Top 7 countdown of 2012's most-viewed FTW videos

Every week, the FTW crew gets together to discuss all the latest sports-related topics in a funny, but informative way. Mico Halili, Magoo Marjon, Jason Webb, Miakka Lim, Charles Tiu, and Doug Kramer, among a cast of many, can always be counted on for witty banter, and sharp opinions, which is why the web series is always must-watch fare.

But what seven topics really caused the internet to buzz and take notice in 2012? The answers, below:


7. Calvin "The Beast" Abueva

Early on, back when Calvin Abueva was still "just" putting up monster numbers in the NCAA for San Sebastian, FTW wondered if his do-it-all type of game, could translate into the more system-oriented PBA.

It turns out, they had nothing to worry about.




Abueva was drafted second overall by the Alaska Aces, and though his debut in the professional ranks was delayed, as he finished up his stint with the Stags, the former NCAA MVP proved to be as good as advertised. That led to the FTW crew wondering if he could become the face of the franchise, and pondering the energizing effect he had on the Aces.

Right now, Alaska is in the semifinals of the Philippine Cup, holding their own against the more veteran Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters team, with "The Beast" right in the thick of things.


6. James Yap - the face of the PBA

After PBA commissioner Chito Salud dubbed James Yap as "the face of the PBA," the panel couldn't help but debate whether or not his choice was the right one.



While other names like Mico Halili, Mark Caguioa, and Chris Tiu were bandied around, two of the four on board agreed that it was Yap, thanks to the name recognition the superstar has both on and off the court.

Prior to that, the crew also talked about the hot start Yap had to the season, thanks to offseason workouts that allowed him to bulk up and play more physical against his defenders.

Whether or not you agree that Yap is the standard bearer for the league, he remains the keystone to San Mig Coffee's Philippine Cup playoffs campaign, as they look to get revenge on the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, after the latter won the Governors' Cup at their expense.


5. Japeth Aguilar to the NBA?

The possibility of a Filipino playing in the NBA has always gotten this basketball-crazy nation excited, and most recently, Japeth Aguilar was seen as the country's best shot, after being drafted in the NBA Development League.



Unfortunately, as the story unfolded, Aguilar wound up getting cut by the squad that selected him, the Santa Cruz Warriors, but he did wind up staying on as a practice player for the team, keeping the dream alive.

That said, there is still a wealth of options available to the big man - he could play in other foreign leagues like Europe or Australia, he could go back to the PBA (a topic also discussed on FTW), or even sign on for another stint with the Philippine national team.

Aguilar has always been a player dripping with potential, and fans have been waiting for him to put it all together on a consistent basis. Whether that happens here or abroad, people will understandably be keen on seeing it unfold.


4. Chris Tiu joins the PBA Draft

After quite some time, Chris Tiu finally said yes to the PBA.

Following a collegiate stint with the Ateneo Blue Eagles, Tiu opted to join the ranks of the Gilas national team, and then stayed on with the Sinag squad when many of his fellow teammates made the leap to the pro ranks. And just when it seemed like he would be concentrating more on his businesses and less on bouncing a ball, #17 made the leap and put his name into the mix for the 2012 PBA Draft.



The panel discussed his huge mainstream appeal, his skills, and where he would fit, with former teammate Doug Kramer providing extra insight, praising his basketball IQ, in particular.

As it turned out, Tiu would later be drafted seventh overall by the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters. Though he was sidelined by injury after his professional debut, he later came back and helped the Elasto Painters make it to the semifinals.


3. The FTW Debates

When you get together with your similarly sports-obsessed friends, arguments are sure to break out when the topic of "who's the better player" gets innocently (or not so innocently) brought up.

FTW is no stranger to this, and as such, several episodes were devoted to pitting Player A against Player B, with the guys and girls taking sides.



One hotly-contested PBA-related topic was whether or not Ginebra should have taken Chris Tiu or Chris Ellis during the 2012 draft. While the fans would have eaten up Tiu on Ginebra, there are also solid basketball reasons for having him on Rain or Shine. Both players have also done well for their individual teams as both Ginebra and Rain or Shine made it to the postseason.

There were two other big debate episodes that drew a lot of attention, a battle of giants, Greg Slaughter versus June Mar Fajardo, and a war between two of the best do-it-all forwards, Bobby Ray Parks versus Calvin Abueva. Unfortunately, we won't see these duels until some future PBA seasons, though that does allow us to continue the arguing.


2. LA Tenorio and the new Ginebra

The PBA world was rocked when the Alaska Aces sent Jones Cup MVP LA Tenorio to Barangay Ginebra in a multi-team trade and the FTW crew pounced on the topic, discussing the fit, and how Ginebra and Alaska would look moving forward.



It was predicted that "The Lieutenant" would give Ginebra another dimension, a run-and-gun dimension, to be specific, in addition to a top-notch point guard, and another guy to take the shot in the clutch. After two solid wins though to start the All-Filipino conference though, things turned rocky for the Barangay as they endured a five-game losing streak.

Eventually however, the BGSM rallied, and made it to the quarterfinals, with Tenorio and company forcing Rain or Shine to a third game in a best-of-three series, before bowing out.


1. The most dangerous team in the Philippine Cup playoffs

The FTW team has never shied away from going out on a limb and making some big predictions (even though some have blown up the wrong way) and prior to the match-ups of the Philippine Cup quarterfinals being finalized, the panel opined on which team could be considered "most dangerous" heading into the playoffs.



Despite being released just earlier in December, this episode is actually the most-watched of 2012, as fans were excited to hear the group's thoughts, and of course, note them down to see if anything backfired. That said, the episode also embodies well the fun-but-thoughtful spirit of the show.


FTW will definitely continue to go strong, and provide the sort of analysis and entertainment you've come to know and love in 2013, and beyond. - AMD, GMA News