Remembering The Arsenal

The Coca-Cola Tigers entered the league in 2002, immediately winning a title in its maiden year, then followed it up with 3 more consecutive finals appearances the next year, culminating in a second title in December 2003.

It was dynasty in the making, too bad it was short-lived.

Chot Reyes was tasked to coach the national team and was never able to return to the team.  Rudy Hatfield, the team's best player at that time, got caught up in nationality issues.  He too, never came back to Coke.

But perhaps what formally culminated that "golden era" was when Jeffrey Cariaso got traded.  Along with Reynel Hugnatan and draft picks, he was sent to Alaska in exchange for center Ali Peek and guard John Arigo.  Since then, the Tigers never entered the semis again until recently.

For the next seven years, the Tigers bounced around the cellar.  From contenders to laughingstocks.  For seven years, everything looked bleak.

Powerade Import: Rashad McCants

I remembered when this guy played in the NBA.  I even used to play him on my old NBA Live titles.  I also recalled him winning an NCAA championship for North Carolina playing with future NBAers Raymond Felton, Sean May, and former Ginebra import David Noel.

Anyways, let's all welcome our import for the 2012 PBA Governor's Cup, Rashad McCants.

 
Rashad McCants

Height:  6'4"
Weight: 200 lbs
Birthday: 09/24/1984 (27 year old)
High School: New Hampton Prep
Hometown: Asheville, North Carolina
Drafted:  Rnd 1, Pick 14 in 2005 by Timberwolves

Overview: (taken from DraftExpress.com)
A talented shooting guard who is still trying to fulfill his potential after missing his second year as a pro with a knee injury. Is almost completely back to where he was physically. Not the biggest player around, but makes up for that with very nice athleticism and an extremely high skill level on the perimeter. Stronger than most guards, and has a tremendous 6-11 wingspan. Has a terrific stroke and is an extremely naturally talented scorer, but is a bit too one-dimensional considering the tools he has at his disposal. Looks too much for his own shot, very turnover prone, doesn’t get to the free throw line enough, and doesn’t contribute much beyond the scoring column. Had a tremendous three year career at UNC. Was a dominant offensive player in the ACC from day one. Was a key component of the Tar Heel squad that won the National Championship in 2005. Had a decent rookie season. Rebounded extremely well from his injury plagued sophomore campaign. Has somewhat of a reputation for being a malcontent, and has had problems with his coaches throughout his career. Body language, attitude can look questionable at times. Will field quite a bit of interest when his rookie deal expires at the end of the 2009 season. With some slight adjustments to his mentality and technique and better teammates around him, could really blossom and emerge as a terrific prospect at the 2-guard position. 
 

The Rabid Tiger

After months of speculation and back and forth proposals, the big trade that sent wingman Marcio Lassiter to Petron in exchange for center Rabeh Al-Hussuani, Lordy Tugade and Rey Guevarra was finally consummated.   This move caused an uproar among the Powerade Tigers fanbase as fans have already come to love Marcio and his style of play.

Former UAAP MVP and 2011 PBA Rookie of the Year

 

I, however, is among the minority that think that this trade isn't as bad as it seem.   Don't get me wrong, I love Marcio (I even picked him over Jvee last year for the top pick), but getting a talented young big like Rabeh is more than enough compensation.  Believe me, given this franchise's track record of dealing over the years, we could've done much worse.  For example, that first proposal of sending Noy Baclao and Rey Guevarra here instead, would've been horrible.

A lot of people seem to forget that Rabeh Al-Hussaini had a spectacular rookie year.   He averaged 14.7 points, and almost 7 rebounds in just 28 minutes per game.  He is expected to play at least 30 minutes per game here.  In comparison, Sonny Thoss, regarded as the best center today, averaged just 6 points and 5 rebounds in his rookie year.  Furthermore, Rabeh is just 23 years old, so he is still pretty much scratching the surface of his true potential.  Asi Taulava didn't even come to the PBA until he is 26!

Rabeh is a nice mix of size and skill, which is rare to see nowadays in big men.   He can play with his back to the basket or he can knock down a 10 footer.  Let's look at it like this, it is easier to find a quality wing like Lassiter than to find a big man of good caliber like Rabeh.

This leads me to believe that Powerade may have even gotten the better end of this trade.  Yes, we lost one of our "big three," but we got a post presence, something that we lacked this season.  That showed in the finals series against Talk N' Text, where we were clearly outsized.

Marcio, Gary and Jvee were our top 3 scorers.  The thing is, all 3 are perimeter players, which means our offense revolves primarily around outside shooting, making us a bit predictable.  With Rabeh, we now have a legit option inside.   His arrival balances our roster, and the addition of Lordy and Rey provides depth to our second unit.

Coming from an ACL injury and spending time in the doghouse after he recovered may have affected Rabeh's confidence and timing, but I hope having a bigger role in a new team will give him a fresh start.

Lordy Tugade may be 34 years old, but shooters have longer basketball life as they do not rely on athleticism, and as an old basketball adage goes, "shooting, like wine, gets better with age."  Or something like that.

Rey Guevarra, on the other hand, hasn't quite lived up to his status as a 3rd pick in the 2010 draft.  He is young, athletic and has good size for a guard.  He can be a decent role player.

As fate would have it, Powerade opens up the season on May 20 against Marcio and his new squad.  This will be a great opportunity for Rabeh to give Petron a little dose of regret.

Roar out.

Making a Stand

The Tigers just lost a heartbreaker to go down 0-3 against the defending champions Talk N' Text.  This loss was particularly painful because we really had a good chance to win it.  But once again, TNT's championship poise prevailed and they are one win away from becoming back-to-back Philippine Cup champions.

I am going to make this post brief and short.  I am really proud of how the players fought not only in this series but all throughout the playoffs. People are saying that Powerade's Cinderella run has neared its end, but on the contrary, a new era of Tigers basketball had just began.  Two of our 3 best players are just rookies.  Sean Anthony is just a sophomore.  Gary David still has a few good years of basketball left.  I am not at all insinuating that this series is over, but whatever happens, a new chapter has unfolded.

Leonidas and his 300 men did not back down a single inch against Xerxes and his army of 20,000.  They lost the battle, but they made a stand against a seemingly insurmountable opponent.

MAKING A STAND.  That is what this series is all about for Powerade.  More than just winning or losing, it is all about the Tigers making a stand against the juggernauts.  In this league, the team that could amass the most superstars win.  The Tigers are trying to prove otherwise.  Win or lose, the Tigers had made a statement.

Come game 4, I can only be extremely sure of one thing --- until that final buzzer sounds, the Tigers will keep on fighting.  With nothing to lose, the Tigers are ready to give it all they've got.

Believe. 


Roar out.

The Unorthodox Path To Redemption

Photo courtesy of Paul Ryan Tan and the PBA

There was a point in time in which I thought I would never see the Tigers in the finals again in my lifetime.  Every time I would watch teams like Talk N' Text, Petron, and Alaska in the finals, I would be wondering when I will ever see the Tigers in this stage again.

This franchise started out strong, winning a title in its maiden year and reaching the finals 4 times in its first 2 years.  Despite not having a star-studded lineup, that team was considered an elite, and it was a good time to be a Tigers fan.

However, the team's fortune took a steep dive to the worse in the next several years.  Chot Reyes leaving, Jeffrey Cariaso, Johnny Abarrientos, Rudy Hatfield and Rafi Reavis gone, and the fanbase consequently dwindling down.

A couple of years ago, a non-Tiger fan asked in a basketball forum "Bakit kukunti na lang ang fans ng Tigers?"  I tried to offer a brief response that the fans are just there, laying low, and waiting for the exact moment to pounce and be heard again.  That moment is now.

I have always thought that the Tigers have the best fans.  If you are able to endure 8 years of drought and basketball futility and still managed to stick it out with this team, then your fandom is genuine.

A Team of Destiny.  That is how this team have looked this conference.  Sweeping the number one team, coming back from double-digit deficits to win games, surviving 3 do-or-die games, and just refusing to ever give up.

The path to redemption that the Tigers have taken is not a typical one.  The Tigers managed to disprove several common basketball cliches along the way to the finals.

People said it would take more than one man to carry a team far.  But sometimes all it takes is one man, providing he is the right one, and for Powerade, that is Gary David. While needless to say that the arrival of Marcio Lassiter and Jvee Casio have provided immense impact, we have seen David lift this team from large deficits all by himself.  His string of scoring performances have never been seen in recent memory in local basketball.

Defense wins championships they say, but Powerade has threatened to dispel such theory by trying to outscore their opponents as a way to win.  Sometimes you just have to stick to your strengths, and scoring is Powerade's strongest point this season.

Size matters.  True.  If Powerade had a choice, they wouldn't want to play undersized.  But the team has managed to maximize the manpower they have.  Doug Kramer is the center at 6'4".  Sean Anthony, a small forward for most of his career, plays as a power forward.  Marcio Lassiter, 6'2", mans the 3 spot.  What this team lacks in size, makes up for it with tenacity and energy.

The story is not yet over.  In fact, maybe the best is still yet to come.  But whatever happens in the finals, I'm happy of what this team have achieved.  I have never had this much fun as a basketball fan in my whole life.  I have never seen such great games from the only team I will ever support.

No longer will people look down on the Tigers.  The league have taken notice.

We are back.

Roar out.

The Day the Tigers Fought Back

photo courtesy of Nuki Sabio

I HAVE A CONFESSION.

I don't like to sound like a hypocrite and say that I saw this one coming, because on the contrary, I never did.

Don't get me wrong.  I have been an avid, die-hard Tigers fan for the longest time.  But these past years have been tough, and even the truest of fans can only take so much.  It is almost starting to become a routine as seasons and conferences pass; dreadful win-loss records, going home early, never advancing deep into each tournament. 

So when I found out that we will be facing the B-Meg Llamados, I found myself shaking my head and dropping my shoulders.

No way.

No way are we beating this juggernaut of a team.  It just really seemed to be implausible.  B-Meg was on a tear, winning their last 8 games.  They destroyed the Tigers during the eliminations.  They have "King James," a multi-titled coach, and a trio of All-star big men.   

Well, in fairness to me, I never went to the extreme of saying "No way in hell" like a certain mediaman did.  I just said no way.  Hard to believe.

I was hoping that we would be facing Talk N' Text.  After all, the Tigers gave them one heck of a beating just a couple of weeks ago (which coincidentally, happened on my birthday).  At least Talk N' Text have guys hurting.  We have a chance.

But against the full force of B-Meg?  No way.

.......

Damn.

************

 I LIED.

My family would always go out every Sunday afternoon to have some bonding time together.  Last Sunday was no different, only this time I begged off going.  I told my mother I really wasn't feeling well and I have to rest to prepare for my GY shift later that night.

But the truth is that I wasn't feeling sick at all.  What I was feeling was anxiety.  The Tigers have never been this close to entering the semis for years.  I had to watch this game.  I needed to watch this game.

I lied.

************

OLD HABITS DIE HARD.

In the past, watching a Tigers game almost certainly involves me cursing and shouting for the duration of the game.  Most times I would swear at the Tigers' coach or certain players of the team who I don't like or just anybody who would make a stupid mistake during the game. Oh, the fun times.

But somehow that practice seem to have died in recent years.  I now tend to be more relaxed when watching a game, mostly because, though hard and shameful to admit, I have started to become used to losing. 

Last Sunday's game was no different.  When we were down by 17 in the second quarter and 10 by the end of the half, I wasn't really stressed.  I was satisfied with the Tigers taking a game away from the Llamados.  I felt it was enough.  If we beat them, I would be elated; if not, no worries, go home, nothing new.

But there was something in that team that night that brought back the passion I lost through all these years.  They just kept on fighting back.  Kinayod ng kinayod.   They just kept on hitting those threes like a bugged NBA video game.

Then slowly and gradually, the fire inside me that have been dormant for a while was starting to ignite once again.  I found myself cursing once again! Only this time it wasn't directed to the Tigers coach or any of its players, but against the refs and against the opposing squad.

"F****N REFEREES!  THERE'S JUST NO WAY YOU STUPID ***** WILL LET BMEG LOOSE THIS DON'T YOU" - every time the refs called dubious fouls one after another.

"TAKE THAT JAMES YAP!!! WHAT'S YOUR ANSWER NOW HUH?!?!" - every time Gary David hits a three.  No cursing in that one, but I was shouting.

"F*** YOU, (insert B-Meg player name here)" every time Simon, JDV, Kerby or any other B-Meg player connected on a shot to keep the Tigers at bay.


I was back to my cursing fixation.  Good thing I was alone in the house.  For it was brutal.  But I am glad.

************ 

YESSSSIIIIRRR!!!!

"Will Antonio for three!! NO!!! Straight but short!!!  GARY DAVID FOR THREE!!!....

 YessssssiiirrRRR!!!!!"

Game tied.

I have always been a fan of Mico Halili and his groundbreaking outbursts and metaphors.  In fact, as a Powerade fan, I have many things to thank Mr. Halili for.   As far as I know, he was the one who baptized Gary David with the "El Granada" monicker.  He was the one who made this eerie, seemingly prophetic article just a few days ago.  He is one of the few guys in the media who seems to genuinely appreciate Gary David.

But this isn't about Mico Halili.  This is about how the Tigers were angered, fought back, and clawed their way into a stunning upset over the Llamados.

************  

THE CALIFORNIA SWAGGER

The thing about Marcio Lassiter that really impressed me is his sense of calmness, and to an extent, stoicity during games.

He had been cut and bloodied once (and needed stitches), he had been hit with a foot to the head, and he had been hacked many times, but we rarely see any emotion from him.

Nothing really seem to bring out a display of emotion from him.  He may have been dubbed the "California Swagger," but swagger is the last thing you will ever see from his facial expressions.

But it all changed last Sunday.

First instance.
During that eventful Josh Urbiztondo - Celino Cruz confrontation, 2 Tigers rushed in to confront Urbiztondo moments later, one was Gary David, and the other was... yes.. Marcio.  I do not know if Marcio's intent was to retaliate or to restrain, but it was nice to see him getting involved in the confrontation.

Second instance.
Peter June Simon just converted on 2 baskets to get Powerade's lead down to 2.  David was on the bench, and the Tigers having a hard time bringing the ball across the line.  Marcio finally has the ball, guarded by Simon.  Two feet away from the 3-point line, shot clock winding down, in-between-the-legs dribble, little hesitation move, hoisted up the three, fans in a collective hold of breath... BAM!!   Game over.  Marcio let out a roar, then an emphatic salute to who-knows-who he directed it to.  But it doesn't matter.  I saw passion.  I saw emotion.

Third instance.
As time finally ran out, making the momentous upset official,  Powerade players stormed to the middle of the court as if they just won the title.  I saw Marcio hugging David and Casio.  Then Marcio stretched his jersey towards the crowd Enrico-Villanueva-style, showing that he is a Powerade Tiger, and he is proud to be one.

But not as proud as we fans are to have you in our team, Marcio. 

************  

LEGENGARY.

In a PBA forum where I have been posting for years, I have come across countless Gary David-haters.  And almost everytime I would always defend David.  No matter what Gary does, it never really does seem to put him in the same hierarchy as a James Yap or Mark Caguioa.

When people say that David is a ball-hogger, I would always come right back at them with stats showing that David is shooting better than most scorers percentage-wise. 

When people say that David had never won anything in his career, I would always come up with the argument that for most of his career, he never had a Kerby Raymundo or a Peter Simon by his side.  He never had an Eric Menk or a JayJay Helterbrand to back him up.  That brief time he had Arwind Santos and Ranidel De Ocampo, they actually made it to the finals.

I mean, this guy has been the scoring champion for the last 2 seasons.  That's no easy feat.  This guy was the last local player to score 30+ points in back-to-back games, and he had done that feat twice now after Sunday's game.  This guy scored 42 points in a game this season.  Somehow these things never seem to be enough for people to show appreciation.

The saddest part? For the last 2 seasons that David had been the scoring champ, he wasn't chosen in the All-star game in both occasions.  Guys like Paul Artadi, JC Intal, and Ronald Tubid have been chosen instead.  No offense to those guys, but.. Really?

Well, it doesn't matter now.  Last Sunday, Gary David had etched his name into the history books and into the minds of everybody, hater or otherwise.

People may never mention his name in the same breath as Caguioa or Yap, or even with Baguio or Simon or Miller, but on that fateful night, David displayed a performance that none of those above-mentioned players may be able to duplicate.  Not in their dreams.  Not in a million years.

************

Nobody gave them a chance.  Nobody believed in them, but they believed in themselves, and that was more than enough.

Remember 12/18/2011.  For it was the day the Tigers fought back.

Roar out.

Welcome to the Cio Show

"With the fourth pick of the 2011 PBA Rookie Draft, the Powerade Tigers select.... Marcio Lassiter!"

While top pick JV Casio had been grabbing the headlines, there hasn't been much talk about how the Tigers got an ABSOLUTE steal with the fourth pick.  Marcio is actually my favorite player from Smart Gilas and weeks before the draft, I was actually hoping that Powerade would pick him as the top pick even though JV Casio was clearly the favorite.  Well, all that is for naught now since we got them both, which is actually the best scenario the Tigers could have ever had in that draft.

We got 'Cio and Casio, and everyone better get outta the way.

For now, here's a youtube video of Marcio's college highlights during his time with Cal State Fullerton.

Enjoy the Cio show.  Roar out. 

(video by youtube user pfaffdaddy1)