Insider Mav Gonzales reports from the courtside at the PBA D-League
When the PBA Developmental League Foundation Cup started last March, a lot of people were iffy if it would be an exciting league at the very least. The whole point after all was to give an avenue for PBA newbies and former pros alike. While the talent was undeniable, there’s actually more to the three months that the D-League ran other than the fact that the NLEX Road Warriors won. As the first ever courtside reporter for the league, I’m going to tell you some stories that you probably overlooked.
Paul Lee happened From the beginning of the competition, this one guy named Paul Lee just owned the court. He scored, rebounded, made assists and steals, and generally just controlled not just his team, but the opposing team as well.
Cobra Commander Paul Lee says he intends to sign up for the PBA draft this year.
It was no secret that Lee was signing up for the draft this year. However, the Cobra Commander’s exit in the league wasn’t the best one in my opinion. During their knockout game against the Pharex Bidang Generix, Lee lost his temper and threw the ball at Edwin Asoro. He was charged with a flagrant foul and was ejected from the playing court. Cobra lost to Pharex in that game by 30 points.
Winless Powerade upsets top-ranking Cebuana Before the game, Cebuana head coach Luigi Trillo said that he respected all the teams and would not write off Powerade. On the other hand, the Junior Tigers’ big man Magi Sison said, “Sobrang excited ako kasi makakalaban namin ngayon yung top team sa Group B. Nasa kanila yung pressure kasi 2-0 sila sa standing. Basta kami excited na talunin sila." Both guys were right in as Powerade pulled an upset, 77-73, over Cebuana. Sison exploded with 16 points, 10 rebounds and seven blocks. Unfortunately, Powerade would not win another round robin game after that.
Maynilad beats up Powerade With Borgie Hermida back on the team, Maynilad could’ve ended the game in the first five minutes. The score was already a lopsided 24-3 with a little over three minutes remaining in the first quarter. Hermida, Garvo Lanete and Dave Marcelo continued to bury Powerade as they ended the game at 119-67. Powerade’s 52-point deficit is the biggest margin recorded this season.
Coach Frankie Lim gets suspended…twice 
Maynilad's Frankie Lim has always been a fiery coach, but that slapped him two ejections from the league.
In one game, Cebuana coach Luigi Trillo and Max! Bond coach Pido Jarencio were both thrown out. But that was not the highlight, as Maynilad’s Coach Frankie Lim was actually ejected not only once, but twice. The first was for hitting Café France’s Ildefonso Bulangis after the latter almost picked a fight against Maynilad’s Melo Lim. Yes, the coach’s son. The second was for two technical fouls in their animosity-filled match against Cebuana – as Coach Frankie stepped inside the court and continuously complained to the refs. You must admit though, Coach Frankie did these to protect his boys. And lesson to basketball players, never ever mess with the coach’s son.
San Beda plays in Letran 
Letran standout Kevin Alas proves that age doesn't matter even in basketball. He almost salvaged the Gems with his Hail Mary layup in game two of the finals.
The Red Lions and Knights are rivals in the collegiate ranks. Throughout the history of the NCAA, San Beda has never played in Letran for fear of a possible altercation between the two schools' loyal fans. But during the D-League, Maynilad (a.k.a. San Beda) played in the Letran Gym against Cebuana. Mind you, one of the Gems was Kevin Alas, Letran superstar and Coach Louie Alas’ son. No hostility from the fans though. At least during the game proper.
Injuries It’s inevitable that you get injured players. It’s a different story when they’re your go-to guys. Maynilad missed Sudan Daniel in the middle of the season due to a right ankle injury. He was advised to sit out the rest of the PBA D-League and Fil-Oil games so he can concentrate on recovering for the NCAA cage wars. Fil-Am Jason Deutchman of Pharex also didn’t play in the playoffs due to an ankle injury.
Pari Llagas was a big chip on the Gems when he sprained his foot in game one of the finals.
During the finals series, Cebu’s Pari Llagas sprained his left foot, causing him to crumble by the end of game one. Road Warrior Eric Salamat also injured his foot so he had to watch the rest of game two from the sidelines. It’s a pretty good consolation that they won the championship though.
College standouts More than the comebacks, what really wowed me were the college players. The San Beda roster of Maynilad, Arellano lineup of BlackWater, the Allan Mangahas-Carlo Lastimosa tandem of PC Gilmore, Cebuana Gem Kevin Alas and the San Sebastian duo of Calvin Abueva and Ronald Pascual proved that our younger guys can go up against veterans and former pros. But because Pascual was such a monster, I will give him special credit.
Ronald Pascual’s finals magic 
Mav interviews NLEX's Ronald Pascual after his clutch basket in the finals. Ronald says, "Swinerte lang."
Throughout the season, Ronald Pascual wasn’t such a standout in the NLEX Road Warriors. What with their bench as deep as the earth’s core. However, he finally showed up just in time during their finals series against the Cebuana Lhuillier Gems. In game one, Pascual scored 17 points, nine rebounds and one assist. Although he only had 10 points in game two, he scored the basket that would put NLEX in the history books as the D-League’s first ever champion team. With only 0.8 seconds left in the game, Pascual made a long range jumper after receiving an inbound pass from Pamboy Raymundo. “When Ronald took that shot, I knew it was going to go in," Coach Boyet Fernandez said confidently after the game.
First ever D-League MVP 
Season MVP Allein Maliksi may not have won the championship, but he's shown what it means to be an all-around player.
Allein Maliksi bagged the Most Valuable Player award after being the Cebuana Gems' consistent go-to guy. Aside from his skills on the floor, Maliksi never got involved in fights. Sportsmanlike and athletic, perfect for the MVP award. These are only some of the D-League’s side stories. There are definitely more and there will be more once the second season opens in October. For now, let’s watch out for whoever signs up for the draft. I’ve got my money on Maliksi and Lee. --
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