2022–23 PBA Commissioner's Cup

[harizen]

Did the type of talent he have will give SMB a good lift, or the team will still design their play with Fajardo?

Having a big man on any team in PBA is already a big advantage. With Manuel's performance as a big man, he will surely give an SMB a good lift aside from this team is already an advantage to any team because of the presence of JMF as their main big man.

Actually, SMB is not focusing much on designing a play for Fajardo. During their TNT faceoff last playoffs, SMB focus on outside shooting as Fajardo can't deal much inside the paint offensively.

[1714622840]

1714622840

[1714622840]

1714622840

[1714622840]

1714622840

[1714622840]

1714622840

[Distinctin]

Did the type of talent he have will give SMB a good lift, or the team will still design their play with Fajardo?

Having a big man on any team in PBA is already a big advantage. With Manuel's performance as a big man, he will surely give an SMB a good lift aside from this team is already an advantage to any team because of the presence of JMF as their main big man.

Actually, SMB is not focusing much on designing a play for Fajardo. During their TNT faceoff last playoffs, SMB focus on outside shooting as Fajardo can't deal much inside the paint offensively.

They have no choice because Fajardo is not yet 100% and we can see how he move, he is slow and his lift is not yet normal. If we saw his game before he was injured, even if they'll double him, Fajardo can still find a way to score, and in rebounding, he can control the offensive and defensive rebound but the last conference, his production is not impressive yet.

Sorry for the word " not impressive", I think it's just normal because expect too much from him.

[mirakal]

Did the type of talent he have will give SMB a good lift, or the team will still design their play with Fajardo?

Having a big man on any team in PBA is already a big advantage. With Manuel's performance as a big man, he will surely give an SMB a good lift aside from this team is already an advantage to any team because of the presence of JMF as their main big man.

Actually, SMB is not focusing much on designing a play for Fajardo. During their TNT faceoff last playoffs, SMB focus on outside shooting as Fajardo can't deal much inside the paint offensively.

They have no choice because Fajardo is not yet 100% and we can see how he move, he is slow and his lift is not yet normal. If we saw his game before he was injured, even if they'll double him, Fajardo can still find a way to score, and in rebounding, he can control the offensive and defensive rebound but the last conference, his production is not impressive yet.

Sorry for the word " not impressive", I think it's just normal because expect too much from him.

Well, let's see in the new conference if there's an improvement. Recovering from a serious injury may require time depending on the player and since Fajardo is the best player in the league, I'm optimistic that we will see an old Fajardo the soonest. We have imports by next conference so Fajardo would be able to relax a bit, I mean he does not need to carry his team anymore as the import will do the job, rebounding and blocking shots, I think that's easier compared to doing it and scoring at the same time.

[Fredomago]

Well, let's see in the new conference if there's an improvement. Recovering from a serious injury may require time depending on the player and since Fajardo is the best player in the league, I'm optimistic that we will see an old Fajardo the soonest. We have imports by next conference so Fajardo would be able to relax a bit, I mean he does not need to carry his team anymore as the import will do the job, rebounding and blocking shots, I think that's easier compared to doing it and scoring at the same time.

Not only the import, but also with the surrounding players. A lot of options aside from those familiar faces, those two new players are also known to contribute. Manuel and Enciso are both scorers when plays are designed for them. And we also expect that import will step up and lead them.

I don't have any info yet about the import, but knowing SMB; they are very capable of paying / hiring good caliber import.

The chemistry and the type of leadership is what we need to wait from coach Leo's back up guy.

[Eureka_07]

Well, let's see in the new conference if there's an improvement. Recovering from a serious injury may require time depending on the player and since Fajardo is the best player in the league, I'm optimistic that we will see an old Fajardo the soonest. We have imports by next conference so Fajardo would be able to relax a bit, I mean he does not need to carry his team anymore as the import will do the job, rebounding and blocking shots, I think that's easier compared to doing it and scoring at the same time.

Not only the import, but also with the surrounding players. A lot of options aside from those familiar faces, those two new players are also known to contribute. Manuel and Enciso are both scorers when plays are designed for them. And we also expect that import will step up and lead them.

I don't have any info yet about the import, but knowing SMB; they are very capable of paying / hiring good caliber import.

The chemistry and the type of leadership is what we need to wait from coach Leo's back up guy.

Vic Manuel is a very good player but for me, Arwind Satos fits better on the roster of San Miguel Beer Men than Manuel. For me it's a small nerfing of SMB in terms of their strat and teamwork. After all, we all know that Santos were just traded because he's in his 40s, on the otherhand, SMB want a strong player that is below the retirement age, and it happened to be Manuel. Let's see how they will do it.

[Viscore]

Well, let's see in the new conference if there's an improvement. Recovering from a serious injury may require time depending on the player and since Fajardo is the best player in the league, I'm optimistic that we will see an old Fajardo the soonest. We have imports by next conference so Fajardo would be able to relax a bit, I mean he does not need to carry his team anymore as the import will do the job, rebounding and blocking shots, I think that's easier compared to doing it and scoring at the same time.

Not only the import, but also with the surrounding players. A lot of options aside from those familiar faces, those two new players are also known to contribute. Manuel and Enciso are both scorers when plays are designed for them. And we also expect that import will step up and lead them.

I don't have any info yet about the import, but knowing SMB; they are very capable of paying / hiring good caliber import.

The chemistry and the type of leadership is what we need to wait from coach Leo's back up guy.

Vic Manuel is a very good player but for me, Arwind Satos fits better on the roster of San Miguel Beer Men than Manuel. For me it's a small nerfing of SMB in terms of their strat and teamwork. After all, we all know that Santos were just traded because he's in his 40s, on the otherhand, SMB want a strong player that is below the retirement age, and it happened to be Manuel. Let's see how they will do it.

We cannot tell who fits better until we see Manuel start playing with the SMB. However, in comparison, Arwind Santos has helped a lot the SMB team to be successful because he won championships many times with this team. Maybe let's just say that his time has come, accept his fate and probably also prepare for retirement soon as that's life in basketball.

Right now, SMB is still figuring out how to be more competitive to be a dominant team again.

[bisdak40]

Vic Manuel is a very good player but for me, Arwind Satos fits better on the roster of San Miguel Beer Men than Manuel. For me it's a small nerfing of SMB in terms of their strat and teamwork. After all, we all know that Santos were just traded because he's in his 40s, on the otherhand, SMB want a strong player that is below the retirement age, and it happened to be Manuel. Let's see how they will do it.

I agree  , SMB front office can't stop age so before Arwind retires, they exploit and get the best out of him. SMB is banking player and they never mind if those will fit in the current system, the important thing is that they have the leverage if another trade happens.

As a fan of SMB, I want to see them get Greg Slaughter out of NorthPort and let him play alongside Junemar Fajardo. Some will say that this is too much but considering that these two towers are not in their peak in the next few years, this could happen. 

[freedomgo]

Vic Manuel is a very good player but for me, Arwind Satos fits better on the roster of San Miguel Beer Men than Manuel. For me it's a small nerfing of SMB in terms of their strat and teamwork. After all, we all know that Santos were just traded because he's in his 40s, on the otherhand, SMB want a strong player that is below the retirement age, and it happened to be Manuel. Let's see how they will do it.

I agree  , SMB front office can't stop age so before Arwind retires, they exploit and get the best out of him. SMB is banking player and they never mind if those will fit in the current system, the important thing is that they have the leverage if another trade happens.

As a fan of SMB, I want to see them get Greg Slaughter out of NorthPort and let him play alongside Junemar Fajardo. Some will say that this is too much but considering that these two towers are not in their peak in the next few years, this could happen. 

I doubt it would happen, playing Greg and June Mar together will make the team play at a slow pace, and honestly, I think TNT will beat them easily as they are a team who are confident with their outside shooting and if they want to run, SMB would not be able to stop their offense with two big men left behind.

IMO, it's better if Ginebra will take back Greg as they were a great team with him while they struggle with C. Stand being their big man.

[harizen]

As a fan of SMB, I want to see them get Greg Slaughter out of NorthPort and let him play alongside Junemar Fajardo. Some will say that this is too much but considering that these two towers are not in their peak in the next few years, this could happen. 

Let those giants be with different teams so big men are spread, regardless if they are in prime or not. Maybe the best thing to do for SMB is not to rely on big men anymore but to focus on what they are been known since then, their shooting guards.

It's been several seasons that SMB is confident that they have JMF but since he's now seemed to slow down, SMB especially their Coach should create a new strategy.

[agustina2]

Sorry for the word " not impressive", I think it's just normal because expect too much from him.

I don't know why are you expecting something from him at the last conference where it's not a secret that he deals with an injury, a serious injury that needs years to be fully healed. It's not normal to expect him to show the way he played before. That ended up for you to call him not impressive.

We can call a player not an impressive player anymore if no injury happened to them but their plays got degraded. There are lots of PBA players who ended up like that different to the reason why JMF is not playing on his usual.

[goinmerry]

IMO, it's better if Ginebra will take back Greg as they were a great team with him while they struggle with C. Stand being their big man.

Not possible. The relationship is not good. Greg is expecting to be a Ginebra when he returns but Alfrancis Chua trades him even they talked and settled the problem properly. Greg's desire is to beat any SMC teams. That's what I think. He won't return to any SMC teams. Better if Greg will ask MVP to adopt him lol. He is a good fit with Katropa.

[LogitechMouse]

As a fan of SMB, I want to see them get Greg Slaughter out of NorthPort and let him play alongside Junemar Fajardo. Some will say that this is too much but considering that these two towers are not in their peak in the next few years, this could happen. 

Knowing how controversial SMB are with regards to their trades, this might actually happen.
The question is will it be beneficial for the team? Another one is, will the commissioner allow this trade?

Will it be beneficial for the team? I don't think so and I don't think too that NorthPort will allow to trade Slaughter after getting him. Trading CStan for Slaughter is a gamble for the NorthPort at first because they don't know how Slaughter changed after his training or will it be beneficial for the team to get him for CStan. Turns out that they won the trade and I don't think that NP will allow Slaughter to go to SMB "unless" SMB will trade Fajardo for Slaughter then that would be an equal trade IMO.

Will the commissioner allow the trade? NO for me. I know that the competition of the league is decreasing and this trade will further decrease it. Just think how will other teams respond to this if Fajardo and Slaughter will be in one team.

IMO, it's better if Ginebra will take back Greg as they were a great team with him while they struggle with C. Stand being their big man.

Isn't it shameful for Ginebra to get the player that they've traded again?
I mean Greg chose to not play in PBA to train and then Ginebra signed him again just to trade him to get CStan and then they will get him again just because it turns out that it didn't favored with them. I don't think that this will happen and I don't think that NP will allow it as well.
Overall, these 2 trades might happen since we know how SMC is doing in terms of trades and they even have the controversial trades as well. I just hope that both the NP and Commissioner will not allow to trade Slaughter unless it will be an equal trade and both teams will benefit from it.

[Kelvinid]

IMO, it's better if Ginebra will take back Greg as they were a great team with him while they struggle with C. Stand being their big man.

Not possible. The relationship is not good. Greg is expecting to be a Ginebra when he returns but Alfrancis Chua trades him even they talked and settled the problem properly. Greg's desire is to beat any SMC teams. That's what I think. He won't return to any SMC teams. Better if Greg will ask MVP to adopt him lol. He is a good fit with Katropa.

I'm not sure if he really thinks like that, if it's not gonna happen that he'll ever play with any SMC teams, then it's better if he will just join the TNT as that's the best way to get his revenge against any SMC teams. I believe that Northport is a great team now, they have improved a lot and this next conference they have a great chance to beat the top teams since imports could make a big difference.

[carlisle1]

As a fan of SMB, I want to see them get Greg Slaughter out of NorthPort and let him play alongside Junemar Fajardo. Some will say that this is too much but considering that these two towers are not in their peak in the next few years, this could happen. 

Let those giants be with different teams so big men are spread, regardless if they are in prime or not. Maybe the best thing to do for SMB is not to rely on big men anymore but to focus on what they are been known since then, their shooting guards.

It's been several seasons that SMB is confident that they have JMF but since he's now seemed to slow down, SMB especially their Coach should create a new strategy.

I'm with you, it's no longer the time of Fajardo's domination other team already find the solution and now beating them.

It's about time for Coach Leo to find a new system that will rotate his offense and not focus alone with Fajardo inside. With Terrence and Perez, they already have killers let these two play work hand in hand.

Ross and Fajardo can act as decoy and give more time for Tau and Manuel. Both are good scorers and also have good defensive skills.

[bisdak40]

I'm with you, it's no longer the time of Fajardo's domination other team already find the solution and now beating them.

It's about time for Coach Leo to find a new system that will rotate his offense and not focus alone with Fajardo inside. With Terrence and Perez, they already have killers let these two play work hand in hand.

Ross and Fajardo can act as decoy and give more time for Tau and Manuel. Both are good scorers and also have good defensive skills.

If coach Leo Austria stays in SMB, then most likely his plays will remain the same. His plays are just simple, give the ball to Junemar, and if there's a double then pass to the open teammate. These plays were the ones that brought them to history in the PBA with straight championships in the AFC.

There's a rumor that coach Alex Compton is in talks with SMC management, if he replaces coach Leo then most likely their system will change.

[Kelvinid]

I'm with you, it's no longer the time of Fajardo's domination other team already find the solution and now beating them.

It's about time for Coach Leo to find a new system that will rotate his offense and not focus alone with Fajardo inside. With Terrence and Perez, they already have killers let these two play work hand in hand.

Ross and Fajardo can act as decoy and give more time for Tau and Manuel. Both are good scorers and also have good defensive skills.

If coach Leo Austria stays in SMB, then most likely his plays will remain the same. His plays are just simple, give the ball to Junemar, and if there's a double then pass to the open teammate. These plays were the ones that brought them to history in the PBA with straight championships in the AFC.

There's a rumor that coach Alex Compton is in talks with SMC management, if he replaces coach Leo then most likely their system will change.

The coaching style of coach Leo is very effective, there's no reason to change him as long as Fajardo is still there, he already specialized it IMO.

Alaska is more on run and gun type of game, SMB can't play at a fast pace because JMF is slowly, so I expect coach Leo to stay for at least a few seasons, however, if SMB still fails to win this coming conference, then most likely the management will be forced to make that decision.

[LogitechMouse]

I'm with you, it's no longer the time of Fajardo's domination other team already find the solution and now beating them.

It's about time for Coach Leo to find a new system that will rotate his offense and not focus alone with Fajardo inside. With Terrence and Perez, they already have killers let these two play work hand in hand.

Ross and Fajardo can act as decoy and give more time for Tau and Manuel. Both are good scorers and also have good defensive skills.

If coach Leo Austria stays in SMB, then most likely his plays will remain the same. His plays are just simple, give the ball to Junemar, and if there's a double then pass to the open teammate. These plays were the ones that brought them to history in the PBA with straight championships in the AFC.

There's a rumor that coach Alex Compton is in talks with SMC management, if he replaces coach Leo then most likely their system will change.

When I saw this rumor, the team that went first into my mind was Magnolia.

I think that the system of Coach Leo is still working. He just needs to tweak some of it just like focusing the ball to Junemar because I agree with what you said that Junemar isn't as dominant as he is a few years ago. Many can defend him well already and they know how to stop him that is why they tried to get another big in Mo Tautuaa.

Now if its really true that he will change Coach Leo then its a different story and a different system but I don't think that it will happen knowing what are the achievements Coach Leo made as a coach in SMB. Well, its still in talks so there is no assurance that he will really change one of the SMC coaches but if he will I think it will be Magnolia .

[Sanitough]

~~~Well, its still in talks so there is no assurance that he will really change one of the SMC coaches but if he will I think it will be Magnolia .

Magnolia's coach and Coach Compton probably have the same style, so I'm not sure if he will be the new coach of the Magnolia, besides, these are just rumors, and if he is really good, then why would Alaska let him go? I don't see any sense in why coaches of SMC teams will be replaced when they are still a competitive team.

[carlisle1]

~~~Well, its still in talks so there is no assurance that he will really change one of the SMC coaches but if he will I think it will be Magnolia .

Magnolia's coach and Coach Compton probably have the same style, so I'm not sure if he will be the new coach of the Magnolia, besides, these are just rumors, and if he is really good, then why would Alaska let him go? I don't see any sense in why coaches of SMC teams will be replaced when they are still a competitive team.

Out of the three coaches, Magnolia's coach is considered a newbie. If they will going to replace one of the chance is higher to take him.

It's a rumor but most of the time when something like this went out from any social platforms or any place that there's a talk regarding to PBA related topic, something really happens.

Not saying that it will also happen but the chance is there, we never know what SMC managements are thinking right now.

I like your question about Compton, I also don't see any special skills that he has aside from leaning with good players to work with him.

[Fredomago]

We cannot tell who fits better until we see Manuel start playing with the SMB. However, in comparison, Arwind Santos has helped a lot the SMB team to be successful because he won championships many times with this team. Maybe let's just say that his time has come, accept his fate and probably also prepare for retirement soon as that's life in basketball.

Right now, SMB is still figuring out how to be more competitive to be a dominant team again.

Arwin knew that and he can't do anything it's the franchise decision, better to accept this fate and continue receiving paychecks, and it's true he can start thinking about retiring, he already contribute enough to this league, with those rings it's a good achievement that every players desire to have when stepping to this league.

I'm curious though to what contribution both Manuel and Enciso will add to SMB. Not sure but both players came from alaska right? they are familiar with each other, the adjustment with SMB system is very crucial if both of them are fits to what SMB runs a play.