Schedule's a bitch in the PBA but this is what you get when you get a compressed schedule for most teams-- and giving Powerade and Talk N' Text an ample time of rest after their Finals series.
Let's take a look at the current bottom-feeders and see if any of them can recover:
ROS, Barako and Meralco have played four games already and are at 1-3 win-loss card.
Games remaining for the respective ball clubs (keep in mind that they'd only be playing a total of 9 games:
ROS - TNT, BMEG, Petron, Meralco, Air21
i considered them one of the dark horses this conference (or this entire season) but a bad start might just do them in. If they can manage to win two of three against the stronger teams (Pet, BMeg, TNT) then they can steal a spot inside the Top 6 with a 5-4 record. This is of course assuming they can take care of games against the lowly Bolts and Express-- which of course isn't a sure thing.
Barako - Gin, Petron, Powerade, TNT, Meralco
This early, i declare It's Over for their campaign.
Meralco - ROS, Barako, Alaska, Gin, Air21
Obviously, the games against ROS and Barako will be crucial and could be must-wins; they actually have the easiest sched among the bottomfeeders.
Interesting games in the next couple of weeks. Look for the struggling teams to play with more fire because of the danger of getting booted out early (Yes, including my Petron)
IF THERE IS NO BASKETBALL IN HEAVEN, I AM NOT GOING.
well, until he categorically says so i won't change my stand. sorry, impeachment bug is getting into meOriginally Posted by durden_tyler
The changing of an import of one team and said import going to another on the same conference hasn't happened in PBA history. It has happened for the next conference when a certain team gets eliminated and doesn't qualify for the 3rd Conference (Invitationals). Yup, that's correct. The PBA of the 70's and early 80's saw the 3rd Conference featuring only the top 4 teams of the past two PBA conferences going up against a couple of invited foreign teams in a short one to one and a half month tournament. Hence, there were cases when Crispa acquired the services of 7/UP's Chris McMurray to replace their import, Ricky Hicks in the 1977 3rd Conference when 7/UP didn't qualify. Ditto with the 1979 season when the Redmanizers picked up Bernard Harris of Tanduay when the latter team didn't qualify for the 3rd Conference. This happened because it was more economical to retain the services of an import from an eliminated team rather than flying in another one.
However, from what I can recall with the present PBA rules, Chris Alexander is NOT allowed to suit up for any PBA team within the conference. And even if Ginebra willingly renounces its rights on the 7'0 import, he still cannot play for another team brought about by this rule. I can't recall what season and the personalities involved but I vaguely recall a time when a PBA team wanted to secure the services of an import who was dropped by his original team. I'm not sure if it was Quemont Greer of Red Bull (who was later replaced by James Penny) who was being eyed by another team to replace their original import. But my memory's hazy.
An import can play for the next conference though, provided that the right of first refusal by his original team is waived. As of now, Ginebra still retains the rights to Alexander's services although this is only good for a year. Beyond that, he's a free agent.
thank u sir for confirming what i have in mind. perhaps, when caidic (allegedly) mentioned that they are ready to release alexander to an interested party, he could be referring to non-pba teams like smb of abl.
i do remember reading sometime, somewhere the rule that no import can play for another team after playing for another (ergo, 2 teams) within a conference. what i am not sure of is if its still the current rule. my inference says it is most probably still d rule.
Indeed, and with 4 teams getting the boot after 9 games, the excitement will increasingly build over the next few weeks as teams try to salvage wins to give themselves a chance.
That's the tradeoff of a short conference - although it's good because most, if not all of the games would have bearing. The magic number to move to the next round is 5 - that's 5 wins. A team getting 4 wins may find itself in a tie for 6th place, requiring a sudden death game. Hence, for ROS, Barako and Meralco to pull through, they need to win at least 3 of their remaining 5 games. Meralco has the easiest path but then, they would be contending against teams whose backs are behind the wall as well.
It's interesting though that Duke Crews of ROS has been retained by the coaching staff. I would expect Yeng Guiao to make a move after the team's second loss (against Powerade) but then, pragmatism may have stepped in as it may be too late for Crews to be replaced at this juncture. If ROS moves to the next round, expect Andy Jao to make a move and find a better quality yet taller import to replace him.
Meralco is expected to make an upsurge with Earl Barron playing for them. He struggled in his first game against an inspired Powerade team but Barron is a legitimate NBA veteran who can dominate at both ends of the court. He would need a lot of local support though to get this team going - something that Ryan Gregorio has to figure out.
Barako may be the most likely team to get eliminated in this triumvirate. I'm not completely sold on their import, Dermarr Johnson, although he and Barron have the best credentials. I think Barako has chemistry issues that need to be corrected, although I doubt if Junel Baculi can actually correct this immediately. Couple that with Johnson's injury and finding a replacement may even make the bonding more difficult.
Air 21 obviously would be the most likely castaway, even with Marcus Douthit around. Douthit has a chance of being the league's best import for this conference but it would be too difficult for him to carry a very young Air 21 team with no major star in its lineup.
Petron will pick up its game in the latter stages, although they might have to pass through the eye of the needle. At the end of the day, their talented local lineup will carry this team, not unlike arch rival Talk 'N Text whose twin wins were chalked up because of an impressive performance from their local crew. Barangay Ginebra would definitely make the Top 6, as well as B-Meg Llamados. That's 4 teams outright. Alaska is doing well so far under the new system of Joel Banal although their lack of depth might spell them at the end.
My best guess for teams to qualify - TNT, Petron, B-Meg, Ginebra, Powerade and Alaska. If ROS wants to get there, they need to beat two of the league's top 3 teams (as cited by DT) to pull through...
Simple answer: Noli Eala...
Eala was never sold with Chris Alexander from day one. He wanted a different import for Ginebra but eventually relented to give him a chance since he is acquainted with the team's play. Similarly, because of Alexander's popularity from the Ginebra minions brought about by his leading the team to its last championship in the 2007-08 Fiesta Conference, it was more of a PR move more than anything else.
For a team to be at a 2-1 slate at this juncture, you'd be surprised why Alexander is being axed. True, the team could have easily been 0-3 but then, they could have also been 3-0 by now if LA Tenorio didn't perform his incredible 7-point binge in 16 seconds. Which leads to Eala.
Eala has seen Jackson Vroman brought about by his past experience with the SBP. He knows how good Vroman is as a player, how talented, and how difficult it is to match up against him. Will Vroman be the team that Ginebra would need? Hard to say. Eala is probably banking on the return of Eric Menk and Rudy Hatfield to help in the boards while Vroman jacks up shots from the perimeter. It's really hard to tell especially considering that if one compares Alexander to this batch of imports, he may actually be ranked in the Top 3 (alongside Jones and Douthit).
Perhaps, Eala is expecting the MVP teams to make a move pertaining to their own imports and wanted to beat them to the draw. Omar Samhan will definitely get the pink slip in a few days. I expect Chot Reyes to secure the services of a topnotch replacement to ensure their grand slam hopes. Meralco has already brought in Barron so you know they mean business.
i'll be gladly corrected if there are indeed current rules in place for this. i do think it's a case to case basis-- meaning if he's signed for the duration of the conference of course the original team retains his rights no matter what. But what if it's on a game to game basis? Hopefully, teams look at Alexander so that the rules will be clarified. As mentioned, it's always lemons being cut so we never really have come to this (as Jay noted) and Alexander is far from being a lemon.
IF THERE IS NO BASKETBALL IN HEAVEN, I AM NOT GOING.
i have to disagree. there are many instances where a player is not a lemon (adequate, good, great) but gets cut for other reasons:
e.g. attitude problem (sometimes downright wack), not fit with team/teammates/coach/system, first choice becomes available, a much better talent becomes available, a losing record (goes with the belief that replacing a good import may just change the bad luck), etc.
e.g. greer (cited by jpm) was, i believe, the top scorer in the fiesta cup elims and his overall-numbers are not that bad but red bull replaced him with penny who led them to the title.
Very good move by GINEBRA!!!!!!!!!!!
I think its a great move by ginebra to replace alexander with vroman as early as now. The new import at least has considerable time to adjust to ginebra system with 6 game remaining and 1 week before there next game vs powerade. Alexander is no longer the agile and well condition player once he was.His timing is off defensively{fouling out early with plenty of time in the 4th vs ros} , his offensive move is very limited and because of that the ginebra offense is very stagnant at times with the opposing team just playing one on one defense on him and waiting for him to kick the ball out knowing that he has limited post move.Mr. toothpick is still the great rebounder we once know but his offensive game has already gone long. GINEBRA OF 2008 dont need him to score that much because helterbrand, menk and caguioa is still at their prime.They just need him to dominate the board and control the paint. But the Ginebra of 2012 is far more different now,jay jay is no longer the player once he was, the same with mark although both of them is still productive,they our really past their prime.Even menk.maybe in his last season of playing career,is no longer the same menk that we all know.Ginebra of 2012 needs an import who can dominate both in offense and in defense, and thats what JACKSON VROMAN can give the team what they need for. VROMAN is a relentless rebounder and very tough player which I think ginebra fans will love to have.Adding to that he has a good offensive move around the basket and has a good perimiter shot that can be useful for ginebra's pick and roll. I think him and douthit will be the barometer of import in the current commisioners cup until we know who's import will replace omar samhan of talk and text which is reportedly has an acl injury. But who ever talk n text will bring,I think ginebra is in good hans with Vroman.
very good move by ginebra!!!!!!!!!
I think its a great move by ginebra to replace alexander with vroman as early as now. The new import at least has considerable time to adjust to ginebra system with 6 game remaining and 1 week before there next game vs powerade. Alexander is no longer the agile and well condition player once he was.His timing is off defensively{fouling out early with plenty of time in the 4th vs ros} , his offensive move is very limited and because of that the ginebra offense is very stagnant at times with the opposing team just playing one on one defense on him and waiting for him to kick the ball out knowing that he has limited post move.Mr. toothpick is still the great rebounder we once know but his offensive game has already gone long. GINEBRA OF 2008 dont need him to score that much because helterbrand, menk and caguioa is still at their prime.They just need him to dominate the board and control the paint. But the Ginebra of 2012 is far more different now,jay jay is no longer the player once he was, the same with mark although both of them is still productive,they our really past their prime.Even menk.maybe in his last season of playing career,is no longer the same menk that we all know.Ginebra of 2012 needs an import who can dominate both on offense and in defense, and thats what JACKSON VROMAN can give the team what they need for. VROMAN is a relentless rebounder and very tough player which I think ginebra fans will love to have.Adding to that he has a good offensive move around the basket and has a good perimiter shot that can be useful for ginebra's pick and roll. I think him and douthit will be the barometer of import in the current commisioners cup until we know who's import will replace omar samhan of talk and text which is reportedly has an acl injury. But who ever talk n text will bring,I think ginebra is in good hands with Vroman.
Point taken. But the common denominator is that no other teams were interested in signing them after either lack of talent, attitude problem, chemistry problem, etc. (exception: Greer) That said, we never knew what was the contract situation like. Was the signing for the entire conference? And part of the deal was that they can't sign with another team if they get released? We'll never know because there's no precedent yet.
IF THERE IS NO BASKETBALL IN HEAVEN, I AM NOT GOING.
Many Ginebra fans feel like this has Noli Eala's mark all over it too-- and most probably influenced by Toroman, the consultant as well. i think it's a good deal too but not to say that Alexander was a bad player, but maybe they feel like Vroman is going to bring them over the hump.
IF THERE IS NO BASKETBALL IN HEAVEN, I AM NOT GOING.
I think if there are no offers for alexander, he should stay with the kings as a stand-by import in case vroman does not play as expected. other teams especially tnt usually do that. i disgaree with other bgk fans that its too early to change. but i do hope alexander stays for a while until vroman settles.
No disagreement. Eala and Toroman obviously were the primary instigators of this move. And yes, while Alexander is not a lemon, there are indeed cases when team officials feel that there are imports who are good enough to give them victories but not enough to win championships.
There are precedents on this. Ginebra itself had this experience several times during the Big J years when they gave up quality imports like Tyrone Hopkins (PBA slam dunk champion) who was replaced by Chris King in the 1997 Commissioner's or Fred Cofield who led them to the championship but had to be replaced by Derek Rucker in Game 4 of the Finals against Alaska in the 1996 Governor's because they felt Cofield can't lead them past the Aces. Red Bull also replaced Tony Lang nearing into the Finals for Sean Lampley in the 2002 season. On the other end, SMB import Lamont Strothers was bothered by an injury that slowed his game considerably and was being considered for replacement entering the Finals. Eventually, the SMB camp stuck with Strothers when Jong Uichico and his staff brought this to the attention of Danding Cojuangco. When Cojuangco asked Uichico if replacing Strothers for another import would guarantee SMB a title, Uichico deferred. Cojuangco ultimately showed what true loyalty is when he said the team should stick it out with Strothers, the person primarily responsible for bringing them this far and for being extremely loyal to the franchise for several years. SMB lost that Finals series (not sure if it was against Sean Chambers and Alaska) but Strothers didn't lose his self-esteem by getting replaced.
I have a strong hunch that the SMC Group would retain Chris Alexander, but not as a standby import but to be used for the SMB team in the Asian Basketball League. PBA rules state that an import can be put on standby mode by having him placed in the injury list for 5 games. Beyond 5 games, he cannot replace the person who originally took over his slot. Those 5 games may be enough to assess Jackson Vroman's performance but I doubt if Alexander would be called upon for active duty again.
Instead, SMB is struggling at the ABL with 3 losses. They need to get a more dominating import and Alexander would fit the bill perfectly. Unless of course if Eala and Toroman feel that Alexander is not the kind of player that would fit their system. Otherwise, if ever Alexander would be retained, it won't be for Ginebra.
just gone thru the abl website, SMB has Jarrid Famous listed in the roster, yeah the former meralco import. if its accurate then Alexander is just that, a standby/insurance import for bgk. bgk would probably monitor his conditioning and likely be tapped back to replace Vroman later on. i think Alexander can dominate this crop of imports when he's in shape.
Sir Jay:
Jackson Vroman has an image of being a head case and a black hole on offense. Do you think he would clash heads with Mark Caguioa and other Ginebra players?
On Chris Alexander to SMB-ABL:
He was indeed offered to play for the Beermen, but he declined. He told Coach Siot that it's hard for him to play for SMB since the team and the company just released him.
There's always that possibility. Noli Eala and Rajko Toroman seem confident they can keep Vroman in check so that should be a good assurance for BGK fans.
What would be interesting though is how Vroman would fit in BGK's offensive scheme of things. Alexander was ideal for Ginebra since he played defense very well and scored only when needed. He didn't take away the offense of the other point producers of Ginebra like Mark Caguioa, JJ Helterbrand or Mike Cortez. Instead, Alexander facilitated their offense by grabbing the defensive rebounds and setting them up when he gets doubled in the low block.
Vroman, on the other hand, prefers to shoot the ball. He's an extremely prolific scorer and capable of scoring from the outside. The objective is to try to draw out the other team's import and have Menk and Hatfield dominate the rebounds inside. If the opponent goes on a zone, Vroman can equally do well by scoring from the arc. But then, he might also risk taking away the offensive production of Caguioa and company. But if Siot Tanquincen can use the same strategy implemented by Rajko Toroman at SMART-Gilas where all players get to touch the ball in offense and having the open man spot up for a shot, then this may be good for the Kings.
i bet toroman doesn't like alexander coz what chris does best is something he has zero knowleddge about - defense. iirc, bgk was the number one defensive team last conference and just a couple months ago they had 2 players, with the same last name, in the all-defensive team. they win games by defense (and some clutch/lucky shots/breaks), if eala/toroman/siot/caidic or whoever wants to change that and make them an offensive team instead then they better overhaul the whole roster, not just the import.
IF THERE IS NO BASKETBALL IN HEAVEN, I AM NOT GOING.
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote
