The Good
Unstoppable Kambings? After Week 4, Kambing Inc seems to be unstoppable as they cruised to their 4th consecutive win against the Balut All Stars who only fielded 4 players to compete due to scheduling conflicts. Jeffrey Duria and Ronnie Tallud had been a formidable 1-2 punch for the Kambings while also garnering support from their standout Bombi Toves as the third option (sometimes 2nd option). Parading a lineup with almost no weakness, the Kambings are heavy favorites to win it all. But, will anyone would be foolish enough to stop them? Raise your feet people!
Not Your Typical Underdogs? The Underdogs were supposed to be, as their team name implies, Underdogs in their matchup against the Senior Citizens who were sporting Juan “The Juggernaut” Gutierrez, Aaron “Triggerman” Cua, and Orlando “BlackMamba OG” Glory. The ‘Dogs were without their primary scorer and rebounder, Rodfil Camacho, for the second straight game due to conflicts in work schedule. However, Al Bae and Kyle Aguirre came up big in that game and keeping the Seniors on their toes the whole game. They came back from 22 points down and forced an overtime against the Seniors. Is there trouble in Paradise for the Senior Citizens?
Meaningful Change with High Value Win? The Astig Boys were roaring ever since they moved Cris Dapon to do PG duties and won their second consecutive game. Aldrich Acuna anchored the offense with 23 points, 4 rebounds en route to a 62-53 victory of the Barakos. Aldrin Acuna and Rommel Calaguas controlled the paint the entire game and keeping Mico Mercado and Bryan Lim at bay with 5points and 2 points, respectively.
Only Way is Up? Kuya Cats bounced back after their loss to the Astig Boys in Week 3. With so many weapons at their disposal, the ‘Cats were able to stave off the rally from Team Pogi with their hot shooting beyond the arch. Dillon Pineda made consecutive 3 pointers in the final minutes of the game to keep the Pogi at bay. Gil Mandabon also hit a timely 3 pointer to ice the game. Devan Mesa also set the tone early with consecutive 3 pointers and finished the game with 12 points. Matea Mandabon also had a solid game with 10 points. If the ‘Cats play their bench like this, the only way is UP!
The Bad
Age Catching Up? Team Pogi had been dealing with personnel issues and were fielding their bench as the starting five. It had been a good ride winning 2 consecutive games against contenders until Week 4 when they faced the offseason favorites and defending champions, Kuya Cats. Michael Humphrey was sensational with 28 points and 8 rebounds while Joseph Brimon tallied 11 points and 8 rebounds on a losing effort. The game was very closed until the final minutes when Dillon Pineda was left wide open and hit consecutive 3 pointers to seal the game. Meanwhile, missed opportunites and unable to make open shots became the downfall of the Gwapings.
Trouble in Paradise? This was basically the theme for the Senior Citizens when they played against The Underdogs in Week 4. They started hot and shooting from all cylinders relying on Juan “The Juggernaut” Gutierrez, Aaron “Triggerman” Cua, and Orlando “BlackMamba OG” Glory. The Seniors were up by 22 points early in the game only to struggle in the second half vs Al Bae and Kyle Aguirre’s fastbreak attack and defense. Juan also looked like he got tired late in the second half. The game was salvaged, however, by Orlando Glory who hit the regulation tying 3 pointer to send the game into OT and hit the first 3 pointer to start the OT period. The biggest shot of the game came from Angelo “Cardo Dalisay” Dela Cruz when he hit an open 3 pointer to keep the game away from The Underdogs.
The Ugly
Missing Identity? The Barakos were on a two game losing streak and cannot seem to find their rhythm. After an explosive first game, the Barakos were now loss and trying to find their team identity. Mico Mercado and Bryan Lim had been struggling. The bright spot for the team was that their guards Yoneo Gamalinda, Yuhenyo Giron, and Neil Bagalso were still consistent. Will the team ever find their mojo again during the season? What will be their game plan on Week 5?
Balut In Standings? The Balut All Stars fielded 4 players in the last two weeks and the team had been struggling mightily with personnel issues. While the team put up a good fight in each of the games, it was very evident that it affects the team psyche in general. They pretty much keep the game close with intelligent, high IQ offensive plays and terrific defense but they ran out of gas in the end. Will we see them have more players in Week 5? Will they be able to get their first win of the season?
The Officials Suck! Since Harry Stone decided to change the way we get referees it had been hit or miss for us. Two weeks ago, the league had to scramble and find officials to call the game after their assigned officials canceled at the last minute. On Week 4, the same officials who canceled came in late while the other one did not even bother to come. The calls were spotty on Week 4 as there was only one calling the game. Derek Richardson, the official who called our first 2 season will come back but Mike Mendoza won’t be here until Week 6.