PBA Live 2008
For PBA fanatics, I tried out this very entertaining mode for NBA Live 2008 - the PBA Live 2008. With a working NBA Live 2008 installed, just add a patch and you'll be able to play the game PBA-style.
If you wanna give it a try, click here
Ateneo takes Game 1
Behind 23,000 ++ souls in Araneta Coliseum, the Ateneo Blue Eagles proved that they are the number one team in the UAAP today, beating De La Salle University 69-61.
To sum it up, gamestory would simply be dominance for the Eagles and sour shooting for the Archers. Rabeh Al Hussaini played tight in the early going but went on a rampage in the second half. Rookie Ryan Buenafe lead the Eagles in the first half with Cris Tiu playing only 8 minutes due to two personal fouls in the first quarter. Jai Reyes also played well ending the first half with a three-point shot stretching the lead to six. The Eagles never looked back since then.
La Salle missed wide-open looks, actually went 3-18 from the rainbow country. They could not control Rabeh's scoring inside-out. Jayvee Casio had decent numbers but didn't really had much fireworks.
Everything could come to an end this Thursday, Sept. 25. I expect DLSU to bounce back come game 2 but I wouldn't be surprised if Ateneo will get the crown by then.
It's Ateneo versus de La Salle
The UAAP seniors men's basketball will surely close-out with a bang as the stage is set for the Finals showdown between Ateneo de Manila University and De La Salle University. The best of three finals will start this Sunday, 21st of September.
DLSU eliminated the Tamaraws while last year's runner-up UE Red Warriors was smashed by ADMU. The Archers are very much eager to get back on the Blue Eagles as they have yet to beat the Eagles in two meetings this season.
PBA Teams: Player Movement
Alaska Aces
The Aces boosted its frontline by acquiring Ervin Sotto who was released by Air21 Express. Sotto a 6'5" center is expected to aid Sonny Thoss in the slot. Another bigman snatched by the Aces is last year's overall top pick, Joe Calvin Devance. Devance landed to the Aces in exchange for Alaska's 5th overall pick in this year's draft, Solomon Mercado. Eddie Laure and Welcoat's 2nd round pick next year seals the deal.
New players: Ervin Sotto(from AE), Kelvin dela Pena(R)
Air21 Express
The biggest buzz in the Air21 camp is regarding the comeback of Big J, Sonny Jaworski. The management expressed their will on tapping the legendary "Jawo" to coach the team. Coach Bo Perasol meanwhile, is on leave even if the team has started its regular trainings for the up coming season. This is to allow negotiations to push through. The Express released Ervin Sotto and traded Gaby Espinas to the Red Bull Barakos. Their drafted rookies took the slots of the two.
New players: Mark Borboran (R), Cholo Villanueva (R)
Barangay Ginebra Kings
The Fiesta Cup champions is one of the two teams with no draft picks this year (together with Coca Cola). The Gin Kings is keeping its cluster tight. The team claims that it has been trying to reach Rudy Hatfield who filed a leave of absence several years ago.
New players: None
Magnolia Beverage Masters
The team surprised everyone during the 2008 Annual Draft at Market Market Taguig. The team traded its 3rd overall draft pick to Talk and Text for forward Jay Washington. The management decided in the bold move because Danny Ildefonso is on the injured list. He is expected to miss half or the entire All Filipino Cup. Rumors speak that the team is cooking several trades to release some of their wingmen. But before that, the team makes a bang by acquiring center Mick Pennisi from the Barakos in exchange for future draft picks. How about that?! (referring to Red Bull trading the last piece the team's core). Pennisi will fill in the slot of Samigue Eman who is reported to be in the injured list. If there's one team in the world who never wants a weak spot in all positions, it's gotta be Magnolia!
New players: Bonbon Custodio (R), Jay Washington (from TnT) Mick Pennisi (from RB)
Purefoods TJ Giants
The Giants is expected to regain their All Filipino Cup supremacy behind the guns of former MVP James Yap, 6th man awardee Peter June Simon and team captain Kerby Raymundo. To boost its chances, the Giants has five new faces on its roster- rookies Beau Belga, Jonathan Fernandez and rookie free agent Chad Alonzo. They also got former Alaska wingman Aaron Aban, and Red Bull's point guard Topex Robinson.
New players: Beau Belga (R), Jonathan Fernandez (R), Chad Alonzo (R/FA), Aaron Aban (FA)
This ends the first part of my PBA Teams: Player Movement. Part two coming very soon.
Joe Devance to Alaska Aces
The Rain or Shine Elasto Painters is the first to make noise after Draft Day. Sophamore and 2007-2008 no. 1 draft pick Joe Calvin Devance was dealt to Alaska for rookie guard Solomon Mercado and veteran Eddie Laure. The Aces also grabs the 2009 2nd round draft rights of the Elasto Painters. The 5th overall pick in this year's draft, Solomon Mercado strengthens the backcourt of Rain or Shine. However, with the exit of Devance, the team has a very slim frontline. Eddie Laure tries to play big throughout his career but he's a thin 6'3" forward.
Obviously Rain or Shine wanted backcourt stability with this trade and the acquisition of spitfire guard TY Tang and of course 1st overall pick, Gabe Norwood. I expect the team to get 2-3 players in the free agency market. They certainly need an added body to help Jay-R Reyes in the middle.
My shot: I was surprised upon knowing this trade or make that upon knowing that Rain or Shine got Mercado and veteran Laure. I expected Devance to be in the block this off-season simply because he failed to gel with the Welcoat squad. Yes, he provides points but it was very obvious that he was not in the thick of things with the team. He seemed like a stranger to the team, so to speak. Lastly, he is the only bait Rain or Shine has. However, I thought the team could have fished for bigger names than Mercado and Laure. Well, this trade can only be spelled when the season begins. If Mercado is as good as advertised and Laure is able to play quality minutes, then this is Rain or Shine's first clever trade.
Here's the dumb trade: This trade brings back my dismay to the Belasco-Isip trade. Welcoat shipped reliable veteran Nic Belasco despite his exceptional performance (led Welcoat and the league in rebounding) for young, soft forward Marc Isip. All for the reason of wanting to surround Jay-R Reyes with young blood. And now, they're happy with Eddie Laure-
On the flip-side, nothing much to say for Alaska. It's all gain for them. With Tenorio and rookie dela Pena, they didn't really need Mercado. Tim Cone however admits that it was an agonizing decision because he believes in Mercado saying he'll be a great player down the line. Laure on the other hand is a bench mob. With the entry of Joe Devance, they have a reliable offensive weapon in the forward positions (3-4). Plus, Joe can run. I'm sure he's a fit in Tim Cone's triangle offense because he has the shooting hands. 6'9" Eric Canlas is also reported to suit up for Alaska this season. The Aces are all business in boosting it's frontline.
Tenorio-Miller-Dela Cruz-Devance-Thoss looks good to me. *wink!
