As I check through the records, I notice the three teams of San Miguel combined have won eight titles of the twelve conferences so far.  Barangay  Ginebra has the most with four, San Miguel Beer with two and Purefoods Giants, now known as Derby Ace Llamados, have also two. It is also worthy to point out that these three teams are the only ones with multiple titles so far. Red Bull Barakos, Alaska Aces, Sta. Lucia Realtors and TNT Tropang Texters have all won one championship each.

The same thing goes with the players. Five of the nine Best Player of the Confrence (BPC) awardees are from SMC teams. Mutliple winners Eric Menk and Jayjay Helterbrand are from Barangay Ginebra. The two were selected as the best in the conference twice each. Other BPC awardees coming from SMC clubs include Danny Seigle, Mark Caguioa and James Yap.

With it, I would say that SMC ballclubs have ruled PBA’s ‘new era’. It’s about time for the other teams to take the challenge.

Photo Courtesy: Philstar.com

Arwind Santos of the San Miguel Beer is currently on top for the Best Player of the Conference (BPC) Award in the ongoing 2009 KFC-Philippine Cup of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). Midway in the eliminations, the 6-4 native of Angeles City, Pampanga has an average of 38.9 Statistical Points (SP). He is the second leading scorer averaging 18.22 points and 10.22 rebounds a game. Following Santos at second place is Sta. Lucia forward Kelly Williams who has a 38.1 SP per game.

Completing the top ten for the BPC are the following:

3^rd Willie Miller (Alaska) 35.6 SP

4^th Macmac Cardona (Talk ‘N Text) 33.4

5^th LA Tenorio (Alaska) 31.3

6^th Ronald Tubid (Ginebra) 30.0

7^th Joe Devance (Alaska) 29.6

8^th Jimmy Alapag (Talk ‘N Text) 29.1

9^th Dondon Hontiveros (San Miguel) 28.6

10. Jayjay Helterbrand (Ginebra) 28.4

PHOTO COURTESY: CHICOLANETE.BLOGSPOT.COM

One of the most exciting players to watch today in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) is Chico Lanete. The 6’0 combo guard who currently plays for the Burger King Whoppers is a hard-nosed defender and reliable on the offensive end as well. Now on his third season in the PBA, he provides a quality backcourt rotation for Coach Yeng Guiao. So far this season, Lanete has been playing well on both ends of the floor as he averaged 13.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals in just 24.7 minutes per game.

Chico was born in Ormoc City but grew up in Isabela, Basilan. He first played college hoops in Zamboanga city’s Southern City Colleges before he was scouted by Lyceum of the Philippines University. His younger brother Von Harry is into basketball as well. Von used to play for the University of Cebu in Cebu City but later transferred to the San Beda Red Lions.

The elder Lanete entered the PBA via backdoor, meaning he was one of those left undrafted in the 2007 PBA Rookie Draft. It was Coach Ryan Gregorio of the Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants who gave him the chance and signed the then rookie free agent.

Now, on his third team in his third season, Chico enjoys the confidence that Coach Yeng Guiao has in him. He was handpicked by Guiao to the team after he was released by the Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings. With the way things are going, Chico is definitely playing his way to the top.

PHOTO COURTESY: BASKETBALL.EXCHANGE.PH

Samigue Eman is one of the most underrated players in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). He was drafted 2^nd overall in the 2007 PBA Rookie Draft by Magnolia Beverage Masters, now known as San Miguel Beermen. Standing 6’9, Samigue was born on March 12, 1982. He spent his college years at the University of Mindanao in Davao City. Coming from the same city where Eman hails from, he’s a source of pride whenever I go on a trip outside Davao.

The only time I came across with Samigue in person was sometime in November 2001. It was during the grand opening of SM City Davao.  He was still a skinny and a wide eyed behemoth that towered over hundreds of people that lined up across the hallway of the newly-opened mall.

It feels so bad that for two seasons in the PBA, Eman has not been given the opportunity to reach his full potential.  Playing for San Miguel Beer, he had a hard time sharing quality minutes at the frontline along with Dorian Peña, Mick Pennisi and Danny Ildefonso. In the 2008-2009 Fiesta Conference of the PBA, he was fielded in just 6 out of the 27 games the Beermen played averaging less than 7 minutes a game. With this scenario, I don’t think anybody could maximize his talents.

I believe that given enough playing time, Eman could produce better numbers in the record books. I would even bet that he can dominate the frontline better than the way Marlou Aquino did during his prime. Samigue is still a star on the rise.  I think I share the same sentiments with the other Eman hopefuls to call on the Beermen to awaken the “sleeping” giant.

The victory cemented San Miguel Beer’s championship tradition.  They have just won their 18^th title in 29 Finals appearances.  Both are PBA records.  As for Coach Siot Tanquincen, it’s his first title with the Beermen and third overall after winning the first two with Ginebra.

Had Ginebra won, this would have been their 9^th title in 18 Finals appearances. Coincidentally, this would have been Coach Jong Uichico’s 9^th championship in 12 Finals appearances including his stint as the Beermen’s head coach.

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