The
season is turning out to be a memorable one for the Talk N Text Tropang Texters. The last time a PBA team had a chance
to win it all was in 1998 when the Alaska Milkmen won the All-Filipino Conference and the Commissioner’s Cup. The team had the
chance to win it all but they sacrificed their chances to loan Tim Cone, Johnny Abarrientos, Jojo
Lastimosa, Bong Hawkins, and Kenneth Duremdes to the Centennial Dream Team.
While
missing out on a second grand slam, Kenneth Duremdes still ended up as the
league’s MVP.
And if
and when Talk N Text even gets to the semifinals of the Governor’s Cup, expect a TNT player to win the MVP.
Word.
HOW THE STATS
WERE TABULATED
The PBFANTASY rules apply but I also made
use of how they fare with the minutes they were getting and the turnovers they
are acquiring. But I guess the most important part of the tabulations is the
games the top players played.
The
league has yet to give the MVP award to a player who didn’t play in any of the
conference finals. Reigning MVP James
Yap played 64 games in the 2009-10
PBA Season. Barako Bull, the worst team in that season only played 36 games – which is basically the total number of games
Barako Bull was booted out in both elimination rounds (back then it was still
the Philippine and the Fiesta Cups). Unlike in the NBA, the league combines all phases of the conference. This
includes the elimination round, the wildcards, the quarterfinals, the semis,
and the finals. With the return of the three-conference format, elimination
rounds will be shortened and the number of teams advancing to the next round
will be lessened.
In
this conference, this is the number of games your favourite teams played:
1 TALK N TEXT – 45 (2 finals
appearances)
2 GINEBRA – 45 (1 finals and 1
semis stints)
3 SAN MIGUEL (now PETRON) – 36
(1 finals stint)
4 BMEG – 31 (1 semis stint)
5 AIR21 – 30 (1 semis stint)
6 ALASKA – 29
7 RAIN OR SHNE – 27
8 MERALCO – 25
9 POWERADE – 23
10 BARAKO BULL – 14
11 SMART-GILAS – 13*
* The
elimination round of the Philippine Cup is 14 games while the elim round of the
Commish Cup is a mere 9 games.
The
reason why Talk N Text and Ginebra have the exact same games despite having
different fates is that the Tropang Texters used the outright semis berth
reward in both conferences while Ginebra had to claw their way for obscurity to
register a good amount for their selves.
And
just like in previous conferences, the All-Filipino Conference trump the
import-laden ones.
Game
starts now!
OUTSIDE THE TOP
TWENTY:
50 REED
JUNTILLA / BARAKO BULL – MERALCO – AIR21
PHILCUP: (17 games / 23.8mpg)
9.1 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.8 assists
COMCUP: (13 games / 13.2mpg)
3.9 points, 1.6 rebounds, 1.1 assists
49 JOSH
URBIZTONDO / AIR21
PHILCUP: (15 games / 17.0mpg)
4.0 points, 2.9 rebounds, 3.3 assists
COMCUP: (15 games / 17.5mpg)
8.6 points, 2.3 rebounds, 2.9 assists
48 ASI TAULAVA
/ MERALCO
PHILCUP: (14 games / 21.6mpg)
7.0 points, 7.7 rebounds, 1.0 assists
COMCUP: (9 games / 25.7mpg) 8.9
points, 6.4 rebounds, 0.6 assists
47 SUNDAY
SALVACION / BARAKO BULL – SAN MIGUEL
PHILCUP: (27 games / 21.6mpg)
9.0 points, 3.6 rebounds, 0.4 assists
COMCUP: (9 games / 11.0mpg) 4.0
points, 1.4 rebounds, 0.6 assists
46 NINO
CANALETA / BMEG
PHILCUP: (21 games / 18.2mpg)
7.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, 0.5 assists
COMCUP: (9 games / 29.1mpg)
10.4 points, 4.2 rebounds, 0.7 assists
45 WYNNE
ARBOLEDA / AIR21
PHILCUP: (15 games / 22.2mpg)
5.8 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 1.3 steals
COMCUP: (15 games / 19.7mpg)
6.4 points, 2.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.1 steals
44 RICO
MAIERHOFER / BMEG
PHILCUP: (21 games / 23.9mpg)
7.6 points, 9.6 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.2 blocks
COMCUP: (2 games / 7.5mpg) 0.0
points, 2.5 rebounds, 0.0 assists
43 MARK ISIP /
BARAKO BULL – MERALCO
PHILCUP: (17 games / 29.1mpg)
14.9 points, 6.5 rebounds, 0.8 assists
COMCUP: (7 games / 12.9mpg) 3.9
points, 2.7 rebounds, 0.1 assists
42 TONY DELA
CRUZ / ALASKA
PHILCUP: (17 games / 31.6mpg)
9.0 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.1 steals
COMCUP: (12 games / 24.0mpg)
5.8 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.0 steals
41 MARC
PINGRIS / BMEG
PHILCUP: (12 games / 26.8mpg)
6.7 points, 7.4 rebounds, 1.2 assists
COMCUP: (9 games / 35.6mpg)
12.4 points, 11.0 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 1.2 steals
40 RONJAY
BUENAFE / AIR21 – RAIN OR SHINE
PHILCUP: (15 games / 29.6mpg)
17.1 points, 2.4 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.1 steals
COMCUP: (12 games / 13.8mpg)
6.3 points, 0.5 rebounds, 1.1 assists
39 DANNY
ILDEFONSO / SAN MIGUEL
PHILCUP: (23 games / 21.7mpg)
7.0 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.8 assists
COMCUP: (9 games / 21.0mpg) 5.8
points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.4 assists
38 ENRICO
VILLANUEVA / GINEBRA
PHILCUP: (23 games / 20.7mpg)
7.6 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists
COMCUP: (8 games / 12.1mpg) 4.0
points, 4.6 rebounds, 0.6 assists
37 DOUG KRAMER
/ RAIN OR SHINE
PHILCUP: (15 games / 22.1mpg)
8.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, 0.5 assists
COMCUP: (12 games / 23.8mpg)
8.9 points, 7.8 rebounds, 0.8 assists
36 LARRY
RODRIGUEZ / RAIN OR SHINE
PHILCUP: (15 games / 21.5mpg)
9.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.0 assists
COMCUP: (12 games / 25.8mpg)
11.0 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.0 blocks
35 JONAS
VILLANUEVA / BMEG
PHILCUP: (22 games / 27.4mpg)
10.0 points, 3.4 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.0 steals
COMCUP: (6 games / 28.5mpg)
10.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.3 assists
34 DORIAN PENA
/ SAN MIGUEL – AIR21
PHILCUP: (25 games / 18.5mpg)
4.4 points, 8.0 rebounds, 0.5 assists
COMCUP: (14 games / 25.2mpg)
4.2 points, 9.1 rebounds, 0.7 assists
33 JAY-R REYES
/ RAIN OR SHINE – AIR21 (OR ALASKA UNLESS APPROVED)
PHILCUP: (14 games / 25.6mpg)
9.1 points, 7.5 rebounds, 1.3 assists
COMCUP: (15 games / 24.0mpg)
7.7 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.2 blocks
32 ROGER YAP /
BMEG
PHILCUP: (21 games / 30.6mpg)
7.7 points, 4.1 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 1.2 steals
COMCUP: (9 games / 26.6mpg) 6.7
points, 3.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists
31 GABBY
ESPINAS / MERALCO
PHILCUP: (15 games / 32.3mpg)
14.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, 0.9 assists
COMCUP: (9 games / 31.7mpg) 9.7
points, 8.4 rebounds, 1.8 assists
30 CHRIS ROSS
/ MERALCO
PHILCUP: (16 games / 35.8mpg)
9.8 points, 5.5 rebounds, 6.3 assists, 2.4 steals
COMCUP: (9 games / 26.7mpg) 4.7
points, 5.3 rebounds, 5.9 assists, 1.3 steals
29 SOLOMON
MERCADO / RAIN OR SHINE – MERALCO
PHILCUP: (12 games / 35.5mpg)
16.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 2.0 steals
COMCUP: (9 games / 35.0mpg)
15.1 points, 5.8 rebounds, 5.0 assists
28 GABE
NORWOOD / RAIN OR SHINE
PHILCUP: (15 games / 35.7mpg)
11.7 points, 5.9 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 2.1 steals
COMCUP: (12 games / 28.4mpg)
9.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.3 assists
27 RANIDEL DE
OCAMPO / TALK N TEXT
PHILCUP: (16 games / 20.1mpg)
9.3 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.7 assists
COMCUP: (18 games / 24.1mpg)
13.7 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.8 assists
26 MIKE CORTEZ
/ GINEBRA
PHILCUP: (23 games / 21.7mpg)
7.0 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists
COMCUP: (22 games / 28.3mpg)
7.8 points, 3.9 rebounds, 3.3 assists
25 LARRY
FONACIER / TALK N TEXT
PHILCUP: (27 games / 25.7mpg)
9.2 points, 3.6 rebounds, 2.1 assists
COMCUP: (18 games / 24.7mpg)
7.3 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.1 assists
24 DANNY
SEIGLE / SAN MIGUEL – AIR21
PHILCUP: (21 games / 17.4mpg)
9.2 points, 3.7 rebounds, 0.9 assists
COMCUP: (13 games / 31.9mpg)
14.7 points, 8.2 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.0 blocks
23 RABEH
AL-HUSSAINI / AIR21 – SAN MIGUEL
PHILCUP: (15 games / 31.5mpg)
17.5 points, 8.9 rebounds, 1.0 assists
COMCUP: (10 games / 30.8mpg)
12.0 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.7 assists
22 CYRUS
BAGUIO / ALASKA
PHILCUP: (17 games / 36.1mpg)
13.2 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.2 steals
COMCUP: (12 games / 32.5mpg)
11.8 points, 4.4 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 1.3 steals
21 JAMES YAP /
BMEG
PHILCUP: (22 games / 35.6mpg)
17.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.2 assists
COMCUP: (5 games / 34.8mpg)
19.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.8 assists
THE TOP TWENTY
20 PETER JUNE
SIMON / BMEG
PHILCUP: (21 games / 33.3mpg)
18.0 points, 2.8 rebounds, 1.6 assists
COMCUP: (9 games / 33.2mpg)
17.8 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists
In the
Philippine Cup he was the person helping James Yap in the scoring chores. In
the Commissioner’s Cup, he was the one helping recently reactivated Kerby
Raymundo and Marc Pingris with King James sidelined because of injury. The
Double Apostle was spectacular in delivering the goods and he is the constant
thing working for the Llamados in this season.
19 ALEX
CABAGNOT / SAN MIGUEL
PHILCUP: (26 games / 26.8mpg)
9.8 points, 4.0 rebounds, 5.3 assists
COMCUP: (9 games / 29.2mpg) 9.2
points, 4.2 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 1.4 blocks
At the
heels of enjoying his first year with the squad, Cabagnot was San Miguel’s most
excellent force especially when the game is on the line. It was amazing to see
Cabagnot finishing the matches with his buzzer-beating shots. However in the
Commissioner’s Cup, his offense was almost non-existent as the Beermen finished
at the bottom of the heap.
18 RYAN REYES
/ TALK N TEXT
PHILCUP: (23 games / 27.8mpg)
10.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.3 steals
COMCUP: (18 games / 25.4mpg)
7.9 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.4 steals
He is
a combo guard. He doesn’t get a lot of minutes but he sees to it that when he
does, he’ll give hell on his foes. He was one of the reasons why the Tropang
Texters won the Philippine Cup. After the death of his brother, he played
inspired ball. While he was still dependable in the Commissioner’s Cup Finals,
he took a backseat to the Jimmy Alapag-Jason Castro combo.
17 LA TENORIO
/ ALASKA
PHILCUP: (17 games / 35.9mpg)
11.2 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.2 steals
COMCUP: (12 games / 34.4mpg)
17.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.3 steals
In the
elimination round, he often finds success. Last season he was one of the
favourites to covet the MVP trophy. However unlike last season, the Aces have
yet to reach the finals. Tenorio had a somewhat weak Philippine Cup but he
followed the feat with an impressive Commissioner’s Cup showing. The problem
with Lieutenant LA though is that both appearances failed to land the squad
past the quarterfinals.
16 SONNY THOSS
/ ALASKA
PHILCUP: (17 games / 31.3mpg)
12.2 points, 9.7 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.1 blocks
COMCUP: (12 games / 33.6mpg)
9.8 points, 9.6 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.3 blocks
This
season perhaps is Thoss’ best. In both the Philippine and Commissioner’s Cups,
Thoss the Boss was hailed as a double-double magnet. Playing a key role because
of the small imports, this is the first time that Thoss averaged 30 minutes in
consecutive conferences. Expect more from Thoss in the Governor’s Cup to
exploit teams with 6’4 or less imports.
15 GARY DAVID
/ POWERADE
PHILCUP: (14 games / 36.1mpg)
21.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.4 assists
COMCUP: (9 games / 35.8mpg)
23.4 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.6 assists
Mr.
Pure Energy is the best offensive performer in the Philippine Cup as well as
the Commissioner’s Cup. The Tigers live and die with his exploits. The problem
is he just can’t find offensive help from his teammates. For some insane
reason, the defenders are willing to elude him of the double team as long as he
won’t have a clear view of his teammates. This ploy often materializes to
success.
14 MACMAC
CARDONA / MERALCO
PHILCUP: (14 games / 35.4mpg)
21.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.4 assists
COMCUP: (9 games / 35.2mpg)
15.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.6 steals
He was
sent to the Bolts so that Ryan Gregorio will have a James Yap-like figure in
his squad to mimic his B-Meg setup. Macmac Cardona was the main man but even
with his high-scoring averages he struggled in making his shots. In the Commish
Cup, Sol Mercado was sent to pair up with him and with the fear of getting
bumped off by the Sol Train... he had no choice but exert more effort.
13 RONALD
TUBID / GINEBRA
PHILCUP: (23
games / 28.9mpg) 13.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists
COMCUP: (22
games / 25.5mpg) 7.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists
While
Ronald Tubid played less and was virtually trounced by John Wilson in Ginebra’s
championship series with Talk N Text in the Commissioner’s Cup, Tubid was
otherwise magnificent this season. He is a key offensive option in the
Philippine Cup and was a major contributor in the elimination phase of the
Commish Cup. He’ll surely benefit in the Governor’s Cup because of the small
imports.
12 KELLY
WILLIAMS / TALK N TEXT
PHILCUP: (25 games / 28.5mpg)
9.6 points, 7.4 rebounds, 1.3 assists
COMCUP: (18 games / 25.9mpg) 9.2
points, 7.6 rebounds, 0.9 steals
Scoring-wise
this is not the Kelly Williams of old. However, Machine Gun Kelly continues to
be a force in the paint. He can still play above the rim or convert jump shots
into deuces. He may be at times missing in both of their championship runs this
season, Kelly’s presence alone makes him a very dangerous performer to neglect.
11 JASON
CASTRO / TALK N TEXT
PHILCUP: (27 games / 24.2mpg)
11.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists
COMCUP: (15 games / 25.2mpg)
10.5 points, 3.4 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 1.4 steals
At
times it seems as if he is merely Jimmy Alapag’s backup. However let it be
known that call him that and he will burn you in any way possible. He can
score, defend, and orchestrate. Not only is he a championship magnet, but
Castro is well-known to become vicious during the playoffs and in the finals.
Alongside Jimmy Alapag, he is a 2-time Finals MVP... this season just like when
he was in Harbour Centre.
10 HARVEY
CAREY / TALK N TEXT
PHILCUP: (27 games / 26.9mpg)
10.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists
COMCUP: (18 games / 16.8mpg)
5.8 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.0 assists
While
he didn’t have a terrific Commissioner’s Cup, he did have a monstrous
All-Filipino Conference. Exploiting Kelly Williams’ injury, he responded well
and finished the Philippine Cup as the only player to average in double-double.
His playing time dropped in the Commissioner’s Cup but he still delivered
respectable numbers as a key contributor off the bench.
9 DONDON
HONTIVEROS / SAN MIGUEL – AIR21
PHILCUP: (27 games / 33.0mpg)
14.0 points, 3.6 rebounds, 2.1 assists
COMCUP: (14 games / 32.9mpg)
15.0 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.1 steals
At the
start of the season, he was the only SMB starter in the early 2000’s to still
start in the team. His scoring was instrumental for the Beermen to claim
runner-up honors in the Philippine Cup. All of a sudden though, he was traded
to the Express. He continued his scoring spree in Air21 and was helpful in
leading the Express to the semis. Expect his stock to slide though with Dondon
concentrating with Smart-Gilas and will be skipping the Govs Cup.
8 WILLIE
MILLER / GINEBRA
PHILCUP: (23 games / 32.5mpg)
13.1 points, 4.7 rebounds, 4.0 assists
COMCUP: (22 games / 23.0mpg)
10.2 points, 3.6 rebounds, 2.0 assists
At
times he looks contented to be Mark Caguioa’s backup but when he is on fire he
can still light up the scoreboard. His numbers are down from his past efforts
but you must be insane if you think The Thriller’s 20-point games have sapped
his being. With the Kings getting the handicap of a smaller import, I don’t
know the fate of Miller’s minutes. His production would likely drop but I hope
Miller gets the chance to fight it.
7 ALI PEEK /
TALK N TEXT
PHILCUP: (27 games / 26.5mpg)
12.5 points, 9.2 rebounds, 1.1 blocks
COMCUP: (18 games / 22.3mpg)
8.2 points, 5.9 rebounds, 0.9 blocks
You do
not need to be a big time scorer to be inside this list. In Peek’s case, he
dominated the paint and did his thing without thinking of the
reward/punishment. After an excellent Philippine Cup, his production waned. The
minutes he’s been getting, miniscule to begin with, also dwindled a bit. But
the scary thing about the Man Mountain is that despite his playing time, he can
still churn up those kinds of numbers! Peek will get that chance since TNT will
be working with a 6’2 import.
6 JOE DEVANCE
/ ALASKA (OR AIR21 UNLESS APPROVED)
PHILCUP: (17 games / 37.7mpg)
19.2 points, 8.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.1 blocks
COMCUP: (12 games / 34.7mpg)
14.6 points, 7.8 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 1.1 blocks
If you
have this much production, the logical seeding for JDV is in the Top 3 bracket.
However, this is not the case. The Aces have found little success this season
unlike in the last season were they competed in both conferences. Devance
slightly slowed down on his offense but those Commish Cup numbers are
dominating. His rank could go up depending on whether or not Alaska can reach
the finals of the Govs Cup but with the recent developments, I am now imagining
the Seigle-Devance Air21 frontcourt duo to do monstrous things in the tourney.
5 ARWIND
SANTOS / SAN MIGUEL
PHILCUP: (27 games / 35.5mpg)
15.2 points, 9.0 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 1.0 blocks
COMCUP: (9 games / 32.1mpg)
12.1 points, 8.4 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 1.0 steals, 1.3 blocks
The
Spiderman is his regular all-around self but it seems that he took a step back
for Jay Washington to shine. What’s scary about Arwind is despite his scoring
drop, he is still a dominant performer. Sure, he whenever he sees fit, he
shoots the ball regardless the angle but his worst game can easily be an
untalented player’s best game. Aside from J-Wash, he will battle the Talk N
Text guys for the highly coveted MVP spot.
4 RUDY
HATFIELD / GINEBRA
PHILCUP: (23 games / 30.5mpg)
9.6 points, 12.4 rebounds, 2.7 assists
COMCUP: (22 games / 27.5mpg)
7.3 points, 7.8 rebounds, 1.6 assists
Ginebra’s
offense revolves around their high octane backcourt rotation. Getting points on
the inside is great... but extremely scarce. Rudy Hatfield doesn’t really mind
not scoring as long as he gets a significant amount of rebounds. He is the
team’s most ferocious rebounder. Unfortunately for the Ginebra faithful,
Hatfield is now back in the States just like what he said he’ll do when he last
returned to the PBA three conferences ago.
3 JAY
WASHINGTON / SAN MIGUEL
PHILCUP: (26 games / 35.7mpg)
16.6 points, 10.0 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.2 blocks
COMCUP: (7 games / 35.4mpg)
14.6 points, 8.1 rebounds, 1.9 assists
Leading
the San Miguel Beermen to a finals stint with those numbers made a lot of heads
turn to J-Wash. In their eyes, with the way he is playing, he could be the MVP
of the current season. However with the dismal showing of San Miguel in the
Commissioner’s Cup, Washington needs to put on a Herculean effort and send his
team to the Finals and pray that TNT’s Grand Slam stint would get foiled. It
would also help his cause if he cuts back on his DNP’s.
2 MARK CAGUIOA
/ GINEBRA
PHILCUP: (22 games / 27.7mpg)
14.2 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.2 assists
COMCUP: (22 games / 28.9mpg)
15.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists
He is
the best non-Talk N Text guy to claim the title if and when the Kings win a
Finals spot. His stats didn’t drop when the Commissioner’s Cup came and instead
it flourished. Actually, he could have edge Alapag in the well-fought BPC race.
This is to think that Ginebra is overloaded with offensive arsenal. With the
Ginebra import being at the same position as Caguioa, Miller, and the other
slashers, it will be puzzling as to how Jong Uichico would mesh his people.
1 JIMMY ALAPAG
/ TALK N TEXT
PHILCUP: (27 games / 32.4mpg)
14.3 points, 3.0 rebounds, 5.7 assists
COMCUP: (18 games / 30.9mpg)
13.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 5.5 assists
In a
team with talents overflowing, the Mighty Mouse is perceived as the center of
the Tropang Texters’ success. With the way Talk N Text’s season is going, it
seems as if Jimmy Alapag is bound to win the MVP trophy. He is the team’s most
consistent scorer and he also hands out the sanity in the Tropa. For the second
straight conference, he and Jason Castro shared Finals MVP honors. Besides
that, he just won his first Best Player of the Conference award. Alapag’s
performance will surely be in the spotlight as much as his team’s chase for the
grand slam.
I
definitely think there will be movement at the end of the season. Danny Seigle, Marc Pingris, and Kerby
Raymundo have exploded in a manner that could catapult them on top of the
list. When James Yap, Rico Maierhofer
(?), and Rafi Reavis return from injury, they could find their selves in
the list.
While
it can be argued that some players have better percentages than the players on
top of the list, one can’t help but wonder whether or not it is a wise idea to
put the star player of a cellar-dwelling squad than a stellar contributor who
was partly responsible for his team’s success.
Since
this is my list, I’m going to choose the latter over the former.
By the
way, the Best Player of the Conference
is an automatic Mythical Five
member.
So
let’s check out the top guy to emerge in the Gov’s Cup.
Game
over.
