Every year gameface.ph honors the top hardcore players of the country with the selection of the Gameface.ph Hardcore 5 and the Hardcore Player of the Year. Not only are these cage heroes the best players in the land, they also embody the hardcore spirit that is the essence of amateur basketball. These players do not play primarily for multimillion contracts or multi-year commercial endorsements, but more for the sheer love of the game that is nearest and dearest to the Filipino heart. Here are our selections for 2007.

JV CASIO, 5’10” 155 pounds, Guard – JV Casio has quietly emerged as one of the best players at his position in the country. He worked on his game over the last couple of seasons and has developed a nearly-flawless game this year. As his Lasalle Green Archers made a triumphant return to the UAAP after a one-year suspension for player eligibility issues, Casio quickly showed all basketball watchers how productively he spent his time away from the spotlight. He returned with improved athleticism across the board, increasing his vertical leap, sprinting faster, changing directions more easily, while gaining mass and strength.

From merely being just another smallish spot-up shooter some five seasons ago, he has now become a creative slasher, able to break down defenses with his dribble and set up teammates with the drive and draw. He can now more easily initiate the offense and his shot selection has improved a lot. The new JV Casio even plays tough on-ball defense now.

He bagged the Fil-Oil summer tournament MVP award, was named to the UAAP Mythical Five for the first time in his career, and has become the most dependable guard on the PBL Toyota lineup of Coach Louie Alas. Through it all, Casio has remained as subdued and unassuming as ever, never being tempted to be as brash as the rest of his teammates, always respecting the game that he has now come very close to completely mastering.

Hardcore Cred: Nothing makes for a more compelling hardcore hoops story than a former high school tweener turning into a complete UAAP All Star guard and a guy you’d love even though he’s wearing an opposing uniform.

JASON CASTRO, 5’10” 155 pounds, Guard – One would be tempted to think that Jason Castro would be feeling down in the dumps this year. After all, his Philippine Christian University Dolphins were suspended this season from NCAA competition after some player eligibility issues similar to La Salle’s problems came up. Maybe it has something to do with the pollution along Taft Avenue, but whatever the cause, Castro missed his chance to be the one and true superstar for his Dolphins this year after playing sidekick to Gabby Espinas the past couple of seasons.

Instead of sulking though, Castro focused all of his energies in the last two PBL Conferences and in his stint with the national team that brought home the Gold Medal in Men’s Basketball in the recently concluded SEA Games. Castro became the first PBL player since 1998 to win back-to-back MVP awards, duplicating the feat of PBA star Eric Menk when Menk played for Tanduay in the PBL. Castro’s MVP feat however is even more special, since he did it with two different teams: Hapee-PCU the first time around, then Harbor Centre the second time. Castro also led Harbor Centre to its last PBL Title via a 3-game sweep of Cebuana Lhuillier, effectively controlling the tempo for the Batang Pier and keeping the Moneymen at bay with his backcourt savvy.

To top off his great year, Castro was the steadying element for the National Team as they soundly blasted through the rest of the field in men’s basketball in the last Southeast Asian Games. Winning by an average of about 40 points per game, Castro helped run the offense, anchor the pressure defense and practically ran rings around anyone who tried to guard him. The sidekick has truly become the hoops world’s newest superstar.

Hardcore Cred: Is there anything that warms the heart of any true hardcore hoops fan more than the poor street baller who makes good?

NONOY BACLAO, 6’5” 180 pounds, Forward – When he first arrived in Manila to play basketball for the Ateneo Blue Eagles he was a gangly, seemingly ungainly, and rather awkward looking stick figure of a boy. It was hard to take him seriously with his dopey look and 1970’s haircut. But once he took to the court he seemed to magically transform into a hardcore hoops machine.

He’d swat shots from veterans of so-called structured play and keep it in play by retrieving it with those long sinewy arms. He’d split help defenses in the post with incredible footwork and an uncanny ability to spin the ball just right off and under the glass. He’d even be the first out on the wings on transition after collaring a rebound against heftier players. And as San Sebastian’s Omar Ampatuan and Jason Ballesteros found out the hard way during the summer season, he has the springs and the attitude to dunk in traffic.

As a rookie, Baclao led the UAAP in blocks this past season, sending back shots even of veterans. He got it done not merely because of leap (many other players jump higher) or length (there are many players taller) but with an uncanny sense of timing. In the last Collegiate Champions League he was named the tournament MVP for his defense and overall outstanding play.

Hardcore Cred: There is one thing even more scary than how good Nonoy Baclao is now: he is going to get better.

RICO MAIERHOFER, 6’5” 180 pounds, Forward – Maierhofer was just another runner and jumper when he first donned the green and white of La Salle a few seasons ago. He was not taken too seriously with his wispy frame. Opposing players generally loved to bang against his reed-thin body. Over the years though he became bigger and stronger, and learned how to play smarter against bigger and stronger players. He was named MVP of the Nike Summer League and was the best athlete on the UAAP Season 70 champion Lasalle Green Archers.

Maierhofer was at times the only option in the frontline for Lasalle in their unexpected climb back to the UAAP Championship. While the rest of the Lasalle frontline were role players, he was the only legitimate star up front. He anchored the green and white post game and was among the best shotblockers and rebounders in the tournament. His veteran experience came to the fore during critical stages of close games, especially in the playoffs against their bitter rivals the Ateneo Blue Eagles.

Hardcore Cred: Maierhofer has come a long way indeed, and a lot of his best basketball still lies ahead.

SAM EKWE, 6’8” 245 pounds, Center – It is hard to believe Sam Ekwe has been playing organized ball for less than four years. He was the 2006 NCAA Rookie MVP, duplicating Espinas’ feat just two seasons previous. His imposing bulk, length and naturally superior athleticism make him an overwhelming force on the court. The first time hardcore hoops fans saw Ekwe in action his movements were awkward and was often out of position as he tried hard to figure out the game. His guards found it difficult running the post game through him as he barely had a passing game.

Now however he has developed a feathery touch from the post, is able to use the bank more frequently, and has improved tremendously from the free throw line, rounding out his game and making him an even more valuable asset to the San Beda basketball program. Ekwe now moves with a lot of poise and confidence on the floor, and his teammates trust him to be just in the right spot doing just the right things to help his team.

In only his second NCAA season Ekwe was one silly decision away from joining the ranks of back-to-back MVP awardees. He was a constant presence on every NCAA highlight reel, be it on slam dunks or on shot blocks. His vastly improved game made him even more unstoppable this past season.

Hardcore Cred: To have come so far in such a relatively short time, Ekwe is showing how big a difference dedication and hard work can make in the game of basketball.

GAMEFACE.PH HARDCORE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

JASON CASTRO

2007 will go down as the year of Jason Castro.

In the past year he won two Philippine Basketball League Most Valuable Player Awards.

“I’m deeply honored for being named MVP of the (Silver Cup) tournament, this is very special for me,” said the 20-year-old Castro. “My perseverance and hard work finally paid off.” Castro showed major props to his Hapee toothpaste teammates, coaches and team owner Cecilio De Pedro. When asked to describe Castro, Hapee Coach Jun Noel said “No complaints, just works hard.”
He duplicated his MVP feat in the 2007 PBL Unity Cup, this time with the Harbor Centre Batang Pier of Mikee Romero. Coach Jorge Gallent was profuse in his praise for his superstar guard, “He is very good at keeping the tempo to our liking, and he is very versatile as a player. He does everything for our team, whatever you tell him to do.”

He also led the Philippine Men’s Basketball Team to the SEA Games Gold Medal in Thailand, a feat that caught the eye of international scouts. PBL Commissioner Chino Trinidad said Castro has a solid offer to play in Australia’s National Basketball League.

Through it all, with all of his recent great successes, Castro has remained humble and well-grounded. He still attends classes at PCU and constantly uses the very polite “po” and “opo” when addressing people. And that perhaps is Castro’s greatest asset and most endearing hardcore hoops cred: Although he has reached the stars his feet remaining firmly on the ground.
For this he is this year’s GAMEFACE.PH HARDCORE PLAYER OF THE YEAR.