Observation: Is Coach RG the problem of the Meralco Bolts?

Meralco bolts Entered the PBA at 2010 replacing the Sta. Lucia Realtors. Meralco bolts also tapped Coach Ryan Gregorio as their head coach.

Coach RG was the Head coach of Purefoods (San Mig Coffee) before he was tapped as Head coach for the Meralco Bolts. Coach RG led the Purefoods into 4 championships and 3 runner-up finishes during his stint. He was even hailed as a 3-time Coach of the year (2002, 2006, 2010) and became a 4-time all star coach. 

With that credibility, no wonder Coach RG would be a prized possession for the teams who's looking for a head coach and I can say Meralco is very lucky to have him. 

But now in his stint at Meralco, looks like all that credibility wasn't able to fit for the team. Yes He was able to create Meralco a Formidable team but still their performance is Inconsistent. Meralco's greatest performance was during the 2012 PBA Governor's Cup where they defeated the Powerade Tigers for a semis berth. 

But until now Meralco's still struggling..

Photo by Spin.ph

What might be the problem? is it Coach RG or the choice of players?

All I can say not all is Coach RG's fault I guess the lineup is the problem and also the executions are the problem for the Meralco bolts. Coach RG was able to win those championship at Purefoods because he had a formidable lineup composed of Kerby Raymundo, James Yap, PJ simon, Marc Pingris, Paul Artadi, Raffy Reavis and a lot more. Those guys are energy guys and the guys who really can step up to the occasion. 

That is what's Meralco's Lacking, The Plays are fine and the Rotation's fine it's just that the consistency of the players. Meralco Basketball is always like this: They go all out at the 1st to 3rd quarter and when they've reached the 4th quarter their energy and hunger just got depleted instantly. try to watch a Meralco game and you can see that their only problem is the inconsistency throughout the game. 

Some fans are blaming Coach RG that's why Meralco is not a contender, but when you look at the credentials you will know what's really wrong. Props to the Meralco Management that they've given Coach RG a lot of chances, it's about 3 years since he was the head coach of the Meralco bolts and in those 3 years same results are given. 

But if you were to ask me if Coach RG needs to stay at the Meralco bolt's Camp as their head coach? 

My Answer is no, Why not try someone else? they've already given a chance to Coach RG for at least 3 seasons already. I'm not saying Coach RG is not a good coach, I have all my respect to him but I guess 3 seasons are enough and they should try someone else. Why not put coach RG as a assistant or team consultant and put someone to the head coach position and with that it might change the Fortunes of the Meralco Bolts. 

I Know this team is still young, but I really have this hunch that they will become a contender in the future but just as I said, The pieces are not right. they should try to explore other options to get the pieces right be a contender in the future. 

What to expect from the teams this Governors Cup

The 2014 Commissioner's cup has ended and the San mig coffee Mixers grabbed the crown. Now the Governors Cup is coming and here is my insights what to expect from the teams this 2014 Governor's cup.

1.) GlobalPort BatangPier 

It's going to be coach Pido and Alex Cabagnot's 2nd stint in the Global Port batang pier and many are expecting that this team will be a threat because Alex Cabagnot's already jelling with the team and The rest of the team are already familiar with Coach Pido's system. Also with the incoming of Taha, He should provide the bigmen woes of GlobalPort. 

2.) Barako Bull Energy Colas 

With now Siot Tangquincen calling the shots Barako bull seems to be focusing on their defense. Because the System of Coach Siot is all about defense, expect barako bull to be different from Bong Ramos' Barako Bull and they will prove out there that they are not just "farm" team but a real team in the PBA. With their Rookie Carlo Lastimosa already showing great, JC Intal's leg is back, Willie Wilson's defensive capability, Willie Miller's Veteran Presence, Ronjay's Markmanship and Dorian's Big Presence in the Inside Paint. Barako Bull won't be a joke and they might be a force this coming Governor's Cup

3.) Meralco Bolts

After a disappointing loss against the Rain or shine during the quarterfinals of the Commissioner's Cup expect Meralco to release their guns and vent their frustrations here in the Governor's Cup. With the return of their point Guard Mike Cortez, the Bolts' Backcourt will surely be in harmony right now and prepare for the worst for they are no bystanders in the PBA and I'm sure they are hungry this conference to make up for their very disappointing loss in the Commissioner's Cup.

4.) Alaska Aces 

Another Disappointing exit, Because Alaska Aces were the defending champion of this year's Commissioner's Cup and they were eliminated by Coach Tim's San Mig Coffee. By now all they want is redemption and here they are to prove it in this Governor's Cup and you know that this alaska aces is really a force in the PBA and there is no shock if they're able to grab this year's Governor's Cup. 

5.) San Miguel Beermen 

Their exit must be the biggest disappointment in this year's Commissioner's Cup. Finishing up 2nd place and earning a twice-to-beat advantage they faced a #7 Seeded Air 21. Many were already making their judgements that Air21 won't have a match Against SMB because of their Lineup Comparing to SMB's Heavy Lineup. But the Air21 pulled the improbable, they've beaten the San Miguel Beermen even with the twice-to-win disadvantage. Now with that upset, I'm sure this SMB team will be focused and determined not to pull a kind of letdown like that again and with their heavy lineup, I'm pretty sure they will be one of the teams to beat this upcoming conference.

6.) Barangay Ginebra San Miguel

Fans were Sad with the early finish of their Beloved BGSM team. BGSM finished their run on the Commissioner's Cup on a very Forgetful game, They were beaten by the Top seeded Talk N Text team with a margin of 20+ points and for the team who hails from the "Never Say Die" Spirit, that is not a way to end your run. Now with the again revamped coaching staff led by Jeffrey Cariaso Ginebra alongside with Olsen Racela, Ginebra is looking for some stability in their Coaching staffs and they believe that Coach Jeff can bring it to them. Also they are bringing the Triangle offense in the ginebra camp replacing the old Run and Gun system they had. Fans are now excited to see what Ginebra can do with their new system and don't underestimate them even though they are adjusting into the new system for they might pull an upset this upcoming Governor's cup and with that Never Say Die Spirit they have, Expect for a true war. 

7.) Air21 Express

After the Impressive Run of the Air21 Express this Commissioner's cup, the Air21 is not done yet and they want to really make a statement that their team is not just a passerby team in the PBA. Now with Asi Taulava being the leader, Joseph yeo and Mark Cardona back to their games, Sean Anthony's Hustle plays plus The return of Rico Villanueva I'm pretty sure they could pull another upset this Governor's Cup.

8.) Rain Or Shine Elasto Painters

Rain Or shine ended their run with a 0-3 record against Talk N Text in the semi final round of the Commissioner's Cup. They weren't able to match up against Talk N Text because they are plagued by injuries when the Semi-final Round starts, but now most of them are already healthy Rain or Shine looks to grab the championship which they've previously won (2011 Governor's Cup). 

9.) Talk N text

After the Disappointing Game 4 loss which actually cost them the Championship, Talk N Text is keen to make another Big conference and might bounceback from their Loss against the San Mig coffee Mixers. Expect all guns blazing this conference for they are determined not to commit those mistakes again and finally get that chip'. Expect Talk N Text to play another dominating basketball this conference and I won't be surprised if they are in the finals again. 

10.) San Mig Coffee Mixers 

Being the champion of this Commissioner's Cup, other Teams are going to expect that this San Mig Coffee Group is Fatigued. But don't let your guard down on this team, Remember they are already fatigued in the opening of the Commissioner's Cup yet they paved their way to the top again, so in this Governor's Cup they might pull another impressive run or big upset's again. Remember the main threat of the team is when they are already backed-up against the wall, They proved it a lot of times already in the past 2 conferences. Trust me this team is the hard team to beat. 

JunMar Fajardo Re-examined

Remember the Last Philippine Cup where JuneMar Fajardo is the Best Player of the Conference? I do too and as we can see back then JuneMar is playing like a beast. 
It's hard to stop him inside the paint once he got his position, He even averages double-double per game, He became the main man for SMB Shadowing the Reigning MVP Arwind Santos.

But there is something wrong in the next conference (Commissioner's Cup). Junemar Lost his rhythm, maybe not all notices this one but I do. Yes He's still averaging double points and double rebounds per game but he wasn't explosive like he was during the Philippine Cup. 

I don't know maybe because of their early exit from the Commissioner's cup? 
But as far as I'm concerned, he is not the "Kayod-Kraken" guy I knew in the Philippine Cup. 

Asi and Junemar Congratulating each other after Air21 ousted SMB in a twice-to-beat disadvantage by Air21
Photo credit to: Pranz Kaeno Billones 

But maybe there are reasons behind it, and I can state a few of it. 

First, Maybe because this conference is reinforced with imports who's heights cannot exceed 6'10 and with that JMF needs to share roles especially they've tapped a Power forward center (Kevin Jones). So with that JMF's production went a little low because he needs to share some of his minutes, scores and rebounds to their import. 

Second, The changing of the coaching staffs. This might also be a factor of his diminishing play because the old coaching staffs are using JMF as their main point of offense but right now seems like he was just a another piece on the offense because mainly their offense is focused on the guards.

Third, JMF's been checked by other teams lately. There is no wonder that the coaches of every team in the PBA would find a way to stop JMF, How can you not? JMF is actually considered the best center in the PBA today. Now it'll be a big coaching lapse if you actually focused on the guards rather than JMF. Dude JMF can punish you once he got that space and position in the paint. I guess that's why All Coaches and players in the PBA are working and thinking hard to stop this what they so-called "The Kraken"

And Lastly, I think he needs his mentor back. Yes I am referring to Danny Ildefonso because look at the lineup of SMB can someone mentor him in his position? As far as I know Arwind is playing outside while Doug is used for defensive purposes and no one from the coaching staffs can really teach him on how to use his height, body and footwork. I've noticed this midway the Commissioner's cup. Obviously JMF's been checked and the way I see it he needs someone who can teach him other post moves, proper positioning and tips on being a dominant center even when checked already. 

Photo By Spin.Ph

Danny I can teach him all of that, for me I guess that's a wrong move in the part of the SMB management where they let go of Danny I. They could just Hire him back just to train JMF. As far as I remember when Danny I was still in Petron (SMB) Junemar Fajardo is eating everyone alive. He is a unstoppable man inside the paint but now without his old mentor Junemar would have a hard time on adjusting and learning new techniques. Unless they bring a guy who really can train him and I guess he'll be back on his tip-top shape.