Open Letter to Commissioner Chito Salud

Mr. Chito Salud
Commissioner, Philippine Basketball Association
186 E. Rodriguez Jr. Ave., Libis, Quezon City


Dear Sir:


First of all, allow me to tell you that I am an avid PBA fan for over 20 years now.  Ever since Great Taste traded away Manny Victorino, Jimmy Manansala and cash for a rookie named Allan Caidic, I was hooked.  By extension, I moved on to the Ginebra train when Caidic became Assistant Coach to Rino Salazar.  In fact, a big part of the reason my blog, From the Fifty Peso Seats, was put up is because of this love for Asia's first pro basketball league.  This is why recent developments have caused me great concern.  I see you every time I watch the PBA live (which is often) and I know you are a hands-on commissioner.

The current semi-final series between Smart Gilas and the Baranggay Ginebra Kings has not been the dream series I anticipated it to be.  I'm not even talking about the perceived partial officiating wherein Nate Brumfield gets 27 free throw attempts, equal to the entire Smart Gilas total for the game.  You see, it doesn't matter to me whichever team wins because I love them both.  What matters is the quality and the morality of the game.


Everyone talks of how Ginebra is proving too tough for Gilas,  but there is a difference between playing tough and physical and playing dirty and unfortunately, it seems Ginebra has lost track of the line. They are intentionally hurting Gilas in the guise of playing tough. In the video below, Mark Caguioa executes a pre-meditated elbow to the back of Lassiter's head (23 sec mark).  The sad part is, this was the second elbow to the back of the head on a Gilas player in Game 1 (1st one was Yancy de Ocampo's on Douthit, 3rd video 35 sec mark).  There are other incidents too. De Ocampo chops at Douthit's fractured hand (video below). Aside from Caguioa's intentional trip on JV Casio in game 1's 4th quarter (3rd video, 2:13 mark), what scared me the most was Billy Mamaril's intentional squeezing and wrenching of Marcus Douthit's fractured hand, also in the 2nd half.  Unfortunately, I can find no videos of this incident posted yet.  Hopefully you can take a look at them too.

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Fifty Peso Previews: 2011 NBA Playoffs West

     It was upsets galore on the 2nd day of the NBA playoffs but they did little to change my forecast for the Western Conference.  Check them out below.  For the East preview click here.


San Antonio Spurs (1) vs Memphis Grizzlies (8)

     Usually number 1 seeds are pegged to have an easy time in the first round but the Spurs are bothered by two problems. One, they still don't have Manu Ginobili, although rumors are he'll suit up in game 2. Two, the Grizzlies have given them problems before.  The Grizz have two capable big men in Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph and that means Tim Duncan has to exert effort on defense, which tires him out. In the end though, the experience, defense and discipline of the Spurs together with Memphis lack of depth in the outside shooting department will cause the Spurs to win out.


Fearless Forecast: Spurs take series (4 games to 2)

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Fifty Peso Previews: 2011 NBA Playoffs East

     NBA fans' favorite time has come. It's the start of the NBA playoffs 1 night from tonight and let's weigh in on the first round results starting with the Eastern Conference.

Chicago Bulls (1) vs Indiana Pacers (8)

     Never mind the history of 8th seeds beating the 1st seeds. This series will be won by the Bulls. They are too talented defensively for the Pacers, who I consider one of the teams that defend better only when the shoot great.  The Bulls are playing at too high a level to let the Pacers get their offense going and Derrick Rose is just astounding with his stellar MVP-candidate play.  It will be a tough climb for the Pacers and I can only see them win a game if at all.


Fearless Forecast: Bulls take series (4 games to 1)

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National Pastime

     Since I began taking note and covering Smart Gilas months after its inception, I've noticed one thing.  No matter what Gilas has or has not achieved, people always post line up suggestions on the comments section of any website or blog.  I've jokingly called it the, "national pastime," since everyone's been doing it.  As with all pastimes, though, it really isn't worth doing unless you do it right.

     Before engaging in my own version of this national pastime, we have to consider certain realities.  First, the only reason why Gilas is asking for PBA players is because of the tremendous pressure the nation is putting on them to produce immediately.  Given the chance, I'm sure Toroman would like this current Gilas team to train until 2016 so the players can mature and gel better, but impatient so-called experts and nationalists are forcing their hand to produce immediately.  Second, Coach Toroman never said he wanted 5 PBA players so he could end up picking just 3 or even 1.  Third, Toroman's picks for PBA players only serve to augment the team, not change it.  This means he needs players than can adapt to the system quickly, not just lights out shooters. 

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White Men Can Jump (Into the HOF)

     Months ago, this year's batch of Hall of Fame nominees was embroiled in a controversy, as former Indian Pacer Reggie Miller, who was made eligible this year, was completely snubbed.  While hundreds have expressed their anger and want to disregard this year's batch, I'm not.  This year's batch is especially significant as my basketball hero, Chris Mullin is an inductee.

Mullin with his HOF Jersey

     Usually, NBA players who make the "Hall" are household names, especially in basketball-crazy lands like the Philippines.  Mullin may not be.  He lacked the speed and athleticism usually possessed by the greats, but he achieved his greatness through hardwork, skill, determination and IQ.  That, of course, doesn't translate to much popularity and that's perfectly understandable but still perfectly unacceptable.


     If you want to go by numbers, the man's got them.  In sterling 16 year career, the St. John's All American averaged an astonishing line, including 18.2 points, 4 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.5 steals.  Look deeper into the numbers and you will see his greatness further.  In a five season stretch during his prime (1988-93), Mullin averaged 25.7 points, 5.6 rebounds, 4 assists and 1.6 steals per game.  What makes those numbers even more impressive is that he did all that while shooting 52% from the field, which is astounding for any player, let alone an outside shooter.  Those numbers are actually better than Joe Johnson's and Paul Pierce's numbers for the past 5 years, and even Dirk Nowitzki's numbers, save for the rebounds. 

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Hanging at the Balkans

     I don't know about you, but whenever I finish playing basketball, all I look forward to eating are perfectly-crisp fries and a great burger.  PBA players will probably think the same. That's why Chris Ross, Mac Cardona, Marcus Douthit and Coach Rajko Toroman troop to... a Serbian restaurant?!? 

Goulash: Spicy, Tender Beef Stew

     Located along J Abad Santos St corner Mons St., in San Juan, Balkan Express has become a favorite among ballers and fans alike, and if you take a bite of their Pljeskavica (Burger) or the Chicken "Batak" (Stuffed Chicken) together with their French Fries, you will understand why.  Freshly prepared, a lot of Balkan's favorites feature their own mix of minced meat, which Balkan Express proudly calls the specialty of the house.  They are right.  The minced meat is very flavorful and moist, and combined with perfectly crisp fries, I begin to understand the appeal of this place.  It isn't just the minced meat too.  Balkan also offers other greats like the Mousaka (to be ordered a day in advance), Chicken Kebabs and Goulash.  As I enjoyed the famed minced meat burger stuffed with melted cheese, and enjoy one of the best goulashes I've had in years,  owner Marco Batricevic arrives on his bike, and From the Fifty Peso Seats gets to chat with him.  

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