an unexpected journey

The Lord of the Rings had a rocky start in Week 1 of The DUB League losing badly to the Sini Gang in the battle of the HEAVILY FLAVORED teams. (I intentionally did that). In spite of being able to draft quality players, the Lords looked old and weary and not ready to play. Meanwhile, the Kuyas were able to trounced the ‘Cats in Week 1.

It was unexpected as the team was led by Ronnie Tallud and 2 time MVP,Juan Gutierrez. The team was able to draft really well landing Jingson Morales, Yoneo Gamalinda, and Robbin Tallud and was able to get Neil Bagalso in a trade. They were not able to capitalize in Week 1. And will be looking forward to reset this weekend. Arvin and Angelo Dela Cruz will provide the veteran presence for the team while Nilo Concepcion will be helping Juan as another guy in the paint. Dave Go may suit up this weekend and provide another body for the Lords.

The Kuyas were off to a great start. Cris Dapon stayed true to his vision of the Kuyas and drafted very well in spide of picking late in the first round. Jordan Rey, the Bisdak, showed a solid all-around game anchoring the Kuyas.  Eyey Amparo will provide solid offense and defense along with Ironman Mark Regondola, Jawo Feniquito, Melchor Dupale, and Marvin Francisco. Kenz Jacob may suit up for the first time giving Cris Dapon another weapon of mass destruction at his disposal. Gerard Nicasio played a phenomenal first game in both ends of the court and will look to replicate that again this weekend.

Will the real Lord of the Rings please stand up? Will the Kuya’s keep them at bay?

 

gone in 60 seconds

The battle between the Rats vs Sini Gang will be a fast-paced love affair assuming that the main players show up and play. Both teams won big in Week 1 over the Soju Bombers and Lord of the Rings, respectively.

The Rats overwhelmed the ‘Bombers in Week 1 with their speedy plays and crazy defense. Athletic guards Cy Real and Renz Villanueva will lead the Rats this week along with sweet shooting Gerard Itao from Minglanilla, Cebu, who had been lights out in Week 1. Mohammed Karim was solid in the paint as the only big man in the team and will be kept busy by Frankie Mesa on the paint. Victor Dungca, Jun Rey Cabarrubias, and Joel Recinto will provide support for the Big Mo on defense. PJ Dacones also had a very good outing in his first game after a few years in sabbatical. Do not forget Ja Along who did a cameo in Memphis and was the main reason Ja Morant was suspended for a year by the NBA. Conrad Wolfe, the wily veteran completes the pack.

Meanwhile, there are too many good things going for the Gang. Aaron Cua and Adrian Acuna are the two of the fastest guards in the league. Both had been instrumental in their fast break attack over the LOTR, who literally played like Senior Citizens in Week 1. Michael Humphrey is too dangerous from the field playing 4 different positions in the game and had been a magnet for defense. Veterans Frankie Mesa and Raymund Escarlan were solid in defense and were monsters on rebound. The biggest surprise was Devan Mesa who had a phenomenal game with 15 points in Week 1. This weekend, we might see Roman Blas, Mark Anorico, CJ Pineda, and Richard Osay suit up for the first time. Hearing CJ Pineda and Richard Osay alone should struck fear in any team facing them.

I doubt that the Rats will tremble against Sini Gang. They may end up eating this week. Extra Rice please?

Mongolian Horde vs Islanders

Too much hype had been brewing for the Soju Bombers and The Big Chili in this game. The Bombers has had too much expectation going in to last week in The Hangover game but ended up with a sub-par effort losing mightily to the athletic Gym Rats. Meanwhile, The Big Chili also has a tension brewing internally as they try to get their first win in Week 2.

The Mongolian Horde. Gabe Gaw built like Kublai Khan but plays like Genghis Khan will lead the horde along with his BFF Dillon Pineda and Cyrel Legaspi as they try to find their game this week which they probably left behind somewhere in Dallas. Andrei Malacapay and Aden Oham, who had a great debut, will anchor the paint and provide that physical presence. Green Light crew Philip Autencio, Steven San Nicolas, Cupid Musa and Eric Natividad will provide the sweet shooting from beyond the arc.

The Islanders. Bombi Toves, Mitchell Salas, John Dahan will be showcasing for the Chili’s this week. No amount of Hakka can rescue this team if their internal bickering will continue. Much had been said about the draft but I still think that the team had the talent to compete once the tempers simmer down and they start playing. CK Arcilla was pretty good in Week 1 providing that fast paced play along with GJ Eva who had a phenomenal Week 1. Gerry and Gerald Areja also showed some good stuff as Gerry was showing his all-around game from both offense and defense while the young Areja run the break. This should get interesting once Joseph Brimon joins the fold and brings stability on the team. Jun Gustilo, the once dominant player in the early 2000s, may suit up this week. Orlando Mortel was solid in his Week 1 debut and may show more of his game this week.

Will this be a bounce back game for the Bombers? Or will the Islanders drown them out this weekend?

school of hard knocks

Fresh from a Week 1 win 56-44 over The Big Chili, the Swoosh Bros will continue their campaign of max pain over the young guns of Thundercats. James Bandolon was a physical presence in the paint for the ‘Bros backing up Rodfil Camacho in the paint along with Jun Centeno, Oliver Poblete, and Mico Mercado – completing a very solid athletic front court. These ‘Bros were off to a great start showing off a balance attack from all cylinders with guards Jr Sunga and Ken Sunga running the break in Week 1 giving the Chilis a run for their money. Do not get deceived by Aldwin Brotonel’s slo-mo game as he can make you instantly regret it. Chris Bonabon and Ahwin Adricula are also too good to leave unattended. Meaning, the ‘Cats will be in for a bruising and fast-paced physical game.

On the other hand, the ‘Cats were showing alot of promise in their Week 1 loss to the Average Kuyas. Gil Mandabon, Dennis Villa, Paolo Olea, and James Griffith did a solid job mentoring their youngins and keeping them together as they battled against the more experience Kuyas. Baby Lebron Kean Oham, Rodje Villa, Ace Sicam, Phoenix Galing, and Matea Mandabon completes the young core that will be fearsome in years to come. Missing from last week were Tito Galing and Mr Recommended Lito Matildo who may suit up this week and help the ‘Cats run and gun attack. Rodje Villa, Kean Oham, and Matea Mandabon were solid in Week 1 tallying 13 points, 10 points, and 9 points respectively.

Will the ‘Bros hold back this weekend? Or will the ‘Cats be too fast and too nimble for them to catch up?