True or False: The 2010 PBA Fiesta Conference Preview

Posted by Jaemark Tordecilla on March 19, 2010 at 15:57 | Comments (36)

Gabe Freeman and Arwind Santos will be teaming up for San Miguel this year

Listed below are ten statements about the PBA Fiesta Conference, which kicks off this Sunday, March 21. In the comments, leave a post on whether you think each statement is true or false, and a short explanation why this is so.

Bonbon Custodio will replace Joseph Yeo’s production at Sta. Lucia

Barako Coffee/Harbour Centre will finish out of the cellar for the first time in four conferences

You will actually care about the Coca-Cola Tigers this conference

Yancy de Ocampo will see meaningful minutes for Ginebra

Mike Cortez and Renren Ritualo will be an elite PBA backcourt for Air 21

Rain or Shine’s Jai Lewis will be the best import for the conference

Alex Cabagnot will make it to the semifinals for the first time in his career with San Miguel

Talk N Text’s Mac Cardona will lead locals in scoring this conference

Samigue Eman will make an immediate impact in the Alaska front court

The Derby Ace Llamados will win back-to-back championships

My answers:

True – Joseph Yeo was Sta. Lucia’s second-best scorer last conference, but more importantly, ‘The Ninja’ was the team’s sparkplug, as the only player who could create shots for himself in the halfcourt. Custodio is an undersized shooting guard like Yeo, who benefitted greatly from playing alongside a big point guard in Ryan Reyes, as well as having an athletic, shot-blocking frontcourt behind him.

Anyone who’s seen the Manny Pacquiao-lookalike go wild with San Miguel or in the PBL is excited by how many minutes Custodio could potentially play, given that his defensive deficiencies could be hidden in the Sta. Lucia system. Frankly, I am excited about the Bonbon Custodio era. But then again, I was once excited about the Lowell Briones era too, and we all know how that turned out.

False – I don’t get it; they replaced Donbel Belano and Paolo Hubalde with Al Vergara and Christian Coronel. How does that make their team better again? I feel bad for former coach Leo Isaac, who turned this unit into a smart, scrappy bunch that was so much fun to watch even though they lost most of their games. (I also think Leo Isaac has a cooler stache than Junel Baculi.) That team led the league in hustle, heart, and players who look like they could be goons in an FPJ movie. They didn’t even bring back Alex Crisano. Boo.

False – What a waste of James Penny’s talent. I don’t think this organization has any clue.

False – I hate to say this, but Yancy’s kind of a dog, isn’t he? Shouldn’t he be much, much more accomplished by now? I could imagine how this plays out: Jong Uichico gives him a chance early in the conference before becoming frustrated, before going with a small-ball frontcourt featuring John Ferriols and Willie Wilson for the rest of the tournament, before daydreaming about the return of Rudy Hatfield.

False – Cortez and Ritualo would be an elite backcourt… if this were 2006. If you gave me a choice between having a backcourt of Cortez/Ritualo and Wynne Arboleda(still suspended)/Ronjay Buenafe, I’d take the latter any day.

True – He’s a monster, and he opens up so many things for the rest of his teammates. Remember, if Sol Mercado had not injured his hamstring last conference, they might have gone all the way with Lewis as import.

True – The San Miguel backcourt is still a clusterfuck though, isn’t it? But the return of Gabe Freeman should be a welcome sign for San Miguel fans, because last year’s best import addresses two of the biggest needs of the Beermen: frontcourt athleticism and toughness.

True – Watch Macmac shoot! With Talk N Text signing up ‘The Incredible Bulk’ Shawn Daniels (and reuniting him with former Extra Rice Inc. colleague JR Quinahan!), Chot Reyes will be gambling that the locals will carry the scoring cudgels for the Texters. With Renren Ritualo gone, expect Cardona to go batshit.

True – When you look closely at the recently-concluded Purefoods-Alaska series, you’ll see that the Aces played their worst when Sonny Thoss was on the bench. The lack of size clearly hurt Alaska, which was forced to play Ferriols and Reynel Hugnatan at center. With another behemoth clogging the lane when Thoss takes a blow, Alaska’s second unit should be much improved.

False – Although I think they’re certainly good enough to make the finals, with the way the team has been playing. A lot of their success though depends on Lorrenzo Wade, a young new import with impressive credentials from San Diego State University. The last time the Purefoods franchise hired a new import with great numbers from a California mid-major, they ended up making the finals. The import? Marquin Chandler of San Jose State University.

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Tags: Air 21 Express / Burger King Whoppers, Alaska Aces, Arwind Santos, B-MEG Derby Ace Llamados / Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants, Barako Bull Energy Boosters / Barako Energy Coffee Masters, Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings, Basketball, Philippine Basketball Association, Powerade Tigers / Coca-Cola Tigers, Rain or Shine Elastopainters, San Miguel Beermen, Sol Mercado, Sta. Lucia Realtors, Talk N Text Tropang Texters, Wynne Arboleda

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#1 irwin on 2010-03-19 17:08 (Reply)

Not really sure, but I think there's a typo on #8. Isn't 'The Incredible Bulk's name is Shawn Daniels?

#1.1 jaemark on 2010-03-19 17:13 (Reply)

yup, absolutely. thanks for catching!

#2 Milkman on 2010-03-19 17:11 (Reply)

1. False. I think maybe near Yeo's output but not at least his output.

2. True . . . if they have a monster of an import, kinda like Bobby Parks and Sean Chambers combined. Otherwise, false. :D

3. True, because Barako Coffee/Harbour Centre might score and upset over them. Ha ha ha.

4. False. John Ferriols is much more effective than him.

5. False. Not elite but near it, kinda like showtime galore. imagine cortez attracting the defense making ritualo free then cortez passing him the ball for a ringless three. sweet!

6. False. Sam Monroe of Barako Coffee Energy Masters may have magic on his sleeves scoring at least half of the team's output every night. ha ha ha.

7. True. San Miguel is still a powerhouse.

8. False. Other teams might imitate Derby Ace Llamados' move on putting bigger guards against those offensive threat as it worked to their advantage this all filipino.

9. False. Immediate is the word, and I don't think he will be. Eventually, when and if he mastered the triangle, he will have an impact.

10. False. As in the past, teams who have imports who fit into their system are winning the championship most of the time. We'll see who fits with whom.

#3 derby raymundo on 2010-03-19 17:20 (Reply)

you should add a number 11. Will ginebra finally get lucky with their first import choice? :))

#4 Dave in Ohio on 2010-03-19 19:25 (Reply)

1. T - I heard through the grapevine that the Realtors want to unload some of their players.

2. F - I didn't understand the question. I thought Harbour Centre is in the PBL. If you are referring to the Energy Boosters I will say false because they have very little besides Menor and Crisano (do they still have Alex?)

3. T - Absolutely! Any team with Asi Taulava, James Penny, and Gary David is worth watching. I'm a fan of Chris Ross, too.

4. F - The Gin Kings have too many good players. If it was Ranidel I'd say yes.

5. F - They will be an average back court. I'm confused.. who is Air 21? Burger King?

6. F - Jai Lewis is good but Gabriel Freeman was awesome in the ABL.

7. T - San Miguel is loaded.

8. F - I think Freeman or Anthony Johnson will lead the conference in scoring. James Yap will average 17 a game to lead all pinoys. Look for L.A. Tenorio's scoring average to rise as well.

9. T - Samigue Eman will definitely help my Aces. Hopefully he'll be an upgrade over Ferriols and Burtscher.

10. F - The Llamados/Beefy Boys will not repeat. Their ball hogging import will ruin their team chemistry.

#5 ftjo on 2010-03-19 19:33 (Reply)

People say I should put my balls on the line more often so here goes:

1. True -- Plus, Bonbon makes better decisions involving teammates on the fly, a trait SMB never fully exploited.

2. False

3. True -- It'd still be a struggle for them to stay out of last place. But wouldn't it be intriguing to find out by how many games they'll stay above Barako/Harbour?

4. True -- Until Rudy Hatfield returns. Plus, based on comments from within Ginebra, John Ferriols is a puzzle still.

5. False -- Really hard to see how Renren can shoot consistently over taller defenders at the 2. But it'll be at least interesting to see what MC will do with the extra minutes.

6. False -- Gabe Freeman, still?

7. True -- And I have Cabagnot picking up a ring as well.

8. True

9. True -- But the impact will be seen through Sonny Thoss, who will play remarkably better knowing someone's behind him chasing his minutes. I think someone will be cutting down on fouls this conference.

10. False -- San Miguel-TNT finale?

Ballsiest I've ever been.

#5.1 jaemark on 2010-03-19 19:46 (Reply)

fearless forecast of San Miguel huh? ballsy indeed ;)

#5.1.1 ftjo on 2010-03-19 20:05 (Reply)

with the way they've been raiding rosters? my wish is that they win every tournament from hereon till end and then we'll all cheer for whoever finishes second.

#5.1.1.1 jaemark on 2010-03-19 20:14 (Reply)

my favorite part of that 'roster raid' is the fact that they've been concentrating on point guards and undersized shooting guards... while leaving their young 6'9" center unprotected on their reserved list!

#5.1.1.1.1 ftjo on 2010-03-19 21:48 (Reply)

The infatuation with guards, i think, really has a lot to do with the fact that every time the team won championships in bunches, it was always under the direction of one solid playmaker. calma/racela eras were the most productive for the beermen. and in the calma era, they also populated the bench with undersized shooting guards. almost like they continue to subscribe to the ncc blueprint when the author of that blueprint showed during the olsen era that there's another way to win titles. i.e., quality big men.

#5.1.1.1.1.1 Tiger on 2010-03-22 12:09 (Reply)

I dont think you need a super duper point gurad to win a championship in this league anymore. With the way the games are so over-coached it's a wonder how the PG's get to have any say in how they set-up the plays. Look at Purefoods, you can't tell me Artadi and Roger Yap are at par with Calma or even Racela in his prime, yet they still won the championship. How'd they do it? With a dearth of long, athletic swingmen that allowed them to corral rebounds and control the game. That's why for the life of me I cant understand why SMB still feels the need to keep on stockpiling guards while giving away talents like Espinas, Pingris and Eman. Look at their roster, it's like half of the players are either point guards, shooting guards or combo guards, makes you wonder if SMB is actually trying to set up a security agency with all the guards they have, hahaha.

#6 Swaggerbox on 2010-03-19 20:16 (Reply)

1. True - If you're talking about offensive production, there's no doubt in my mind that Bonbon has what it takes to offset the loss of Yeo, may be even more. Yeo, however, contributes more than scoring. He can defend and create scoring opportunities for others, things that may be hard to expect from Bonbon.

2. False - Well with the way their roster is constructed it would be hard to imagine Barako not finishing dead last on team standings. Not unless, Sammy Monroe turns in a super human effort, brings down the backboard and imitates Billy Ray Bates.

3. True - Coca Cola is a force to reckon with as long as Asi Taulava is healthy. With James Penny in tow, they will contend (just not for the championship)

4. False - I just don't think Yancy is tailor fit for Ginebra's game. Sure, he's 6-8 but he just doesn't have the tough mindset of an Eric Menk, Willie Wilson and even Billy Mamaril. The Gin Kings will probably hire an import who'll play in the low-post (I just don't think Awvee Storey will stick, hello Chris Porter!) and he'll (Yancy) be the odd man out. Expect minutes for Yancy but not meaningful.

5. False - Are you kidding me? The former DLSU backcourt duo will be solid but not elite.

6. False - He won't be. Gabe Freeman is my bet.

7. True - San Miguel is a strong team, combine that with the talent of one-time Best Import awardee Gabe Freeman, and you'll have a powerhouse unit

8. True. MacMac has a chance to lead the locals in scoring because their import Shawn Daniels is not a ballhog.

9. False. The triangle takes a long time to master. Samigue is a nice prospect but he will probably need at least 2-3 conferences of 'seasoning' before making an impact.

10. True. I'm a big fan of the Derby Ace Llamados and they have a chance to win back-to-back championships if they do not stray away from their 'formula of success'. Lorrenzo Wade is a nice-looking import but I just don't think he's the 'missing piece'. I've been telling everyone that they're better off with someone who can operate in the low post and bang bodies down low, as next to Rafi Reavis (well if you consider Jondan, Don and Rommel) they don't have anyone 'of material' who can protect the interior. If you play Wade, you'll cut into the minutes of James, PJ Simon, KG, and Rico, and give minutes instead to Jondan, Don and Rommel (because they're the one capable of banging bodies).

#7 Rafe on 2010-03-19 21:55 (Reply)

The Extra Rice reunion I'd really like to see is Shawn Daniels and Ryan Bernardo. Big RB might not be an official member, but he's definitely a precursor to Extra Rice Inc.

#8 alas on 2010-03-19 22:23 (Reply)

Too many questions, too little time.

Alaska to the finals and beyond. :)

#9 yuri_ph on 2010-03-19 23:11 (Reply)

1. True. Bonbon will again ignite his bonfire with Sta. Lucia due to more playing minutes
2. True. They will be a notch higher from the cellar :)
3. True, unless Asi gets injured yet again..
4. True. Yancy will prove he is still worthy...but to no avail lol
5. False. NOT elite, just "okay" backcourt
6. True. Size matters
7. True. Finally...
8. True. Because Macmac is a not a team player
9. True. If "impact" means giving Thoss some needed minutes to rest...Maybe Thoss will make more impact then because of that...
10. True. If they play like the fighting cocks they are feeding.

#10 ako-ikaw-ako-ikaw on 2010-03-19 23:16 (Reply)

#8 - not surprised if it will proved to be true. Cardona has led the league in coring the last 2 Philippine Cups and was #5 among locals in last year's Fiesta Conference only because their import Tiras Wade, took a lot of the shots and actually finished as the leading scorer of the conference.

#11 Ricky Juico on 2010-03-20 01:06 (Reply)

Talagang mahusay kami eh gamit nya laptop ako pc lang. Alam mo hindi naman bagay sayo ang sportsblogger or writer eh..... sa hitsura mo di ka papasang pang sports.... baka gusto mong ma pompyang sa mukha katulad ni clottey baka sakaling lumiit pa yang mukha mo.... kita tayo sa linggo sa big dome ha kilalang kilala ka na namin sa mga pics mo..... treat kita sa mcdo ok..... hahahaha

#11.1 jaemark on 2010-03-20 01:23 (Reply)

funny, the website logs show that the comments came from the same computer.

also, hindi ako nakikipag-EB sa Cubao sa mga taong hindi ko kilala sa Internet. try mo sa ibang website, pre.

#11.1.1 macky lll on 2010-03-20 06:26 (Reply)

I may agree with the statements except for #5 and #10
Ritualo is a certified streakshooter only during 1st 3 quarters of the games he plays and RG/Purefoods franchise will stay as seasonal champs.(leap yr,summer olympics etc.cycle)
JT, probably a fingerling of the Wanbol-oks is trying to make your day. I would call most of them one-dimensional PBA fans they always see games from the compli cheap,boisterous patron box. Ayaw gumasta ng 500.

#11.1.1.1 maeve on 2010-03-23 02:06 (Reply)

woooo, someone might be smoking crack or is he drinking haterade? lol
you do have a problem about us having a compli tickets? what a sore loser. . maybe nobody is giving you compli tickets huh? lol. we can afford patron tickets, but why buy if there are compli tickets? FYI, some of us bought patron box tickets last finals... we watch the game live with or without compli tickets. so you better shut the eff up and stop drinking haterade!lol!

#11.1.1.2 The Legendary Skyflakes25 on 2010-03-24 08:52 (Reply)

what seems to be your problem?

naagawan ka ba ng compli tickets? lol

one-dimensional fans? lol
you'd want to be taught on the nuances of every sport? lol

take a lesson on curling, handball, cricket under me. lol

seasonal champ?
2010 is not a leap year. lol
2010 is not a summer olympic year. lol

KSP ka anoh? lol

come here, let me hug you. i will give you some man love. lol

#12 enigmasterpiece on 2010-03-20 01:25 (Reply)

1. False- Bonbon may provide some points but not replace the level that Yeo brought
2. True- Because Barako would be at 9th place. The 10th placer will be the team with a lemon for an import
3. False- There's something wrong with them that prevents them from taking flight
4. False- Hatfield would have those minutes
5. False- They were once mighty but not that much now
6. False- its Gabe Freeman or a first-timer import in the PBA
7. True- after pseudo-monopolizing the best players in the PBA, its highly unlikely that SMB would not enter the semis
8. True- He's a ballhog
9. False- fiesta conference would most likely be a learning curve for Eman
10. False- If Purefoods/Derby Ace does eliminate SMB, expect PF/DAL to be renamed by SMC with an uglier name like BMEG Tilapia Feeds fingerling boosters

here's my bet:
1.if SMB fails to enter the semis, every post that I would make here would include the line "edukadong tao si ricky juico"
2. if Jai Lewis wins best import, I would post an april boy video here and call it my favorite
3. If Derby Ace Llamados wins the championship, I would defend Ricky Juico's posts here

#12.1 jaemark on 2010-03-20 01:28 (Reply)

ayos. parang character na rin sa website na to si ricky juico. parang si coach ryan.

#12.1.1 enigmasterpiece on 2010-03-20 01:34 (Reply)

I think that's the objective of the braggadoccio...to be immortalized in this blog

#13 James Ty III on 2010-03-20 14:15 (Reply)

The entry of the Philippine Patriots players and coach Junel Baculi is a sign that Mikee Romero could eventually take over the Barako franchise by next season.

Jaemark, I have a feeling that George Chua could be gone after this conference.

#14 Joey_Escalera on 2010-03-21 01:35 (Reply)

Purefoods will not win a championship next conference. The Derby Ace Llamados will. LOL

#15 Alas on 2010-03-21 15:20 (Reply)

9. Triangle is really hard to master but their are guys who have the basketball IQ to take it like to water. Guys like Kenneth Duremdes immersed and master it off the bat. Just like intuitive learning. Also center position is the easier to learn in the system.

Proof of the pudding is during scrimmage he seems to find his way in the system fact is it is Burtscher who is lost most of the time.

Eman is no Bolado or Polistico, he'll contribute immediately had he come sooner he could have been the Most Improved Player this season.

#16 alas on 2010-03-21 22:26 (Reply)

Duck to water, missed duck.

#17 Who else but the legendary skyflakes25 on 2010-03-22 12:41 (Reply)

who cares if the Derby Ace Llamados are not rated high to win back to back. lol

in the first place, they were not picked to win the Philippine Cup.

in fact, they were rated 5th or 6th during the pre-season. but the rest is history.

go, derby ace llamados! karitin niyo lahat ang mga yan! lol

#18 jamie lee on 2010-03-22 12:48 (Reply)

1. F, bonbon lacks yeo's decision making, either he will make bad shots or falter and cause turn over.
2. F, there's a chance but a greater chance of still finishing last.
3. F, nope, they'll be a wild card team again.
4. F, yancy? ferriols can do better, or wait for hatfield.
5. F, they were never that elite during their younger years at dlsu, good at best.
6. F, more likely, freeman, or one of the new imports.
7. T, there's a big chance even he just sits on the bench for most of the time.
8. T, since he's improved in all aspect of his game, also the fact sometimes he is a ballhog, plus more minutes after ren-ren's departure.
9. T, it might not come from big time production, but the help he can give to sonny when in foul trouble would make a big impact already, what more if they can play together more longer minutes.
10. F, come on, back-toback finals, probable, that's what they already done at best, but championship? when did they win 2 in a row?

#19 TJgiants18 on 2010-03-22 13:00 (Reply)

Derby Ace Llamados can win the championship. Simple. It's the import blending well with the locals. Maybe some would say that we need the import who will address our weaknesses blah blah blah. But at the end of the day, the winning formula for the success of Derby Ace and any other team in the PBA, like what Derby Ace products are for, is the great chemistry between the import and the locals.

#20 Joey_Escalera on 2010-03-22 15:36 (Reply)

10. The Derby Ace Llamados will win back-to-back championships

10. False – Although I think they’re certainly good enough to make the finals, with the way the team has been playing. A lot of their success though depends on Lorrenzo Wade, a young new import with impressive credentials from San Diego State University. The last time the Purefoods franchise hired a new import with great numbers from a California mid-major, they ended up making the finals. The import? Marquin Chandler of San Jose State University.

- One thing though about the Derby Llamados is that the teams will try their best against them considering that they are the champions of the previous conference. All the other PBA teams will take them seriously once the conference starts. So for the Derby Llamados to win the championship, the team has to play CONSISTENTLY from start to finish. Also, another thing that would determine whether they have a big chance next conference or not relies on Wade, their import.

#21 Joey_Escalera on 2010-03-22 15:42 (Reply)

Jaemark, one thing you have missed discussing is the new rivalry that will be developed between Ginebra and TNT next conference. It will definitely attract a lot of audience not only from the team's fans but also a lot of PBA viewers. Their games will be played with a lot of intensity after the walkout incident during the quarters last conference. Expect the rivalry within the next two to three conferences just like Ginebra and Shell back in the early 1990's when Ginebra walked out on Shell in 1991.

#22 Milkman on 2010-03-22 19:15 (Reply)

early '90s:
purefoods - ginebra/añejo

late '90s:
alaska - ginebra/gordon's gin

early 2000s:
red bull - ginebra

late 2000s
talk and text - ginebra

not that they are great, but it seems that ginebra collected a number of thorns throughout the years. ha ha ha.

#22.1 The Legendary Skyflakes25 on 2010-03-24 08:55 (Reply)

anlabo naman ng comment mo.

ang tama lang ay ang tnt-bgk. lol

#23 frequenzy on 2010-03-26 19:06 (Reply)

I just read that Purefoods changed it's name to B-MEG Derby. wtf*ck SMB!!!