Say bye to college ball! Hello NBA Power Rankings!
 
Wed, Oct 1, 2008 by Purple and Gold
 College basketball is already over and let me say a big congratulations to Ateneo and San Beda for making their chief financier Manny V. Pangilinan squirt an orgasm like he was 18. Good Job to Ateneo for breaking the seemingly impossible to break 14-year curse and sweeping the De La Salle Green Archers in their best of three finals series, thanks to Rico Maierhofer's mysterious middle finger that bedazzled the referees. La Salle was clearly outmatched and outplayed by the Eagles who had considerable help from the three blind mice that is on the picture on my right. Speaking of something in threes, congratulations to the San Beda Red Lions too for bagging their third straight championship. I hope you beat Ateneo's arses in the Champions League. Or if you won't, we will. San Beda got a mini-scare against the resillient Jose Rizal Bombers but the Lions took care of business and won Game 3 convincingly. Congrats to the Bedans for their well-deserved three peat and congratulations to Sam Ekwe for being the best import.
Congratulations to both of you but from this point below, this post has got nothing to do with you Eagles and Lions because it's time for the NBA MANIA again! Alright NBA junkies, time to fantasize your idols again. That sounds dirty but really what I mean is the Fantasy Leagues just opened again and it's the season for the NBA and everything NBA!
ESPN has already released its first set of the Power Rankings in the NBA and we, the editors of The 15th Parallel feel that we need to also make a power rankings of sort in our site because we feel that making such hullabaloo is cool and articles like those will help establish our credibility, increase our site hits and increase the volume of hate mails that come at our inboxes every six hours. The primary basis of this power ranking is a combined mix of Stein's opinions and our opinions -- meaning, from the amount of NBA Youtube videos that we watch for every team and the quantity of NBA highlights that we jack off to for every team or every player, especially Kobe Bryant. That's right, that is how objective and well-researched we are for these first power rankings of The 15th Parallel. The Boston Celtics whipped the asses of my Los Angeles Lakers last year (well because Bynum wasn't there to flat-iron them) and the Lakers are looking for a mighty revenge this year. However, there are several contending teams in the East and in the West that are also looking to prevent a rematch of last year's final. These teams are the old faces -- Detroit, San Antonio, Phoenix, New Orleans, Cleveland, Houston, Utah, and etc etc etc and some new faces. So here we go with the first NBA power rankings of The 15th Parallel!
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Jvee Casio's final stand as a Green Archer
Thu, Sep 25, 2008 by Purple and Gold
 It's not everyday that La Salle sees a player as gracious on and off the court as Jvee Casio. The Green Archers have been known to the outside world for bringing in bad-boy bruisers in their lineup, who are typically viewed as ones who try to taunt, trash-talk and outsmart their counterparts in ways that their opposition would not like. The most recent examples of these bruisers and trash-talkers would be Joseph Yeo, Mark Cardona and Ryan Araña. We may love them Archer Fans but these Archers are vilified by many rivals, especially the one engorged in blue and white. Truth of the matter is, they hardly like any UAAP player who puts on a green and white jersey with the words La Salle in trademark Old English text.
And then came Joseph Evans Casio from San Beda High School who, back in 2003, was tasked to anchor a team that was rookie-laden and still suffering from the pains of not achieving the coveted five-peat championship that they lost to the rival in blue and white. I remember seeing him first in a game in 2003 and when I look back from his rookie days days in 2003, he has really come a long, long way. He's been also through a lot of wars and epic battles. He won the Rookie of the Year award despite being under the shadow of much-touted rookies such as his guard archnemesis Chris Tiu. He was one of the keys in the miracle run of the Archers back in 2004 and he hit one of the shots, a three pointer, that defined his UAAP career as a clutch performer in the UAAP Finals against the FEU Tamaraws in that same year. That shot of his even strengthened my fanaticism and adoration of the talent and the composure that Jvee Casio has.
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NCAA Power Rankings - 9/15-9/19
Tue, Sep 23, 2008 by Nash Castro
 1 (6) Marvin Hayes (JRU) – I was supposed to do a mythical five top five, but that was kind of pushing it. Besides, the others did not cooperate. It is just proper to give homage to the player who helped his team to a 3-0 week. Hayes may not have had the best of stats (3.3 ppg, 9.7 rpg, 3 apg, 1.7 spg for the week), but who would have expected him to be in the mythical team... AGAIN?
2 Neil Pascual (MIT) – Pascual had his best game against the Stags (17 pts, 18 rebs, 9/17). Yes, he outmatched the much taller and should-have-been-MVP-because-he-had-the-best-statistical-points-but-his-team-was-eliminated Jason Ballesteros. As with other games, he is content hauling off rebounds and other stats are just bonuses (7 pts, 9 rebs, 7 off rebs vs CSJL, 9/15; 6 pts, 12 rebs, 3 asts, 2 stls vs SBC, 9/19).
3 Dino Daa (CSJL) – RJ Jazul may not mind if we defer to Daa for the meantime. Seen sobbing under a towel and being comforted by former Knight Mark Andaya during the alma mater hymn (vs JRU, 9/19), Daa had one of his most productive weeks (24 pts, 10/17 2pts, 5 rebs, 4 asts, 5 stls, 1 blk vs MIT, 9/15; 4 pts, 11 rebs vs JRU, 9/17; 16 pts, 9 rebs, 3 asts, 3 stls, 2 blks vs JRU, 9/19).
4 James Sena (JRU) – Sena might have been the most consistent Bomber whole week (13 ppg last week) recording two double-doubles (15 pts, 11 rebs, 4 asts, 4 blks vs CSJL, 9/17; 13 pts, 11 rebs, 3 asts, 2 stls, 1 blk vs CSJL, 9/19).
5 Ian Mazo (MIT) – The Cardinals shooting brigade had their respective moments in the three games they played that nobody stood out. Thus, the face of the group goes to the person who had the best average (12 ppg) and who had the best shooting (38% fg) in that span.
6 (8) John Wilson (JRU) – How big was Wilson's block on Jazul (vs CSJL, 9/19)? Oh, it was nothing. It just eliminated the Knights, had CSJL seniors basketball head coach Louie Alas storming the commissioner's table, and Jazul signing the scoresheet as protest in disgust and frustration. To merit his entry in the list, Wilson did some extra nonetheless (9 pts, 3 rebs, 2 asts vs SSCR, 9/15; 13 pts, 2/4 3pts, 8 rebs, 4 stls vs CSJL, 9/17; 10 pts, 3/3 2pts, 4 stls, 9/19).
7 Ogie Menor (SBC) – Sure, the Lions lost this game (vs MIT, 9/19), but nobody could deny that Menor was so unstoppable (18 pts, 6 rebs), he had to be mentioned by Cardinals seniors basketball head coach Leo Isaac in the postgame interview.
8 (10) Borgie Hermida (SBC) – After 14 pts, 5 rebs, 5 asts, 3 stls against the Cardinals (9/19), mini-Pong Escobal anyone?
9 Froilan Saquillo (SSCR) – What? A week without Ballesteros and Jim Viray? Do not worry. Saquillo did a Viray (16 pts, 7/10 fgs, 5 rebs vs JRU, 9/15) and a Ballesteros in two separate games (4 pts, 12 rebs, 2 stls, 2 blks vs MIT, 9/17).
10 (1) RJ Jazul (CSJL) – How could a guy score 0 pts, shoot 0/10 fgs (vs MIT, 9/15) and be still in the power ten? How about 12 rebs and 5 asts against the Cardinals, some pleasant stats against the Bombers (9 pts, 5 rebs, 3 asts, 2 stls, 9/17), and some more in the final game (17 pts, 4 rebs, 4 assts, 8 stls, 7 tos vs JRU, 9/19)?
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L.A. Revilla in: "We're not! That! Inno-cent!"
Thu, Sep 18, 2008 by Pandaemonaeon
 Back in the 90s, we've all come to idolize a blonde-haired, 10-year-old by the name of Kevin who relied on creative acts of violence to protect the family home from a pair of burglars (ranging from a tripwire blowtorch to a staple gun), a plot which proved to be so successful that it spawned a series of sequels. Several years later, a similar theme was used by acclaimed director David Fincher on his film Panic Room but since the protagonist was portrayed by someone with pubic hair, it was deemed violent and somewhat controversial. Amazing what difference a cute little innocent lead makes!
Now you're probably asking me: “L.A., did you really write that?” Unfortunately, no; ENG-1's first semester syllabus is rather limited at the moment so I had the 15th Parallel do the foreword for me but my point remains the same and that is: being a kid sure is fun! Obviously not being obligated to work for anything and having everything from candies and ornaments to school allowances (which would go on to fund our escapades at such "innocent" hang-outs like Absinth and Embassy) just come so easy is an awesome thing but the best perk of it all is that you're not culpable for your actions!
See, there's a stigma attached to us kids that we're completely unaware of the repercussions of what we do because not only do we look irresistibly cute and harmless but also that all we think about are videogames and petting zoos. Did that old man really fondle that boy's genitalia? Well, who cares really! All that matters is that children are historically incapable of lying which means that the testimony of a pretty little thing with their cavities and dimples is the gold standard of all evidence. Should this child be held liable for stabbing a call center agent to death after refusing to surrender her purse and iPhone? We all know who's to blame for this mess and it's Marilyn Manson! Skipping school and getting knocked up at Junior high? Such vile creatures their parents are!
As much as I find that stereotype offensive and annoying, considering that kids my age are already allowed to vote for the next politician (who in turn gets his chance at lapping the citizen's taxes, of which is inconsequential to me), give Santa a lap dance at the mall, or be allowed to drive a vehicle capable of either transportation or flattening an unlucky hobo, I have come to wallow in it's many advantages. While I'm responsible enough to know my limits by using it to commit (and escape) small, low-key offenses in the past (as opposed to the large scale atrocities I alluded to earlier by my fellow homies), that all pales in comparison to the mess I found myself in recently.
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NCAA Power Rankings - 9/1-9/10
Thu, Sep 18, 2008 by Nash Castro
Seems that I was so into the San Beda-Letran game last week, I forgot to put up my power rankings. Since there was only one game the previous play week, might as well include it with the one I missed.
 ![]() 1 RJ Jazul (CSJL) – You might be wondering,why Jazul. In a week where nobody played consistent for two games, Jazul comes close. He averaged 19 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 4.5 apg, 2.5 spg, 6.5 tpg in the two games he played. The thing is that his stats were not extreme highs and lows, unlike the others.
2 (4) Sam Ekwe (SBC) – Outside of his 4 pts in 1/4 fgs (the fewest attempts in a game he had this season), 4 tos in 19 mins against the Knights (9/10), he was his usual self. His personal stat battle (24 pts, 17 rebs, 2 stls, 3 blks, 40 mins vs SSCR, 9/3) against Jason Ballesteros (see below) was a classic in its own.
3 (6) Kelvin dela Peña (MIT) – Because of the other Cardinals like Allan Mangahas (see below) and to some extent Ian Mazo and Neil Pascual, his near triple-doubles almost went unnoticed (12 pts, 3/4 3pts, 7 rebs, 7 asts vs UPHSD, 9/3; 18 pts, 9 rebs, 9 asts, 4 stls vs JRU, 9/5).
4 (3) Allan Mangahas (MIT) – Enter the dragon, I mean the snake. His 22 pts (shooting 4/6 3pts, 2/2 2pts, 6/6 fts), 5 rebs, 4 asts, 4 stls against the Bombers (9/5) looked like a mini version of dela Peña-like proportions. His performance against the Altas (9 pts, 5 rebs, 5 asts, 4 stls, 9/3) looked so lackluster.
5 (10) Jason Ballesteros (SSCR) – Ballesteros and company may not have gotten the win, but his battle (8 pts, 23 rebs, 2 blks, 39 mins vs SBC, 9/3) with Ekwe was a highlight on its own. And maybe “Gagamboy” just lost the MVP because of that game.
6 Marvin Hayes (JRU) – With Hayes, scoring is a bonus. So it is extraordinary when he gets to amass 19 pts and then some (8 rebs, 3 stls vs MIT, 9/5) in a game. His other games' stats are pretty much in his line (6 pts, 9 rebs, 4 asts vs PCU, 9/1).
7 Mike Kong (UPHSD) – Kong, where have you been all season long (oh, it rhymes)? You show up against the Blazers (21 pts, 4/8 3pts, 8 rebs, 9/1) then disappear again like you never existed this season (8 pts, 4 asts, 6 tos vs MIT, 9/3).
8 John Wilson (JRU) – He scored 20 pts on 6/9 3pts against the Dolphins (9/1) and they won. He was contained by the Cardinals (6 pts, 2/8 fgs, 4 tos, 9/5), the Bombers lost.
9 Ronald Reyes (UPHSD) – Another here today, gone tomorrow player is Reyes (14 pts, 10 rebs, 7 asts, 3 stls vs CSB, 9/1; 5 pts, 6 rebs, 5 asts vs MIT, 9/3). At least his second game stats were not as ugly as the others who are not in this list. And yeah, he had a double-double in his good game.
10 Borgie Hermida (SBC) – Since there is a dearth of good statlines, might as well put in “Big Shot Borgie” and his game-winner against the Knights (9/10), scoring most of his 14 points in the clutch.
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An open letter from NABRO to you!
Sun, Sep 14, 2008 by Purple and Gold
 Hey you beyotch, hello there. Our name is NABRO. Do you recognize us? Actually, it is our nickname. Our whole name is the National Amateur Basketball Referees Organization. Though we like to be called on our whole name because it sounds cool and very professional, we prefer be called on our nickname, since it pains everyone when they try to call our name as a whole. Our name is fucking long and useless so you just better call us by our nickname. Our job is fun and decent, albeit a very hard one. We referee games in the UAAP. Do you know that the UAAP is the most prestigious collegiate league in the country? Or are you still stuck in the 60s and think that the NCAA still is the premiere collegiate league? Anyway, that's not the matter of the discussion. This is an open letter to the UAAP, not a material to denigrate the NCAA.
Let us give you, our reader, a short history backgrounder on what are we and what the fuck have we done to destroy, er, contribute to college basketball. Wait, let us remember it again. There. We think it was in 2003 or 2004 where our services were called. We were just a bunch of drunkards along the riles with only the knowhow of the larong-kanto style of basketball. That style incorporated baseball pass of inbounds at every chance that we get, a rag-tag run and gun game, the blind and unconditional use of the zone defense, and frequent elbowing that often ended up in fisticuffs. Basketball was just a game for us so we toyed and bastardized it. Going back to the topic, The UAAP spotted us along the riles while having a drinking session at Aling Kepweng's sari-sari store after a game. Seeing that we were sweaty and smelly from hours' worth of basketball, the UAAP tried to get us as referees. We doubted the morons who talked to us because they looked like people who can salvage us with their eye stares.
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UAAP Basketball Individual Awards Predictions
Thu, Sep 11, 2008 by Pandaemonaeon
 With the Cheerdance exhibition wrapped up, that means the UAAP regular season is also nearing completion and subsequently the playoffs. The Final Four sees the top 4 (doi) teams of the league duking it out for the big prize, while the losers wade through months of fair weather ridicule, point shaving accusations (or if you are UE, hangovers from perrenial chokejob, as they prepare to sweep another batch of relevant summer leagues).
This is also the time when the UAAP board honors the top individual award winners from the Juniors to Seniors division (both genders), to widespread speculation and at times, even controversy due to the subjective nature of the selection process. Most critics consider over-all team success as the only standard that matter while some cite statistical points as of equal value. While these opinions hold as much weight as a holocaust survivor and have little to no effect on the judges' decision, it's still a nice way to spend a few minutes and make yourself look like a basketball expert alongside other internet males when not collecting Magic: The Gathering cards or debating the fine arts of drag racing.
By that same token, The 15th Parallell simply can't resist jumping on the bandwagon and coming up with our own predictions as to which players would win. Yes, we know some of the awards here are not recognized (like Sixth Man and Coach of the Year) but we'd rather have an award that actually exists than shitstain ones like PS Bank's newly-christened "Maaasahan Player of the Game" which if you think about it, has no sound basis.
In this piece, our staunch group of writers will be picking for the Senior's division of men's basketball given that the only non-male senior players we're familiar with are Kady Wilson and Kiefer Ravena (you can thank Studio23 for that). While The 15th Parallel has rarely shied away from a challenge, we'd rather not overextend our reputation as know-it-alls.
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