In 2007, after Noli Eala was forced to resign by the Philippine Basketball Association as commissioner due to his disbarment, two candidates were up for the position: former telecommunications executive Lambert Ramos and lawyer Chito Salud. Neither man had enough votes to be appointed commissioner; San Miguel, Ginebra, Coke, Welcoat, and Red Bull – the SMC bloc – voted for Salud, while Air 21, Alaska, Sta. Lucia, and Talk N Text – the MVP bloc – voted for Ramos.

However, each man needed six out of the nine votes (voting rights haven’t been restored to Purefoods at the time) to be appointed commissioner. Unable to break the deadlock, the board decided to appoint Renauld “Sonny” Barrios, who at the time was OIC of the PBA, to the commissionership full time.

Continue reading "The curious politics of Sonny Barrios’ appointment as SBP executive director"

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?"

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"

Spent last night in Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat. We were actually able to catch the Alaska-San Miguel game over dinner, and to my surprise, the veteran cameraman we were traveling with used to shoot and direct PBA games. We basically watched the game from his technical perspective, which was awesome. He said that covering the PBA live was the hardest gig for any cameraman because of the pace of the action; if you could do camera work for the PBA, you can do it anywhere else.

Btw, how about that game? Pretty awesome, wasn't it? And it was exciting even if the referees actually called fouls.

On to part 2 of my first impressions. If you missed it, check out part 1.

Continue reading "2010 PBA Philippine Cup first impressions, part 2"

There are a million things to write about, and I wish I could get to all of them, but after my work trip in Thailand, I’m way, way behind on a bunch things back here at the office. I dunno how much I’ll be able to post over the next few days.

Anyway, the new season of the PBA started over the weekend, and the Powerade (nee Coca-Cola) Tigers stole the show in the opening ceremonies yet again, this time by trotting out Showtime mainstay Vice Ganda as its muse. It seems apt that Powerade picked another comedian to be its muse, because with the way Coach Bo Perasol and co. are running the team (Jai Reyes FTW!), they’re looking more and more like they’re in the PBA for comedy instead of basketball.

Continue reading "Quick thoughts on the PBA opening"

At the start of the 2010 rookie draft, the PBA played yet another video tribute for Customs commissioner, former PBA board chairman, and former Air 21 team manager Lito Alvarez. With a smug grin on his face – you know, like he had just gotten away with cheating on a round of golf – Alvarez claimed proudly that because of his “savvy” moves, it was the first time that a team, Air 21, had the top three picks in the rookie draft.

Continue reading "Air 21 leads the clusterfuck that was the 2010 PBA rookie draft"

UPDATE: Charles Tiu reports via Twitter that Coke has granted permission for Taulava to play in the Fiba-Asia Stankovic Cup. Next up: permission from the PBA.

Coca-Cola executive JB Baylon is taking it from all angles today after team management decided not to allow its center, Asi Taulava, to play for Smart Gilas in the Fiba-Asia Stankovic Cup. Taulava had begun to practice with the team recently to stay in shape, and volunteered his services for the Stankovic tourney after reports that several members of the team, including big men Marcus Douthit (passport issues), Greg Slaughter (studies), and Rabeh Al-Hussaini (leaving the team for the PBA draft), would not be able to participate in the tournament.

Continue reading "In defense of Coke’s Asi Taulava decision"

Philippine basketball has started to develop a small but vibrant community on Twitter. The Sweetest Tweets is a round-up of the best messages, in 140 characters or less.

Continue reading "The Sweetest Tweets supersized, featuring Rod Nealy’s farewell, the Jones Cup, fashion advice from Chot Reyes, and much more"