Game Report: GlobalPort Beats Air21

I love talking about games we won, so don’t expect a game summary from me in losses, and I’m quite sure you wouldn’t want to hear about it anyway.

I was pretty excited for this game since it’s been awhile since we all saw GlobalPort in action. I was looking forward to seeing our biggest new acquisition Jay Washington and our import Markeith Cummings. Well, I wasn’t disappointed.

The team underwent some changes to its roster during the off-conference:

Holdovers:
Gary David, Sol Mercado, Willie Miller, Rudy Lingganay, AJ Mandani, Kelly Nabong, Jondan Salvador, Jaypee Belencion, Mark Yee, Bryan Faundo.

New Acquisitions:

Jay Washington, Yousef Taha, Marvin Hayes, Chad Alonzo, JR Buensuceso.

Gone:

Reed Juntilla, Alex Crisano, Rommel Aduccul, Will Antonio, Yousif Aljamal.

Of note, Rommel Aduccul has joined the coaching staff.

GlobalPort started the game with Sol Mercado, Washington, Cummings, Jaypee Belencion and surprisingly, Marvin Hayes. If you look at that starting 5, there really isn’t a true center.  Either coach Junel Baculi wants a speedy 5 with good shooting, or he’s just trying to match up with Air21, a team that doesn’t really have a potent post player themselves.

GlobalPort pretty much led throughout the whole game.  Cummings started the game with some scoring in the paint, and he seems really comfortable playing at the post.  He also made jumpshots and even connected on a 3-pointer, so he’s quite the complete package.  He finished the game with 37 points and 11 rebounds.

Hayes played some major minutes and was tasked to cover Air21 import Zach Graham for most of the game, which he did pretty well.  Graham still got his 31 points, but Hayes was all over him and really challenged his shots. Hayes also grabbed 6 rebounds and scored 6 points, making up for a solid debut. He looked like a poor man’s Calvin Abueva.

With Gary David sitting this one out, Jaypee Belencion started at shooting guard. “Junior Granada” did his best David impersonation, scoring 14 points on four 3-pointers.

But perhaps the most impressive local in this game was Jay Washington. After missing on his first couple of shots, Washington started showing his old form, connecting on midrange jumpers and grabbing rebounds. He didn’t force shots and played well on defense. Jay-Wash finished with 15 points and 9 boards.

It’s just the first game, but it was nice to get a win, especially in a really short tournament like this. David could suit up next game, which could only spell good things for GlobalPort.

Roar out.

Tonight, The Basketball Gods Were On Our Side

I normally don't post stuff not related to GlobalPort in this blog. Check that, this is the first time I'm about to, but I just can't let such a momentous victory like this pass without sharing my thoughts.

Okay, breath in, breath out. As of this writing, I'm still breathing heavily with excitement and adrenaline. In, out, in, out.


First, let's put things on perspective. Korea has been breaking our hearts since the 80s

1986 Asian Games - Korea def. Philippines 103-102 
2002 Asian Games Semifinals - Korea def. Philippinse 69-68
2009 FIBA Asia - Korea def. Philippines 82 - 80
2011 FIBA Asia (for a World Cup berth) - Korea def. Philippines 70-68

It's not just that they beat us each time, it's how they're doing it, beating us by just 1 or 2 points, buzzer-beaters and late minute comebacks.  For 27 years, Korea has been breaking our hearts. For almost 3 decades, the Koreans have been making us their bitches.

Not tonight though. Not tonight.

Not when the basketball gods are finally on our side.

Wait, what? Basketball gods? That's ridiculous, right?

I thought so too. But think about this.  After losing against Taiwan, we were on a collision course with basketball giants China. Well, the "gods" helped us sweep the second round, and lent a hand in helping Qatar beat Taiwan, securing for us the top spot and more importantly, avoiding China in the quarterfinals.

We demolished Kazakhstan after our very own Gary David, averaging 2.6 points per game in the tournament, went bonkers and dropped 22.

Next up? A date with Korea. Our most bitter of rivals. The monkeys that we just can't seem to get off our back.

I saw that infamous 2002 Asian Games semis game on TV with my dad. Racela's big 3 to give us a 2-point lead, his subsequent 2 misses from the free throw line, and the heartbreaking game-winning 3 from the Koreans.

I also saw our 2011 meltdown against the same team, squandering an 8-point fourth quarter lead, and witnessed JVee's last second heave went far right.

Time for payback, right? Not quite. Naturalized American Marcus Douthit went out early, possibly bringing down with him the hopes of an entire Filipino nation.

No problem. The basketball gods just went back to work again.

A 6'4" Pingris playing like a 7-footer, Jayson Castro letting Korean guards eat Filipino dust, Ranidel De Ocampo with his deceptively slow-mo penetrations and dish-offs.  Yep, there's little doubt whose side the basketball gods were on tonight.

I wouldn't even be the least surprised if those gods guided home Ranidel and Jimmy's triples in the final 2 minutes.

Enough of the heartbreaks, enough of all the heartaches. It's time for them gods to reward a nation that has uncomparable passion and heart for the game despite the lack in size.

Now, we finally exorcised our Korean demons, 27 years in the making.

We're on to Spain in 2014. It's not even relevant if Gabe Norwood gets dropped 40 by Carmelo Anthony, or Kyrie Irving breaking Jayson Castro's ankles, or Pau Gasol posterizing Marc Pingris.

Getting there is a victory in itself. A chance to show the basketball world that we exist. Little guys from the pacific playing with big HEARTS.

I don't even care what happens tomorrow against Iran. Whatever the outcome is, it certainly won't take away the glory of this moment.

Roar Out.

I'm Back! Now Let's Talk about J-Wash.

Yep, I'm still alive and this blog is still kicking. Talking about being alive, the addition of Jay Washington could breath new life to a team that has lost all but 2 games last conference.

I, of course, was heavily disappointed with the trade that saw promising forward Japeth Aguilar going out in exchange for Washington, center Yousef Taha and a 1st round pick in the upcoming draft. I had high hopes for Japeth, as he was one of the very few bright spots for the team last conference. Well, it's been months since the trade was consummated so I've long since moved on.

Now, J-Wash. A 6'7" stretch forward who had accomplished quite a lot already in his career but has been saddled with injuries for the past couple of seasons.  He was drafted 1st overall in 2005, a 3-time Mythical First Team member, and 2-time Best Player of the Conference.  Make no mistake, J-Wash is one heck of a player.

But, there is a big IF. As mentioned above, J-Wash have struggled with injuries for the last couple of years.  Playing with Arwind Santos, who played basically the same position as him, might have also affected his playing time and role in his previous squad.

When healthy though, Washington is one of the biggest match-up nightmares in the league. At 6'7", he is a center in PBA standards.  He can post up, put the ball on the floor, or hit the outside shot. His range extends way up to the 3-point line, where he shot 35% in the 2011-12 season.  He might have lost some of his athleticism, although he has never really relied on that attribute. What makes him a dangerous player is his array of offensive skills and multiple ways to score.

Washington is not known much for his defense, but he has always been a good rebounder, averaging about 7 rebounds for his career. He can play both forward positions, though I believe he is better suited at the power forward spot, where he'll have opportunities to post up as well as stretch the floor.

At 32, Washington is just the same age as Arwind Santos, and if he can stay healthy, he may very well still have a good 3-4 years of high level basketball left in him. Given of course, he stays away from injuries. *fingers crossed*

As much as I hate seeing Japeth go, I am excited about this addition of J-Wash.  He provides scoring, veteran savvy, and winning mentality to the team. Will he rejuvenate his game in a new setting? Or will he continue to regress?  I am strongly hoping for the former, and I can't wait to find out.

Welcome to GlobalPort, Jay Washington!

Roar Out.