1st of February 2008
Written by Janny Who?
I would like to welcome you all to the league. This
season promises to be a good one. We have reached
record level of entrants and we are excited to get
this season going. 6 teams (57 players) will be in
the hunt for the highly coveted Scott Crook Trophy.
Draft Day: As player and coach representatives poured
into the venue, Rob Tam (commissioner) was preparing
for the new talent that was going to showcase the CFL
this year. The 2008 draft day was filled with
excitement. Tension was so thick you could cut it
with a knife. As the ping pong balls dropped, nervous
players in attendance gritted their teeth, bit their
nails, and as they got picked, hugged their moms. The
ball bounced kindly to some teams but not to others.
Players in attendance included Erik Chan who was
presented with a new jersey for the White Team
selected by Coleman Chung’s Franchise, his 1st round
pick. Other notable picks were as follows:
Alan Lin, Erik Chan, Hubert Lim, Josh Tobin, Vincent
Mostajo, Matt Hedges, Neil Wong, and Armando Perez.
Coaches that were interviewed were brimming with
confidence and ready to get their new talent onto the
hardwood.
Note: VH1 Reality TV show “I Love New York” star
Boston was in attendance, but may have been a
look-alike.
Team Previews:
Black Team
In last year’s global warming conference the main
topic was the polar caps melting and the ongoing
deforestation of the rain forests in South America and
Southeast Asia. The rest of the league will try to
deforest the black team as their average height is 6
foot. Last years reigning champs did not have high
draft picks due to last year’s domination of the CFL.
They might not need extra talent due to their core
veterans returning to play solid defense. USA today,
ESPN, and Asia Weekly have them slated as #1 team in
the nation. Sherman Low, Chris Wong, Tony
Vipusithimakool, and Norman Siu have become household
names. Last year their stifling defense turned
basketball scores into football scores as they held
opponents to an average of 34.6 points per game. Jon
Kwok, the leader of the team, has them primed and
ready to seek a repeat championship. Rumors are they
lost John Chang (JC) who was nicknamed the “chairman
of the boards” for leading the CFL in rebounding last
year. Although they did win the championship last
year, the nation did not seem to care to watch as
evidenced by low TV ratings.
Mark Jackson commenting on the low TV ratings last
year, “They may be boring but they know how to win.
They just plain and simple do not care.”
In their preseason debut, they looked hungry for the
repeat as Tony Vipusithimakool and Norman Siu scored
around the rim at will.
Note: Captain Jon Kwok was absent. Spike Lee was
spotted at the game wearing a Chris Wong jersey. Kate
Hudson donned a Latrell Sprewell jersey.
Draft Grade: B-
Red Team
They probably were spawned by the same mother, because
these two guys have the same exact talents, rebounding
and scoring around the rim. With a two promising
young beasts in Anthony Pineda and Alan Lin, the two
who were separated at birth, should dominate the
glass. As fantasy owners know last year, these two
were among the league leaders in rebounds and points.
Jim Lam can shoot the rock and he takes care of the
basketball in times of duress. Team captain, Eugene
Tse, aka the the Snowman, had his coaching debut last
year and really got the most out of his talent. He
won Coach of the year honors last year and
expectations are high with his roster this season.
Note: Coach Eugene Tse at his preseason press
conference marveled at last year’s MBP (most blockable
player) Osbert Orr’s, improvement on his shooting and
ball handling.
Draft Grade: A-
White Team
Not surprisingly, team captain and point guard Colman
Chung, went for another point guard in Erik Chan.
The heady guard was a selected CFL first team by the
writer’s poll last year. Erik Chan and Colman Chung
both come from one of the toughest inner-city high
school, Lowell High School, where they both learned
their dazzling moves at the “courts.” Colman Chung
and Erik Chan instantaneously becomes the second most
potent tandem. Their quickness on both sides of the
floor should present match up issues. Down low, they
also have the Tauren Chieftan, Hubert Lim, collecting
rebounds and beasting poor unsuspecting souls who
happen to be under the rim or in his way. They just
need to keep the game close with these two guards that
can take care of the ball.
Draft Grade: B+
Blue Team
Last season, I rambled on about how one person can
make or break a team. Greg Wong this season will have
to step it up. Greg Wong usually can rebound and get
into the passing lanes for high percentage shots.
Last years MVP, Greg Wong, is the most gifted athlete
in the CFL and is listed at 6’ 1” 225 lbs. Armondo
Perez had a strong season last year and can really
bomb from outside. There are some potent dynamic duos
in the league and this is one of them. In their
preseason game, they had some shot selection issues
and turnover issues but should be right there in
contention come playoff time. Halbert Yeung will play
the middle and Vincent Montajo has ball handling
duties.
Draft Grade: B
Yellow Team
After winning two years ago then taking a year off,
captain Ryan Susanto is back with his new floor mates.
The championship team from two years ago has been
dismantled and he will sorely miss vets Daniel Quach
and Calvin Lee, last years two most inspirational
players who never took a play off. His new team is
comprised with a bunch of rookies. Josh Tobin, a
virtual unknown, was taken with the team’s number one
pick. Kevin Mau and Jeff Chan are battle tested and
they hustle on every play. The team is comprised with
a bunch of guys who can do everything well but not do
one thing extraordinary. Their biggest strengths will
be hustle and running the floor.
Draft: C
Green Team
Keeping the virtually the core intact from last year,
the green team hopefully has improved from last year.
My sources tell me that they have gone through a
strict off season regiment that includes dieting
“master cleanse” and two a days. Captain, Peter Tam,
will be at the helm this year. His existing core
includes Jeff Hua, Matt Hedges, Steve Cobb, and Neil
Wong. Matt Hedges will be relied upon to do the
brunt of the scoring, he made 3rd team all CFL last
year. The new team will be bolstered with the cagey
veterans Daniel Quach and Calvin Lee. They both are
invaluable on any team. They have been sponsored
exclusively by PG&E. Their motto in the huddle is,
“Go green.”
Janny Who’s Preseason Rankings
1. Black Team - Last year’s team still firmly has the
highly coveted Scott Crook trophy in their possession
2. Red Team- Great draft should put them in a great
spot to contend
3. White Team- Two great guards will pay dividends
this year
4. Blue Team- Greg Wong… Need I say more?
5. Yellow Team- Run and gun team has many rookies but
can they gel?
6. Green Team- This year “going green” will be the
motto of the league should they rack up some wins this
year.
2007 CFL (Last Season) Awards:
CEBC Friendship League
MVP: Greg Wong (huge game impact and consistent all season)
Coach of the Year: Eugene Tse (got the most out of his players)
Most Improved: Chris Wong (improved FG% and defense helped win championship)
6th Man: Kevin Mau (solid play all year, provided boost for team)
Most Inspirational: Daniel Quach and Calvin Lee (cagey veterans always in big plays)
Most blockable Player: Osbert Orr: Defenders had a field day all season long as their hands were tattooed with the Spalding logo mainly because of his offensive creativity and ingenuity. He had a hand in 21 percent of all shots blocked.*
Not an official stat taken
1st Team : Based on individual performances, consistency, and team success
PG: Erik Chan
SG: Sherman Lee
SF: Neil Wong
PF: Anthony Pineda
C: Greg Wong
2nd Team
PG: Colman Chung
SG: Armondo Perez
SF: Darryl Greene Jr.
PF: John Chang
C: Alan Lin
3rd Team
PG: Sherman Low
SG: Chris Wong
SF: Matt Hedges
PF: Jeff Chan
C: John Acosta
1st Team All-Defense: Based on man to man defense, team defense, defensive rebounding, and statistics
PG: Erik Chan
SG: Adam Moscoso
SF: Darryl Greene Jr.
PF: Norman Siu
C: Alan Lin
1st Team All Fantasy: Based on statistics alone
PG: Erik Chan
SG: Darryl Greene Jr.
SF: Anthony Pineda
PF: Greg Wong
C: Alan Lin