Season 6 Preview (Part 2)
Down with the old, in with the new.
PPL is known to be one of the most competitive leagues in the country today. And now, it just became a notch higher.
Season 6 announces the new teams who will be vying for the trophy. Some old folks admit, that this is arguably one of the best crop of talents ever to come in the PPL as promotees.
Hoes has been a familiar face in the II.2 league, being a member since season 3, Hoes has been the Red Robins of League II.2, up until the 4th season, when they had the best record in the league, bearing an unbeatable 22 games. However, they lost against Mobsters United in the semifinals, it was quite the shock of the season.
They entered the 5th season with the same feat. Winning all 22 games in the league. They are the sure-fire favorites in winning the promotion this time, and they did just that when they swept the ADMU Blue Eagles in the finals. Ivan Ricamona, the leading scorer for Hoes, didn't win the MVP trophy for this season, but his plays and presence in the finals series surely gave the pundits something to talk about. His resilient shooting capabilities and domination can be compared to PPL stars, and will be surely one to be watched out for fans, especially new ones now that they're in the big leagues.
Mandaue Selection, like team Hoes, has been a veteran team in their former league, giving a somewhat lukewarm appreciation to fans. One thing has been their problem this season, fans has never been too supportive for them.
Being located in the place wherein basketball is not too appreciated, and wherein the primary leisure is boxing, chess, music, college hoops, and food. They never believed that their pro-basketball team is in a good spot. Hence, their 5th place on season 3 proves this.
Brian Masuecos, a representative for our country's NT, has been somewhat mediocre in his first 2 seasons, and coming season 5, Masuecos shocked everyone by taking the top scoring spot. He was in a different level compared to his performance in his first 2 seasons. He averaged almost 24 points per game, shooting above 40% both in the field and in the 3 point area. he defends more efficiently, and was very unstoppable.
League II.1 has been privileged to have the wild card promotion elections, wherein people vote on what team will be promoted in season 6. Masuecos was the scoring leader for season 5 in their league, Egbert Somosierra won the MVP award, and Mandaue Selection, though they lost in the semi-finals of the playoffs, won the promotion via wild card. Guess who liked them most, but their new-found growing fans.
Spider Forest has been in a turmoil in terms of team management. Moving in 4 managements before landing under Spider Forest management, Spider Forest proves that they are one of the most watched out teams in the country. reaching in the semifinals of the Philippine Cup and winning the League II.4 championship. Vitor Carvalhosa, a Portugal native, has been their driving factor and their key to promotion. But he "couldn't have done this win without my teammates... they were the real ones playing hard here." -Carvalhosa
Will they continue to surprise the fans with their fantastic teamwork? One way to know is to watch this team out.
Along with Spider Forest, Gin Kings, the runner-up to the season 5 finals in League II.4, has been granted promotion due to wild card elections. Along with their impressive, but somewhat lack lustering game against Spider Forest, Gin Kings were the number 1 seeded team in the Great 8 Conference. Deadly shooter Raphael Catapang dreams of being in the PPL for a long time (circa season 4) and now that the time has come, he "will do everything that I can just to stay in this top conference." With his impressive 2 seasons with 20+ points per game, I wonder if he didn't give everything just yet.
(Part 3 to be continued)