Advantage ABS-CBN?

The bidding process (or lack thereof) for the PBA television rights was very advantageous to ABS-CBN.  The giant network asked for a one month window of exclusive presentations and negotiations before any other network was allowed to even tender a proposal.  The PBA and ABS-CBN met at least 5 times negotiating back and forth so most of the original terms proposed by ABS already had comments and changes that made the proposal better for the league.  

Normally, terms of reference are sent out to all who are interested to bid for the rights.  Then based on those terms, each network tenders a bid on their capabilities.  So for a network to get an exclusive window is a tremendous advantage because they are able to get feedback and improve their proposal along the way.  It seems that ABS-CBN's first bid was unsatisfactory or even the 2nd presentation since they had to go to a 3rd, 4th and 5th meeting.  Only when ABS was able to fine tune their proposal did the PBA invite the other networks to come in.

Solar was given 2 days to prepare a presentation.  ABS was given about 2 months.  ABC5 was accorded the same 2 day timeframe which they declined citing lack of time and change in programming direction.  We'll see how the PBA decides on this.

The Best College Preseason Ever

Through the years, the preseason of college basketball had teams using the tournaments as a tryout for the upcoming season.  The Fr. Martin Cup was the most popular where schools would send the fringe players to see if they're good enough to make the team or not.  You rarely see the blue chippers play in these games as they are either still in the PBL or coaches are not ready to show their cards yet.  The venues are also empty with family and friends of players as the only spectators.

Last year, the Flying V/Fil Oil group, under the leadership of 

Raffy Villavicencio started a preseason tournament that changed all that.  Most of the teams (UAAP & NCAA teams) sent their "A" players and it payed dividends.  Instead of tryouts, the coaches started to find out which players can play under pressure with the bands playing, crowds cheering and cameras focused on all the action.  The finals last year was between San Beda and La Salle.  Both teams ended up winning their respective leagues.  

The chemistry of the team is just as important as the level of talent.  These tournaments can now be used to gel earlier instead of using the first round the of the actual tournament.  Only UE and PCU from the two leagues are not included.  UE pulled out for another league organized by ABS-CBN (which has been cancelled) and PCU because of NCAA sanctions.  This tournament is the start of the road to the Philippine Collegiate Championships in October/November.  So mark you calendars as the tournament starts April 13.  The big games will be on BTV and IBC13.  All teams (7 UAAP, 7 NCAA) committed their "Team A" for this one.

Bye Bye Isaiah

As a Chicago Bulls fan, I am sad to see Isaiah Thomas leave New York.  He has been the best thing that could have happened to the Knicks if you're rooting for their competitors.  He has single handedly wasted the team's money on overpaid over the hill players and really questionable draft choices.  We (The Bulls fans) have him to thank for Joekim Noah and Tyrus Thomas although they haven't really fully developed into something that would make Thomas leaving New York even sadder.

He has brought embarrassment to the Knicks as a general manager with his bad choices and his sexual harassment case.  He brought embarrassment to himself as a coach who seems to not know discipline and direction for the team.  Walsh, his replacement, is a much more competent person but finding somebody more competent than Isaiah isn't that difficult.

So gone are the days of not having to worry about the Knicks as contenders in the East.  Some good things might actually happen there now that Thomas is gone.

MVP vs Villafuerte

You knew it had to happen sooner or later.  Now that there has been some semblance of leadership and progress, both in the grassroots level and the national team level, those searching for relevance are indeed predictably putting their self interests ahead of the country's.  Congressman Villafuerte wrote a very strong letter to Manny Pangilinan outlining his gripes about how the BAP-SBP was run.  The two gentlemen are the chairman and president of the current NSA.  Strong words were used and a lot of misguided accusations about mishandling of funds and ignoring stature.  But in the end, it all sounded like a spoiled brat yelling and screaming because they were not getting what they wanted despite the overall good being accomplished.

The BAP or Pilipinas Basketball (PB) both should have ceased to exist after FIBA agreed to the new group SBP.  But the BAP continues to elect officers, conduct coaching clinics, and organize tournaments.  FIBA has already rebuffed BAP after world body found out about the tournaments BAP was organizing outside of the new organization.  

I respect Manny Pangilinan for being willing to use his resources to advance the cause of Philippine basketball.  I think he's earned the respect with all the things he's done to help out.  The other(s) who are trying to enter the picture haven't done anything to merit respect for the sport yet in my eyes.  The BAP, with their failures in the past two decades wants to regain power.  The power to screw things up once again.

Who's the next PBA TV Coveror?

The PBA opened the new import conference last Sunday with Red Bull and Air21 beating Ginebra and Welcoat respectively.   But aside from the new imports strutting their stuff, many have been interested in the status of its television coverage.  ABC 5 is covering their last conference under their current contract and there have been a lot of rumors floating around as to where the PBA will be in the next All Filipino tournament.  ABC5 is partnering with a Malaysian company to reformat the channel so we still have to see if the PBA is part of that plan.

All indications are that the PBA is very interested in Studio 23 under ABS-CBN.  The PBA board has met with the giant TV network at least 4 times already which almost assures that there have been negotiations ongoing back and forth unless of course they just like each other's company.  Some say that Studio 23 is in because they are reformatting (again) into a male oriented sports channel since all their other formats haven't worked so there is a fit.

So the question is: Is Solar interested in getting involved and giving the PBA coverage a shot?  I think Solar's interest will stem from how fair the process will really be.  If ABS and the PBA have already been talking before even any kind of terms of reference have been given out, there has to be an assurance that the league is sincere in really getting the best possible option to improve itself.  Solar has not received any official communication from the PBA to bid or even make an offer yet so let's see how this thing unfolds.  I'm sure ABS has given an excellent case for taking over the TV coverage.  Will the board listen to other options?  It just makes the best sense to at least first check out all options on the table before making a decision.

Hall of Famer

It has become a tradition for Solar to host a welcome dinner for Manny Pacquiao the moment he arrives in the Philippines after a big fight.  It's normally a private dinner with invited guests by the Solar and the Pacquiao families.  After the last win against Barrera, the dinner was at The Fireplace at the Hyatt Hotel in Manila.  Last Monday, we had it at the Emperor's court inside the Renaissance Hotel in Makati City.  Along with the Solar executives, some GMA people were also there along with Manny's high profile friends like Chavit Singson and Lito Atienza.  Even Annabelle Rama was part of the GMA guests at the dinner.  

It was a nice classy and quiet dinner with good chinese food.  All the guests watched once again the video of Manny's split decision win over Marquez (without the commercials of course) while the Champ showed everyone his new Nike commercial which also featured Kobe Bryant, Maria Sharapova, and Roger Federer in the same video.  It was inspiring to see our hero be included in the same television spot as the other world class Nike endorsers.  Everyone actually clapped after they saw the clip.

We hope for many more of these thanksgiving dinners as our "Pambansang Kamao" continues to inspire the country and make a positive impact in representing the Philippines.

Upset City!

Those who grew up in the U.S. and follow sports know how awesome the March Madness Tournament is.  The frenzy of 64 teams all playing within a two day span to start things off then having a win or go home situation every game is just plain exciting.  Not to take anything away from the circus but the sheer unpredictability of the NCAA tournament makes it the greatest show on earth.  

One thing of note to Filipinos is that the Western Kentucky Hilltopers (WKU), whose team has had more than its share of exposure on Basketball TV (BTV) made it as a #12 seed as an underdog against #5 Drake.  WKU's overdose in BTV was because former Ateneo Blue Eagle, Japeth Aguilar is in the lineup as a backup forward/center.  He did play the first couple of games before getting injured for the rest of the season.  Japeth is 6'9" tall and can jump out of the building.  In fact, he's the best dunker for his team.

Well, the Hilltoppers are the story of at least the first round of this year's tournament!  They beat Drake in overtime (99-98) off a last second 26 foot three pointer from a guy named Ty Rogers, Japeth's teammate.  Although Aguilar hasn't played in months, his experience as a member of a division I school that won in the NCAA tournament will reap dividends down the line in his career.  He is still a long shot for the NBA but with a couple of more years, he'll be a lock as a PBA star.