Barako Bull on an Energized Start for PBA 2012-13 Commissioner's Cup

Image: PBA on AKTV Official Facebook Fan Page

The PBA 2012-13 Commissioner's Cup has kicked off last Friday, February 8, 2013, and in a span of three game days, fans were treated to a lot of surprises. The commissioner recently indicated that the new multi-player trades that transpired before the onset of the new conference signaled a more competitive league with most teams now having an equal fighting chance at the crown.

Barako Bull Energy Cola is one of those teams that had surprised fans, to the delight of the loyal Barako Brigade. Even before the conference started, the new acquisitions and a new head coaching staff had provided Seigle with a positive outlook about his team. The PBA veteran believes that the team is a serious contender at the Commissioner's Cup. According to the 9-time All Star, "We have a very good system now. It's very active and I always get good looks (at the basket)."

Seigle also notes that the addition of coach Rajko Toroman as part of the team's coaching staff gave a major boost to the team. "It's great that we have him now in the team. We got to learn a lot of things, new ideas and better approach," says Seigle.

If it were any proof of that, Barako Bull currently leads the league in standings with a 2-0 start to the Commisssioner's Cup. As of February 12, 2013, they are at the top of the pack. Meanwhile, Alaska, Air21 and Meralco are tied for number two with a 1-0 standing. GlobalPort Batang Pier is third at 1-1 after Barako Bull defeated them 98-88 at overtime last Sunday, February 10, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Mark Macapagal hit the crucial three point shot from the corner that sent the game into overtime, wherein GlobalPort scored only 2 points to Barako Bull's 12.

For a complete list of the game results since the opening day, check them below:

February 8, Friday

Global Port def. Petron Blaze - 94-92
Barako Bull def. San Mig Coffee Mixers - 79-75

February 9, Saturday

Alaska Aces def. Rain or Shine - 83-81
Meralco Bolts def. Talk N Text - 99-92

February 10, Sunday

Barako Bull def. GlobalPort - 98-88 (OT)
Air21 def. Brgy. Ginebra - 74-70

To see the rest of the schedule for February, you can check it here.

PBA 2012-13 Commissioner's Cup Opens February 8

image: PBA Facebook official

The stage is set for a new round of battle as the PBA 2012-13 Commissioner's Cup will kick off on Friday, February 8, 2013. It should be an explosive one as we get to witness a slew of new imports helping out their respective teams in their bid to win the Commissioner's Cup trophy. There were also a number of multi-team and multi-player trades involved during the off-season, which should give a lot of fans something to look forward to as a lot of teams nearly had complete revamping to prepare for the new conference.

With several propositions made, the most talked about trade took place last week after Comm. Chito Salud has approved it. This particular deal involves a straight-up deal between Talk 'N Text wherein they released Japeth Aguilar (who has expressed his desire to be traded via his agent) in exchange for Rabeh Al-Hussaini, formerly of GlobalPort Batang Pier. Hussaini, therefore, reunites with his former coach during his stint with the Ateneo Blue Eagles in the UAAP as he becomes the newest member of the Talk N Text team.

According to reports from the TNT management, Japeth Aguilar requested for a trade since he felt he wasn't getting enough playing time with the team. In fact, this fueled Aguilar's decision to try out for the NBA D-League wherein he has spent most of his time in over the past few months. But since Talk N Text holds his rights in the PBA, negotiation deals came at TNT's desk in an offer to have Aguilar on their team. Air 21 previously made a deal but the former did not find the offer appealing enough. 

Aside from Talk N' Text, GlobalPort also finalized a deal with the Meralco Bolts that allowed them to bring in the services of point guard Sol Mercado. In doing so, Globalport released a few players in the name of Vic Manuel, Josh Vanlandingham, and Rey Guevarra. In addition to acquiring Mercado in their lineup, GlobalPort also added Kelly Nabong and Jaypee Belencion into the roster as part of this deal.

This trade deal created a lot of buzz within the PBA fanatics community because this is the first time that a player who leads the league in terms of scoring and assists is traded to another team. During the 2012-13 Philippine Cup stint for Meralco Bolts, Mercado averaged 19.1 points and 6.7 assists per game.

However, Comm. Salud approved of this deal citing that they "are healthy for the players and teams involved, not to mention the league, as competitive balance among the member teams is decidedly enhanced."

Meanwhile, you can check out below for a preliminary schedule of games in February for the upcoming 2012-13 PBA Commissioner's Cup:

February 8, Friday, Smart Araneta Coliseum

Global Port vs Petron Blaze Boosters - 5:15 PM 
San Mig Coffee Mixers vs Barako Bull Energy - 7:30 PM
 
February 9, Saturday, Smart Araneta Coliseum

Alaska Aces vs Rain or Shine - 5:45 PM
Talk N Text vs Meralco Bolts - 8:00 PM

February 10, Sunday, Smart Araneta Coliseum

Barako Bull vs GlobalPort - 4:15 PM
Brgy. Ginebra vs Air21 Express - 6:30PM

February 13, Wednesday, Smart Araneta Coliseum

Meralco Bolts vs Alaska Aces - 5:15PM
Petron Blaze Boosters vs San Mig Coffee Mixers - 7:30PM

February 15, Friday, Smart Araneta Coliseum

Air21 Express vs Talk N Text - 5:15PM
Global Port vs Brgy. Ginebra - 7:30PM

February 16, Saturday, Puerto Princesa Palawan

Rain or Shine vs Meralco Bolts - 6:30PM

February 17, Sunday, Smart Araneta Coliseum

Alaska Aces vs Barako Bull - 4:15 PM
Brgy Ginebra vs Petron Blaze Boosters - 6:30PM

February 20, Wednesday, Smart Araneta Coliseum

Talk N Text vs Global Port - 5:15PM
Petron Blaze vs Meralco Bolts - 7:30PM

February 22, Friday, Mall of Asia Arena

Barako Bull vs Air21 Express - 5:15PM
San Mig Coffee Mixers vs Rain or Shine - 7:30PM

February 23, Saturday, Tubod Lanao del Norte

Brgy. Ginebra vs Alaska Aces - 6:30PM

February 24, Sunday, Smart Araneta Coliseum

Meralco Bolts vs GlobalPort - 4:15PM
Talk N Text vs San Mig Coffee Mixers - 6:30PM

February 27, Wednesday, Smart Araneta Coliseum

Air21 Express vs Rain or Shine - 5:15PM
Barako Bull vs Brgy. Ginebra - 7:30PM

Be sure to check back in for more updates on schedules and news on the ongoing PBA 2012-13 Commissioner's Cup.

Winners and Losers of the Tenorio Trade

I call the latest PBA blockbuster trade a Tenorio's trade for one obvious reason – Tenorio is the biggest name from that 4-team deal. Fresh from his heroics and MVPship in William Jones Cup 2012, the Alaska’s star player’s trade value went crazy high. And the blockbuster trade deal is its obvious proof. 

Let’s see who got the deal right and who made a bad move in this deal:

Winners:

Alaska Aces

ALASKA ACES

I’ve been crying in Alaska’s Facebook fan page not to trade Tenorio, because I think, he and the rookie Calvin “The Beast” Abueva will give Alaska the best chance for a playoff contention next season. But Mr. Uytengsu knows more than that, as he did not waste any time luring teams in the trading block. As a result, they’ve got two solid players, JV Casio who will likely get the starting PG spot, and Dondon Hontiveros, a test-and-proven veteran. That’s youth and experience right there, which will easily rejuvenate Alaska’s backcourt. 

BRGY. GINEBRA SAN MIGUEL 

Bryg. Ginebra San Miguel

What more can I say, they got LA. A natural PG, a killer in the clutch, Tenorio can go to any point inside the court anytime he wants without killing his dribble, and he showed that in Jones Cup finals where he scored both inside and outside the perimeter. With that, he will fit perfectly in Ginebra’s system. As I’ve said earlier, he’s the biggest name on this deal. Not to mention Ginebra has got new blood that will only excite the fans for a more dynamic and high-flying run-and-gun game of their 2012 draft 6th pick Chris Ellis. 

PETRON BlAZE BOOSTERS

Petron Blaza Boosters

Well, they may not get the boost on their roster from acquiring Wesley Gonzales and Hans Thiele, and I don’t think they expect on it either. Petron simply just wants to unload Hontiveros to ease their team’s rotation problems. I don’t also think they’ll use these two new players on the court. 

The SF position, which Gonzales plays, is already jam-packed by a solid rookie Mallari, sophomore with vast experience Lassiter, and Santos, who's arguably the best blocker in the position. Also, the Center position is occupied by their number-one  pick in the recent draft – June Mar Fajardo, which is expected to be dominant, a trusted veteran Ildefonso (PF/C), Pena, and Sison. I expect Gonzales and Thiele to be headed down to the ABL. Well, maybe, just maybe, if Lassiter, Lutz, and Pena stay on the injury list for long, they have a slight chance to play, in garbage time.

Losers

GLOBAL PORT

Global Port Batang Poer

Well, it may seem like they got the deal right by getting a 2-Time MVP Willie Miller. However, my point is, they just traded their number 1 pick for an ageing guy. Don’t get me wrong, I love Miller way back from his afro-days in Red Bull. I can still remember how he beat Asi in a one-on-one game (yes, PBA has a one-on-one game before). However, I don’t think Miller is taking care of his body well. 

Yes he can hit a dagger trey anytime he wants and post-up smaller PGs with the likes of Castro and Alapag from TNT. But on a regular basis, he can’t chase and defend younger guards anymore. Miller has to share minutes with the team's leading scorer - Gary David. Also, Global Port’s style is run-and-gun play, and I don’t think Miller likes to run.

Barako Bull Energy

BARAKO BULL

I can’t see clearly where this “rebuilding process” is going. Well, they got rid of Miller, but they could’ve done better than just acquiring Enrico Villanueva. The Barako Bull needs to rebuild, that’s why they brought a lot of jackets in the recent draft for the rookies. But they have 21 names on their roster now, so I expect more movements from this team, if not before the start of the season, maybe during the season.