesteros 4

Malaysia 71 - Ho 11,Batumalai 10, Ng 10, Loh 9, Chee 8, Wee 7, Kuek 5, Chin 4, Choo 3, Lau 2, Ong 2, Kuppusamy 0

QS: 20-20, 36-41, 63-57, 97-71

- Malaysians waxed hot from long range in the first half, hitting 8 of their 14 attempts from rainbow country.

- Pinoys started sluggishly and gave away too many possessions via turnovers.

- Marcus Douthit had an impressive double-double: 14 points and 15 rebounds.

- JV Casio engineered the pull-away in the 3rd quarter, scoring a5 of his 19 points there.

- Japeth Aguilar cleaned it all up in the final period with 14 of his 18 points.

- The Philippines can afford these slow starts in the SEABA games, but they should check it before plunging in the FIBA-Asia tourney.

JV Casio came up big again for the Pinoys
(image from FIBAAsia.net)

Ho Yeow Loong displayed good shooting in
top-scoring for Malaysia
(image from kldragons.com)

Looks Like Bon Jovi will play for the Ateneo Blue Eagles

BJ Cipriano is the newest shooter on Team A
(image from sportsjunie08.wordpress.com)

Hold your horses. Not THAT Bon Jovi.

But if his high school achievements and his reputation counts for something, then Bon Jovi Cipriano should produce good music too, as the 16th member of the Ateneo de Manila Blue Eagles (replacing Mark Tallo).

Off-Topic: Transform and Roll Out!!!

(image from starstoreblog.com)

The 3rd Michael Bay Transformers film, Dark of the Moon, is coming out in about a week's time here in Manila, and in anticipation for this MOMENTOUS occasion, I'll be detailing my all-time favorite robots-in-disguise. All from Generation 1 of course. 


AUTOBOTS:

How couldn't anyone like a VW Bug that transforms into a robot?! And a yellow one too.
Sure, there were times Bumblebee felt more like a bumbling fool, but I'd like to
think that was all part of his schtick.
(image from tfwiki.net)

The UAAP Season 74 Eligibility Hullabaloo

So the broadsheets are spicing up the UAAP wars by releasing stories about the eligibility of two prominent names in the amateur ranks. Let's take a look at both cases.

Warning: I'm biased :) But I'll still try to be as objective as possible. (I said TRY)

Will Parks be raining jumpers come July '11?
(image by Jan Dizon/Filoil Flying V Sports)

Ray Ray Parks of the NU Bulldogs:

The Issue: He graduated HS in the US, which means he must establish a TWO-YEAR residency first before suiting up for Henry Sy's dawgs.

Some of the BIGGEST Draft Steals in the Last Decade

(image by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

2001 19th Pick: Zach Randolph

- Looking at Zebo's career reveals the travails of a classic NBA journeyman, but one cannot dispute how effective he's been in most of his tours of duty. He's spent 10 seasons in the NBA and has averaged double-doubles in 6 of them. He's seen renewed interest after leading the Grizzlies into the 2nd Round of the 2011 Playoffs, and many are looking at him to continue building on that success in the 2011-2012 season.

Who was a same-position-player picked before him? Kirk Haston (16th)

Smart-Gilas is barely 10-strong for the 2011 SEABA Tournament

Japeth Aguilar is hampered by a broken foot
(image from FIBAAsia.net)

The Southeast Asian Basketball Association Championships is only a couple of days away, but this early the heavily-favored Smart-Gilas Pilipinas quintet is looking at a harder-than-expected grind.

Off-Topic: Did You Ever Collect Marvel Trading Cards?

Oh man I loved these when I was much younger. I believe I really got into collecting these way back in Grades 4 & 5. I remember getting most of the cards and keeping them until we moved. And then I don't remember anymore :(

Oh well, chalk one up for nostalgia: 

CHARACTER CARDS:

Oh man Cable was the MAN.
Big biceps + Big guns + "I don't care" swagger = Ultimate Anti-Hero
(image from Marvel.com)

PBA Roundup: June 11-17, 2011

Gabe Norwood helped RoS get
win #1
(image by Nuki Sabio/PBA.ph)

RAIN OR SHINE ELASTO PAINTERS over B-MEG DERBY ACE LLAMADOS, 95-82

The opening game in the PBA Governors' Cup turned out to be a lopsided win by the

Rain or Shine import, Arizona Reid, over his B-MEG counterpart, Stefon Hannah.

Reid churned out a huge double-double with 36 points and 17 rebounds, but he sat out the last few minutes after suffering leg cramps.

Some of the BIGGEST NBA Draft busts of the last 10 years

(image from lolsports.com)

In anticipation for the 2011 NBA Draft on June 23, 2011 in New Jersey, let's reminisce some of the worst picks of the last 10 seasons.

Define Bust: Picked in the Top 5 (2008 is the exception) but did not live up to expectations

Here are some of the biggest busts in recent memory (by year):

(image by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

2001 - Kwame Brown (#1): He was the first top draft pick straight from high school. Never really played even close to what was expected of him. Maybe he should've stayed in high school. Who was picked after him? Pau Gasol (#3)

Why Ateneo is NOT a Lock for a 4-peat This Year

Will Ryan Buenafe ever score for the Blue & White again?
(image by Philip Sison/Fabilioh.com)

Everyone who follows the Ateneo Blue Eagles really only has one question in his/her mind at this moment:

Will Ryan Buenafe, the phenom before the phenom (Kiefer Ravena), play for the Ateneo Blue Eagles in Season 74?

There Are No Shortcuts: The NBA Champion Dallas Mavericks

(image from sportslogos.net)

Our 2011 NBA Champions!!!
(image by Jesse D. Garrabrant/Getty Images)

The Dallas Mavericks proved that winning an NBA Championship is not to be compared to making instant noodles. You don’t just add hot water and wait 3 minutes.

You go through more.

Much more.

East Asian Basketball Championship scores for June 15, 2011

Results:

China over Taiwan, 87-53

Quarter scoring: 23-15, 34-26, 64-37, 87-53

- Taiwan saved their worst game for last as China pounded them with superior size and shooting.

- Meng Duo led China with 22 points, and he was ably supported by Zhang Bo's 13 and Zhang Zhaoxu's 12.

- Zhaoxu has made a good account of himself in the tourney and should crack the NT along with Su Wei, Yi Li and either Meng Duo or Zhang Bo.

- Once again, the brightest spot for the Taiwanese was Chien Chia-Hung's 19-point effort. Looks like he has really benefited from the absence of Lin Chih-Chieh, and he should be a crack shooter for Taiwan in the upcoming FIBA-Asia Championship.

Meng Duo was hot from rainbow country to lead China past Taiwan

(image from sports.163.com)

Han Shuo is one of the top guards in China's NT program
(image from AFP/Getty Images)

Off-Topic: E3 2011's Best!

Where & When: June 7-9, 2011 at the LA Convention Center

I'm a video game buff, and am proud of it. I've never been to the Electronic Entertainment Expo, but I've always kept tabs on the happenings and big announcements. (If anyone wants to take me there next year, then just go to the Contact Me page :))

(image from forbes.com)

For this year's E3, here are the vids that made me salivate :

East Asian Basketball Championships scores for June 14, 2011

Results:

South Korea over Taiwan, 69-61

Quarter scoring: 19-11, 35-28, 50-46, 69-61

- The Taiwanese stayed close all throughout, but the Koreans managed to keep them at bay consistently. 

- One main key was the Koreans outshooting the Taiwanese from rainbow country, and outmuscling them on the glass.

- Korea was paced by Kang Byung-Hyun's 17 points, on the strength of 5 triples. He was followed by Yang Dong-Geun and Lee Seung-Jun, who scored 13 points each. 

- Le Cheng-Ju led the Taiwanese with 15 markers while Wu Tai-Hao and Chien Chia-Hung had 14 and 10 respectively.

- Oh Se-Keun further cemented his place as Korea's top big man with 10 rebounds.

Kang Byung-Hyun proved he's a deadly shooter
(image by Kamoichi Kamoshida/Getty Images)

Lu Cheng-Ju is an up-and-coming player from Taiwan
(image from AFP/Getty Images)

Playoff Postmortem: Miami Heat

(image from sportslogos.net)

Where to now King James?
(image by Marc Serota/Getty Images)

I’m halfway done eating my second Krispy Kreme original glaze donut as I begin writing this.

The donut is sweet, as expected, but, surprisingly, not as sweet as seeing Miami bow out of the NBA Finals.

Sound and Fury, Signifying Nothing: Dallas upends Miami to win the NBA Title

Dirk made shots that mattered the most. Now he has his ring.
(image by Don Emmert/Getty Images)

Not one. Not two. Not three. Not four. Not five. Not six. Not seven.

Not yet.

Both sides of being Blue

First-time Filoil Champs
(image by Joey Mendoza/Philstar.com)

I’m all blue because Ateneo won the Filoil plum. Its first ever. It seems Norman Black has won every conceivable basketball trophy that a coach can win in the Philippines. And they did it in devastating fashion, humbling the San Beda Red Lions, 75-56. Wow. Harbinger of how things will go in Season 74?

Hope so.

Filoil Flying V Premiere Cup Scores: June 12, 2011

Speeding Bullets:

3rd Place Jrs: CSJL Squires over MIT Red Robins, 85-68

CSJL 85 -- Villanueva 21, Quinto 18, Serafica 15, Nambatac 11, Luib 10, Galleon 5, Licyayo 3, Catipay 2, Alas 0

MIT 68 -- Alejandro 29, Valdez 19, Mena 8, Basas 6, Castillo 4, Aviso 2, Cabural 0, Serrano 0, Guzman 0, Dela Cruz 0, Ramos 0, De Castro 0, Pancho 0, Tolentino 0

Quarter scoring: 23-17, 43-34, 60-52, 85-68

Letran's Iva Villanueva hoists the runner
(image by Carl Sta. Ana/Filoil Flying V Sports)

Ian Valdez goes with the one-hander
(image by Carl Sta. Ana/Filoil Flying V Sports)

East Asia Basketball Championship scores for June 12, 2011

Day 3 Results:

Japan over Mongolia, 94-73

Quarter scoring: 28-17, 45-33, 67-51, 94-73

- After Mongolia surprised Chinese-Taipei with a strong showing, Japan stamped their class on the hapless Mongolians today.

- Japan was led by Takuya Kawamura's 29 point explosion. He was supported by Shinsuke Kashiwagi's 20 and Takumi Ishizaki's 18.

- Mongolia leaned on the 24 points of Uuganbayar Oyuntsetseg and the 19 of Battuvshin Bilguun

Shinsuke Kashiwagi is a shifty guard for the Japanese
(image by Koichi Kamoshida/Getty Images)

Takuya Kawamura is a perennial scoring threat
(image by Koichi Kamoshida/Getty Images)

Dirk’s Stairway to Heaven

Dirk Nowitzki has to snatch Game 6 to complete his stairway to heaven
(image by Robyn Beck/Getty Images)

I watched the pre-Game 6 press day on the tube this morning, and I heard Dirk Nowitzki share that he was into rock, and that he liked Led Zeppelin and the Stones.

Great stuff Dirk.

East Asia Basketball Championship scores for June 11, 2011

Day 2 Results:

Taiwan over Mongolia, 85-71

Quarter scoring: 25-30, 43-46, 61-57, 85-71

- The Mongolians gave the Taiwanese a surprisingly good fight. They face the Japanese next, and Japan would do well not to take Mongolia lightly.

- Chien Chia-Hung led the way again with 13 points, as did Su Yi-Chieh and Lu Cheng-Ju.

- The true test for Taiwan would be facing either S. Korea or China in the next round.

- By virtue of this win, Taiwan officially books a seat to the 2011 FIBA-Asia Men's tourney.
- Shinen Sedbazar led Mongolia with 17 points, Davassambuu Delgemy followed him with 14, and Tsetsegee Mergen had 10.

Shinen Sedbazar is the Mongolian top gun
(image by Mark Dadswell/Getty Images)

Chien Chia-Hung has been playing splendidly for Taiwan
(image from taiwanhoops.com)

LeBron James makes it so easy

James walks out after bowing in Game 5
(image by Mark Ralston/Getty Images)

So I used to like LeBron. I did. Swear.

Here was a guy pressured to be the best, or the “Chosen One,” since he was a preppy – a guy so overwhelmingly talented he could take over any game at will. Outwardly, he was a man among boys, but in terms of maturity he was, well, just a boy. And the people around him who were supposed to give him sound advice? Boys too.

East Asia Basketball Championship scores for June 10, 2011

Context:
What is this? -- This is the qualifying tournament that will determine the representatives of the East Asia Sub-Zone for the 2011 FIBA-Asia Men's Championship.
Where is it being held? -- Nanjing, China
Who are participating? -- Group A has South Korea, Hong Kong and China (Team B), while Group B has Japan, Taiwan and Mongolia.
How many teams will make it to the FIBA-Asia tourney? -- Top 3 teams excluding China because they're the hosts. In all probability, the 3 teams will be S. Korea, Japan and Taiwan.


Day 1 Results:

South Korea over Hong Kong, 134-47

- Korea led by 53 at the half, and the outcome was never really in doubt.

- SK was led by Kim Jong-Gyu's 23 points. He was ably supported by Yang Dong-Geun and Cho Sung-Min, each netting 15.

Quarter scoring: 28-5, 70-17, 101-28, 134-47

Lee Jung-Suk of Korea defends against Szeto Wai Kit of Hong Kong
(image from Daylife.com/Getty Images)

Filoil Flying V Premiere Cup Scores: June 10, 2011

Speeding Bullets:

- The Energen Pilipinas U16 squad seems to be peaking at the right time. This team has a good mix of height and speed, and they showed it against a very game Letran five.
- The Red Cubs asserted their dominance over the Red Robins anew, and proved again why they're perennial title contenders in the NCAA Juniors division.
- The Soaring Falcons gave the Red Lions a scare, but San Beda's superior depth carried them through. Lions are still the favorites in the NCAA while Adamson is definitely a Top 4 team in the UAAP.
- Greg Slaughter was a force underneath. Perhaps all he needs is to get the rock in his sweet spots. He's not much of a back-down big, but when he gets it inside 10 feet, then he should make it. Has a sweet J too. Not pretty, but it goes in. Reminds me of a more raw Rabeh Al-Hussaini, plus about 5 or 6 inches.

Juniors:

RP U16 over CSJL Squires, 77-73

RP U16 77 -- Lao 15, Alejandro 15, Tongco 10, Tolentino 9, Vito 7, Dipultado 7, Javelosa 6, Asilum 6, Ramos 1, Pascual 1, Rivero 0, Subido 0

CSJL 73 -- Villanueva 26, Luib 18, Nambatac 11, Serafica 10, Catipay 3, Galleon 3, Quinto 2, Licyayo 0

Quarter scoring: 20-17, 37-42, 53-54, 77-73

Chris Vito takes it inside
(image by Carl Sta. Ana/Filoil Flying V Sports)