ABL 09/10 Season Finale: Oh! Local delights
By Jan Lin/Red Hoops
Oh, what delight! Some local cagers have proven in the inaugural ABL season they are just as good as the imports in this brand new regional league. (Photo 1 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)
After five months and 53 games of the maiden ASEAN Basketball League (ABL) season, the league is clearly still imperfect in many ways, but in the end, what mattered most was that ASEAN basketballers proved to be a delight to watch.
Many ASEAN basketball fans have grown up living and breathing the NBA (National Basketball Association) but not many would know that the NBA’s success did not happen overnight and in fact the world’s most popular basketball league was bereft of attention in its first decade.
Yet through the NBA came the invention of the 24-second shot clock that not only breathed life into the league, it revolutionised the entire game altogether. So it is with ABL, it may be uncertain now what changes this league could bring but the signs are already promising.
“Through this ABL, my local players have improved a lot,” said KL Dragons head coach Goh Cheng Huat. “In fact all the local players from Indonesia and Singapore have stepped up. The way I look at it, some of them have caught up with the standard of the Filipino imports.”
Unbeknownst to many, unlike the imports, most local cagers face the challenge of juggling this professional basketball gig and their long-term marketplace career. Currently amongst the local cagers, there are teachers, engineers, undergraduate and postgraduate students.
Brunei Barracudas’ top local player, 25-year-old Esmond Tan, who is an engineer with Shell, said: “Coach Ramos has tried to adjust the trainings for me in the morning and in the evening when I can join the team for trainings. I’m proud of the local players, I kept telling my local players to be ready and we will get the chance to play. We have been improving.”
Filipino coach Bong Ramos, who has extensive coaching experience across ASEAN (in Philippines, Indonesia and now Brunei), echoed coach Goh’s sentiments, he said: “Filipinos have the advantage against any of the ASEAN locals but, because of ABL I think the locals of all Southeast Asian nations will improve because this is a good league for the locals.”
“Except the Filipinos, ABL is the first professional stint for many locals,” coach Ramos added, “but to narrow the gap [between Philippines and the rest of ASEAN] is not only this league, it’s also the training and having a college league like Philippines’ NCAA/UAAP is important.”
A key indicator of the league’s maiden success was how it has managed to attract the top ASEAN coaches. Besides coach Ramos and coach Goh, who are both highly regarded in Philippines and Malaysia respectively, the coaches of the finalists – Fictor Roring of Satria Muda and Louie Alas of Philippine Patriots – are both household names as well.
Coach Alas gave a tongue-in-cheek sharing on why he joined the ABL, he said: “I was coaching Toyota Altis in the Philippine Basketball League while Mikee (Patriots owner) is the owner of Harbour Centre. We fought them twice in the PBL Championship and we lost both times. That’s why when Mikee called me to coach the Patriots, I agreed right away because there is a saying, ‘If you can’t beat them, you join them!’”
Patriots went on to assert their dominance in the league to lift the inaugural title with a 5-0 playoff run, sweeping the KL Dragons 2-0 in the semi-finals and Satria Muda 3-0 in the finals. During the regular season, Patriots beat every team in head-to-head match-ups except the Slingers, which was the only team with a non-ASEAN marshal.
Slingers’ head coach Frank Arsego, who has announced he will not be returning next season so as to spend more time with his family in Canberra, gave his two cents on how local players can be successful through the ABL.
“Listen to your coaches, learn from your coaches, try to be in an environment where you can learn your skills in competition. The players who make it, are the ones who do the extra work outside of their normal environment, they are the ones who go on to be successful,” he said.
To raise their game, the Australian coach shared how the local players have to work extremely hard to be corrected in their techniques and be grounded in high quality fundamentals to execute them under pressure.
Coach Frank shared: “We work very hard during practice to stimulate an environment where there is a lot of pressure where their decision-making under pressure will improve as they go along, and that’s what the good players can do. We’ve got local guys in Slingers, who just through their work ethics have deserved the opportunity to be with the Slingers and because of that, they are going to become better basketballers.”
While many did step up for their teams over the season, Jan has picked the top two locals who have been a surprise ‘spark’ for their team in the 09/10 ABL season and the six local young guns to look out for in the next season. Enjoy!
ABL 09/10 Top Local ‘Spark’ (Playoff and Finals): Rony Gunawan (Satria Muda)
29-year-old Rony Gunawan may have been overshadowed by his team’s American imports in the regular season but in the final series, Rony stole the show, ran riot and even top-scored for his team in the final game. Rony was named the finals series’ MVP by his head coach, Fictor Roring. (Photo 2 © Koh Yizhe/Red Sports)
Rony Gunawan was the local name that stood out in the ABL finals between Satria Muda and the Philippine Patriots. While the four American imports were engrossed in a battle of attrition, the Indonesian center completely outclassed the other locals in the finals.
With both Hartman and Miller pinned down by the Patriots’ tough defense, Rony rose from the rubble to finish the game one with 10 points, eight rebounds (55.6% shooting percentage), the second game with 15 points, seven rebounds (58.3% shooting percentage), and top-scored in the final game with 20 points, seven rebounds (72.7% shooting percentage).
Rony’s finals performance epitomised how it is possible for locals to shine and make a statement for themselves amidst the import-driven league.
“Coach gave me a lot minutes to play so I just played and gave my all,” said Rony reflecting on his stunning finals showing that had breathed hope into his team. “I trusted myself and my team mates, and I’ve got nothing to lose because the pressure was not on my team.”
“I think the skills of the local players are not so far from the imports,” said Rony who also shared he looks up to NBA’s Tim Duncan. “Maybe we lose out in size and the strength, but actually we can compete with the imports if we trust ourselves and not fear them.”
“Local players can do more!” said Rony on a concluding note. “They mostly face the problem of confidence and are a bit afraid to play when there is hard, body contact with the imports. But I think the more often they play in this league, they will get used to that, and get better.”
ABL 09/10 Top Local ‘Spark’ (Regular Season): Attaporn Lertmalaiporn (Thailand Tigers)
ABL inaugural season’s top local scorer, Attaporn Lertmalaiporn, finished the regular season with a stunning 223 points or 14.9 points per game. (Photo 3 © Red Sports)
If numbers do not lie, then without a doubt, Bangkok-born Attaporn Lertmalaiporn is not only Thailand’s best kept secret, his 223 points (14.9 points per game) score card meant that he was the top-scoring local player and not at all inferior to an American import.
Besides being a menacing scoring machine, the left-handed Attaporn was also a natural entertainer with his unorthodox style of play.
“I feel that the way I play has to do with my personality,” said Attaporn who is also pursuing a Masters degree in Physical Education in Thailand concurrently. “I’m a fun-loving person and I feel that my style of basketball has to be enjoyable and entertaining to the spectators.”
“I’ve been playing basketball for 12 years but this is my first time playing in a professional league,” added the 1.93m tall Attaporn. “I’m very grateful for the opportunity. I’ve learnt a lot from the imports and I feel that having them around, my game has improved a lot.”
And finally, the top local young gun of each team to look out for in the next season:
Brunei Barracudas: Esmond Tan
25-year-old Esmond Tan is the vice-captain of the Barracudas in the 09/10 season and is perhaps the only local lad the team could count on. But having to juggle between his day-time job as an engineer with Shell and playing in the ABL, Esmond missed a couple of games. Esmond finished the inaugural ABL with 35 points, 19 rebounds and 38.2% shooting record. (Photo 4 © Les Tan/Red Sports)
KL Dragons: Loh Shee Fai
Shooting 42.6% in 3-pointers, 21-year-old Loh Shee Fai is arguably the league’s best 3-point shooter. On 11 January 2010, the Malaysian shot 5-of-6 (83%) threes in Singapore and a week later, 6-of-7 (85.7%) threes back home and was top-scorer for his team in that game too. KL Dragons coach Goh said: “Shee Fai is a real shooter. He was the top 3-point shooter at last year’s MIBC (Malaysian International Basketball Championship). Hitting the threes has always been his strength.” (Photo 5 © Les Tan/Red Sports)
Nonoy Baclao (Philippine Patriots)
23-year-old Nonoy Baclao has proven to be a strong defensive pillar for the Patriots in their maiden season. Finishing the season holding one of the best defensive rebounding record amongst the locals in his team, the former UAAP star should be especially commended for his 10 rebounds (7 DR, 3 OR) effort in the third game of the finals against Satria Muda that was instrumental in sealing the title. (Photo 6 © Red Sports)
Christian Ronaldo Sitepu (Satria Muda)
An anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury sustained in the first playoff game against the Slingers in Singapore forced 24-year-old Christian Ronaldo Sitepu to sit out for the rest of the season. It was a defensive blow for Satria Muda as Christian, who is affectionately known as “Dodo”, was not only the fittest player in Satria Muda, he has also finished the regular season as the top local player in rebounds (80 rebounds, 5.3 rebounds per game). Christian was beaten by his team mate Youbel Sondakh in the total number of rebounds but, despite missing the post-season, he still remained superior across the league with his average of 5.3 rebounds per game. (Photo 7 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)
Hong Wei Jian (Singapore Slingers)
25-year-old Hong Wei Jian has been a regular starting five for his team playing alongside four imports and he has proven to be capable of playing at their level. Wei Jian’s season highlights include top-scoring for his team with 18 points in their loss against KL Dragons on November 22, 2009. A week earlier, he drained five points in the dying minutes for his team to steal a comeback win over Satria Muda in Jakarta, and in the final playoff in Singapore where Slingers lost to Satria Muda, Wei Jian unleashed an ace game and finished as the second highest scorer for his team with 17 points. (Photo 8 © Tan Jon Han/Red Sports)
Ratdech Kruatiwa (Thailand Tigers)
Scoring 129 points in 14 games, 25-year-old Ratdech Kruatiwa finished his first ABL season as the second highest local scorer (by points per game), just behind his team mate Attaporn Lertmaiporn. Ratdech, who is also pursuing a Masters degree in Physical Education, was previously playing professionally in Maryland and Rochester before a knee dislocation forced him to return to Thailand last year. Ratdech can now take comfort in the fact that he was his coach’s MVP in the first season. Tigers coach “Joe” Mawinthorn said: “Different players are MVP at different times but overall, Ratdech would be the one for the season because of his consistency especially in the final four games. Whenever I asked him to perform, he will perform.” (Photo 9 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)
Editor’s Note: This has been a maiden season of surprises and here’s a shout of thanks to Leslie and Dawn for the opportunity to cover this league; the REDcrew for working so hard under my Cruella-complex; the ABL coaches who taught me heaps about the game; the ABL players for tolerating my endless questions; and the readers for your love-hate relationship with my stories. Enjoy the other stories coming up, til we next “meet”. (jan@redhoops.com)
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Great work Jan! I also would like to give a special mention to the soon to be married Pathman Matialakan.
Pathman the Singaporean Batman, a player who comes off the bench has given Frank Arsego quality minutes while either Matt LeBlanc or Kyle Jeffers are on the bench.
Typical bench player average of 3.7 points and 2.1 rebounds, but his 13 minutes per game on the court is something quite commendable. If he can keep or better these numbers next season, that will be a huge help for the Slingers non-ASEAN imports and reserve the needed energy when it comes to crunch time (4th quarter). A small contribution that does not reflect on the stat sheet, but big enough that it made (probably) some sort of an unnoticed recognition to the Slingers’ regular season success.
What I am very happy about the first season of the ABL is the confidence of each local player from Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and Brunei got that they have a chance to shine. Players like Lertmalaiporn, Gunawan, Tan, etc., realized that they can be at par with the best.
Of course, it also turned the heads of some fans in the Philippines that some Filipino players who weren’t drafted in the PBA, made them realize that they too belong in the pros. Players like Vergara, Gaco, and Baclao are good examples.
How about players like Rob Wainwright and Francis “Kiko” Adriano? Some might think that these players are already washed out pros, and way past their prime. I even said to myself, “Wow! Thess guys still have a job?!?!,” in reference to Wainwright’s and Adriano’s inclusion to the Patriots and Barracudas roster respectively. Alas, the two of them have proven wrong, and they still have the tools to be very effective players.
So cheers to ABL’s maiden season, and I just can’t wait for October.
OMG! I am now a certified Jan Lin fan!
The inimitable Jan Lin strikes again
Great post!
Nonoy Baclao wasn’t eligible for the PBA draft this year. he’s gained experience in the paint against ABL imports and i’m sure he has a better draft stock than anyone in the PBL or Liga Pilipinas right now.
great post !
A collection of X-Factors is not bad because they are the ones who do the intangibles for the team and scoring is one aspect of the game.
they have one common denominator: they’re court hustlers!
this is a great post Jan!
This is what I’ve been trying to point out all along… Check it out, all local players that were highlighted were point makers except the Philippines. It is such a shame that the country that produced most of the ASEAN imports have to contend with local defensive players on their team. Mr. Romero, I fully understand that you want to win championships and the game plan was to have local defensive players and import point makers, however, while this situation will win championships, it will miserably fail to win local Pinoy fans to your team’s fold. Please, sir, give us better local players next year.
Thanks
GO! Gunawan! Go Gunawan! I hope this guy will be able to play in the Philippines..
Nice writeup!
let him play in La Liga first and if he survives then he can play in the PBA.
speaking of Liga Pilipinas:
http://teampilipinas.info/2010/03/smart-gilas-pilipinas-defeats-cebu.html
the video after the article is part of the 4th quarter between the M. Lhuillier-Cebu Niños and the RP National Developmental Team (Smart Gilas) still without an import/naturalization candidate. the Niños signed Jason Dixon for their exhibition series, but Smart Gilas still beat them.
young guns like Hong Wei Jian and Loh Shee Fai are great for the ABL… but would they still be able to compete against young guns with a higher caliber like everyone in Smart Gilas? the video doesn’t even do justice to the Niños (the true definition of local delight). either the Niños or a team who also bankrolls Smart Gilas just might be the next ABL expansion team. judging by the quality of the locals, the ABL needs more players like Lertmalaiporn and Gunawan.
@Sinigang: Mirza, Espiritu, Acuna and Baclao are now a tier behind Smart-Gilas level.
I hope that Liga Pilipinas will accept ASEAN players as apprentices to improve their level of B-Ball and one the ABL will start, the playing field will be more competitive.
for example: Mandaue Landmasters will take Shee Fai and MisOr Meteors will take Gunawan and Trace-Laguna Stallions(YES this is Gaco’s team) will take some slinger guards and so forth…
@Nards
we don’t know that yet. if it’s true, then we can say that Magi Sison and Greg Slaughter are better than Baclao. (taller, yes. but does EJ Fehil ring a bell?)
btw, the M. Lhuillier-Cebu Niños just beat Smart Gilas by 3 today.
i don’t see ABL locals going to Liga Pilipinas. it’s just unthinkable that they can stand playing in rusty province gyms that smell like a Blue Eagle Gym toilet when they’re used to playing in the SG Indoor Stadium or the MABA Stadium.
That’s kind of a good idea of hiring some non Filipino players within the ASEAN region to play in Liga Pilipinas or may be in the PBL.
However, given the basketball culture in Philippines, bringing guys like Pathman, Gunawan, et. al. might deliver the notion that “if we hire these guys as imports (or not), this means that they’re better than our locals,” or, “if we hire these guys, they would think they’re better than Filipino players.” Just taking some reactions when the PBA proposed of hiring Asian imports instead of mostly Americans.
It is certainly a mentality that I hate the most. That’s because over the years, imports in the PBA are hired to become their Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, and Shaquille O’Neal rolled into one. That means he should score at least 20 points, defend, rebound, and lead the team, which to me is not!
For me, an import should be the person who fills the void on what’s missing within the team. Although in the ASEAN region it’s pretty obvious that every team should need someone who can grab rebounds and a inside threat for other teams. In other words, imports should be hired for a specific role or purpose. Why do you think a guard like JR Holden of CSKA Moscow was hired? That’s because they need a good point guard. Same should be true with Rasheim Wright in Jordan.
So if players like Gunawan, Sitepu, etc. was offered to play in Philippines, it should be because the team need someone to do… Not because they’re from Malaysia, Singapore, or Indonesia were if we hire one of them it means they’re better than Filipinos.
** I have no intention to berate my own heritage or the heritage of others, but reading some articles about that in the past that lacks diversity and open mindness really aggrevates me. So my apologies should I end up offending some people.
then term them as “understudies” or “on-the-job trainees” rather than imports
At this stage,is gilas really a real deal for asian games later this yr, and importantly for fiba qualifiying next year?
ABL teams need filipino imports to learn from them..
Philipine team & player doesnt need ABL at all.
Cebu’s ML Ninos have been performing impressively against PBA teams recently (albeit exhibition games).
I would like to see Stephen Padilla shoot the lights out in the ABL.
Cebu has been producing those insane shooters (among them is Felix Duhig who once made 30 3-point shots in one game).
Unfortunately these shooters often rot on PBA benches due to their inability to perform one-on-one defense.
But let them loose on a FIBA style league, they’ll rack up the numbers.
Let’s hope Cebuanos will unite and finance a team for the ABL (Gokongwei, Lhuillier, etc.)