Snippets: Miller's Struggles, Yee the Enforcer, Ageless David.

Miller Time still looking to regain his timing.

Of GlobalPort's touted MMDA (Mercado-Miller-David-Aguilar) connection, one guy is yet to find his game yet so far in the first 3 games; 2-time MVP Willie Miller.

Last conference, Willie had a resurgence in his game after an injury sidelined main man Gary David for several games. Although the team wasn't winning, Willie was putting up great numbers: 16.7 points (6th in league), 6.2 assists (2nd, behind Sol), and shooting 38.8% from threes (6th).

This conference though, Miller has been on somewhat of a funk, averaging only 4.67 points, 3.67 rebounds, 2 assists and a concerning 3 turnovers; playing 26.67 minutes per game.

20 Questions with AJ Mandani

"The way I motivate my self is by dedicating everyday to my family. Without them I would not be who I am today, so everyday when I wake up I think of them and ways on how can i make myself better, because I want to make them proud."

photo courtesy of the PBA

It didn't take long for GlobalPort fans to be impressed with rookie AJ Mandani. The moment he stepped on the court for the first time as a Batang Pier, he immediately showed some neat ballhandling, connecting on tough lay-ups and made a couple of jumpers. He finished the game with 13 points, and even though GlobalPort fell to Ginebra that night, people were introduced to the exciting brand of basketball that AJ can offer.

AJ was generous enough to grant us a Q&A, where he talks about his personal outlooks, home, and basketball.

Aguilar Stellar in Debut

Expectations were high for the PBA's so-called 'prodigal son.' Japeth earlier demanded a trade from his mother team, the Talk N' Text Tropang Texters, a move that left a bad impression to some. People felt that it's quite immature, for someone who hasn't proven himself much yet, to be asking demands. Well, Japeth eventually got what he asked for, and on his first game as a member of the GlobalPort Batang Pier, all eyes were on him.

We knew what to expect from Japeth's game. Blocking and rebounding. Last night though, he showed much more, proving that his recent ambitious plight to get to the NBA wasn't so much of a failure after all.

Finishing with 16 points, 9 rebounds, 4 blocks, 2 steals and only a single foul in 37 minutes, Japeth surely made a statement in his first game. And while it's quite too early to call him the real deal already, it's not premature to recognize his improvements and potential.

Global Port: Reloaded

What can I say? The higher-ups in Global Port pulled off all the right moves in the offseason. I have always been critical of this new management especially after they traded away 2 future cornerstones in JVee Casio and Sean Anthony. The team's first conference was disastrous, managing only a single win in 14 games and the team looked headed back to being laughingstocks again.

Mandani, Mercado and Miller comprises Global Port's
 new triple "M" guard combo. Be very afraid.

Two colossal deals however totally changed the whole picture. The team acquired Sol Mercado, one of the most dynamic guards in the league, and swapped underachieving Rabeh Al-Hussaini for the talented, albeit controversial, forward Japeth Aguilar. The team also nabbed Kelly Nabong and JP Belencion while letting go of Rey Guevarra, Josh Vanlandingham and rookie Vic Manuel. All 3 have had their moments with the team, especially the impressive rookie Manuel, but it was a undoubtedly a very good deal for Global Port.