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HumbleBlog #3
Hi Karl,
UAAP men’s basketball is back, and boy was it a fun opening Sunday. DLSU found a new gem in Joaquin Tovera who led the Green Archers with 22 points in a tense showdown against the NU Bulldogs. Tovera sure didn’t look like a rookie in that game, putting their offense on his back, giving them the needed production to win in a close game.
The NU Bulldogs look like they’re still adjusting to life after Enriquez and Figueroa. There were times that they strayed from their trademark grit and discipline which led to them sinking in a hole, which they promptly climbed out of when they remembered how to play their style of basketball.
Then there’s the Adamson-FEU game. Pasaol and company looked like they were going to go super saiyan and just outscore everyone early in the game. But Nash Racela had other plans, quite literally, lots of defensive plans thrown at Mo Konateh, Bautista and Pasaol to limit their production as the game went on. Adamson’s defense still remains sharp as ever, but recent additions of Precious Jonah and Maht Edding provide much needed offensive production to fill the Manzano-sized hole in this team.
Then again it’s not the first time the Soaring Falcons have had to fill a player-sized hole. Previously it was a Lastimosa-sized hole, they got by and adapted without too much drop off. No reason this season should be any different. No use lamenting what could have been, the only thing that matters is now.
But what’s this I hear about you predicting a four-win season for the Falcons? You should have known by now that the boys in blue love proving those kinds of predictions wrong (just ask Flever). In case you’re right, though, at least I’ll have three more wins to look forward to this season, and that ain’t so bad.
Gilas Pilipinas had a whirlwind week. Playing in the Asian Games, Gilas Pilipinas split their first two assignments losing by 4 to Bahrain, but exacting a 31-point bounceback win against Kazakhstan. That big point cushion might just be what Gilas needs to make it to the quarterfinals, win or lose against China. Notably, against Bahrain, Calvin Oftana’s scoring ability went on full display, practically leading the charge for a Gilas team that was hard-pressed to find any offense. Against Kazakhstan the expected players took over, Bolick finally matching the hype around him, while Jerrick Ahanmisi did Jerrick Ahanmisi things, letting it rip from beyond the arc especially in the 4th, starting the three-point party that turned into the 31-point lead.
China is chomping at the bits to get back at Gilas Pilipinas for beating them in the last Asian Games. Unfortunately, this isn’t a run-it-back situation since key players from that defending Asian Games champion team aren’t back (read as: Justin Brownlee isn’t back). China won’t care, though. They still wear “Pilipinas” on the front, so Gilas has to be prepared for China to go full strength.
Going back to the topic of the UAAP coverage, did you catch the live broadcast on Sunday? Fans were thrilled when the UAAP announced that they would be broadcast live on YouTube, just like any respectable league.
What many didn’t expect was the difference in quality for the YouTube broadcast. One notable difference was that it seemed like there was no ambient sound. All people could hear were the commentators and the jarringly loud sound effects for the promotional segments. These issues were not present in the live broadcast of Cignal’s proprietary app. They even had different commentators for each broadcast. Perhaps it’s just a matter of growing pains in managing a separate broadcast, maybe someone forgot to plug in the ambient noise microphone or something, and it’s definitely not a deliberate decision by the powers-that-be to deliver an inferior product for the sake of pushing their proprietary app.
On the topic of introducing changes this season, Commissioner Jai Reyes was reported to be continuing on his FIBA-ification of the UAAP, adding more emphasis on bench decorum this time. I highly support this move, seeing as the end goal of most basketball athletes is to play in FIBA tournaments, it’s high time they got used to the standards used in FIBA. Although it bears reiterating, when people say FIBA “standard” it’s not meant to be used in the “good” or “bad” term or that anything that isn’t in accordance with their “standard” is automatically inferior (or superior), but just that those are the chosen practices by that one specific organization that just so happens to govern how basketball is played on a global scale.
The common misconception is that aligning with FIBA standard automatically makes officiating better, more accurate, faster or whatever standards fans have made up in their head that officiating ought to be. Instead aligning with FIBA standards just means they follow the rules, guidebooks, interpretations, principles and philosophies. Accuracy of calls is a different matter, one which the Commissioner put emphasis on last season.
These are good moves as what better place to introduce industry standards to a group of young, learning people, than in college? Like anything, there will be an adjustment curve, so as fans, we can at least know there’s something being done about it.
Excited to see Ateneo’s first game in the Louie Alas era on Wednesday.
See you at the games.
Yours,
Toby Pavon
Edit: Well, Gilas just got bounced out of the Asian Games, losing by 41 points to China.
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HumbleBlog #2
‘Sup Tobs,
Took a while— Day job things, minor career switch-ups, and everything else in between.
But yes, we definitely had a fun week of basketball, and I think Gilas Pilipinas deserves its flowers.
We’ve been friends for quite a while now, and I’m pretty sure you know how… apprehensive (for lack of a better term) I can be with the national team. This window, though, I’m proud to say that they proved me wrong.
When Justin Brownlee was ruled out, my immediate and unfiltered reaction was, “Well, what’s new? We’re about to go 0-2.” Then we didn’t. Full credit goes to Kai Sotto for stepping up right when the nation needed him to, plus some timely contributions from guys like AJ Edu, Kevin Quiambao, Carl Tamayo, and even June Mar Fajardo upfront to cover for JB’s loss.
(Sidebar: Glad to have our boy Karlo back in some capacity. Fitting that he wrote the OLR for JMF.)
My concern now with Gilas Pilipinas is: who should we tap for the November window against Syria and Iran?
Syria, I don’t think we should have a problem with, IF (major if) we retain the core that just played.
I’m more concerned with Iran. They’ve kicked our ass six times in the last eight meetings, dating back to 2007. Sure, we beat them in the most recent showdown, but I’d like to think that they’d be out for blood when the rematch comes on November 30.
Will we have Kai Sotto again then? Is Brownlee still going to be our naturalized player? Will we see some new faces suit up? Are we going to have to rely on Quiambao’s heroics once more?
Those are but a handful of the questions that will stay in my mind for the next few weeks, and I just wish we’ll have some positive answers.
In terms of college basketball, the final preseason tournament before UAAP Season 89 has just concluded. If you missed it, the UST Growling Tigers took home the trophy in Pinoyliga Cup’s “The Big Dance” tournament.Preseason can be a double-edged sword for most fans, but I think it’s a credible gauge for expectations on how they should/will perform once the season rolls around.
As early as now, I think the UST Growling Tigers should be among the favorites to win. Second season Collins Akowe is already my pick to win FSA of the year, and I don’t think it’ll be close. This team is supremely deep, and I think their worries at point guard following last season are/were overblown. (Planning to make a piece expounding on this.)
Preseason performance can serve as a crystal ball into how a team will perform in the UAAP Season, UST’s performance has been encouraging of late
This isn’t me counting on the defending champions DLSU Green Archers or the new-look and last year’s runner-ups UP Fighting Maroons. This is me saying that the race to the MBT title this year looks wide open.
Aside from UST, the rest of the UAAP has the FEU Tamaraws to worry about too. Coach Sean Chambers has that team on lock, and I like what they’re building over there. Janrey Pasaol should be in line to build on his surprising (to everyone else, not me) MVP campaign. Kirby Mongcopa, I expect to go head-to-head with former teammate Veejay Pre for best wing in the UAAP. Mo Konateh will do Mo Konateh things and lock down the paint. Last but definitely not least, I see final-season Jorick Bautista going on a scoring tirade just because he can.
They will also have the task of welcoming UAAP U19 MVP Cabs Cabonilas to the big leagues. He’ll have a featured role here and there, but if we’re talking about new faces who will have a starring role, look no further than Kieffer Alas.
Keeping it strictly basketball, the Ateneo Blue Eagles are fired up, though many are overlooking their Final Four odds for Season 89. New head coach, new faces — sure, I get it, and those are fair takes.
All eyes will be on rookie Kieffer Alas who is expected to be a key player for Ateneo
However, this batch is playing with an energy that I haven’t seen in quite a while. Like what I told a couple of close friends of mine following their PinoyLiga Cup exit: this Ateneo squad is the most dangerous 8-6, 7-7, fighting-for-a-Final-Four-spot team we will see in a while.
Season 89 opens on Saturday, September 12, at the Mall of Asia Arena, and I will most likely be there (barring any unforeseen circumstances). It’s my eighth season of covering the UAAP (missed out in 2023, as you will likely remember lol), and I have a feeling that this will be a big one for all of us.
Inactivity hurt us badly in Season 88.
Let’s get back to kicking ass in Season 89.
Humblebola, baybay.
Always and forever ya boi,
Karl Batungbacal
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One Last Ride: The Legend of the Gilas Kraken
By: Karlo Lovenia
VANCOUVER, BC – For the longest time, Philippine Basketball was looking for its savior. A singular figure who could help elevate the National Team in the world stage. For 36 years, the Philippine national men’s basketball team yearned for the one that could bring them back to the world stage.
Enter June Mar Fajardo.
During the early 2010s, hope of finding that savior was reignited when two giants emerged from the Queen City of the South. June Mar, then from the University of Cebu, and his rival Greg Slaugher, from the University of Visayas, were touted as the future of Philippine Basketball. For a basketball-loving country so lacking in height, having two skilled giants from the Visayas shone bright like a beacon of light. What immediately made them stand out was their height; what made people believe was their skill.
There was so much belief in June Mar that he was offered to be part of Gilas 1.0, drafted with the first overall pick during the 2012 PBA Draft and even despite his young age, included in the Gilas Pilipinas lineup for the 2013 FIBA Asia Cup. The savior had arrived.
Or so we thought.
Such is life in Philippine Basketball. With high expectations come even greater scrutiny and that was the life of June Mar Fajardo as a player for Gilas Pilipinas. Pinch me if you’ve heard this before: Hanggang PBA lang.
Rather than be the savior that elevates the National Team in the world stage, he became the butt of jokes and was treated as evidence that the PBA was an inferior basketball product compared to the international game. Never mind the MVPs and the pockets of greatness he showed while wearing the Pilipinas jersey, nothing he did ever seemed to be enough for his critics when talking about June Mar Fajardo’s Gilas legacy.
It’s funny that 13 years later, those same fans who were berating June Mar were now posting Instagram stories with captions of “Salamat Abai 🫡” and reposting that image of the Kraken raising the game ball for the Philippines-Iran game last August 30, 2026. Such is the irony of Philippine Sports fandom. And honestly, such is the greatness of June Mar Fajardo.
Photo from Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas The last paragraph I just wrote is how most Philippine sports fans sound like when they are at their worst. Entitled. Snarky. Demanding of others and demeaning when expectations are not met. It happens to all of us, myself included.
That’s not to say all of the criticism against June Mar was unwarranted. He was limited in the world stage. He could not defend a pick and roll to save his life and versus an international game that has embraced screen-and-roll action as the core of most modern offenses, the trade-off was far too much. On offense, he was a force; even burly Australians could not push him around whenever he’d get into the post (it’s that Filipino strength baby; it’s FOR REAL). But the moment you asked him to slide his feet against a guard, you braced for disappointment.
The basketball wasn’t perfect. June Mar never truly had a sustained run in Gilas where you could call him the guy. He didn’t turn out to be the savior we wanted him to be when he first emerged in the scene during the early 2010s.
Those expectations can shape how a man views himself. Realistically, all the MVPs June Mar had won (with an employer that was surely compensating him WELL) gave him the cache to say no to joining the National Team. What benefit did it get him to be judged for failing to defend a pick and roll? The PBA multi-time MVP didn’t look MVP-like on the international stage. If anything, playing for Gilas hurts whatever imaginary legacy or GOAT case was being made against him. Hanggang PBA lang. That is something haters would and will likely continue to throw against him.
But to June Mar his image didn’t matter. Only helping the team did.
To quote June Mar’s Instagram bio: “No negative thoughts allowed. You can’t live a positive life with a negative mind!” He never let that negativity and venom enter his head. He continued to show up and emerged as a positive force for the National Team.
In a culture of hyper-individualism and dopamine hits, June Mar was the epitome of stacking days and just showing up. Whenever his body allowed him to be on the court, June Mar always showed up wearing the colors of Gilas Pilipinas. He never demanded playing time. He was never one to ask for more touches even if the game tape said that the gravity he delivered on the offensive end earned him a bigger role in the Gilas offense. He simply did his job and showed that it’s We not Me (with apologies to the Alaska Aces, who blew a 3-0 lead over a decade ago no thanks to June Mar’s heroics).
That’s the June Mar Fajardo legacy as a Gilas Pilipinas legend. It isn’t whatever dominance fans envisioned out of him or being the alpha savior that he was touted to be when he initially came out of the scene. It was by showing PUSO in his own special way; by being unquestionably June Mar. A positive light. A great teammate. Stayed present and just did his job and let the limelight follow him instead of chasing it. This might sound dramatic, but honestly, in many ways, he was the ideal Filipino.
The current Gilas Pilipinas program does not get here without June Mar Fajardo. Kai Sotto and AJ Edu, two players who are arguably more armed to carry the title of savior, do not get here without June Mar Fajardo. He helped paved the way. They are standing on the shoulders of giants. They are standing on the shoulders of the Kraken.
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HumbleBlog #1
Hi Karl,
What a week it was for Philippine basketball, huh?
A rebuilding Ateneo team beat two formidable NCAA teams in the PinoyLiga Cup, Adamson put up a valiant effort against DLSU en route to a silver finish in the Roxas City Tournament, and Gilas Pilipinas just swept the latest leg of the FIBA World Asian Qualifiers getting the job done against Jordan and Iran.
I can’t begin to imagine how difficult it must have been for Ateneo following the passing of their teammates Rene Bartebonia and Divine Adili back in June, but their return to organized basketball has seen a lot of inspired play especially from Jared Bahay and Kieffer Alas.
Honestly I was apprehensive about their performance in their first game against OLFU. While their defensive intensity definitely ramped up, their offense felt a bit stagnant compared to what we have gotten used to from Ateneo. But in their next games, it looks like they are starting to develop into their system while Bahay and Alas are their core engine for their offense.
Kieffer Alas leads the charge for Ateneo despite being a rookie. Doesn’t look like he feels any pressure right now. Photo by Karl Batungbacal IG: @mambitoshots It’s going to be interesting to see how both UST and Ateneo fair against one another in the PinoyLiga Cup, especially with UAAP Season 89 just around the corner. My guess is that we’re far from seeing either team in their true forms. Either way it’s going to be a fun matchup.
I’ve also been on the Reddit forums a lot lately. As per usual, everyone is counting Adamson out, and perhaps for a logical reason– the Cedrick Manzano shaped void they have to fill. Their performance in the Roxas City Tournament has much to be hopeful for, though. Beating DLSU definitely turned some heads. Doing it with some unconscious shooting from Matt Erolon and a clutch game-tying three from Mat Edding definitely inspires a lot of confidence in this team.
As for the defending champions DLSU, I don’t think this performance will define them in any way, even if they missed out on a podium finish. Adjusting to life without Mike Philips is definitely going to take some time. With Jacob Cortez still running point, they can still give any team after their crown a run for their money.
That performance by Gilas Pilipinas though, talk about fighting tooth and nail.
A lot of people were understandably worried when Coach Tim announced that Justin Brownlee would not be playing against Jordan and Iran. Afterall, Gilas barely held their own against New Zealand, and not at all against Australia in the previous leg of the FIBA World Qualifiers. Justin Brownlee has been such a boon to Gilas, it was difficult to imagine how they’d cope without him.
Fortunately they found a way. Many fans forget that this is still *the* national men’s team. That means they have some of the best, both on their lineup and in the coaching staff as well. Throughout both games, Gilas Pilipinas looked like they did their homework and understood the assignment, going as far as emphasizing a “one point win” against Jordan, which came true.
Having Kai Sotto definitely helped Gilas’ chances. A tall rebounder, lob threat, or even just emergency pass outlet freed up a ton of space for Gilas’ guards. Putting Sotto in with Edu, who has been great at patrolling the paint, caused a lot of opponents to re-think their drives to the basket. How many times did both Jordan and Iran’s guards hesitate before attempting a layup just because Sotto or Edu was in their peripheral vision. When they didn’t hesitate, it resulted in Sotto’s game-saving block on Olijuwon.
Seeing this lineup for Gilas makes me optimistic for Philippine basketball’s future. The more players who develop like Kevin Quiambao or Carl Tamayo we can get, the better. Playing in tougher competition has really allowed them to hone their skills. Even then, the PBA veterans still have a place in this roster, CJ Perez taking over against Jordan was very Pinoy basketball– when all else fails, attack the basket and see what sticks. Just look at how steady he was scoring straight points in the 4th and overtime until dishing to Quiambao for the go-ahead three!
I wonder how it must have felt for June Mar Fajardo in those last two games, seeing young players matching his size and impact on the court. For the past decade, June Mar was the lone answer to the “lack of height” problem, now, opposing teams have to worry about matching Kai and AJ’s height. If this was the last we’ll see of Abai in a Gilas jersey, then it was a good run. Those dying minutes of the first half against Iran served as a flash back to his dominant days, and a fitting swan song to one of the greatest to ever play in the Philippines.
Greatest of all time: June Mar Fajardo may have just donned the Gilas jersey for the last time as he retires triumphant, with a win and leaving the team in the hands of two elite bigs that are even bigger than him. Photo from: Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas Can’t wait for what’s next in Philippine basketball. Asian Games, the UAAP, the next leg of the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers, I’d love to get your thoughts on them too.
Until then, stay safe and keep shooting.
Yours,
Toby.
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Ateneo Brandishes Tougher System in Hardcourt Return
By: Karl Batungbacal
There is something different about the Ateneo Blue Eagles — and it’s nasty.
In case you missed it, they made their much-anticipated return to the hardwood on Sunday, August 16, as a wildcard team in the Pinoyliga Cup’s “The Big Dance” tournament, where they squared off against the Our Lady of Fatima (OLFU) Phoenix. This was their first public game since withdrawing from the FilOil Tournament earlier this year.
With Letran legend Louie Alas at the helm and a coaching staff led by fellow alums RJ Jazul and Kerby Raymundo, Ateneo brandished a bolder energy and brasher attitude that had been hiding beneath the “cool, calm, collected” style of basketball of former shot-caller Tab Baldwin. Coach Alas brought in his championship experience and is allowing the players to bring out their nasty through physicality and tenacity.
None other than Ateneo’s lead point guards, fourth-season Ian Espinosa and third-season Jared Bahay (how time flies, eh?), were able to quickly adapt to the new style of play, as they and the rest of the team were being urged to play tight, physical defense.
3rd year Jared Bahay is given more discretion to create from the perimeter under the new system
No inbound attempt went unchallenged, no dribble drive was loosely guarded, and only a handful of shots went uncontested. If that’s not a testament to coach Alas’ renewed defensive identity for the Blue Eagles, then we don’t know what is.
Foul trouble was still a thing, but it was more a part of the learning curve than a visible lack of discipline.
The offense was being run with a similar vibe too, with Bahay and Espinosa being entrusted to attack from the perimeter and distribute the ball to newcomers Travis Roberts, Grayson Rogers, and Kieffer Alas.
Under Baldwin, the Blue Eagles played with pace, yes, though there was a heavy reliance on screen actions to kickstart their structured offense. Under Alas, the guards are given more discretion to run sets on the fly, while the bigs and wings were making a concerted effort to crash the offensive boards.
Choosing to hand over the reins of the offense to their primary ball-handlers, rather than sticking to a semi-rigid structure, allowed Ateneo to be more fluid in their offensive sets.
Organized chaos, if you will.
Despite knocking OLFU out of the tournament with a final score of 71-60, more questions are still on deck for the Ateneo Blue Eagles leading up to their first game in UAAP Season 89.
Drew Bongo and Shawn Tuano (who were out due to Gilas 3×3 duties), were not present in the OLFU game, which leaves questions as to how well they will perform under the new system.
Foreign student-athlete Sultan Baruwa is the only “true” center they have. How ready is backup EJ Kapihe to deal with opposing bigs like Collins Akowe, Luis Pablo, and Mo Konateh in extended minutes — especially in crunch time?
Kieffer Alas’ rookie season will be one of the biggest reasons why people will tune in closely to Ateneo’s games (for better or worse); for all intents and purposes, he appears ready for the challenge. How heavy a load will he have to carry to ensure that the Blue Eagles return to the Final Four?
With most, if not the entirety, of the UAAP landscape closely watching their progress, Ateneo already appears ready for the season. But still, a couple of questions need to be answered before they have their first game in Season 89.
All eyes will be on rookie Kieffer Alas who is expected to be a key player for Ateneo
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Humblebola 