The Road to Palaro Finals
Who will be in the Final Four?
The aftermath of Game 4 changed the landscape of play-off contenders. Even as Game 5 builds up to fever pitch, predictions have been drawn as to which team have the right to be in the FINAL FOUR.
One game. Seven teams, all possible contenders to get in. Two teams with one foot inside the final four. Two more teams needed to complete the play-offs roster.
After the dust settles on Game 5, who will be the final four?
The Possibilities:
In Division A, blog-favorite Delaware Titans square off with the dreaded PHI Blue Devils in a do-or-die match. Winner of this game goes to the Final Four playoffs. On the other hand, TFC Mainline, a shoe-in for the play-offs battles SFC - Manila bay. A win by TFC pits them with the #2 team of Division B for the playoffs. While an upset by SFC - Manila Bay will give them bragging rights as the only team to break TFC's vaunted teamwork. Will pride be Manila Bay's motivation to spoil the perfect slate of TFC?
A loss by TFC may relegate them to the no.2 position in Division A after Q points have been tallied. This will pit them against the no.1 team in Division B.
In Division B, the remarkable GK Warriors, clearly this year's cinderella team, duke it out with 2006 Palaro Champions, Wala Sa Ayos. With 2006 MVP awardee, Bert Fogata and Arvie Dazon, leading the frontlines, will WSA wrestle away the divsion lead from GK Warriors?
A win by the WSA will shut the doors on defending champs, Red Bulls and wildcard team. Origlio. While a loss by WSA, together with twin wins from Red Bulls and Origlio will trigger a 3-way race for the Q points. Who will prevail? Let's do the math.
One game. Seven teams. Only four will remain.
72 comments:
1st to post!!!
GK will beat WSA. Hopefully PHI wins so they face GK in the first round
BigBadGK... I SECOND THE MOTION!
Ha!
I move to disagree with your motion, LebtonTuron.
WSA will wipe out GK and eliminate Origlio or Red Bulls out of the race.
I also put my money on Delaware Titans. At this point, TFC will run away clean.
Eat your heart out BigJ!
GK will fight to win! And Origlio may just come out on top wiht Q points. Check the game sched before you make a prediction.
GK...keep your head on the game!
Isang game na lang, play-offs na!
Ang prediction ko:
TFC, Del Tatangs
GKW wins over WSA.
WSA will join GK in the playoffs for div B.
GOOOO GGGGKKKKKKK!!!!
I hope TFC will end up playing against the GK Warriors in the playoffs.. Basically depends on the games, I hope either WSA wins putting them #1 in Qpts perhaps which means GK at #2 will play TFC if they win their game against SFC this weekend.
OR
TFC losses, PHI or Titans becomes #1 based on Qpts which puts TFC at #2 and will battle against GKW if WSA losses to them.
To simplify it I just want TFC to go against GK in the playoffs and not the champ game. That will be a boring game if they play against them in the championship game. I remember some fans/palyers of TFC saying they dont think GK is all that and one even said "well see them in the championship game". so hope thats what will happen but just in the playoffs.
to bigbadgk
Why you want PHI? easier than Titans?
to barrelingbigj
Why Titans? can you give us your points or observations?
to EVERYONE
do you like the playoffs format? (#1 Div A VS #2 Div B vice versa) or can we do the NBA style EAST champion VS WEST Champion (so #1 Div.A VS #2 Div.A WINNER will take winner from Division B)
Just asking.. wanna hear your individual points. thanks. goodluck to the seven teams.
PREDICTION:
Div. A
TFC
PHI
Div. B
GKW
WSA
upon watching last Saturday games this are the four teams I selected.
Why PHI not TITANS? The answer is TEAM WORK. TITANS defence was A+ on the first half after that it crumbles. For the TITANS to win they need to stop WILL(dont let him hold the ball at all) AND PLAY SMART. WSA because of the Q points.
FINALS:
WSA VS. PHI OR GKW
why WSA vs TFC?
TFC have the speed but WSA have it too plus the hieght advantage. weakness for WSA... NO ball handler
CHAMPION
PHI OR GKW.
I was wrong last wk when I voted for EXCEL PT. EXCEL PT did a good job that first 30 mins but I notice that the last 10 mins of the game EXCEL"s players are tired already. No one want to run. pretty much they are walking down the court. GKW is a solid team. everybody can shoot. I'll pick the champion next wk after i've watch PHI play against TITANS.
This is just my prediction. I was wrong last wk games GKW vs. EXCEL but majority of the game i was right.
who is this years MVP???
this years mvp is either leo yanogacio or ryan degracia.
the mythical 5 shoudl be the GKW starting lineup!!!
dapat si Mr. MVP himself. heheheheeh
ano ano po bang mga individual award ang ibibigay nyo? pwede po bang mister pogi?
I have two questions
First. who do you want to win the championship?
Second. who do you think will win the championship?
be honest!
my answer is
I want the TATANGS to win
I think GKW will win
To Stevenson
I dont like the playoff format in that only the top two teams in each division can win the championship. The playoffs should be more open to the other teams. Since their are 6 teams in each division, the playoffs should be top 4 in each division. This way more teams have a chance to win the championship instead of good teams losing 1 or 2 close games and might not even make the playoffs...
It doesn't really matter this year though because the GK Warriors got the championship locked up!
Everyone already knows the MVP....
but since he requested not to publish his initial, I won't mention it to respect his decision.
By the way, Mario Salazar of GKW is he available?
to Stevenson:
You asked, "why the Titans over Phi"?
First, STICKY DEFENSE.
If the Titan's coach, whoever he is, will use the full bench to apply stifling defense on the first half over PHI's talented players. Then, the backcourt tandem of Antonio & Fabian or Dex can control the tempo of the game. They need to thwart PHI's fastbreak offense, an play deliberate ball. Kill the fastbreak because the TATANGS will not catch up. Play slow and deliberate. They almost pulled it off with TFC and they were the only team I saw who almost succeeded with a half time score of 13. That's how to do it TATANGS!
Second, DEEPER BENCH. Like other bloggers, I agree that PHI has the talent to beat any team in the league but they lack the deep bench. If Titan's coach will create a good rotation for its deep bench, you can tire out the PHI guns combined with a sticky defense. Also, the TITANS have good frontliners who can go to the hoop or if not, take the jumpshot. they just need to execute the way they do it in practice.
Third, mark MERCADO & IMPERIAL with good defenders all 48 minutes. Frustrate and taunt MERCADO and IMPERIAL to foul out, this will paralyze PHI. PHI's 1-2 punch should be neutralized. SURE they will score as both players are prolific. The trick is to cut their regular output to at least HALF. Check the stat sheets. Tell the titans coach to monitor the scores of IMPERIAL & MERCADO.
Fourth, MAKE PHI go left instead of right. I just noticed how strong MERCADO and IMPERIAL are on the right side of the court, but seem to be at a loss when they face the left side. PUSH THESE 2 PHI FORWARDS TO THE LEFT with their hefty centers.
you satisfied, stevenson?
my opinion only as an avid basketbolista! No offense meant.
Asta Lavista bebe!
PHI ot Tatangs? It does not matter since neither of them will win against Mr. MVP and his team.
He is 45 years of age but he plays like a 3 years (just as he had mentioned on his email)pro.
MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP!
To the Barreling Big J: Well said, Totally agree with everything you said but I don't think you have been watching Team PHI lately; I have been an avid fan of the team PHi since the Blue Devils back in '05, Everything that you have mentioned is true but you also forgot to mention Humphrey!! They're starting center! He is back this Saturday from what i heard from one of the Destreza Brother's and he is in full force. I personally think he's probably the only player in the league that can stop "big Man" Leo from the very talented GK warriors. If you have watched PHI's game against Excel PT last year then you will know how strong of a player he is. I'll pick him over Barnes in any pick-up games out there. (No offense to Barnes who i think is also one of the best centers upon seeing him play against GK) Eventhough the Titans possibly stop Mercado and Imperial, I dont think they have any bodies available to put on Humphrey. Thats my ventecinco centimos...
I disagree with you, theBarrelingBigJ.
My take is PHI has the younger, faster and deeper bench.
Titans can rotate all their players like a "turompo" if they want to, but who matches up with Humphrey or Holcomb? meron ba?
Baka nga may advantage ang Titans sa backcourt lineup, pero sa forward and center, i don't see anyone who can matchup sa Titans.
Although, gusto ko mga "tatangs", I'll put my bets on PHI.
And before I forget:
"DANCE THE Y PSC n SCRIBBS with GK MVP - JV!"
Abangan....tahdaaah!
To the Barreling Big J,
You are right but my question is if the TITANS are well DISCIPLINE to do all of that? The height is not the problem with the TITANS because GKW on last wk game showed that you don’t need height to win (I picked Excel). It is their DISCIPLINE inside the court. TITANS’ chance was last week. I hope I’m wrong because I’m an avid fan of TITAN.
pwede bang mag imbita ng mga tao? may pagkain ba sa championship?
Is MVP stands for "Most Vangko Player"?
Sabi ni Lebron at Penoy, "What about Humphrey?"
The clue to solving the HUMPHREY HUMP is in this popular children's rhyme:
"Humpty Dumpty sat on the wall...
"Humpty Dumpty had a great fall.."
"All the king's horses.
"And all the king's men.."
Couldn't put Humpty together again."
gets nyo? o sobrang lalim?
O cge, i-explain ng maintindihan ng madla:
No doubt to my mind that Humphrey is a good center. He can rebound, position, and pivot around the shaded lane with his size. But wait a minute, there's still a way to stop him. And that old rhyme tell us, sit HUMPHREY on the wall (or in basketball) - outside the shaded lane. Build a wall of defense around the shaded lane to stop HUMPHREY from getting in his comfort zone. Let him take high-percentage shots all day long. Just keep him out of the shaded lane at all cost.
Sino kaya ang mag-ma-match up kay HUMPHREY? Sagot.. hindi sino, kundi sino-sino. The defensive stance I will take on Humprhey is a two-on-two rotation. A pair of big men on the floor at the same time. One hefty center and one slender small forward-center. So sino-sino ang ilalagay ko kay HUMPHREY? Alafriz with Fermin and Ortega with Alvarez (or pwede rin si Dex). Fermin will guard the top wall of the shaded lane and if he sees HUMPHREY get into the area - BOXOUT! Alafriz guards the bottom wall of the shaded lane, pag pasok ni HUMPHREY - BOXOUT. Each pair will get six playing minutes, tops,
to pace my defensive walls. Yung lang ang focus nung apat na tatangs. Stop HUMPHREY and sit him outside the WALLS of the shaded lane. For the small or slender centers, Fermin or Alvarez, sa backcourt palang they will hound HUMPRHEY as gets into the front court.
So sa madaling salita, if HUMPHREY DUMPTY sits outside the wall, HUMPHREY DUMPTY will face a big TATANGs WALL.
Next point: COACH CARTER - "Do the Titans have enough discipline to execute a game plan?"
Discipline, they have.
Game plan, they seem to have none.
Answer: Get a coach that can spark the Titans to shape!
again, my opinion only. No offense to anyone.
Asta Lavista Bebe!
I'd like to see PHI VS GK.I have a feeling WSA will be pretty tough. (since they are hungry for a spot in the finals) but I know GK warriors are hungry for a spot in the finals too,and once they get hungry.....WSA will happen to be their meat on saturday...Joke lang.
GO GK WARRIORS!!!!!!!
Big j,
How about VIBAL?
if TITANS will going to bouble Humprey, how about Vibal?
I love how everyone doubts/hates TFC/Mainline and every week they prove everyone wrong.
Please keep hating. It only makes them angry and makes them play harder and better. I think thats why they showed no mercy to Healing Water. They were tired of all the trash talk on these blogs.
Dont forget they're undefeated too!
And they beat The "Mighty Titans" without Alex. It was an ugly game but they still got the WIN. They always find a way to win games and keep their composure while doing it.
They will beat SFC/Manila Bay and sweep their division!
TFC all the way!!!
to JV-Himself
MVP stands for Most Versatile PAPA.. dami niyo chiks boss e..
to LebronTuron
Bestfren suportahan kita! mukang hindi tayu pinapansin ni boss e..baka si boss JV yakang yaka
"DANCE THE Y PSC n SCRIBBS with GK MVP - JV!"
to PSC/SCRIBBS/MVP JV
"DANCE THE Y PSC n SCRIBBS with GK MVP - JV!"
to TheBarrelingBigJ
Whos MARK MERCADO?? from PHI?.. BKA JUSTIN MERCADO is the name... by the way.. PRETTY GOOD OBSERVATIONS on how TITANS will beat PHI.. how about observations on how PHI will beat the Titans?
Lets see if Humphrey will be a factor in this coming game.. i doubt it..
i believe to what coach carter was sayin..
Stop Mercado and Imperial.. dont mind the PHI BENCH..
If we are going to base our assumption on previous 2 years, then GKW should not be in the final.
Base it on the previous 4 games, then you will have more chance of getting it right.
PLAYOFF not FINAL (yet)
To observer,
Sabi mo, "Paano naman si Vibal?"
Sagot ko: "'Ba ewan, malay ko dyan tagapanood lang tayo?" Siguro dapat itago na lang ang salawal ni Vibal para hindi maka-laro..hehe (joke lang 'pre).
For RJ vibal, I haven't observed him that much although he can swing to the basket and make things happen. But I noticed, parang sixth man ang role ni Vibal. And his natural play is forward, can't consider him a ball handler either.
So papaano nga ang gagawin natin kay Vibal? Well, first I will post a smaller but faster guard against Vibal for possible steals. This will give Vibal confidence to be the point producer. The idea is to force a heavily guarded IMPERIAL or MERCADO or HUMPHREY to pass to Vibal.
No offense to Vibal, I think he can score. Kaya lang he may not be used to be the pointmaker of PHI.
So in a 2-1-2 zone formation, where ANTONIO and FERMIN take the top, ALAFRIZ or Ortega takes center, JESSIE gets Vibal (right or left down the post) and Dex or Alvarez takes the other post, then the defensive stance is complete. The idea is to shut down, IMPERIAL, MERCADO, HUMPHREY, and let the last 2 - Vibal or Orbeta be the pointmakers.
Simple formula, pero hirap gawin on the court. But I think Titans can do it if they play with heart.
Next point mo, OBSERVER: Sabi mo sinong Mark Mercado?
Ulitin ko ang sentence ko:
"Third, mark MERCADO & IMPERIAL with good defenders all 48 minutes."
Sa Tagalog:
"Pangatlo, markahan si MERCADO AT IMPERIAL ng matinik na guardia sa buong apatnapu't walong minutong laro."
claro na po?
O cge po. Yung susunod na tanong may bayad na, ok?
Just my fifty cents opinion.
Asta Lavista, bebe!
mga bossing
galing ng liga nyo me forum pa at me mga analysis pa.
good luck to TFC team!
to TheBarrelingBigJ
boss hindi po aku nagtanung tungkol kay Vibal.. si coach carter yun.. by the way pacencia na kayu.. nagkamali aku ng intindi tungkol ke MARK MERCADO.. kala ku ibang tao ulet...
pacencia na tao lang...
dami ku pa sana gusto itanung sayu..kaya lang WLA aku bread.... mahal ka ata maningil.
salamat
I really hope GK Warriors will face PHI in the first round and then TFC in the championship so they can prove to all the doubters that GK Warriors is the best team this year!!
to barrelingbj :-)
good observations...
baka gusto mong mag apply ng coach sa titans...wala ata silang coach
To all Players,
The trophies to be awarded during the Finals on August 2 will be on display at the PAL lobby this coming Saturday (July 26), including MVP's and recognition awards.
All trophies were donated by Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station (Exelon Nuclear).
The Friendship Game Trophy will remain as a surprise and will not be displayed.
In addition, the contest for the 2008 Palaro Team Muse will commence starting this weekend. More details to follow.
Ooops, mali pala.
Salamat OBSERVER for the correction. Didn't mean to slight.
Correction lang, my last observations are directed to COACH CARTER and not OBSERVER.
Ok, lang obeserver, pwede kang matanong basta alam kong sagutin.
TY!
Asta lavista, bebe!
Don't think you can frustrate Imperial or Mercado to foul out, i think they're too smart for that, especially since you posted that on here. it'll probably take more than that.
Mercado's game is smooth.
"Silent Assassin"
Do your thing , you're still young.
I wanna see you dominate!
Allan Destreza was killing it with the 3s last game. Nice to see you have your shot back!
For the Titans/PHI game, I think the score will come down to who can withstand the pressure of the game. Both have talented players, it'll come down to how clever they use their time and their players.
The rest of the games are pretty much given.
mister webmaster ako po yung nag send kay stevenson ng comment hindi ko po n lagyan ng name kaya paki lagyan na lang po. Topic 1-4 defence
CAN WE JUST WAIT FOR THE OUTCOME OF THIS TWO IMPORTANT GAMES? gkw/wsa phi/del titans??
Why dont we place our bets to ONE INTERESTING game
between Healing Water and IBC?
Both religious group with 0-4 record.. who'll snatch the first win on the season?(respective team)
To Observer,
May alam ka pa bang ibang chicks si MVP ko? Sinu-sino pa at tatarayan ko to back-off like what I did to PUKWANG and ZORRAYDHA.
Frankly, I don't care who wins this league, all that matter is I don't lose my man Mr MVP himself to some 'malandi' fans out there.
Stevenson,
1-4 defense is a combination of man2man and zone defense. 1.... most of the time is the point guard(let's say Steve) will play man2man defense against the opponent main scorer(lets say WILL). Steve's job is to make sure that Will is not touching or recieving the ball even in inbound. That is his main goal. 4.... is the four players playing zone defense. Their goal is to boxed out, defend the shaded area and watch for long shots. Instead of having one or two defending the shaded area you have four. Because Steve's main goal is just to guard on one player he can run for a quick fast breake in transitions. This play is easier to accomplish.
Conclusion:
Stop Will from scoring
Protect the shaded area
JV"s girl,
Meron na po kaming bago....
si Mario Salazar..... haaaay ang pogi Tita.
Mario forever na kami!!!!
Kung si JV eh Mr. MVP
si Mario ay Mr. IRON MAN!!! haaaay
Pukwang,
Good .. peace na tayo . Let's meet this Saturday and talk about our men.
Huwag na lang tayong magcompare-an kung sino ang mas gwapo sa mga PAPA natin dahil pareho naman sila .... haaaaayyy
to JVs GIRL
Mam naku NO COMMENT po aku dyan... in fact hindi ku nga po kilala si boss JV personally.. siya po ba yung laging naka jacket? at may kasamang Wife?i assumed kayu po yun..at pretty na anak..i believe GK muse yun? correct e if im wrong po.
to Pukwang/zorayda
IRONMAN...??? Whoooah...thats interesting...hahahha
gkforever
thanks for the info bro. bighelp.
HOTTEST TEAMs:
TFC Mainline and GK Warriors because of their 4-0 record.. going 5-0 this weekend
DANGEROUS TEAMs:
Delaware Titans /PHI Blue Devils / Wala sa Ayos might be the biggest competition for the title of the Crown bound TFC and GKW
SPOILERs:
SFC/Origlio/Redbulls a win by this teams will change the outcomes of Qpoints and playoff spots for each division.
ARE YOU READY FOR WAR.
To Observer,
Hindi si Mr. MVP yun at mas gwapo siya dun. May nunal si MVP sa mukha to identify him. If you observe intently this Saturday ay makikilala mo siya. Hindi siya nagja-jacket dahil gusto niyang ilabas yung 'big' muscles niya... haaaaayyyy .
May pagka-IRON MAN din siya dahil mahilig siyang ma-mamalantsa...:-)
to jvs girl
alright then.. hope makamayan ku man lang si MVP.. before matapus ang league..
hahaha so funny naman.. ironman jv... so i assume yung isa rin mgaling mamalantsa..
galing ng team niyo.. athletic and talented..
sa tingin niyo po? sinu ang biggest fear or opponent nila sa finals?
Question lang po sa PSC/Scribbs/mvp JV:
Who does all the graphics and design on this website?
Pede pong malaman? Baka pede humingi ng tips.
Stevenson,
1-4 defense is a cobination of man 2 man and zone defence. 1....most of the time it's the point guard (lets say Steve) will play man2man against the number one scorrer of the opposing team ( let's say Will). Steve's job is to make sure that Will can not hold or recieve the ball even in the inbound. 4... is the four players playing zone. their job is to protect their zone. In doing this, Titans have 4 players that can boxed out and rebound instead of having only one our two. It is easier to accomplish. Beacause Steve main goal is to defend only one person, Steve can run for an easy fast breake.
conclusion:
Stop will from scoring and protect inside.
If you have more questions let me know.
to gkforever
thanks for the info.
how about the players from GKW TFC Titans WSA? what is the best defense on these teams and who to stop??
what is the strong side of each team and weakness as well..
hope i dont need to pay you?? hahha
hahahaha.
This time I really fell on my seat reading all the JV's girls squabble on their main man.
Just my opinion:
TFC and GK will have the 5-0 record.
TITAN will be out of the finals.
Origlio can still make it if they can score at least 62 and Excel at least 42 points. So play smart.
TO observer,
GK's biggest fear? I think WALA dahil ang motto nila ay "HAVE NO FEAR, Mr. MVP IS HERE" and they stick to that like good ole Boy Scouts.
The only way that any team can beat them is to break the spirit of Mr. MVP himself who is the heart and soul of this team.
Ooopss , I think I have just spilled the team's secret to success.
to TFC/ PHI/WSA/TITANS/ORIGLIO/ REDBULS !!!!
Find a way! para hindi makarating si boss JV..un pala ang secret nila!! wahahahaha
peace.
Hi Mr. IRON MAAAhhAAAN. Haaaaaaaaaaaaay talaga. KILIG to death
I almost fell out of my seat when I read observer's comment to JV's girl.Everybody is getting more curious who JV is...Actually Mr.Observer,i think i know who you were referring to.I believe he's a doctor managing/sponsoring the GK team.You have to look harder this coming Saturday and you might find your prize...shaking hands with the ironman.
to nagpapakatotoo
yes boss..baka mahawaan aku ni mr.mvp ng galing sa basketball e..kaya kelangan ku siya makamayan... i think i know him na... thru gallery... a guy with a mole diba?? #20 GKW... bingo!! kaya lang baka supladu sa personal...mapahiya lang aku ke sir..
Have you seen the 2 MVP trophies....
JV's names are are both on it.
Tigas talaga.....
lol..
"DANCE THE Y PSC n SCRIBBS with GK MVP - JV!"
OO nga. May MVP na tayo di pa tapos ang game
congats sa lahat ng nakapasok sa playoff. Ang galing ng pinakita ng TITANS.
Sino po ang mga nakapasok sa playoff?
Congratulations to Delaware Titans. You've beaten PHI (again). That was an awesome game! Keep it up.
WHAT IF??
What if lang ha?!
what if GK Warriors lose to Titans this Saturday?
what if TFC wins this Saturday?
wouldn't that be a ridiculously amazing game? to be back to Titans vs TFC???
but we all know what GKs can do. titans should have all the luck in the universe to win that one!
though it's very unlikely that GKs will lose, i hope titans will still play their best game on saturday. who knows? maybe lady luck will smile their way? =)
sa nagtatanong,
ano na nga bang standing ngayon? di pa kasi updated yung paadonline. di ko pa naman nakita lahat ng laro nung sabado.
salamat mr scribbs!
A bit out-of-topic. Who is that lady (leftmost) in the Picture titled "Game ka na ba?"
GK Will not lose against the Delaware Titans! I Guarantee it!
GK is just too strong and they play really good team basketball. Every one of their players is unselfish and they all want each other to do good. Combine that with their talent and that equals a succesful team
As a fan who has been watching the GK Warriors I guarantee the win.
To RealMccoy:
Yes, I have seen that. He already had his picture taken and is already posted in the gallery. He was just practicing how he can possibly accept those 2 trophies using just one hand because he will need to use the other hand to wave to and shake his fans.
Kudos to my IRONMAN .. Mr. MVP himself.
Correction, The picture where I was referring to in my previous comment was Titled/Captioned "Game na ba kayo?"
what about that girl?
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