2007-2008 PBA Fiesta Conference

[Coke_Hero]

Rico Villanueva sat out most of the 2nd half of that game due to cramps. A courtside report later said that E-Vill had trouble guarding Parada, which is understandable, since Adam was at around 6" taller than him, plus about 20-30 lbs. heavier.

I think teams should start looking for "IMPORT FODDERS" out there, meaning at least 6'6" guys who will do nothing but try to play good defense against guys like Parada, Dixon, etc. Heck, get "The Frankenstein" Mark Andaya to try to box out the 7-foot imports.

Well, Big Mac's with the Barakos. Maybe Coach Yeng could use three towers if Andaya should improve.

[ankle breaker]

ginebra lost to coke by a hairline. i think it's time for ginebra to look for another import. ernest brown is out of sync and not a typical guy who can bring BGK back to the limelight.

[Coke_Hero]

ginebra lost to coke by a hairline. i think it's time for ginebra to look for another import. ernest brown is out of sync and not a typical guy who can bring BGK back to the limelight.

I beg to disagree. I think Earnest Brown's somewhat better compared to Rashon Turner. The problem with Ginebra right now is that they have a lot of small forwards and even point guards but they lack in the power forward and center department. Yes, they have Rafi Reavis, Billy Mamaril, Alex Crisano and Eric Menk. Only Mamaril and Crisano played against Coke and the latter got fouled out immediately. So, who'd be the next man in line. Mamaril played great but Coke had three big men - Asi, Belasco, and Telan. Ginebra led by as much as 15 but when Asi muscled his way, it was over. No bigs, no chance. Though the game was close, it's a matter of having your big men in the crucial stages of the game.

This is what Ginebra's roster looks like:
PG - Jayjay Helterbrand, Paul Artadi, Chris Pacana, Macky Escalona
SG - Mark Caguioa
SG/SF - Ronald Tubid, Junthy Valenzuela
SF - Sunday Salvacion, Vic Pablo
SF/PF - Willie Wilson
PF/C - Billy Mamaril, Rafi Reavis, Alex Crisano, Eric Menk
Import - Earnest Brown

If Ginebra could play small ball like Alaska, it'd be great even if you have like three big men. But the point is, these big men aren't healthy. Then you have four point guards. FOUR is really a surplus. I suggest trading one of them and maybe add, let's say Vic Pablo to the trade to get a big man. Why not get Ken Bono, Mark Isip, or if you could snare the likes of Sam Eman, then do so. Youth is essential and young big men would help the Gin Kings, IMO.

[Project_Olympics]

pba games are getting interesting, another close game, cool

[rhk111]

* Ernest Brown is tall (at least 6'10") & wide, but comparing him to Parada (who's becoming the yardstick which all the other imports are measured), he's not quite as athletic out there on the floor. Yesterday he only scored around 20 or less points, & it wasn't enough to pull his team thru, despite another monster game from "The Spark".

* "The Spark" is now having an MVP-caliber conference, averaging in the high twenties, settling once & for all who is Ginebra's main man right now.

* Junthy struggled last night, understandable since he's a recent transferee. IF he is able to find a comfortable spot in Ginebra's rotation, GSM will be quite a formidable team. The question is, though, when he will be able to do it, & if he will be able to do it.

[The_Big_Cat]

Another loss for Ginebra. Injuries to Menk and Reavis plus too many perimeter players (Caguioa, Helterbrand, Tubid, Pacana, Artadi, Valenzuela, Escalona, Salvacion) have messed up their roster for this conference.

Expect to see one of those perimeter players to be dealt somewhere else this season or during the offseason to get players suitable for their system.

[Coke_Hero]

Another loss for Ginebra. Injuries to Menk and Reavis plus too many perimeter players (Caguioa, Helterbrand, Tubid, Pacana, Artadi, Valenzuela, Escalona, Salvacion) have messed up their roster for this conference.

Expect to see one of those perimeter players to be dealt somewhere else this season or during the offseason to get players suitable for their system.

Let's just say that they can't be a small ball team. I think Coach Jong is trying to make Ginebra a defensive team with the acquisition of Willie Wilson and Junthy Valenzuela but they're too short. Sunday's SF shrunk with the said acquisitions. Ronald Tubid could play the SG position to replace Caguioa at times but again, the Gin Kings are too small. Please trade Macky Escalona or Chris Pacana for a legit big man. I mean, you could fish out Jondan Salvador or whoever. There are a lot of big men who play small minutes for their teams.

Big Men from other teams:

Magnolia - Sam Eman, Ken Bono (Bono's been bouncing off teams [literally], so why not get him?)
Purefoods - Rob Sanz, Richard Yee, Jondan Salvador (Yee's used to defend import, Jondan has playing minutes)
Red Bull - Mark Andaya (A proven winner. He should learn to run the floor though)
Alaska - JR Quiñahan
Welcoat - Adonis Sta. Maria, Mark Isip
Talk n Text - Ali Peek, Yancy de Ocampo (Though it's really hard to snare these players, so go for some big trade or something)
Coca-Cola - Mark Telan (Since they have Nic Belasco, why not risk a trade for this bona fide player)

If they can't give Sunday some quality minutes, they better use him as a trade bait. There's a large influx of big men who rarely play big minutes, especially in TnT, so why not trigger trades?

[The_Big_Cat]

Please trade Macky Escalona or Chris Pacana for a legit big man.

Ginebra signed Chris Pacana in the offseason which means they like Pacana to stay longer.

Ginebra is already set with Caguioa, Helterbrand and Valenzuela as its starters. And Artadi and Tubid coming off the bench.

Obviously, that leaves Escalona and Salvacion as the "odd fellows".
It will come no surprise if they trade away Macky and Sunday.

[ramzaruglia]

Is LA and Larry getting their share on the minutes on playing for the Aces?

[the big boss]

finally Welcoat got a win! at the expense of Purefoods.

[Coke_Hero]

Is LA and Larry getting their share on the minutes on playing for the Aces?

Well, they are. LA's the PG of the team. Larry, on the other hand, becomes the next offensive option when Tony dela Cruz is off.

[interxavierxxx]

I'm kinda confused.. is Tony dela Cruz playing G or F?

[Coke_Hero]

I'm kinda confused.. is Tony dela Cruz playing G or F?

He's a tweener. A SG or a SF, whatever is of need.

[The_Big_Cat]

finally Welcoat got a win! at the expense of Purefoods.

Purefoods played horribly last night.

Welcoat broke a 15 game loosing streak with the win yesterday.

[Coke_Hero]

Ginebra signed Chris Pacana in the offseason which means they like Pacana to stay longer.

Well, yeah, but Ginebra's offense slows down because of Pacana.

Obviously, that leaves Escalona and Salvacion as the "odd fellows".
It will come no surprise if they trade away Macky and Sunday.

It's really a pity that Sunday had to suffer all these things. I mean, he did wonders in the absence of Jayjay and Mark before. But Macky Escalona's the real mistake here. I mean, when he got drafted, that was already a mistake because they have Johnny A and Paul Artadi in the lineup already. So why get another PG? It's just really disappointing because it's their 7th straight loss since the Philippine Cup.