JP Manahan of armchairsportsblogger.blogspot.com joins Chuck Araneta, Polo Bustamante, and Carlo Pamintuan in the latest episode of From the Stands. In this podcast, the boys discuss the big trade between Air 21 and San Miguel. They also take a look at the first couple of weeks of the ongoing PBA Commissioner’s Cup.



Click on the player to listen, or download the file, or subscribe to it on iTunes or on RSS. And leave a comment, the From the Stands boys just might discuss them in the next episode, or even invite you to come along.

Multiple outlets this morning are reporting that Phoenix Petroleum is in talks to acquire the Barako Bull franchise. If and when the transaction pushes through, it will finally put an end to one of the most pathetic episodes in PBA history, which saw the once-proud Red Bull franchise crippled by financial problems and forced to sell its key players to barely make payroll from month to month. Finally, the nightmare is over.

But while talk of Phoenix’s entry over the next few months will revolve around basketball-related matters – Will they be able to become competitive? How will they rehabilitate a team whose lineup has been ransacked? – let’s take a look at the most important part of this transaction: Will they be able to afford supporting a PBA team?

Continue reading "Phoenix Petroleum in talks to buy Barako and what it means to the PBA’s future"

Rey Joble of GMA News today confirms that PBA commissioner Chito Salud has shot down the proposed trade for Air 21’s marquee rookies Nonoy Baclao, Rabeh Al-Hussaini, and Rey Guevarra in exchange for San Miguel’s Joseph Yeo, Danny Seigle, Mick Pennisi, a first round pick from the Beermen, a case of San Mig Light, and 3 years’ supply of Skelan for the senior citizens in the deal. Salud called the deal lopsided, and virtually confirmed reports that there has been a trade despite vehement denials of Air 21 officials.

Continue reading "Air 21--the whole team--for sale to SMC?"

GMA News is reporting that the Air 21 Express is on the verge of trading Nonoy Baclao, Rabeh Al-Hussaini, and Rey Guevarra, the top three picks in the 2011 PBA draft, to San Miguel in exchange for the Beermen’s 2011 first round draft pick, Joseph Yeo, and the corpses of Danny Seigle and Mick Pennisi in yet another lopsided deal. Baclao led the PBA in shotblocks in the recently-concluded Philippine Cup, while Al-Hussaini led the Express in scoring and rebounding in the tournament.

Continue reading "Air 21 to send Baclao, Al-Hussaini, Guevarra to San Miguel, continues to ruin the PBA"

Listed below are ten statements about the PBA Commissioner's Cup, which kicks off tonight with the Ginebra-Meralco game in Laoag City. In the comments, leave a post on whether you think each statement is true or false, and a short explanation why this is so.

Continue reading "True or False: 2011 PBA Commissioner’s Cup"

I was having dinner last night with the boys from the excellent Patay ang Butiki blog, and we invited GMANews.TV’s intrepid sports reporter Rey Joble to join us, since he just worked next door. As soon as he walked in to the restaurant, his phone started buzzing with all kinds of calls and text messages from PBA insiders telling him the details of a big trade by Rain or Shine, Air 21, and Meralco.

Here are the details of the blockbuster deal:

Air 21 gets: Jay-R Reyes (Rain or Shine), Reed Juntilla (Meralco)

UPDATE: Fidel Mangonon III reports on Twitter that Air 21 will also be getting two first round picks from Meralco (2011 and 2013).

Meralco gets: Sol Mercado (Rain or Shine), Paolo Bugia (Rain or Shine), Erick Rodriguez (Air 21)

Rain or Shine gets: Ronjay Buenafe (Air 21), Ronnie Matias (Air 21), Beau Belga (Meralco), 2011 first round pick (Air 21), 2013 first round pick (Air 21)

Continue reading "Breaking down the blockbuster: Mercado to Meralco, Reyes to Air 21, Buenafe to RoS"

Veteran coach Yeng Guiao has left the Air 21 Express to join the Rain or Shine Elastopainters. The news was confirmed to GMANews.TV by current Rain or Shine coach Caloy Garcia, who will slide down to become Guiao’s deputy on the bench.

Continue reading "Yeng Guiao ends tumultuous run with Air 21, takes his talents to Rain or Shine"

Hehe, who would have ever thought “Kris Aquino” and “Lou Gatumbato” would appear in the same headline? Only on Fire Quinito! Also, a reminder for everyone that the Philippines vs. Burma game tonight will be broadcast on ESPN at 8:30 PM.

Anyway, here are some interesting reads to get you through humpday:

Continue reading "Wednesday bullets starring the Azkals, Kris Aquino’s leading man, and Lou Gatumbato"

Can I just share that, while you are reading this, I have spent the last couple of nights in Koronadal, South Cotabato. Koronadal is also known by its other name Marbel. Yes, I spent the last two evenings in the hometown of 1998 PBA Most Valuable Player, Captain Marbel Kenneth Duremdes. Anyway, quick takes on each of the PBA teams in the Philippine Cup so far:

Continue reading "2010 PBA Philippine Cup first impressions, part 1"