To wit:
"Batangas - The team as a whole, its center position in particular, was weakened by the departure of ace slotman Romel Adducul. In many stretches of the elimination round, it was clear that not even the combined efforts of new recruit Ariel de Castro and former relief center Chris Corbin, could have compensated for Adducul’s loss. Batangas’ forward line and backcourt are its strongest assets with Eddie Laure, Peter Martin, Ralph Rivera, Tonyboy Espinosa and most especially Jeff Sanders and Alex Compton churning out solid performances.
The addition of another veteran big man like Joey Santamaria, Maoi Roca or Dominic Uy will help improve the team further.
Negros – Definitely, a vast improvement over the previous Slashers teams which were laden with talented point guards, multi-role forwards and power forwards but short in true centers. Its already potent frontline of John Ferriols, Reynel Hugnatan, Leo Bat-og and Patrick Benedicto has been strengthened by the arrival of big men Ryan Gamboa, Carlo Espiritu and Vincent San Diego, a 6-9 study from DLSU.
Point guard post, however, remained the strongest link with Dino Aldeguer and Dennis Madrid coming one after the other without disrupting the team’s tempo or strength on the floor. If the small forwards/shooting guards would not bicker over playing time, look for the Slashers to go all the way to the finals and possibly, its first national championship in five years.
Olongapo – Showed in its earlier defeat to Davao and shock sudden-death northern conference finals loss to Batangas chinks in its once-vaunted armor: too much depended on behemoth Jeff Flowers to deliver at the crunch and a rather shaky backcourt despite the presence of pro league old hands John Cardel and Henry Fernandez and former PBL veterans Eugene Tan and Topex Robinson. Should improve as the season progresses as Tan and Robinson gain more maturity and steadiness and Cardel and Fernandez find more opportunities to complement each other.
Davao – A great improvement also from the previous Eagles teams which were also doughnut (without tall dependable centers) squad. The arrival of Billy Mamaril, Jon Dan Salvador, Cid White, Rolly Menor and Glen Peter Yap definitely improved not only the team’s ceiling but its competitiveness as well. Combine these new faces with old team reliables and you’ve got a brew potent enough to topple the league’s other top teams.
Should do better next time with the players getting more familiar with each other and the rookies Mamaril, Salvador and Yap gaining more maturity and confidence.
Cebu – With a line-up littered with dependable power forwards as Melvin Taguines, Jess Lumantas, CJ de Jesus and Alwyn Flores, versatile forwards and shooting guards as Bruce Dacia, Jercules Tangkay, Buboy Rodriguez and Roy Lura and outstanding point guards Stephen Padilla and Egay Echavez anchored by a very promising young center as Jean Marc Pingris, the Gems are a match to anybody in the league despite its relatively shorter ceiling, be that as it may, it is safe to say that with a line-up as potent as they have right now, the Gems are only a dominating center away from another run at the national title.
Pangasinan – The Waves are strong at the slot and power forward positions with the league’s highly-prized center Romel Adducul and guys like Chris Clay, Gilbert Castillo, Vilmer Bañares and Bernard de Guia manning the posts. But the team needs a tough defender or two in the slot and power forward posts to be truly competitive. The point also needs reinforcement.
Cagayan de Oro – Center slot is too crowded with Roehl Buenaventura, Ricky Calimag, Randy Lopez and Dino Manuel sharing responsibilities without achieving desired effects. Would do well to trade one of them. CDO must endeavor to grab a consistent outside gunner to make life easier for its frontliners. Jomar Tierra would be perfect for the position. Tierra and freshman Nani Epondulan would make a great 1-2 backcourt punch.
Pampanga – Slot is decent though not very strong. Dave Bautista and Billy Bansil are adequate scorers and rebounders inside the lane, but they are not pure centers. But the Stars Achilles heel is its backcourt which is heavily reliant on the steadying influence of playing coach Ato Agustin, who, on the other hand, has to spend more time on the bench strategizing and calling the plays. One option would be to get a gung-ho inside-outside operator to take the scoring load off Agustin.
That is my humble analysis and recommendations.
Thank you very much and more power to you, The Basketball Show and the MBA!"
Many thanks, too Teddy. I’m sure your opinions are an eye-opener.
For comments and suggestions, you may also reach this writer at thebasketballshow@yahoo.com or thebasketballshow@hotmail.com.