PBA standings as of 11/11/08

Rookie Jared Dillinger of Talk N Text tries to stop former MVP, James Yap of Purefoods. (photo by Rely San Augustin of BTV)

KFC PBA Philippine Cup standings as of 11/11/08
1. Alaska (7-2)
2. San Miguel (6-2)
3. Rain or Shine (5-4)
4. Sta. Lucia (4-4)
5. Purefoods (4-5)
6. Air21 (4-5)
7. Coca-Cola (3-5)
7. Talk N Text (3-5)
7. Red Bull (3-5)
7. Ginebra (3-5)



Words & above pic taken from www.pba.ph

At the halfway point of the 2008-2009 KFC PBA Philippine Cup, we have been showered by some of the closest matches we have ever seen. Blowouts seem to be out of fashion and overtimes are the new trend. The teams are so closely matched that the fourth to tenth-ranked teams in the standings are separated by a win.

Many players have jumped out to start the season yet some have stumbled through the blocks.

Let’s give out some awards at the halfway point of the eliminations.

TOP PLAYER OF THE CONFERENCE – Willie Miller (Alaska) 16.8 ppg, 7.7 rpg, (league-best) 5.3 apg, 1.2 spg
You know you are doing something right when your coach says that all your team has to do is to keep it close, and in the end, he expects to win because of you. That is how head coach Tim Cone describes his two-time MVP.

Willie Miller is the top scorer and assist man of the league-leading Alaska Aces. His 7.7 rebounds is also the best number of grabs in his career. His number of dishes ranks No. 1 in the league. He is undoubtedly the best player in one of the top teams in the league. There is a notion that Alaska is a team that can survive losses of individuals because of the system they have in place. You’ll have to say Willie is an exemption to that notion.

Close runner-ups – Gary David, Asi Taulava

TOP ROOKIE OF THE CONFERENCE – Gabe Norwood (Rain or Shine)

Norwood has been almost as good as advertised. He may still lack strength and there is much room for improvement with his shot, but he has been the catalyst for the big turnaround of the Rain or Shine franchise.

His back-court partner has been solid too. Sol Mercado is as fiery as they come… Now if only we can put them together as one… Oh, yes we can. GABE Norwood + Sol MERCADO would make… GABE MERCADO! I guess we better take them individually instead.

NOTABLES – Sol Mercado, Jared Dillinger and Larry Rodriguez

COMEBACK PLAYER OF THE CONFERENCE (MOST IMPROVED)– Gabby Espinas (Red Bull)

After 3 long years, Gabby Espinas finally performs to the level that people thought he could. After languishing in the bench of San Miguel Beer and having peeks on the court with Air21, Espinas has become a double-double guy for Red Bull. There may have been many who thought that the former NCAA MVP would never be able to contribute in the PBA, but leave it to coach Yeng Guiao to see the hidden treasures in his game. And of other unheralded players in the league, for that matter.

NOTABLE – Joe Devance

TOP STAT – Kerby Raymundo (Purefoods) 37 pts (14-24), 11 rebs, 2 asts, 2 stls

Kerby Raymundo fired the conference-best in scoring in their overtime win against Air21 on Halloween. He also managed 11 rebounds to add to his 37 points on a 58% shooting performance. But since it was Halloween, he still had to scare us with his 10 turnovers. Would that be the first triple double of the conference?

NOTABLES – Gary David 36pts vs SMB, Joe Devance 20pts & 20 reb vs Barangay Ginebra and Sol Mercado 29 pts vs Air21 in his pro debut.

TOP TEAM – San Miguel Beer

The new and improved San Miguel team has been playing to their potential. With a looser offense that has given more leeway to their offense, the Beermen have become more exciting to watch and the wins have come alongside with it. New recruits Jay Washington and Mick Pennisi have added a new dimension to the already loaded offense of SMB. Credit head coach Siot Tanquingcen for finding enough minutes for his players and keeping them interested. Don’t the players look more comfortable in the white/red of San Miguel than the blues of Magnolia?

NOTABLE - Alaska

TOP QUESTION – Where is Mark Caguioa?

The PBA’s version of Where’s Waldo. For the second straight Philippine Cup, Mark Caguioa has been unable to join his team to start the conference. Word is that he is nursing an injury and is still in the United States. I am one of those wondering what kind of treatment he is having in the United States that he can’t have it here in Manila. With a disabled team needing offense, people are wondering when the Spark will return to Barangay Ginebra.

TOP HEADLINE – Duremdes is interim coach of Coke

Who would’ve imagined that the former MVP would be coaching a professional team this early in his career? After struggling to book himself a spot in the rotation of Coke, he now personally manages who gets in and out of the rotation.

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