Air21 looks to be headed for another underwhelming conference. They finished last in the recently concluded Philippine Cup and will probably see another bottom 3 finish. With barely any roster change outside trying to remedy the lack of a real play making guard, they traded away top gunner Nino Canaleta and scorer Bonbon Custodio and acquired an injured Sean Anthongy (3-4 weeks), bright rookie prospect Poligrates, and veteran Jonas Villanueva along the way. Joseph Yeo tried to be the answer at 1 spot and did a decent job from a scoring guard all his career. They would require a lot more consistency from Mac Cardona and the exploits of iron man Asi Taulava to have a good chance this conference.
Laminzana is a 6'10" import from Ivory Coast. He was a breakthrough in Taiwan's Super Basketball League earning league MVP honors with a 20ppg, 12rpg and 3.2 bpg. His recent campaign in China nets him 13.8ppg/8.3rpg/1.5bpg in 6 games. Herve looks skinny but showed toughness against Ginebra's twin towers in one practice game. He can play a bit of a stretch 4 with Asi playing heavy down low. Think of Herve as a poor man's Marcus Douthit.
Roster Strenght: C+
Import Rating: B-
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2014 PBA Commissioner's Cup
AIR21
Projected Starting Line Up:
Jonas Villanueva
Joseph Yeo
Mark Cardona
Asi Taulava
Hervé Lamizana
Outlook:
Air21 looks to be headed for another underwhelming conference. They finished last in the recently concluded Philippine Cup and will probably see another bottom 3 finish. With barely any roster change outside trying to remedy the lack of a real play making guard, they traded away top gunner Nino Canaleta and scorer Bonbon Custodio and acquired an injured Sean Anthongy (3-4 weeks), bright rookie prospect Poligrates, and veteran Jonas Villanueva along the way. Joseph Yeo tried to be the answer at 1 spot and did a decent job from a scoring guard all his career. They would require a lot more consistency from Mac Cardona and the exploits of iron man Asi Taulava to have a good chance this conference.
Laminzana is a 6'10" import from Ivory Coast. He was a breakthrough in Taiwan's Super Basketball League earning league MVP honors with a 20ppg, 12rpg and 3.2 bpg. His recent campaign in China nets him 13.8ppg/8.3rpg/1.5bpg in 6 games. Herve looks skinny but showed toughness against Ginebra's twin towers in one practice game. He can play a bit of a stretch 4 with Asi playing heavy down low. Think of Herve as a poor man's Marcus Douthit.
2013 Commissioner's Cup Champion brings back best import Rob Dozier for another stab at the cup. Alaska has retained the very same line up from last year and looks to improve on their early playoff exit after a poor start from last conference. The early exit had them go off and train earlier with their import. Usual suspects Cyrus Baguio, Jayvee Casio, Thoss and Abueva will be the guys to watch with key gunners running on spurts in Jazul and Hontiveros. They are a pretty balanced team who runs the triangle well and is made twice better with Dozier in the middle. With Dozier in the mix, everything falls into place for the Aces. Thoss sliding to his natural position on the 4 spot and Abueva can finally settle in on the wing at 3. Key for the Aces is to get on a good start unlike their horrible start in the Philippine Cup.
Rob Dozier won best import last year and has proven to be a perfect fit for the Aces. Key here is Dozier's fitness and game shape. After winning it all last year, he hasn't played any professional ball since but he looks really good in drills and practices.
Roster Strength: A
Import Rating: A+
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ALASKA
Projected Starting Lineup:
Jayvee Casio
Cyrus Baguio
Dondon Hontiveros
Sonny Thoss
Rob Dozier
Outlook:
2013 Commissioner's Cup Champion brings back best import Rob Dozier for another stab at the cup. Alaska has retained the very same line up from last year and looks to improve on their early playoff exit after a poor start from last conference. The early exit had them go off and train earlier with their import. Usual suspects Cyrus Baguio, Jayvee Casio, Thoss and Abueva will be the guys to watch with key gunners running on spurts in Jazul and Hontiveros. They are a pretty balanced team who runs the triangle well and is made twice better with Dozier in the middle. With Dozier in the mix, everything falls into place for the Aces. Thoss sliding to his natural position on the 4 spot and Abueva can finally settle in on the wing at 3. Key for the Aces is to get on a good start unlike their horrible start in the Philippine Cup.
Rob Dozier won best import last year and has proven to be a perfect fit for the Aces. Key here is Dozier's fitness and game shape. After winning it all last year, he hasn't played any professional ball since but he looks really good in drills and practices.
Thanks cmm! Waiting for your breakdown of the teams this coming conference. Would like to ask if you can also put ratings of the imports on their defense and offense! Thanks so much!
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Thanks cmm! Waiting for your breakdown of the teams this coming conference. Would like to ask if you can also put ratings of the imports on their defense and offense! Thanks so much!
Two things that needed for Barako Bull to happen in order to get a good chance at the cup. First, is to have a lot of consistency. They have alternated from winning and losing last conference, battling top dogs and losing to winnable games. They almost always fall short in crunch time but always presented themselves the chance to possibly win games. Second is to introduce a real go-to-guy, a franchise player if you would. Barako is a bunch of role players but needed a real face of the franchise to take shape. Willie Miller is in the twilight of his career and would serve as a good mentor to budding star. JC Intal would fit the bill here but he needs to up his game twice as much. Ronjay Buenafe can qualify but needed a lot of consistency from his scoring off the bench. This team has a lot of gunners which makes them one of the best ATS-teams in the league last conference.
Barako Bull brought in young import Joshua Dollard who just about toured a lot of country for his services. There's not a lot written about Dollard but from the practices and games, he showed a tremendous upside in scoring. He looks like a player in between the 3 and 4 position but can decently play both. A face-the-basket type of player with decent post moves and a hefty hook down in his arsenal. He looks like a poor man's Andray Blatche. Not they most athletic of the import but playing for Barako will field him a lot of time and ball possession so expect his stats to blow up.
Roster Strength: C+
Import Rating: B
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BARAKO
Projected Starting Lineup:
Denok Miranda
Willie Miller
JC Intal
Mick Pennisi
Josh Dollard
Outlook:
Two things that needed for Barako Bull to happen in order to get a good chance at the cup. First, is to have a lot of consistency. They have alternated from winning and losing last conference, battling top dogs and losing to winnable games. They almost always fall short in crunch time but always presented themselves the chance to possibly win games. Second is to introduce a real go-to-guy, a franchise player if you would. Barako is a bunch of role players but needed a real face of the franchise to take shape. Willie Miller is in the twilight of his career and would serve as a good mentor to budding star. JC Intal would fit the bill here but he needs to up his game twice as much. Ronjay Buenafe can qualify but needed a lot of consistency from his scoring off the bench. This team has a lot of gunners which makes them one of the best ATS-teams in the league last conference.
Barako Bull brought in young import Joshua Dollard who just about toured a lot of country for his services. There's not a lot written about Dollard but from the practices and games, he showed a tremendous upside in scoring. He looks like a player in between the 3 and 4 position but can decently play both. A face-the-basket type of player with decent post moves and a hefty hook down in his arsenal. He looks like a poor man's Andray Blatche. Not they most athletic of the import but playing for Barako will field him a lot of time and ball possession so expect his stats to blow up.
Crowd darling will look to follow up and top a strong Philippine Cup Semi Finals finish. Barangay Ginebra retained the same team and will bank on a toughened core spearheaded by their twin towers in Aguilar and Slaughter. Ato Agustin seem to finally settled with a decent 5 and rotation from last conference. Guys seem to finally settle in and finally found their roles in the team. Even veterans like Helterbrand and Caguioa has embraced shorter playing time for the team as a whole.
Leon Rodgers is coming in as the smallest import in the conference. The burly swingman is a true scorer and could crash the board with his athleticism. Ginebra's twin towers allows them to pick a wing players instead of another one on the post. He runs the floor well and can play above the rim. A proven winner and a guy who easily excites the crowd with a number of dazzling moves. He's decent on the block defensively but makes up for it with a lot of energy. Think of him as a more athletic Renaldo Balkman minus the choking.
Roster Strength: B+
Import Rating: A
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BARANGAY GINEBRA
Projected Starting Lineup:
LA Tenorio
Chris Ellis
Leon Rodgers
Japeth Aguilar
Greg Slaughter
Outlook:
Crowd darling will look to follow up and top a strong Philippine Cup Semi Finals finish. Barangay Ginebra retained the same team and will bank on a toughened core spearheaded by their twin towers in Aguilar and Slaughter. Ato Agustin seem to finally settled with a decent 5 and rotation from last conference. Guys seem to finally settle in and finally found their roles in the team. Even veterans like Helterbrand and Caguioa has embraced shorter playing time for the team as a whole.
Leon Rodgers is coming in as the smallest import in the conference. The burly swingman is a true scorer and could crash the board with his athleticism. Ginebra's twin towers allows them to pick a wing players instead of another one on the post. He runs the floor well and can play above the rim. A proven winner and a guy who easily excites the crowd with a number of dazzling moves. He's decent on the block defensively but makes up for it with a lot of energy. Think of him as a more athletic Renaldo Balkman minus the choking.
Global Port will keep on changing and shuffling till they get the right mix. They promoted fiery mentor Pido Jarencio and nabbed former NBA player and PBA import Evan Brock. They made yet another trade and sent the Sol Train for Alex Cabagnot which I find really weird given they have rookie prospects in Garcia and Romeo. Jay Washington will be the key local here who had an MVP-like conference in the Philippine Cup. Prospects like Justin Chua, Jaypee Belencion and Marvin Hayes are two way players who the team will be needing a lot from. The team has been practicing even before publicly naming Pido as their coach.
Evan Brock is no stranger to the league. Having suited up for Barako in the 2013 campaign averaging 21ppg/16rpg on 52% FG has proven that he is one tough dog. He stands at 6'9" and will pretty much play the 5 position. I don't know if he'll fit well with Global Port being a face up guy than a conventional back-to-the-basket big. But he's very mobile for his size and is a lefty which is pretty tough to guard with his post moves. He was left alone to fend on the offensive end in his 2013 stint which allows team to check him but with explosive offensive players who can get to the lane for Global Port and a playmaking guard in Cabagnot, Brock's work will be a lot easier. Even possibly dupplicating his 2012 stint in the ABL where he helped dethrone powerhouse San Miguel.
Roster Strength: C+
Import Rating: B+
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GLOBAL PORT
Projected Starting Lineup:
Alex Cabagnot
Terrence Romeo
Jay Washington
Kelly Nabong
Evan Brock
Outlook:
Global Port will keep on changing and shuffling till they get the right mix. They promoted fiery mentor Pido Jarencio and nabbed former NBA player and PBA import Evan Brock. They made yet another trade and sent the Sol Train for Alex Cabagnot which I find really weird given they have rookie prospects in Garcia and Romeo. Jay Washington will be the key local here who had an MVP-like conference in the Philippine Cup. Prospects like Justin Chua, Jaypee Belencion and Marvin Hayes are two way players who the team will be needing a lot from. The team has been practicing even before publicly naming Pido as their coach.
Evan Brock is no stranger to the league. Having suited up for Barako in the 2013 campaign averaging 21ppg/16rpg on 52% FG has proven that he is one tough dog. He stands at 6'9" and will pretty much play the 5 position. I don't know if he'll fit well with Global Port being a face up guy than a conventional back-to-the-basket big. But he's very mobile for his size and is a lefty which is pretty tough to guard with his post moves. He was left alone to fend on the offensive end in his 2013 stint which allows team to check him but with explosive offensive players who can get to the lane for Global Port and a playmaking guard in Cabagnot, Brock's work will be a lot easier. Even possibly dupplicating his 2012 stint in the ABL where he helped dethrone powerhouse San Miguel.
Rain or Shine will be out for blood after feeling cheated in the finals series. You know how fiery mentor Yeng Guiao motivates his team and can pretty much give any top teams a run for their money. Still fielding an intact roster, core guys like Chan, Norwood will enjoy their top rookies as they look to improve on their first conference success. Usual suspects Chan, Lee and the tremendously improved Belga will be the players to watch here. One intriguing aspect of Rain or Shine game is how will Paul Lee play this conference after being recruited in the National Team's training pool. Just look at each and every one of those players coming from the national team and how they improved their games so much.
Don't think that this team had little time to practice with their import. McLean is one of the imported who arrived earlier and was able to enjoy and soak in the PBA playoff atmosphere. They've been practicing with him since. Expect Guiao to not ask so much from his import. He has always relied heavily on his own men in a number of stretches. He has a sweet perimeter jumper and is decent in almost ever aspects of his game. To put it simply he's an athletic but smaller version of Rain or Shine's former import Bruno Sundov.
Roster Strength: A
Import Rating: B+
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RAIN OR SHINE
Projected Starting Lineup:
Paul Lee
Ryan Arana
Jeff Chan
Beau Belga
Alexander McLean
Outlook:
Rain or Shine will be out for blood after feeling cheated in the finals series. You know how fiery mentor Yeng Guiao motivates his team and can pretty much give any top teams a run for their money. Still fielding an intact roster, core guys like Chan, Norwood will enjoy their top rookies as they look to improve on their first conference success. Usual suspects Chan, Lee and the tremendously improved Belga will be the players to watch here. One intriguing aspect of Rain or Shine game is how will Paul Lee play this conference after being recruited in the National Team's training pool. Just look at each and every one of those players coming from the national team and how they improved their games so much.
Don't think that this team had little time to practice with their import. McLean is one of the imported who arrived earlier and was able to enjoy and soak in the PBA playoff atmosphere. They've been practicing with him since. Expect Guiao to not ask so much from his import. He has always relied heavily on his own men in a number of stretches. He has a sweet perimeter jumper and is decent in almost ever aspects of his game. To put it simply he's an athletic but smaller version of Rain or Shine's former import Bruno Sundov.
San Mig Coffee will how to find second wind after a grueling Philippine Cup campaign. Question here is how ready the Coffee Super Mixers are for another run in this conference. They can't afford to find themselves 1-5 again given a single round robin format this conference. If San Mig can keep that momentum going to this conference and retain that same explosiveness and energy then expect them to get another stab in the playoff.
James Mays has a lot of upside than anything else. He has a lot of skeptics given a lackluster performance in their practice games but that's pretty understandable given that they are short handed. Many skeptics has written him off since then but I have high hopes for Mays. He has a Robert Dozier upside and can even look uninterested like Dozier at times. Mays is actually a smart player who fits the triangle well. He can do everything for an import and will pretty much flourish when he settles in Cones' rotation.
Roster Strength: A+
Import Rating: B
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SAN MIG COFFEE
Projected Starting Lineup:
PJ Simon
James Yap
Joe Devance
Mark Pingris
James Mays
Outlook:
San Mig Coffee will how to find second wind after a grueling Philippine Cup campaign. Question here is how ready the Coffee Super Mixers are for another run in this conference. They can't afford to find themselves 1-5 again given a single round robin format this conference. If San Mig can keep that momentum going to this conference and retain that same explosiveness and energy then expect them to get another stab in the playoff.
James Mays has a lot of upside than anything else. He has a lot of skeptics given a lackluster performance in their practice games but that's pretty understandable given that they are short handed. Many skeptics has written him off since then but I have high hopes for Mays. He has a Robert Dozier upside and can even look uninterested like Dozier at times. Mays is actually a smart player who fits the triangle well. He can do everything for an import and will pretty much flourish when he settles in Cones' rotation.
San Miguel Beermen former Petron Blaze Boosters will look to bounce back after a failed campaign last conference. They've been outplayed in every area against Rain or Shine to only see them trading for Mercado and letting go steady playmaker Alex Cabagnot. The Beermen stock piled on offensive weapons and can now give Sol Mercado the space he always wanted to create. They are a pretty much complete team with a number of ways to attack. They have gunners who can run on an up tempo game and they can slow it down and play half court with Junemar. They have above average defenders who they can leave to play man.
San Miguel has surprised last conference going for Balkman who is seen to be a lack luster played in the NBA. He then went on a tear and made then-Petron look unbeatable. Josh Boone is the same. He's a below average NBA player who is lucky enough to be starting in a bad team. I've seen them in drills and practices and Josh Boone will come out and surprise many. He isn't the most talented player but he has high basketball IQ and uses his body well. I was surprised to see him school June Mar on post plays and still have that athleticism to run up and down on up tempo games.
Roster Strength: A+
Import Rating: A-
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SAN MIGUEL
Projected Starting Lineup:
Sol Mercado
Ronald Tubid
Arwind Santos
Josh Boone
JuneMar Fajardo
Outlook:
San Miguel Beermen former Petron Blaze Boosters will look to bounce back after a failed campaign last conference. They've been outplayed in every area against Rain or Shine to only see them trading for Mercado and letting go steady playmaker Alex Cabagnot. The Beermen stock piled on offensive weapons and can now give Sol Mercado the space he always wanted to create. They are a pretty much complete team with a number of ways to attack. They have gunners who can run on an up tempo game and they can slow it down and play half court with Junemar. They have above average defenders who they can leave to play man.
San Miguel has surprised last conference going for Balkman who is seen to be a lack luster played in the NBA. He then went on a tear and made then-Petron look unbeatable. Josh Boone is the same. He's a below average NBA player who is lucky enough to be starting in a bad team. I've seen them in drills and practices and Josh Boone will come out and surprise many. He isn't the most talented player but he has high basketball IQ and uses his body well. I was surprised to see him school June Mar on post plays and still have that athleticism to run up and down on up tempo games.
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looking for a good conference.
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