The local hoops events have concluded with San Miguel Beermen beating the TNT Tropang 5G in the Philippine Cup.
Here are some numbers for the grandest conference in the PBA:
Since 1990 when they entered the league, Talk ‘N Text, not TNT, made the Philippine Cup (formerly All-Filipino Conference) Finals 11 times–all of them after 2003. They won the exclusively Pinoy conference six times.
San Miguel Beermen went to the Finals 19 times, winning the crown 12 times, the most of any franchise.
They have faced each other four times, including three of the last four editions. Talk ‘N Text beat San Miguel in the 2009-10 season, but SMB took the next three.
The last Philippine Cup that did not have either San Miguel or TNT was in 2013-14, with San Mig Coffee (now Magnolia) taking on Rain or Shine.
Since 2003, at least one of TNT or SMB has been in the Philippine Cup Finals 18 of the last 22 years. These two flagship teams of the empires have dominated the league, this Conference in particular.
The question: When will the next Philippine Cup without SMB or TNT happen?
Not in the near future. These two teams have complete and well-rounded lineups, and the “emperors” place them as first priority in terms of roster fortification. Only injuries and world-class imports can break their dominance.
NBA Trade Deadline
Will Ja Morant be traded? Yes, since they traded Jaren Jackson, Jr, there is no more incentive for him to stay. The rebuild is in full swing. The Memphis Grizzlies have peaked with this roster and there was no other way to improve it. Morant’s issues unraveled, and before his trade value continues to plummet, it’s better to trade now.
Will Giannis Anteokounmpo be traded? To clarify, he did not exactly demand or even ask for a trade, but his camp is listening. The Milwaukee Bucks know that they have crossed the point of no return. But there is no desperation to do that at the deadline.
Unless there would be a title-obsessed team that pays an exorbitant, irrational price, the landscape is simply better in the summer.
Will Anthony Davis be traded? His recent injury scared off title chasers, at least this season. Likely no,
Will James Harden be traded at the deadline? Yes, There are title chasers who will take him despite The Beard’s history of playoff flareouts. Harden is still a bucket, and contenders can see his value just to advance to the next round,
All-Star Game and Playoffs
Does LeBron James deserve his All-Star slot? Based on this year, no. But this is a decision based on James’ overall body of work, and his popularity. It was a genius move for him to insinuate that he might retire, that this could be his last year. That somewhat hostaged the decision makers to choose him over…
Why was Kawhi Leonard not chosen? He has a better year than LeBron, but he is not near retirement. Another factor is the Aspiration scandal wherein he conspired to try and circumvent the salary cap. Since it boiled down to him and LeBron, the NBA needed to play safe.
Who’s the Rookie of the Year? It’s a former Duke Blue Devil. It’s the safer both, and talent will win over girth. Kon Knueppel is a great rookie, but he has to be more to catch up to Cooper Flagg.
Flagg proved his value in the last two games, scoring 49 and 34 points respectively. Knueppel cannot match Flagg, he had to exceed him. That is too much to ask for Kon.
UAAP and NCAA
Where will Janti Miller play? All signs, previous and present, point to La Salle. Sitting at the DLSU side in the UAAP Finals actually meant something.
Who Will Win the UAAP Season 89 title? UP Fighting Maroons. They have hungry talented guards who will (finally) gain playing time. They will get a better, bigger foreign student-athlete, while La Salle lost Mike Phillips.
These are personal projections, and the actual outcomes may change. It’s simply a fans’ attempt to answer local hoops’ biggest questions.
