Gabby Espinas, GameFace Hardcore Player of the Year 2005

[Gil_Andrews]

Gabby Espinas, GameFace Hardcore Player of the Year 2005
by Gameface.ph


Note: The same article is posted in the News and Articles section under Gameface Featured Player in Gameface.ph


Espinas has the unenviable role of being the superstar on a team of stars, but he has handled this with aplomb uncommon in someone so young. At barely 20 years young, Espinas has managed to blend in well on a team with other great players like Rob Sanz, Jason Castro, Beau Belga, Ian Garrido and Joel Solis. Espinas` play has allowed all of his teammates to flourish because he doesn`t demand the ball to be productive. What is truly mind-boggling is how much better Espinas can become. Already a plus athlete, he adds a new dimension to his game with every tournament. He used to be nothing more than a runner-jumper type who scored only on put-backs and lay-ups or dunks, and his temper often got the better of him. Now he is beginning to understand his real value and how much more he can do, refining his post game, learning to be a fulcrum on the PCU motion offense with improved passing, and is even becoming comfortable taking turnaround jumpers from medium range.

Even his coach, the outspoken and tough Junel Baculi, has nothing but praise for his star. His ball sense and superb athletic ability especially off the glass have anchored the success of PCU. His relentlessness has rubbed off on his team. Once the NCAA doormat, the Dolphins are now the cream of the league and have become a top-flight program, coveted by aspiring ballers all hoping to become the next Gabby Espinas, the ultimate of tributes to the ultimate hardcore hoops god.

[Gil_Andrews]

The GameFace Hardcore 5 of 2005
by Gameface.ph

Note: Same article is posted on the News and Articles Section under Gameface Featured Article in Gameface.ph


Gameface.ph is proud to present the Hardcore 5, players who have proven themselves to be a cut above the rest, whose games are emulated not just by fans but by fellow players, who bring a new wrinkle every time they take the court, in short players who have changed the face of the game. These are the players who are more than their stat line, whose mere presence alters the game and makes opposing teams rethink entire strategies. They were selected not just for their numbers, but for intangibles such as leadership, court presence and an abiding love for the game. These are the players who embody the hardcore way.




Boyet Bautista, pointguard, Letran College. Bautista`s highlight for the 2005-2006 NCAA Season may be his little faux pas leading the oath of sportsmanship during the opening ceremony of the 81st season of the NCAA, but he still had the last laugh leading the Letran Knights to the championship against the erstwhile defending champion PCU Dolphins. At a stocky 5-foot-7, Bautista may look more like a lightweight boxer, but his court skills and leadership shine every time he takes the floor. He doesn?t need to score to make a meaningful contribution to his team. His ability to make even average players look good is what makes him truly valuable. He practically voice activates the Letran offense and is a tough anchor on their zone and full court press.


Changed the face of the game: In an era of offense-minded pointguards, Bautista is living proof that the one essential skill for any sentinel is still the ability to set the table and make his teammates better

Honorable Mentions:LA Tenorio (Ateneo), Jason Castro (PCU), Jonas Villanueva (FEU), Pong Escobal (San Beda), Ram Perry Scott (Lyceum




Joseph Yeo, two-guard, De La Salle University. The 6-foot Yeo has been called many things: misunderstood, enigmatic, fearless, full of attitude, even arrogant. Yeo is as hardcore as it gets on and off the court, as evidenced by the controversial actions that have solidified his hardcore reputation. Yet there is no denying what he truly is, the best shooting guard in amateur basketball. He does everything a 2 is supposed to do: score inside and outside, move well without the ball, act as a decoy from time to time, be the scrambler on the vaunted La Salle trap. Call him what you will, hate him if you must, but Yeo is undeniably the best at his position in hardcore hoops.

Changed the face of the game:Yeo was once dismissed as just another volume shooter who was too selfish to play on a good team. And then he learned how to play decoy. The rest is history.

Honorable Mentions:Aaron Aban (Letran), Marvin Cruz (UP), Kelvin De La Pena (Mapua), Floyd Dedicatoria (JRU)




Arwind Santos, small forward, FEU. If Scottie Pippen were a Filipino basketball player he would be Arwind Santos. Santos has reigned as MVP of the UAAP the last two seasons running, and has shown no signs of peaking just yet. He routinely leads his team in every meaningful statistical record, scoring, rebounding, assists and blocks. By definition the small forward position belongs to the best athlete on the team, since he must be good at everything, the top option on offense while being among the last lines on defense. At a wiry strong 6-foot-4, Santos can score and handle like a 2, rebound and block like a power forward, and has the speed and athleticism to guard any position, making him the ideal 3. His perimeter game is becoming more consistent, and his ball handling is no longer the gamble it was in the past.

Changed the face of the game:Once upon a time labeled as just another runner-jumper with limited skills, Santos has emerged as the benchmark of the UAAP.

Honorable Mentions:Rob Sanz (PCU), Jonathan Aldave (Letran), Joferson Gonzalez (Mapua), Jerome Paterno (San Beda), Edwin Asoro (NU), JC Intal (Ateneo), Red Vicente (San Sebastian)




Gabby Espinas, power forward, PCU. Espinas literally came out of nowhere and took amateur basketball by storm, becoming the first player ever in NCAA history to become a rookie MVP in 2004. From his humble country roots he has become one of the marquee names in Philippine basketball. He has since led once lowly PCU to back-to-back Finals appearances after years as the whipping boy of the NCAA, taking the crown in 2004. At a lean and muscular 6-foot-5, Espinas has consistently led the NCAA with a career double-double output, not the easiest of tasks against the talent of NCAA competition. Espinas continues to improve his game, adding a reliable short jumper to his already formidable arsenal. Making himself better has become his hallmark. At the rate he?s going only Gabby Espinas can stop Gabby Espinas.

Changed the face of the game:Espinas is a power forward by designation only, but his versatility and athleticism allow him to be all over the court, giving his team a truly lethal weapon no other team can match.

Honorable Mentions:Yussif Al Jammal (San Beda), Nestor David (UP), Junjun Cabatu (La Salle), Eric Rodriguez (Letran)




Japeth Aguilar, center, Ateneo De Manila. He came into the UAAP so full of promise, in spite of an unspectacular career as a junior player. After a stillborn rookie year that saw him sidelined by an appendectomy, the skinny 6-foot-9 Aguilar reminded everyone what all the fuss about him was last season. Aguilar led the UAAP in blocks and highlight reels, playing with the athleticism and speed of a 2 while manning the slot for the post-challenged Blue Eagles, holding his own against the bruisers of the UAAP. Aguilar gave a glimpse of what the future holds for him after making PBA veteran Kerby Raymundo eat leather thrice in one play during a tuneup game in the summer of 2005 against the PBA-laden RP National Pool. Coach Chot Reyes` words after, ``Partida na, 17 (Aguilar is now 18) pa lang `yan?``

Changed the face of the game:Aguilar is the center by default because of his height and length. But his athletic gifts suggest he may yet become so much more. If he ever takes track and field the country will win its first Olympic gold medal. In the long jump.

Honorable Mentions:Abi Santos (UP), Mark Isip (FEU), Mark Andaya (Letran), Beau Belga (PCU), Sam Ekwe (San Beda), Mark Fampulme (Lyceum)