Part 2: Who's-who at this year's PAAD Palaro...?

Part 2 of our Blog-spy report.

As promised, we continue our series of sneak previews on this year's roster of teams. Our blog-spies had to work double time, to keep abreast with our reader's comments (thank you).

First team to be up on deck, Delaware Titans


Considered as one of the pioneer teams of the Palaro League, the Titans will be parading a changed team this year. It's no secret that Steve Antonio has formed a new team, but our grapevine whisperers reveal to us is that Steve has brought to his new team another key player from the Titans bench. Fact or rumor? We will find out on opening day!

However, despite the change in line-up, coach and team captain, Willie Fontano, is optimistic of his team's chances this year. Known to the fans as the "Tatangs", their chemistry and long-time teamwork will be their most potent weapon. Our spy reports give us a strong indication that Ed O., Luis A., Eric F., Joneil G., Jesse F., Jomar U. , Jerry B. and a rumored pro-bound player (in the PBL or PBA) will hold the fort for the Titans. If this is true, don't count the Titans out and their loyal followers. The Titans will give any team, old or new, a run for their money.


When we got news that a combined PHI-Excel PT team won the recently concluded FACAA 2009 league, speculation was high that this team merger will move to the Palaro League. And the speculations from our spy-in-the-sky paid off. Our league followers know PHI and Excel as opposing teams, but what they have not seen yet is the powerhouse behind a merged line-up. And if you're wondering where the name Dynamic came from. Here's the story on that, Dynamic is not another team that merged with PHI and Excel, Dynamic Physical Therapy is the team's main sponsor.

But here's the real scoop from our blog spies, the team will have a potent one-two punch and both of them are named WILL. The first "WILL" is FACAA's 2009 Open League MVP (as noted by one of our bloggers). The other "WILL" is of imperial caliber, who almost snatched the MVP honors during the 2006 Palaro games. Our spy-in-the-sky also spotted two ex-WSA (?) stalwarts going by the monickers, "Denboy and Rock" mixing it up with the high-flying dunk artist, Joe M. And, yes, there's more! Our spy-in-the-sky has noted that any 5 player- combination of SH Humphrey, Justin M. and the Destreza brothers will still be potent.

By the way, our blog spies noted that neither team, PHI or Excel, has gotten close to a Palaro championship playoffs. Now that they are one, the DYNAMICs are more hungry for the Palaro crown and a possible sweep of both PA and DE leagues. And if they are successful in two leagues, rumor has it that they are eyeing another neighboring league to capture a rare three-peat. You think so?

Next on our spy-in-the-sky report is MARICAS. Are they a new team or a transformed squad with a new name?


While they sound like a new team, in reality the core of Maricas is a team that originated from King of Prussia (or KOP). Like the Titans, they are one the teams that had been in the league from its onset. They've changed names from KOP to Pinoy and now, Maricas. According to our blog-spy reports and reliable sources (who all remain anonymous) this team has been kept in tip-top form by Team Captain, Marlowe Ulit.

Our mole reports indicate that Maricas is about to spring a number of surprises in this year's Palaro. First off, a new team sponsor that comes with a high caliber coach (according to rumorville). Next, a rumored build-up of their 6th, 7th and 8th man rotation. With Marlowe now focused on leading his team on the floor, a coach calling the shots on the sidelines, and a possible set of fresh legs to support their key five, destiny may be better this year for Maricas. One thing will always remain for this KOP team, their physical defensive style.


The next team up on deck is FORCE (previously named as STRENGTH).

As fast as the wind blows, so did this team's name. Originally registered as STRENGTH, and in a blink of an eye, they now changed their name to FORCE (just a few days ago). Either its a force of strength or the strength of their force that made them flip-flop early before game day.

We can only speculate why they changed names. However, our blog spies have a hunch that the reason they made the last-minute change is to keep their strength under cover and away from our mole-in-the-hole.

Anyway, here's the scoop on team FORCE. This team is led by Tom Maltman of last year's Origlio. Tom is also an ex-WSA team player that won the 2006 championship. Rumor has it that remnants of the Origlio team will see action this year but this time with a great backup of talents coming from the FACAA league. But the intriguing buzz around this team is the possible inclusion of 2 to 3 AAU standouts. If you are not aware of what AAU stands for, then, go figure or as we now say, google it! And if you do figure it out, you will have an idea why they chose team names from STRENGTH to FORCE.

So, there you go, our second set of four teams previewed.

For our third and last part, our blog spy report will feature the RED BULLS, WALA SA AYOS and last year's finalists, TFC Mainline and GK Warriors.

You better keep glued for part 3, because the last part is the most revealing of all. Keep on blogging!