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COMM CHAT: On the 2014 Philippine Cup, discipline, and officiating

Originally posted on the PBA website on February 1, 2014

With a full 31 days over for the year 2014, pba.ph sits down with PBA Commissioner Chito Salud to discuss the biggest issues for the league.

pba.ph: With the 2014 Philippine Cup semifinals well on its way, we only have four teams gutting it out for the championship. Do you think that they are the best four teams in the league this conference?

Comm. Salud: Yes. You have Barangay Ginebra and Rain or Shine which are consistently in the Top Four for the whole conference. You have Petron Blaze, which was also one of the leaders but just fell back later in the eliminations. And you have San Mig Coffee, which came out strong on the latter stages. Yes, I do believe that they are the Top Four in this conference.

pba.ph: In your opinion, is there any one of those four which owns a clear-cut advantage for the title?

Comm. Salud: At this stage of the semis, no, I cannot say who has the advantage. I think all four of them can easily be in the Finals.

pba.ph: The past month has been tainted with flagrant fouls which resulted in you meeting with some players and eventual penalties. What have you told the players who were summoned by your office?

Comm. Salud: As I’ve always emphasized to the players – you are role models. You cannot be violent oncourt. You cannot cross the line of unsportsmanlike behavior because our fans, particularly the kids, are looking up to you. That is not correct basketball. We allow tough defense. We allow physicality, but only to a certain extent. You cannot cross the boundaries of flagrant fouls and unsportsmanlike behavior, and they admit that they did cross that line.

pba.ph: How did these players respond to your meetings?

Comm. Salud: Each of those players would respond differently. They will play their best. Some take time to get back to form, but in the whole, they do realize that they have that role of being models to the youth, and they have the responsibility to always play in their best.

pba.ph: There are also some issues regarding the officiating in some games. What are you doing to implement the fairness of the games when it comes to the technical side of things, especially with the referees?

Comm. Salud: Our referees are trained and oriented to be competent, consistent, and fair. Most importantly, they are trained to implement the announced guidelines of this league with respect to the kind of play that we allow. Anytime that they do not observe the parameters of the officiating that we have imposed and announced, they get sanctions. And I am going to say this clearly– their sanctions are heavier than the sanctions that I mete out to the players.

pba.ph: For the record, what are those sanctions that you talk about?

Comm. Salud: Fines and suspensions. And in other cases, they’re out for the rest of the conference.

pba.ph: June Mar Fajardo, Japeth Aguilar, and Greg Slaughter are in the Top Five of the Best Player of the Conference race. With the young guys being at the forefront of the league in terms of leading their respective teams to victory, can we say that we are now witnessing a “changing of the guard”?

Comm. Salud: The new players – the rookies, the sophomores, and even the juniors – they’re the lifeblood of the league. The future of the league. And it’s evident right now that they’re leading the league in terms of statistics, in terms of fan base, and in terms of popularity. So I think they are in a good spot right now having these young players. Big men leading the way in terms of performing, and in terms of attracting the fans for the league.

Changing of the guard is a long process. You still have James Yap out there. You still have Mark Caguioa out there. You still have Jimmy Alapag, Jayson Castro, and Ranidel de Ocampo out there. That will be a long process before we can finally say that these young turks have finally taken over for the league.

The new players challenge our veterans and compel them to elevate their games. What you see here is not just the coming of a new breed of players, but also veterans who are elevating their play to be able to stay on top of the game.

pba.ph: In our past interview, you said that the PBA is committed to helping the national team in any way possible, that it is a commitment that the league has willingly undertaken. And on Thursday, the PBA Board of Governors and the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) had a meeting regarding the team’s preparation for the FIBA World Cup this August and the Asian Games in September. Can you talk about the resolutions that you had during that meeting?

Comm. Salud: To amplify my initial statement that the league is fully supportive of our national team, here are the resolutions reached during the board meeting of the PBA Board of Governors on Thursday.

1. Let’s shorten the season from August 13, 2014, ending to as early as July 15, 2014. What does that mean? An additional one month of training for the Gilas team to be ready for the August 30 World Cup and the September 19 Asian Games.

2. Monday practices for the Gilas team players will start immediately after the Philippine Cup Finals and will continue until the Gilas team finally leaves for Spain.

3. Since the Asian Games will extend beyond October, the Board also agreed to delay the opening of the 2015 Season of the PBA from its original October 5 schedule to October 19.

4. Additional players that coach Chot Reyes may have in mind to strengthen the current lineup that he has in the Gilas team can be requested. Coach Chot said that he will consult his coaching staff with regards to choosing the players that he might need both for the World Cup and the Asian Games. And the team owners and the team governors said yes.

On the GlobalPort coaching conundrum and UST

I think by the time I get to post this, you've already heard of the rumors saying that UST head coach Pido Jarencio will soon be named as the new head coach of the GlobalPort Batang Pier.
Well, this is the transcription of our interview (which could potentially be the last as a PBA head coach, for now) with the still-GlobalPort head coach Ritchie Ticzon (The question is, until when?) after they bowed out in the quarterfinals last Wednesday to Rain or Shine.

On his plans for the future of GlobalPort

Hindi ko alam. I really don't know. I'm not even sure if I'll be the head coach (next conference). Interim ako eh, so I can't answer about the future, promise.

Did the Batang Pier reach its goal for the Philippine Cup?

Palagay ko, hindi eh. Our goal was to enter the quarters na number 5 or 6 sana. Kaso lang 7 eh, so kulang.

Take note that we have five rookies [Terrence Romeo, RR Garcia, Justin Chua, Nico Salva, and LA Revilla] that were playing and four sophomores [Kelly Nabong, Marvin Hayes, Jewel Ponferrada, and Jaypee Belencion]. Yun ang composition ng team and I really think na it played a big role that we are young, but its never an excuse. Hopefully in the future, magco-compete tayo ng better.

What's your assessment of your team in the conference?

Its all about consistency. We were able to compete with a lot of teams. We were able to beat tough teams. Yung mga talo naman natin, it was close. Di naman masyadong tambakan lahat, so I really feel that we are competing. Kaya lang, yung consistency part. We were not able to compete for 48 minutes. That, we have to address.

On his personal assessment as a PBA coach

I really am a far cry to all of the coaches in the PBA, period. Malayo pa ko. Malayo, as in malayong malayo. I still have a lot to learn.

*****

What bugged me most is this exchange that we had at the end of the interview.

Question: What about your team in the next conference, coach?
Ritchie Ticzon: I haven't thought about that yet.
Q: May meetings na po ba kayong slated with Sir Mikee?
RT: Wala pa.
Q: Practices?
RT: Wala pa. Text-text na lang daw pag may time. [laughs]

Even Ticzon knows that his return to the bench for GlobalPort is bleak.

*****

As an ardent San Miguel/Petron fan before I got to this writing job with the PBA (I'm toning down my fan-boying moments, except if I'm face-to-face with coach Olsen Racela. Sorry. Idol eh.), I always enjoyed the image of the coaching staff sitting there side-by-side, as the Beermen's/Boosters' coaching staff always outnumbered the competition. Like one team would only have four assistant coaches, while Petron would have (pre-head coach) Gee Abanilla, Biboy Ravanes, Freddie Abuda (then-consultant) Ato Agustin, Pido Jarencio, Bobby Parks, (pre-head coach) Olsen Racela, and Hector Calma sitting there like they can enter the game as a fourth platoon when the first three won't work for the team.

When coach Olsen took the head coaching duties for Petron, Jarencio was a more evident assistant, whispering notes to Racela whenever he needs it.

As time went by, I saw coach Pido's role to the coaching staff of Petron diminish as his seat went further to the back.

Intrigued by this development, I asked one of the UST assistant coaches if coach Pido is still an assistant to the team, and he said, "Oo naman! Nagpaalam lang si coach na magpopokus muna sya sa UST hanggang sa matapos yung UAAP, tapos babalik din sya dun. Parang kay coach Boycie (Zamar with UE) at Juno (Sauler with La Salle)."

The UAAP season ended and there were no Pidos in the Petron bench.

Rumor has it that coach Pido got the ire of some official, but the reason is as blurry as a Jayson Castro drive. Even those I asked who follow the PBA religiously doesn't have any explanations with the Pido situation in SMC.

*****

A day before the UAAP semifinal game between UST and NU in the past season, I visited the Tigers' practice and wanted to talk to coach Pido. I was there not to get any scoops or quotes or insights. I just wanted to ask coach Pido about something I read on Twitter.

You see, just a day before the Tigers faced the Bulldogs in the Final Four, with UST's back against the wall as at that time, NU still had that twice-to-beat edge, I read a tweet from a writer which completely stated that this would be the last season for Jarencio in Espana.

After leading UST to a shocking championship run in 2006 in his rookie coaching season, Jarencio's name is always there in the rumor mill as the coach who is most likely to get fired at the end of the season, something which the very outspoken bench tactician has accustomed himself to over the years.

Despite all of this and after eight years on the job, coach Pido has stayed in his seat and is the longest tenured coach out of the eight head coaches in the 76th season of the UAAP.

But its the timing that has really bugged me. We are in the middle of the Final Four and this rumor comes out? (Maybe I'm the only one who saw the tweet since the news didn't really broke out that big during that time.)

Jarencio's name was floated one too many times before, often being groomed as a potential coach for this team and that team. The ones which I can remember were Barako Bull and Ginebra.

So right at that moment, at the end of the Tigers' practice and moments before coach Pido got himself in pictures with adoring Thomasians, I asked him that.

Question: Coach, nabasa ko last season niyo na daw po ito sa UST? :(

Pido Jarencio: San mo na naman nabasa yan?! Lagi namang may ganyan eh. Pero ako, pokus lang tayo sa susunod na laro. Sa akin naman, hangga't masaya pa ang kaparian sa ginagawa ko sa UST, masaya ako. Kung gusto pa nila ako dito, pasalamat tayo. Kung ayaw na nila, masaya pa rin tayo, kasi kahit paano napagsilbihan natin ang UST, di ba? [smiles]

Then, he proceeded to the swarms of students.

*****

Eto ang akin.

Kung totoo man, masaya ako para kay coach Pido. Kahit madalas nyang sinasabing "tsamba" lang yung mga panalo ng UST, na minsan nagagamit din against sa kanya kesho nananalo lang sila dahil magaling yung players, kailangan din nating bigyan ng credit si coach.

Medyo magiging kakaiba nga lang pag dumating yung time na wala na yung makulit na coach sa press conference na minsan magbibitaw ng medyo racist o homophobic comments, as well as yung matabang coach (Not my term, coach. Sinabi lang sa kin ng kaibigan ko. Promise!) na pinupuntahan ng mga estudyante sa QPav para magpa-picture.

Sabi nga ng mga mas eksperto, its about time na mabigyan ng break si coach Pido.

Di ba intriguing yon, si Pido at ang BroNation sa PBA?

Well, kung matuloy man to, di na natin kailangang isipin, kasi malay nyo, malapit na ring magkatotoo.

Sinabi na rin naman ni coach Pido na malaki ang tiwala nya sa maiiwan nya sa UST, lalo na kay coach Estong Ballesteros.

Kung nagtiwala kayo sa walong taon na nagbunga ng isang kampeonato, dalawang silver-medal finish (Oo, kasama sa computation ng general championship yung runner-up finish.), at anim na Final Four appearance, siguro panahon na rin para makita natin yung kakayahan ng iba sa UST, the same way na masusubukan si coach Pido sa PBA, ngayon bilang coach.

Malay nyo, mag-Finals ang GlobalPort sa Commissioner's Cup.

Puso. Pride. Palaban. Pi-Bro? (c) My good buddy Max Serafica

Student vs Teacher | With Fajardo back to form, Petron ends elims in a blaze

Originally posted on the PBA website on January 18, 2014

Whether it might be the sight of its former cornerstone in the opposing jersey, or just re-energized by their sophomore big man’s return to form, Petron Blaze overwhelmed Meralco, 96-87, in the 2014 PLDT myDSL-PBA Philippine Cup Saturday at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum, earning its 10th win and giving itself a shot for a possible playoff for the second twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals.

“It’s a big win for us against Meralco. It’s a good way to bounce back after a loss, and coming into the quarterfinals, we want to have to some sort of momentum, some sort of positive attitude,” said Petron Blaze head coach Gee Abanilla.

“We still have a shot for No. 2, but it’s a slim chance for a knockout game. Most probably, we’re just gonna be waiting for whoever’s going to be paired against us. We’re going to be prepared for what’s going to be a gruelling week for us next week.”

June Mar Fajardo had his first start in this game since spraining his MCL and had his best outing since returning from injury, as he had his 10th double-double with 19 points and 15 rebounds.

“Nakukuha na nya yung groove nya. Tingin namin unti-unti na siyang nagiging healthy. Sumasabay na rin yun chemistry, kasi nakakasama na rin sya sa practice. He’s ok compared than before,” Abanilla said of their top big man.

With 5:12 remaining in the first half, former Booster Danny Ildefonso entered the game and was cheered on by the enthusiastic Big Dome crowd. It was only a few seconds until he and his Cebuano student battled down low.

The two continued its battle in the paint in the second half, as Ildefonso scored on Fajardo numerous times. But it was a different case in the second half as Fajardo got a measure of retribution, using the spin move lay-up in the pain, scoring against his mentor.

“Siya nagturo sa akin nun eh,” Fajardo said. “Alam ko na gagawin niya yung mga moves pero naka-counter nya kasi dinadaan nya sa experience. Yung mga tinuro nya sa akin, yun din yung ginagawa ko.

“Privilege ko lang din na makakaro sya,” he added.

For his part, Ildefonso said that he is happy with the performance he had against his student in the game.

“Mahirap kalaban si June Mar pero masaya ako na maganda yung nilalaro nya,” he said. “Nahirapan lang ako kasi ang bigat eh. Marami na kong nabantayang malaking import at malaking Pilipino, pero si June Mar ang pinakamabigat, at may skills pa.”

Chris Ross, a former Meralco player, had 17 of his 18 points in the second half, which saw the Boosters jump ahead to a lead as big as 19, 89-70 in the 5:45 mark of the fourth, while Arwind Santos had 17 markers and five boards.

The big lead enabled Abanilla to rest Fajardo for the whole fourth quarter.

“We’re just happy that we stayed the course. We got guys coming in healthy. We were able to rest June Mar in the final minutes, and we had a lot of guys stepping up. We need support from all of the guys and the good thing in this game is that they delivered,” he said.

Alex Cabagnot had 14 points, five rebounds, and six assists, while Chris Lutz added 12.

“Ang sinabi lang namin, this is a very important game for us. Dapat maganda yung mindset namin, dapat may kumpyansa. At nag-deliver naman si June Mar. We had a conscious effort of giving him some touches. It’s a collective effort din from the rest of the guys,” Abanilla said.

Gary David top-scored for the Bolts with 18, while Ildefonso had a memorable first game against his former squad, finishing with a season-high 17 points, eight rebounds, five assists, and five blocks.

“Dapat yung teacher di magpatalo sa student,” Ildefonso said.

Jared Dillinger had 16 points, while John Wilson and Cliff Hodge combined for 26.

The loss placed Meralco on 5-9 slate, waiting for the result of the Barako Bull-Alaska game on Sunday to see what its fortune will be in the quarterfinals.

Marcio Lassiter missed the game for Petron, as the sharpshooter attended his grandmother’s funeral in the States.

The Scores:

PETRON BLAZE 96 – Fajardo 19, Ross 18, Santos 17, Cabagnot 14, Lutz 12, Kramer 6, Duncil 4, Tubid 2, Taha 2, Lanete 2.

MERALCO 87 – David 18, Ildefonso 17, Dillinger 16, Wilson 13, Hodge 13, Allado 5, Hugnatan 3, Artadi 2, Timberlake 0, Salvacion 0, Al-Hussaini 0.

Quarters: 15-15, 44-33, 70-56, 96-87.

*****

POSTSCRIPT: The following are quotes taken from separate interviews between June Mar Fajardo and Danny Ildefonso after the game. There were no post-game interactions between the two as June Mar immediately left the venue (seemingly teary-eyed), while Danny I was one of the lasts to go out of the Meralco dugout.

Danny I on his first court interaction with June Mar as opponents

Nagso-sorry eh. Sabi nya, [mimicking June Mar's big voice] "Idol, sorry!" Sabi ko, "mag-focus ka nga!" Sabi ko mag-focus siya, tsaka wag nya kong pagbibigyan. Sabi nya, [again mimicking June Mar's voice] "nakalusot ka nga eh." Sabi ko, mag-pokus ka lang sa game. Nakakahiya sa coaching staff niyo.

June Mar on Danny I's patented spin-move lay-up

Akala ko didiretso siya eh, pero moves niya yun. Siya ang nagturo sa akin nun eh. May isa nga ako nung first half, nag-spin ako pero na-anticipate niya. Alam niya yung move eh.

Danny I on his student doing his vintage moves

Naisahan nga ako sa baseline eh. Tinuro ko sa kanya (yung baseline spin), tapos nawala sa isip ko. Before the game, tinuturo ko pa sa mga big man dito. Tapos sa akin pa nangyari! Nainis lang ako na naisahan niya ako, pero masaya ako na maganda yung nilalaro nya at nakabalik na siya.

Danny I on June Mar's bid for the Best Player of the Conference

Makakahabol pa sya sa BPC. Kung ano naman ang success niya, masaya ako. Tsaka worth it sa kanya yun. Pinaghirapan niyang makarating dun kasi masipag yung bata.

June Mar on Danny I's future in the PBA

Kaya pa niya. Yung experience niya, andun eh. Sana makalaro pa siya ng ilang years pa.

Danny I on his first game against June Mar and Petron

Wala akong ano sa kanila. Sa akin, makapaglaro lang. Kahit paano eh answered player na (sa akin na) sana maganda rin yung laruin ko. Salamat kay God na kahit papaano, nakasabay sa estudyante ko. Part na dun yun kasi dapat yung teacher, di magpatalo. Pasalamat din na nangyari yun.

Pag may chance ulit, ayoko nang bantayan! Ang bigat eh! [laughs] Napapagod ako ng sobra. Sobrang bigat ni June Mar.

Quinahan completes boyhood dream with improbable shot

Edited version posted on the PBA website on January 15, 2014

Sometimes, its funny how the basketball gods write things. And sometimes, the biggest shots come to those who least expect it.

Meralco's Gary David tied the game at 86 with a three-pointer with 8.6 ticks left to play. Rain or Shine's Paul Lee, knowing they could still win the game, tried his best and released a three-pointer. But the shot missed and as the ball made its way down the floor, it bounced off of John Wilson's leg and went out of bounds.

The clock read 0.7 seconds, and coach Yeng Guiao, relieved to have been given a second chance to steal the game, called a timeout.

"I just felt that one great shot deserves another," he said.

The no non-sense coach drew up a play which primarily saw Jeff Chan or Beau Belga as the first option. He also wanted JR Quinahan to set a pick for Paul Lee, who will cut straight to the basket to get the ball.

Then, the buzzer sounded.

Gabe Norwood, the designated inbounder for the final play, only had one thing in his mind.

"I have to give it to who is open," he said. "That's my idea. Just get the ball inbounded and give us a chance to win the game."

With coach Ryan Gregorio's stingy defense written all over the play, shooters Chan and Belga had a hard time getting free from their defenders. On the left side of the court, Quinahan set the screen and got Lee freed for the cut.

"Ang ineexpect namin kung hindi, alley-oop, ibibigay nila sa labas. Kasi 0.7 seconds, wala ka nang magagawa dun eh," David said.

The defense switched which placed El Granada on to Quinahan. This was exactly what coach Yeng had in his mind.

"Sabi ni coach Yeng sa akin, pagkabigay ko ng back pick, sure na mag-switch yung depensa, so guard yung mapupunta sa akin," Quinahan recalled. "Sabi ni coach, 'Maliit yung bantay mo. Pwede kang tumanggap ng bola'."

But Guiao left one thing clear on his instruction to the five inside the floor, "Tira nyo lang."

That words rung in Quinahan's head all throughout the play.

Growing up in Cebu and honing his basketball skills, Quinahan always dreamt of big moments like this.

"Matagal ko na ring dream na magawa ko (yung game winner) sa isang game," he said. "Syempre, player ka, at part na sa pangarap mong magawa yun. Mahirap yun eh."

And now, with the clock less than a second long, Norwood saw his 6-foot-6 backpedaling to the back of the arc and passed the ball to him.

"They took away Jeff, and they took away Paul. JR got to an open spot so I just put it somewhere where he could shoot it," Norwood said. "When I passed that ball, I knew my job is done."

With the play materializing in front of the Elasto Painters' bench, Ryan Arana stood up and saw the ball went to Quinahan. He himself is readying for another impending extra five minutes of basketball.

"Handa akong mag-overtime. Wala kaming play except sa kung sino man ang makakatanggap ng bola, tira lang," Arana said.

Quinahan said, "Wala na kong choice kasi kung di man ma-shoot yun, mago-overtime din eh."

As he got the ball from Norwood, Quinahan rose up for a shot while David tried his best to at least get a touch of the leather. The former Green Lancer had his body fading away from David right in front of coach Yeng Guiao, and at the top of his jump, released the ball to the heavens.

"Sabi ko bahala na. Basta sa isip ko ititira ko to," he said.

As he landed back to earth, Quinahan saw his whole game fade right through his eyes.

"Buong game, pangit yung stats ko. Two points pa lang," he said.

As the ball got to the top of its arc, Norwood stood right under the basket and saw where the ball would land.

"Midway through the shot, I had a good idea that it was going in," he said.

As the buzzer sounded, the ball did sail through the net, sending the estatic Big Dome crowd up to its feet.

"Swerte lang kasi sa lahat ng tinira ko, yun pa yung pumasok," Quinahan said.

Arana could no longer contain himself when the shot went in.

"Di ko rin in-expect na mashu-shoot. Sobrang nagulat ako sa tira ni JR kasi unang una, alam naming ang bagal ng release niya," he said. "Kaya nung nashoot, wala na kong ibang naisip kundi tumakbo sa kanya at i-congrats siya. Niyakap namin at pinagbabatukan."

"Ganun sa amin eh. Parang magkakapatid. Kung may nagawa yung isa na maganda, yayakapin mo at ico-congrats mo," Arana said.

Norwood ran as fast as he can to the dugout, but halfway through, he looked back and wondered why his teammates are not following him.

"JR made it happen. I felt that the shot was good, so I tried to get out of the court," he said.

On his way back, he was telling the idle Petron players that the shot was good, and he knew there was no more reason to review the play.

But Quinahan knew the proceedings.

"Tinignan ko pa tapos nung nakita kong pumasok, nagulat ako. Di pa rin ako nag-celebrate kasi may review pa. Kaya late yung reaction ko eh. Baka di umabot sa oras," he said.

David walked back to his coaches as the officials reviewed the play, but in the back of his mind, he knew the worst is about to happen.

"Big shot na lang yun eh," he said. "Pero nag-relax din kami, Nag-relax din ako kaya medyo masakit yung pagkatalong ganun."

And the referees made it official. Quinahan's three-point bomb was good. Rain or Shine wins the ballgame, 89-86.

"That's a great shot taken by Gary earlier, and even a bigger shot taken by JR because its the winning shot," Guiao said. "Kumbaga, one tsamba deserves another."

But for Quinahan, its not just luck. His boyhood dream has just been realized.

"First time ko yun," Quinahan said.

As the dust settled, Guiao turned serious after the game.

"The first time we played (Meralco), it also boiled down to the end game. We're lucky that we're riding a streak of good luck," he said. "We're just taking this momentum all the way where its going to take us."

"We're on a six-game winning streak. Somehow, there's some pressure knowing you're in a streak. But we just have to put it in the back of our heads and salvage second place for the twice-to-beat advantage," Guiao said.

Norwood added, "We're excited to get the win. We know we're in a situation where we can get to second place, and that's our focus. Its a great win, but at the end of of the day, we're just focused to get the win."

But for the night, let's just give it to JR. He deserves the credit, much as he deserves an extra rice for his efforts.