My Playground: Blink's Sport News

Alaska regains Top Seed via win over GlobalPort in CDO

2014-11-22T21:22:00.001+08:00

Best player: Calvin Abueva 19pts 6reb

CAGAYAN DE ORO – Alaska Milk held its ground versus Globalport in a rugged contest, making the killing early in the fourth quarter as the Aces drubbed the Batang Pier, 87-84, to regain the solo lead in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Xavier University Gym here Saturday night.

Trailing most of the first half, the Aces turned things around in the fourth period and quickly got back on track after an upset by the Barako Bull Energy the last time out.

Though going scoreless in the last three minutes of play, the Aces pulled through and broke off a tie with the San Miguel Beermen with a seventh win in eight games.

The Batang Pier went short in their bid to overhaul a 14-point deficit and slid to seventh place with an even
4-4 win-loss mark.

Fresh from a stirring conquest of Talk n Text, Globalport appeared ready to nail another big win until it slowed down towards the end of the third.

Behind clutch baskets by Vic Manuel, Calvin Abueva and Jvee Casio, the Aces seized control at the onset of the fourth quarter and survived a faltering finish in this Petron Blaze-sponsored Saturday special.

Abueva lost a personal shooting duel with Terrence Romeo, but had the last laugh with Romeo failing to bail his team out in the end.

Abueva produced 19 points and six rebounds as against Romeo’s game-high 26 markers.

Casio, Cyrus Baguio and Sonny Thoss also came through with double-digit outputs for the Aces who nailed actually only a second win in their last six games with the Batang Pier.

Globalport waged a comeback attempt at the finish but failed to bring the game into overtime as Romeo and Yancy de Ocampo missed a three-point try each in the final minute.

Romeo joined forces with Alex Cabagnot, Keith Jensen and Stanley Pringle as the Batang Pier charged back from their last of three 14-point deficits at 65-79, coming to within three at 84-87 with 2:11 left to play.

Somehow, Jewel Ponferada blew their momentum on an offensive foul on Eric Menk.

Still, the Batang Pier got their chance to send the game into overtime but blew it.

Romeo scattered 13 points as the Batang Pier came out strong and led at the half at 37-33.

The scores:

Alaska 87 – Abueva 19, Casio 14, Baguio 10, Thoss 10, Jazul 8, Menk 7, Manuel 6, Banchero 4, Exciminiano 4, Hontiveros 3, Dela Rosa 2, Eman 0, Dela Cruz 0.

Globalport 84 – Romeo 26, Pringle 15, Cabagnot 15, Isip 12, De Ocampo 6, Buenafe 5, Ponferada 3, Jensen 2, Taha 0, Pinto 0, Cabrera 0, Baclao 0.

Quarterscores: 15-22, 33-37, 66-60, 87-84

Dynamic duo of RR and Denok lead Barako's upset on Alaska

2014-11-19T21:56:00.000+08:00

BARAKO Bull relied on the old, steady hands of veteran Dennis Miranda and the steely nerves of sophomore playmaker RR Garcia as the Energy completed an 85-78 win to deal Alaska its first loss of the PBA Philippine Cup on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The six-foot Miranda, the team’s leading scorer this season, pumped in 21 points including a clutch 20-foot jumper with under one minute to play while Garcia sealed one of the biggest upsets of the season with a fastbreak layup that doused cold water on an Alaska fightback.

Resurgent Barako Bull, which opened the season with five straight losses, improved to 2-5 overall, reviving its playoff bid in the season-opening conference.

On the other hand, the Aces’ first loss in seven games spoiled the return of veteran center Sonny Thoss, who sat out the team's past three games due to a foot injury. “They (Energy) came out ready to play. We did not do something extraordinary with regards to the game plan,” said Barako Bull coach Koy Banal.

“We just made sure we stayed focused and stayed sharp all throughout the game because Alaska has a non-stop brand of basketball, saka up-tempo sila,” he added The soft-spoken Banal also credited Miranda and fellow veterans Mick Pennisi, Willy Wilson and Chico Lanete for serving as the “glue guys” of the Energy during their poor start this season.

“We have Denok Miranda at 'yung energy niya, not only dun inside the floor but most especially off the court. Yung leadership niya, together with Mick,” said the Barako coach. “I appreciate their help sa akin, si Willy Wilson, Chico.

Everybody is contributing para mabuo kami.” Miranda, who is averaging a career-high 14.3 points this season, shot 4-of-5 from the three-point zone while adding three assists, two rebounds and a steal in 30 minutes. Garcia, on the other hand, chipped in 18 points while rookie Jake Pascual narrowly missed a double-double with 12 points and nine rebounds.

Meantime, Calvin Abueva registered his fifth double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds in a losing effort for Alaska. Vic Manuel added 15, while JV Casio added 13. Thoss, the 6-7 big man, finished with just two points and two rebounds in his return from a foot injury.

The scores:

Barako Bull 85 - Miranda 21, Garcia 18, Pascual 12, Lanete 10, Intal 8, Lastimosa 7, Wilson 6, Hubalde 2, Pennisi 1, Salvador 0, Salva 0, Marcelo 0, Paredes 0.

Alaska 78 - Abueva 16, Manuel 15, Casio 13, Hontiveros 8, Jazul 8, Menk 5, Banchero 4, Exciminiano 4, Baguio 3, Thoss 2, Eman 0, Dela Rosa 0, Bugia 0, Dela Cruz 0.

Quarterscores: 20-18, 49-31, 65-54, 85-78

Follow the writer on Twitter: @richava

Romeo's Big Game Tows GlobalPort over TNT

2014-11-18T21:36:00.000+08:00

Terrence Romeo - 30 pts. (Best Player of the Game)

The GlobalPort Batang Pier picked up their first ever win over Talk ‘N Text in franchise history after a lights-out shooting performance in the fourth quarter that gave them a 105-97 victory on Tuesday at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum.

GlobalPort hit seven three-pointers in the fourth period, two each from Terrence Romeo and No. 1 pick Stanley Pringle and three from Ronjay Buenafe, as the Batang Pier tied the Tropang Texters at 4-3.

Romeo exploded for 30 points on 5-for-9 shooting from three-point range and 9-for-10 from the free throw line. He scored 13 of his total in the fourth period, where the Batang Pier outscored their opponents, 35-21.

Four other Batang Pier players finished in double figures.

Buenafe, Pringle and Mark Isip each scored 13 while Alex Cabagnot had 10 points and a team-high eight assists in the win.

It was the first win for the GlobalPort franchise over Talk ‘N Text since it entered the league in the 2012-2013 season.

Romeo, who was struggling with a shooting slump prior to the game, broke out in the first half. He scored on a tough, twisting reverse layup to close the first period and knocked down a three-pointer at the top of the second as part of a 10-0 GlobalPort run bridging the first two quarters.

The Batang Pier led by as much as 11 points, 27-16, early in the second.

But Talk ‘N Text’s shooters put it together as they charge right back to tie the ballgame at 29-apiece, with Ranidel De Ocampo, Ryan Reyes and Jayson Castro all hitting from beyond the arc.

GlobalPort led by two points, 41-39, at the halftime break with Romeo leading all scorers with 13 points.

Talk ‘N Text captain Jimmy Alapag changed the complexion of the game in the third quarter.

He checked into the game for the first time at the 8:54 mark with his Tropang Texters trailing by seven, 51-44. But he made his presence felt almost immediately, passing to longtime teammate De Ocampo and giving a simple screen to help set up a basket.

The ‘Mighty Mouse’ would later score six straight points on a three-pointer and three free throws after he was fouled taking another three.

He then found a cutting Harvey Carey for a layup, kicking off a stretch where Carey scored eight of Talk ‘N Text’s next 10 points. The last basket of the stretch, a midrange jumper by Carey from the left wing, capped a 25-10 run for the team from the moment Alapag entered.

Talk ‘N Text led 76-70 at the end of the third.

But it was GlobalPort dominating the final period, at one point scoring 12 unanswered points to take a double-digit lead, 101-91.

The scores:

GLOBALPORT 105 – Romeo 30, Pringle 13, Buenafe 13, Isip 13, Cabagnot 10, Taha 9, Jensen 8, Ponferada 4, Cabrera 3, Baclao 2, Pinto 0, de Ocampo 0, Caperal 0, Semerad 0.

TALK N’ TEXT 97 – Carey 24, De Ocampo 23, Castro 11, Reyes Ryan 9, Alapag 8, Washington 7, Rosser 6, Fonacier 5, Reyes Rob 4, Alas 0, Seigle 0, Aban 0, Espiritu 0, Aguilar 0.

Quarterscores: 24-16, 41-39, 70-76, 105-97

San Miguel Beer slips past Ginebra for 2nd Spot

2014-11-16T22:56:00.000+08:00

Arwind Santos steals the show of "Battle of the Giant"

JUNE Mar Fajardo got the last say in a gigantic battle with Greg Slaughter, making the baskets that mattered in the endgame as San Miguel Beer held off a Ginebra fightback, 79-77, in a thrilling PBA Philippine Cup game on Sunday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The 6-10 Fajardo hit the undergoal stab off Slaughter that broke the final deadlock at 72-all with 24.1 seconds to go then scored the game's final point on a free throw as San Miguel gallantly held on in the face of a torrid Ginebra comeback from a 15-point fourth-quarter deficit.

The reigning league MVP finished with 21 points, 15 rebounds and four shotblocks for his sixth double-double in as many games as the Beermen improved to 5-1 (win-loss), just half a game behind unbeaten league leader Alaska. “Pagod na pagod kami dahil we were preparing for this game for the last three days.

It’s a good start for us dahil ang goal namin is the top two. And I’m happy with the players because they stepped up. Sumagot sila sa challenge,” said SMB coach Leo Austria.

Ginebra's second loss in seven games put to naught a brave rally from 51-66 down that had the big crowd at the Big Dome on the edge of their seats in the endgame.

Jayjay Helterbrand pumped life into Ginebra with a three-pointer and a jumper before Slaughter took over, completing a three-point play and a jumper that tied the count at 72-all. After Fajardo put SMB back in the lead, Ginebra was left to rue a Japeth Aguilar miss off a perfectly executed high-low alley-oop play, the ball slipping from his grasp as he went for a two-handed dunk.

Four free throws by Arwind Santos and one by Fajardo kept Ginebra at bay in the endgame. Arwind Santos led the Beermen in scoring with 22 points while Chris Lutz added 10 markers.

Rookie Ronald Pascual added seven points including a clutch three-pointer off a broken play at the height of the Gin Kings' comeback.

Slaughter finished with 16 points and 18 rebounds while Aguilar added 15 for Ginebra.

The scores:

San Miguel (79) – Santos 22, Fajardo 21, Lutz 10, Pascual 7, Tubid 6, Chua 4, Ross 3, Lassiter 3, Mercado 2, Maierhofer 1, Semerad 0, Fortuna 0, Omolon 0.

Barangay Ginebra (77) – Slaughter 16, Aguilar 15, Tenorio 10, Helterbrand 10, Caguioa 7, Ellis 6, Mamaril 3, Urbiztondo 3, Yeo 3, Reyes 2, Brondial 2, Baracael 0. Quarters: 14-17, 38-33, 61-49, 79-77.

Courtesy of the writer on Twitter: @reubensports

Old Reliable Simon starred in Purefoods' win over NLEX

2014-11-14T23:28:00.000+08:00

PUREFOODS Star regained its old, championship form by outplaying and outhustling NLEX on the way to a convincing 92-76 victory in the PBA Philippine Cup on Friday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Peter June Simon was a picture of consistency for the Hotshots, firing a team-high 20 points built around a near-flawless 9-of-10 field goal shooting, along with four rebounds.

James Yap, Joe Devance, Justin Melton and Yousef Taha also put up fine numbers as the Hotshots finally rediscovered the form that won them the league's last four championships.

“There’ been a lot of talking, but now, we got to live out our play,” said coach Tim Cone after Purefoods won for just the second time in five games in its all-Filpino title defense. “Both our first group and second group came out being intense, being unselfish and lot of moving the ball, so that’s always great from a coaching standpoint.”

The Road Warriors continued their slide in the standings, falling to 2-4 (win-loss) after absorbing their third straight loss. Yap matched Simon's 20 points, just five days after a cold 2-of-14 from the floor in an embarrassing 66-89 loss to Barangay Ginebra.

Devance added 19 points, five rebounds and two steals for the Hotshots, who shot a high 53 percent from the field (38-of-72) and held a huge 50-34 advantage in points in the paint.

Purefoods' second unit also outscored NLEX’s bench, 28-18, as Taha scored seven points, Mark Barroca five and Allein Maliksi four.

Veteran slotman Asi Taulava led the Road Warriors with 21 points and a personal season-high 16 rebounds but Mark Cardona had 11 points on a 4-of-11 shooting clip, and had five turnovers.

The scores:

Purefoods 92 - Simon 20, Yap 19, Devance 19, Taha 7, Melton 6, Mallari 6, Barroca 5, Pingris 4, Maliksi 4, Reavis 2, Allado 0.

NLEX 76 - Taulava 21, Cardona 11, Ramos 10, Borboran 9, J Villanueva 7, R Villanueva 7, Camson 5, H Arboleda 3, Baloria 2, Apinan 1, Raymundo 0, Canaleta 0, W Arboleda 0.

Quarterscores: 25-18; 50-37; 66-50; 92-76.

Courtesy :Twitter: @richava

Alaska too experienced for Kia in a lopsided game

2014-11-14T23:00:00.003+08:00

Veteran Eric Menk (left) earning his 1st Best Player award in Alaska uniform

The red-hot Alaska Aces remained undefeated in the PBA Philippine Cup after cruising to a 69-56 victory over winless expansion team Blackwater for a sixth consecutive win on Friday at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum.

Veteran forward Eric Menk, filling in for Sonny Thoss inside, had a double-double of 14 points and 13 rebounds to lead the way.

Alaska star Calvin Abueva added 13 points while Vic Manuel had 10.

Abueva struggled from the field but played a role in a crucial fourth quarter run, scoring twice to help the Aces put the game away.

Blackwater was led by Larry Rodriguez, who scored 10 points, while JP Erram and Ogie Menor each added nine.

Alaska and Blackwater are now off to completely contrasting starts to season, with the Aces at the top of the heap with a 6-0 record and the Elite at the bottom at 0-6.

It was Alaska’s defense that shone brightest in the first half as they held Blackwater to a mere nine points in the first period and 11 points in the second.

Alaska started off strong, opening on a 9-3 run that was capped by a three-pointer from sharpshooter JVee Casio.

Blackwater did well to keep the game close, though, with back-to-back baskets from big man JP Erram in the second quarter keeping the within four, 21-17.

But the Aces, behind the trio of Abueva, Menk and Cyrus Baguio, outscored the Elite by eight points, 11-3, to close the low-scoring first half ahead by 12, 32-20.

The Aces were again the aggressive team to start the third.

A string of six straight points, the last four created by Abueva’s playmaking for Tony Dela Cruz and Menk, gave Alaska a 17-point lead, 38-21, early in the second half.

But Blackwater responded with a big 17-5 run, including a stretch of 10 unanswered points, as they climbed their way right back into the game.

The Elite found their form behind some nice play from veteran Larry Rodriguez, who hit one of his trademark midrange jumpers before setting up Erram for a three-point play in the post.

Juami Tiongson connected on a three-pointer and Menor again scored in transition, this time on a wide open jumper, as Blackwater closed in to six points, 41-35.

Alaska rookie Chris Banchero hit a jumper in the final minute but Sunday Salvacion brought Blackwater to within five, 43-38, after another three-pointer late in the third.

The teams traded baskets early in the fourth before Alaska finally put the game away with a big 17-3 run that saw seven different Aces find the hoop.

The run pushed the lead back to an 18-point lead, 65-47, with a little over two minutes remaining.

The scores:
ALASKA (69) – Menk 14, Abueva 13, Manuel 10, Banchero 6, Baguio 6, Hontiveros 6, Casio 4, Eximiano 3, Jazul 3, Bugia 2, Dela Cruz 0, Eman 0, Dela Rosa 0.

BLACKWATER (56) — Rodriguez 10, Erram 9, Menor 9, Gamalinda 5, Salvacion 5, Artadi 4, Timberlake 3, Tiongson 3, Faundo 2, Nuyles 2, Ballesteros 2, Laure 2, Celis 0, Cawaling 0.

Quarterscores: 15-9, 32-20, 46-38, 69-56.

Yes Yes YEO! Joseph Yeo & Mark Caguioa Tow Ginebra in Solo 2nd

2014-11-12T22:54:00.002+08:00

JOSEPH Yeo exploded with four three-pointers in leading a blistering fourth-quarter explosion as Barangay Ginebra smashed Barako Bull, 94-75, in the PBA Philippine Cup on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Yeo, hero of Ginebra’s 89-66 whipping of reigning champion Purefoods on Sunday, reprised his role against Barako Bull after knocking in a game-high 17 points built around five three-pointers.

Second-stringers Mark Caguioa, Chris Ellis, Josh Urbiztondo and rookie Rodney Brondial also played key roles when Ginebra finally turned around a game where winless Barako led for most of three quarters.

Ellis, whose playing minutes went down following the acquisition of Yeo during the offseason, scored seven points in a murderous 19-6 exchange to turn a nine-point deficit into a 64-61 lead at the end of the third period.

Urbiztondo contributed two big assists during that stretch, including an alley-oop pass to set up a two-handed slam dunk by Ellis that got the Ginebra fans up on their feet. Brondial also came off the bench to contribute all seven of his points, along with six rebounds, as Ginebra won for the fifth time in six starts in the season-opening conference.

Ginebra coach Jeff Cariaso said Barako Bull did a good job throwing the Gin Kings off their rhythm during the first 30 minutes of the game with the zone defense.

However, he made special mention of the 6-1 Yeo, whose fourth quarter scoring splurge spelled the biggest difference for the Kings. “I thought especially during the first two quarters and a half, it was very difficult for us. I think they (Energy) scouted us very well,” said Cariaso. “They knew what they need to do, but we were able to adjust, and luckily, Joseph Yeo is on our team, especially with that kind of shooting,” he added.

Mark Caguioa chipped in 15, Greg Slaughter added 14 and eight boards, Mac Baracael had 12 and Japeth Aguilar 10 as Ginebra flaunted its depth while making a season-high 32 assists.

Denok Miranda scored 19 points for Barako Bull, which fell to the bottom of the standings at 0-5 (win-loss) in the company of expansion team Blackwater.

The scores:

Ginebra 94 - Yeo 17, Caguioa 15, Slaughter 14, Baracael 12, Aguilar 10, Ellis 7, Brondial 7, Mamaril 4, Tenorio 4, Urbiztondo 2, Helterbrand 2, Monfort 0, Forrester 0, Reyes 0.

Barako Bull 75 - Miranda 19, Garcia 10, Intal 10, Pennisi 9, Wilson 7, Lastimosa 6, Pascual 5, Marcelo 3, Hubalde 2, Salvador 2, Salva 2, Paredes 0, Lanete 0. Quarterscores: 13-23, 37-42, 64-61, 94-75

courtesy of :@spinph

Yeo stars in his first 'Manila Clasico' as Ginebra wips Purefoods by 23 points

2014-11-09T20:51:00.001+08:00

Joseph Yeo drains 1 of his 5 3's

Barangay Ginebra San Miguel came out victorious in the first ‘Manila Clasico’ duel of the 40th PBA season after a 23-point win over Purefoods, 89-66, on Sunday at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum.

Joseph Yeo came up big in his first Ginebra-Purefoods clash, scoring a game-high 17 points, including five three-pointers, and dishing out five assists to lead Ginebra to a 4-1 records.

Greg Slaughter and Billy Mamaril both had double-doubles in the game with Slaughter finishing with 14 points and 13 rebounds and Mamaril chipping in with 12 and 13.

Mac Baracael scored 13 points and Japeth Aguilar added 11 points and eight boards for Ginebra.
They dominated the first quarter, 19-10, and the third, 28-17, to cruise to the win.

The Ginebra starting unit of LA Tenorio, Yeo, Aguilar, Baracael and Mamaril got the Kings off to great start, as they scored the first 10 points of the game, all of them on jumpers from the outside.

Purefoods tightened up on the defensive end after those first four minutes, but the entry of Slaughter and Mark Caguioa from off the bench paid off for them as Ginebra closed the quarter on a 7-1 run to lead, 19-10.

But Peter June Simon did his best to keep his team in the game during the second period, where he scored 10 points and assisted on another key basket to lead a Purefoods rally.

Ginebra extended their lead to 14 points, 34-20, after a 13-3 run led by Tenorio, who scored seven of the team’s points in that stretch. Purefoods’ lone basket came courtesy of a triple from Simon.

The Hotshots responded behind Simon, who hit a three-pointer and a floater to cut their deficit down to seven and, after a jumper from Slaughter on the other end, found teammate Joe Devance for a big three-pointer.

He then took advantage of a big defensive play from Mark Barroca, who smothered a pass attempt from a Ginebra player and gave it to a streaking Simon for an uncontested layup in transition.

He scored or assisted on 10 of his team’s points in a 12-2 blast that brought them to within four points, 36-32, late in the first half.

The Ginebra starters came back on as a unit and, with a red-hot Yeo bombing away from beyond the arc, came out of the break in similar fashion, outscoring their opponents, 14-4, to push the lead back up to double digits.

The Kings pushed their advantage to as high as 19 points, 57-38, after Yeo hit his fourth three-pointer of the quarter and his fifth of the game.

Purefoods came back to as close as 12 points in the fourth after a 7-2 start to the final canto.

But Aguilar scored on a three-point play, Yeo found Mamaril for a basket and Caguioa added two more points on a putback as they pushed the lead back up to 19, 75-56,

Ginebra extended their lead to 23 points, 84-61, after Yeo scored on a layup in transition.
Slaughter capped the team’s dominance with a big dunk with 1:22 remaining in the game and

Baracael hit a late three-pointer to give them their biggest lead of 25, 89-64.

Simon led Purefoods with 15 points while Joe Devance added 10 and Marc Pingris 10.

Purefoods star James Yap finished with seven points and shot just 2-for-14 in the game. He missed all three of his three-point attempts.

The scores:
GINEBRA (89) – Yeo 17, Slaughter 14, Baracael 13, Mamaril 12, Aguilar 11, Tenorio 7, Caguioa 7, Brondial 6, Helterbrand 2, Monfort 0, Forrester 0, Urbiztondo 0, Reyes 0, Ellis 0.

PUREFOODS (66) – Simon 15, Devance 11, Pingris 10, Barroca 9, Mallari 8, Yap 7, Taha 3, Melton 2, Allado 1, Reavis 0, Holstein 0, Gaco 0, Maliksi 0, Matias 0.

Quarterscores: 19-10, 38-32, 66-49, 89-66.

San Miguel Beermen locks solo 2nd via win over NLEX

2014-11-08T23:23:00.000+08:00

TUBOD, Lanao Del Norte - San Miguel Beer turned to defense to outduel NLEX, 79-76, on Saturday night in a PBA Philippine Cup road game and sustain its hot start to the season.

The Beermen battled back from an early 10-point deficit then held their ground in the endgame, stopping NLEX in two key possessions to pull off their fourth win in five games.

The Beermen missed four free throws inside the final minute - two by Arwind Santos and one each by Marcio Lassiter and Chris Ross - but made up for the lapses with a tough defense.

Taulava was forced to toss up an airball with a chance to tie the game and NLEX just couldn't find an opening in SMB's defense in the final play, with Jonas Villanueva forced to throw up a desperation three-pointer.

NLEX dropped to 2-3 (win-loss).

“I’m expecting this kind of a close game because I know NLEX is capable of beating any team in the PBA,” San Miguel coach Leo Austria said.

“They (Road Warriors) gave us a really difficult time offensively and defensively but our players just held their composure in the end game while we made some good plays and stops,” he added.

Santos emerged as the game’s Best Player after finishing with a double-double of 12 points and 11 rebounds. Marcio Lassiter led the Beermen with 22 points, Chris Lutz had 13, Ross added 12 and reigning MVP June Mar Fajardo had 11.

Macmac Cardona led the Road Warriors with 19 while Taulava chipped in 13.

The scores:

San Miguel 79 - Lassiter 22, Lutz 13, Ross 12, Santos 12, Fajardo 11, Tubid 8, Mercado 1 R. Pascual 0, Omolon 0, Semerad 0, Chua 0

NLEX 76 - Cardona 19, Taulava 13, Ramos 11, Canaleta 10, J. Villanueva 8, W. Arboleda 7, Baloria 6, R. Villanueva 2, Camson 0. Borboran 0, Apinan 0 Quarterscores: 18-21; 42-40; 59-64; 79-76

Story courtesy of the writer@richava

Ginebra KO'd Kia via 32-point blow-out win in Lucena

2014-10-25T21:17:00.000+08:00

BARANGAY Ginebra’s sheer size completely overwhelmed expansion team KIA Motors to post a rousing 87-55 win and grab the early lead in the kickoff leg of the Petron Blaze-PBA Philippine Cup road game on Saturday at the Quezon Convention Center in Lucena.

Greg Slaughter and Japeth Aguilar took turns punishing the undersized Sorento with their inside dominance as the Kings booked their second straight victory in the All-Filipino conference.

The 6-foot-11 Slaughter and Aguilar combined for 23 points in the first half alone, to lead Ginebra’s vicious 22-2 second quarter tear that turned a shaky one-point deficit into a 45-22 halftime edge in the blink of an eye.

The Kings kept their frenetic pace and fluid ball movement in the second hand en route to handing the Sorento their first defeat of the season.

KIA, which suited up without playing-coach Manny Pacquiao, opened its campaign with a come-from-behind 80-66 rout of fellow expansion squad Blackwater last week. The 35-year-old Pacquiao is currently busy in training camp for his coming welterweight title defense against American Chris Algieri.

Slaughter led the Kings with 16 points and 11 rebounds, while going 12-of-13 from the foul line. The high-leaping Aguilar also had 16 markers, while JR Reyes came off the bench to score 12, with Chris Ellis chipping in 10. Rudy Lingganay and former Ginebra backup forward Reil Cervantes led the Sorentos with 14 points, apiece.

The scores

GINEBRA (87) -- Slaughter 16, Aguilar 16, Reyes 12, Ellis 10, Yeo 9, Mamaril 7, Tenorio 6, Caguioa 4, Helterbrand 3, Forrester 2, Baracael 2, Monfort 0, Ababou 0, Brondial 0.

KIA (55) – Lingganay 14, Cervantes 14, Revilla 7, Alvarez 6, Alonzo 3, Raymundo 3, Thiele 2, Ighalo 2, Padilla 2, Buensuceso 2, Saldua 0, Sanga 0, Burtscher 0. Quarterscores: 17-11; 43-22; 67-42; 87-55.

Credit: source - @richava

Ginebra welcomes a wiser, more multi-dimensional Joseph Yeo

2014-10-24T22:20:00.000+08:00

I'm still not used to it. Maybe Joseph Yeo is also still getting used to it. The Ninja is wearing Ginebra red now playing alongside Mark Caguioa and LA Tenorio. But even if the philosophical meaning of playing for Ginebra hasn’t sunk in yet, Yeo seems already at ease playing for a new PBA team, playing alongside new teammates.

During Ginebra’s season opener against Talk ‘N Text, Yeo was the chatty newcomer. Very active. Very vocal. He even told Tenorio after a Ginebra turnover, “Mababa yung pasa.” That is honesty coming from ease. Perhaps it’s likewise candor coming from trust. For a team yearning to win it all again, to have talent and trust displayed by both returning and new players is always a great sign.

MH: On the day na nalaman mo na you were headed to Ginebra, ano yung unang naisip mo?

JY: Siyempre inisip ko kung paano ako makaka-adjust sa kanila. Yun yung pinaka-concern ko. Kung makakalaro ba ako. Baka parang sa San Miguel noon na iniisip ko kung makakalaro ba ako, alam mo yun? Baka eto na naman ako, pahinga na naman ulit ako (laughs), di ba?

MH: Kinabahan ka din?

JY: Oo. Hindi ako sure. Actually noong nalaman ko na Ginebra ako chi-neck ko agad kung sino yung mga nasa Ginebra. Yun ang inalam ko kaagad kung sino mga players ng Ginebra.

MH: Kailan mo nalaman na okay ka sa Ginebra? Na makakalaro ka? Kumbaga kailan nawala yung takot mo na baka mawala na naman yung minutes mo?

JY: Unang dating ko pa lang sa practice si Coach Jeff (Cariaso), very open siya sa mga roles. Kinausap niya ako agad about it. Sabi niya kami ni Mark (Caguioa) mag-i-i-split ng minutes sa off-guard spot. Parang ako, naisip ko na kami lang dalawa ni Mark ang off-guard and JayJay (Helterbrand) will play point so naisip ko na, okay, makakalaro naman pala ako.

MH: In your first game with Ginebra starter ka pa and you played major minutes. Are you happy with your role this early in the tournament?

JY: Actually sa preseason pa lang, si Coach Jeff nilalagay na niya ako sa starting five. Bina-balance kasi niya yung first and second group. Marami naman kaming scorers dito. Like ilalagay niya si Mark sa second group para yung first group malakas and yung second group malakas pa rin.

MH: Can you describe your working relationship with Mark Caguioa?

JY: Sobrang okay. Madali naman pakisamahan si Mark. Unang dating ko pa lang sinabi na niya sakin, ‘Marami nang dumating sa Ginebra kaya huwag ka mahihiya and just do your thing.’ Kasi maraming napupunta sa Ginebra hindi nakakalaro and then pag ginamit walang kumpyansa. So sabi niya, ‘Kung ano confidence mo na nakuha mo sa Air21, ganoon pa rin ang laruin mo pare.’ Sabi niya, ‘Huwag mo isipin na madaming player. Laruin mo lang yung laro mo.’ Sabi niya, ‘Pare dito gusto natin manalo and it doesn’t matter how many minutes you play or how many points you score basta manalo.’ Yan na kasi yung concern niya ngayon eh. So sabi ko sa kanya, ‘Yan na rin concern ko ngayon pare.’

MH: During your game against Talk ‘N Text, nakita ko na very talkative ka na with your teammates. Kinakausap mo lagi si LA (Tenorio) on the court. Is that a sign na very at-ease ka na with your new team?

JY: Isa na rin kasi ako sa mga veterans, kami nila LA. After nila Mark and JayJay, parang kami na nila LA yung next na matanda dito. Kami naman ni LA, okay naman yung relationship namin from before pa during Harbour Centre days pa yun. Sabi ni LA, ‘Pare okay ‘to na magkakampi tayo. Every time magkakampi tayo, nananalo tayo.’

MH: I remember one play during opening day. Pinasa ni LA yung bola kay Greg (Slaughter) and nabitawan ni Greg kasi medyo mababa yung pasa. Lumapit ka kay LA afterwards and sabi mo, “Mababa yung pasa.” So ganoon kayo ka-comfortable ni LA na pwede kayo mag-usap that way?

JY: Ah oo. Well, nakikita ko kasi dati parang lagi silang nagkakainisan sa court. So kung lagi tayong magkakainisan sa court, walang mangyayari. Kailangan may pasensya tayo. Kasi si Greg, kahit siya yung superstar namin, second year pa lang niya. Marami pa siya matututunan. Kahit si Greg yung gumagawa sa amin kailangan may pasensya pa rin kami sa kanya dahil marami pa din siya ma-i-improve.

MH: Parang very mature na outlook mo sa basketball, Joseph. Is it because matagal ka na sa PBA and tingin niyo sa sarili niyo, like kayo ni LA, mga kuya na kayo for Japeth (Aguilar) and Greg?

JY: Oo kaya ganyan na approach namin. Kung lahat kami gusto maka-score, walang mangyayari. Yun nga advantage talaga namin, yung dalawa, si Greg and Japeth kasi ang lalaki nila, seven footers sila, wala talagang ka-match-up. Kaya yun talaga strength ng team namin.

MH: Noong kinausap ka ni Coach Jeff, sinabi ba niya kung bakit ka kinuha ng Ginebra?

JY: Sinabi lang niya sa akin na he wants players na gusto lang manalo. Gusto niya yung players na willing mag-sacrifice para manalo. Feeling niya I’m the type of player na ganun kasi ang dami ko nang team na napuntahan. Nakita niya nag-mature na ako as a player. Kasi nakita niya dati shoot lang ako ng shoot noong nakalaban ko siya. Pero ngayon nakita niya nag-mature na ako. Yun ang gusto niya.

MH: I think your stint with Air 21 and ginawa ka pang point guard ni Coach Franz (Pumaren), parang nagbago tingin sa’yo ng mga coach. Tama ba?

JY: Totoo yun. Nakita nila and sabi nila, ‘O marunong na pumasa ‘to ah.’ (Laughs). Noong napunta ako Air 21 parang lumabas ibang dimension ng game ko. Okay din pala yung ganito.

MH: Now that you’re with Ginebra, may nararamdaman ka bang ibang klaseng pressure? Or is it just like any other team that you’ve played for?

JY: Every time maglalaro ka for Ginebra, ang daming nanonood. Feeling ko that’s the main difference. Pero other than that, pare-pareho lang naman yan. Everyone wants to play for Ginebra kasi ang daming nanonood. Lahat ganado.

MH: At this stage of your career, are you happy and satisfied with your PBA career now?

JY: Dalawang championship na nakuha ko. Isa sa Sta. Lucia and the one with Petron pero injured pa ako noon. So dalawa pa lang yun out of my going on 9 years na (in the PBA). Dalawa pa lang sa dami ng conferences. I can’t be satisfied with that. Parang kulang. Kahit si LA, gusto pa niya manalo ng championships. Okay nga laro mo pero bottom line talaga manalo ng championship. Lalo na kami, yung mga matagal na sa league, yan talaga ang goal.

Credit to: Mico Halili

New Beginning for Ginebra in 2013 as Chua assumes head coaching role

2013-01-02T11:58:00.000+08:00

For Barangay Ginebra, the first order for year 2013 is a major change in the coaching set-up. With the team deemed to underperform and underachieve in the last four conferences, the team management decided to elevate coaching consultant Alfrancis Chua to head coach in lieu of Siot Tanquingcen who was relegated back to his old post as assistant.

“Yes, pahiyang (Yes, we’re looking for a good break),” Robert Non, a top SMC executive and PBA board chair confirm their decision finalized on the first day of the new year.

“Siot (Tanquingcen) will be the first assistant which is the role of Alfrancis at present. We’ve done that before and the result was positive,” said Non.

“It’s a continuing process for the improvement of our teams,” said Non of the process they also undertake in the other SMC teams, namely Petron Blaze and San Mig Coffee.

The coaching change actually did not come as a surprise, with it being the subject of speculations since last year following a string of disappointing finishes by the Kings. The Kings didn’t improve in the current Philippine Cup, bundled out by the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in the quarterfinals.

In his first season after reassuming the head coaching job at Ginebra last year, the Kings’ performance dipped to .578 (26-19 win-loss record) from .586 (34-24) in 2010-11 under coach Jong Uichico.

The Kings settled for sixth place in the Philippine Cup before improving to third in both the Commissioner’s and the Governors Cups. The Kings fared better in the previous year, finishing third in the first conference, second in the second confab and fourth in the third and final conference.

Tanquingcen has three titles tucked under his belt as head coach but hasn’t won one since steering San Miguel Beer to championship in the 2008-09 Fiesta Conference. He’s thankful to the management despite his demotion. “I’m grateful for the opportunity I got from God and the team management to lead the team of Ginebra a second time around. I would like to thank everyone for their support and encouragement through this past season,” said Tanquingcen.

Ginebra hasn’t won a championship since the 2007-2008 Fiesta Conference, and the management obviously aches to end the drought. They’re pinning their hopes on Chua, who is not new to head coaching job in the PBA, having been bench chieftain with the defunct Tanduay and Sta. Lucia Realty teams.

A former Letran Squire and UST Tiger, Chua was a multi-titled coach with the Asia Brewery Inc. franchise in the PBL, gaining a reputation as a “player coach.” Now that position has been given to Chua, who assumed the head-coaching position at Ginebra barely a year after coming out of a long break from coaching to join Tanquingcen’s staff as an assistant.

Chua has had a successful career in the amateur leagues and made his coaching debut in the pro league with Tanduay in 2000. The long-haired mentor’s last head-coaching stint was with Sta. Lucia in the 2006-2007 season. Chua has yet to win a PBA championship but has built a reputation as a ‘player’s coach’ who brings the best out of his players, which should bode well for a talented Ginebra team that has underperformed under Tanquingcen. Sources said the Ginebra job has long been offered to Chua, but he had repeatedly declined until now.

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ALFRANCIS Chua will make an instant impact on Barangay Ginebra.

Hours after his former coach in the amateur leagues and in the PBA was tapped to replace Siot Tanquingcen at Ginebra, Eric Menk said Chua is exactly what the doctor ordered for the league’s most popular team.

He made one compelling argument: Chua is good at motivating players.

“He’s a very good motivator, he gives his players confidence and freedom,” said the 6-5 slotman, the former PBL Rookie of the Year and MVP who led Chua-coached Tanduay teams to multiple titles in the amateur league. “ I had the best years of my career under him.”

Menk, who also led the Tanduay teams when the Lucio Tan franchise took its act to the pro league, also believes that the ponytailed bench tactician has what it takes to bring a championship to Ginebra.

“Ginebra struggled last conference, and they’ve been inconsistent (from the games that I saw). So I think this is where the talent of coach Al comes in”, said the 2004 league MVP. Menk, however, was the first to say that the job won’t be easy for his longtime mentor.

“He’ll have his hands full there, I’m sure. It’s a high-pressure job. I wish him the best, I think he will do well,” said Menk, who has moved to San Miguel’s team in the ABL prior to the start of the season.

Asked if he is looking forward to returning to the PBA and ending his career under Chua, the 38-year-old Menk said: “I’ve spent months getting ready for San Miguel and hopefully help bring a championship there. I’m focused on that this time.” But he was quick to add: “We’ll see. I love Ginebra!”

column courtesy of: spin/philstar

Nonito Donaire sends Arce into Retirement with a sensational 3rd Round KO

2012-12-16T16:11:00.001+08:00

Filipino star Nonito Donaire knocked out Mexico’s Jorge Arce at the end of the third round on Saturday, for his 30th win in a row, to keep the World Boxing Organization super bantamweight crown.

Donaire landed a powerful left hook to Arce’s chin that sent Arce to the canvas and referee Laurence Cole stopped the fight at 2:59 of the third round. “I went out and pretty much timed him,” Donaire said. “We wanted to slow him down and get him thinking he could get in there. We knew he would open up. “I’ve never really gone and hit with the left hook, but I knew I was going to go out there and give it everything, no matter what.”

Donaire improved to 31-1 with his 20th career knockout. He has not lost since the second fight of his career back in 2001. The victory brought some joy for Filipino fight fans still stunned at Manny Pacquiao’s knockout loss a week ago to Mexico’s Juan Manuel Marquez. “There were a lot of fans who were like, ‘You have got to get him. This is for the Philippines.’ I hope they can be proud of what I did,” Donaire said.

Arce, 33, fell to 61-7 with two drawn bouts, in what he said was the final fight of his career. “My career is over. I’m leaving after losing to the best man,” Arce said. “He is very good. He has power. He can finish the fight at any moment. “I promised my family if I lost I would leave. I retire to go home and watch the fights on TV.”

Donaire scored a knockdown of Arce with a powerful straight right hand about a minute into the second round, forcing the challenger to touch his gloves and a knee to the canvas. Donaire, 30, again knocked Arce to the canvas with a pair of left hooks late in the second round and, in the third, landed the knockout blow to end it. “I got him with a straight right and the counter hook came in after that,” Donaire said.

Donaire had beaten South African Jeffrey Mathebula last July and Japan’s Toshiaki Nishioka in October in prior title defenses after taking the vacant crown with a split decision last February over Puerto Rico’s Wilfredo Vazquez. Arce had nine wins and a draw since last being beaten, by South African Simphiwe Nongqayi in 2009.

Breaking News: WBO/IBF super bantamweight champion Nonito Donaire battles Mexican Legend Jorge Arce on Dec. 20, 2012

2012-10-20T15:19:00.001+08:00

MANILA -- The highly anticipated showdown between 4-division champion Nonito Donaire Jr and Mexican star Jorge Arce is a go in Mexico City on Dec. 15, 2012.

The deal will be finalized by Top Rank President Bob Arum on Monday. Donaire, who is currently in Manila to sit as one of the TV panelists for this evening's world championship battle between AJ Banal of the Philippines and Punglulang Sor Singyu of Thailand, had just successfully defended his WBO superbantam belt last week against long-time champion Toshiaki Nishioka of Japan in Carson, CA. The Mexican slugger Arce, according to reports, was not impressed by Donaire's performance and was quoted as saying he has the key to beat the speedster Donaire.

Donaire stops Nishioka in 9th Round (Rd.9 Video Highlight)

2012-10-15T21:37:00.001+08:00

Nonito “The Flash” Donaire (30-1, 19 KOs) retained his WBO super banamweight championship by stopping former WBC champion, Toshiaki Nishioka (39-5-3, 24 KOs) by way of TKO at 1:54 of the ninth round on Saturday night before a crowd of 7,665 at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California.

Donaire swept the early rounds in lackluster action that brought out the boo birds who had just been treated to a fight of the year candidate in the prior bout. Donaire did bring the crowd to life by dropping Nishioka in the sixth round with a hard left uppercut for an eight count. To his credit, Nishioka did fight back strongly in the seventh and eighth rounds but then Donaire dropped him again in the ninth round and, although allowed to continue by the referee, Nishioka, after enduring just one more punch was not allowed to continue further and there were no complaints from either Nishioka nor his corner.

Donaire carried a concrete fight plan into the ring and executed it to perfection; right down to the final letter. Nishioka, who always bullied his way inside uncontested, found himself dealing with a pesky left jab from Donaire from the outset. Having been born a natural southpaw, Donaire’s left jab carries an extra thud and is not meant to just annoy an adversary. In his previous fights, Nishioka reaped success with his left straight because opponents just backpedalled the moment the Japanese started working his way inside. With sufficient space between him and his foe, Nishioka was able to fully extend his arm and deliver his left straight to perfection.

But such was not the case with Donaire. Nishioka found himself dealing with a huge roadblock that was Donaire’s left jab. However, the Filipino did not just flick the left jab, he varied it. On several occasions, Donaire doubled up on the left hand; throwing a left jab and immediately following it up with a left to the body and vice versa. The idea behind the double left was to force Nishioka’s tight guard to open up. Anticipating the left hook, Nishioka kept his right glove glued to his jaw in the opening rounds.

In the sixth stanza, Donaire executed the trick again and it worked wonders. First, he forced Nishioka to almost double up in pain with a good left to the body. With Nishioka momentarily dropping his guard to check his ribcage, Donaire unloaded a left uppercut that landed flush on Nishioka’s finally unprotected mug. Nishioka landed hard on the canvas and looked dazed and confused as he got back on his feet.

Nishioka tried to press the attack in the succeeding rounds in a desperate attempt to turn the tide, but Donaire was just too wily a fighter. On the few occasions Nishioka got past the left jab, Donaire was quick to side step and greet the onrushing Nishioka with his right hand. The end result had Nishioka running smack into another roadblock: the right hand. Unlike Nishioka who favors only his left hand, Donaire is a two-fisted fighter. Donaire’s multi-faceted offense is just one of the many things that make him tough to beat.

Nishioka’s left straight is neutralized when there is not enough space between him and the opposing fighter. In addition, Nishioka tends to leave himself wide open for counters when he suddenly darts inside and misfires with his left. In the ninth round, Donaire applied the finishing touch by exposing this weakness of Nishioka and making him pay dearly for it. When Nishioka pressed the attack anew in the round, Donaire leaned a bit on the ropes and pulled back just in time for Nishioka to misfire. The moment Nishioka’s defense opened up, Donaire countered with a textbook right straight. Boom! Nishioka went down like trash being unloaded by a dump truck. While Nishioka showed a lot of heart by beating the count again, his cornermen had seen enough and threw the proverbial white towel of surrender into the ring. Referee Raul Caiz, Sr. officially pulled the plug at the 1:54 mark of the ninth round.

Donaire improved his ledger to 30-1 with 19 knockouts. The victory gave Donaire his first stoppage victory at 122 pounds. In his last two fights which both went the distance (against Wilfredo Vazquez Jr. and Jeffrey Mathebula), Donaire was accused of trying too hard to get a spectacular win. For the Nishioka fight, he was his old self, patiently working for the knockout to come instead of chasing it like a wild caveman.

The post-fight statistics backstopped Donaire’s dominance. The defending World Boxing Organization super bantamweight champ landed 134 punches compared to Nishioka’s measly 49. The one-year inactivity was evident as Nishioka was tentative almost throughout the bout. Donaire talked about moving up to featherweight (126 pounds) in his quest for another division crown. A move up in weight appears imminent as just hours before the Nishioka fight, Donaire relinquished the International Boxing Federation (IBF) super bantamweight belt he won over Mathebula in July. The IBF reportedly wanted Donaire to make a mandatory defense by the end of the year against a nondescript challenger. As the Nishioka fight was meant to be his last fight for the year, Donaire chose to give up the IBF title rather than engage in a meaningless title defense. It was a wise move as it saved Donaire the sanctioning fees due to the IBF for the Nishioka fight.

Donaire will take his time to plot his next move. He appears to have injured his left hand again and this may take additional time to heal. If ever Donaire decides to stay at super bantamweight, a long-awaited showdown with Mexican brawler Jorge Arce may be in the works. Skill-wise, Arce is no match for Donaire, but the Mexican’s pleasing style figures to give Donaire a hefty payday. Donaire should pick Arce apart with relative ease, in the same way he manhandled Nishioka. For as long as he doesn’t stray from his judicious style of fighting, Donaire will be a tough nut to crack.

ROUND 9 FIGHT HIGHLIGHT

UAAP 75 Finals: Ateneo Sweeps UST for Fifth Straight Championship (VIDEO)

2012-10-11T19:57:00.001+08:00

The Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles have made it five championships in a row, dispatching the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers, 65-62, Thursday, in the end of the Norman Black era at Ateneo. It has been one of the most storied runs in collegiate basketball history in the country.

With the win, Ateneo became the first to accomplish the five-peat feat, with the exception of the UE Red Warriors, which needed a controversial co-champion title to pull off seven titles in a row, back in 1967. Beating UST en route to the title also allowed the Eagles and their head coach Norman Black to put to rest the heartache of 2006, when the Tigers overcame a first game win by Ateneo to eventually claim the crown.

It allows several key figures on the squad to exit on top. Black has said win or lose, this would be his last season with the team, as he moves on to a head coaching job with the PBA's Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters. "They worked really, really hard for it and I'm glad they won the championship," Black said. He also commended UST for putting up a worthy fight, pointing out that he called out Pido Jarencio's squad as the team to beat at the start of the season. "Games always come down to big shots and big stops. That's what we were able to do," he added. Ateneo also loses five players, namely 7'0" center Greg Slaughter, Season 74 Finals MVP Nico Salva, defensive stoppers Oping Sumalinog and Tonino Gonzaga, and reserve big man Justin Chua. Sophomore star Kiefer Ravena is returning next year though to anchor a team no longer expected to be the favorite despite this season's stellar performance. "Pinahirapan kami. [The Tigers] didn't give this championship to us. They made it difficult for us the entire year," said Ravena, last season's Rookie of the Year, who led his team with 22 points, five rebounds and three assists.

Another key exit is that of Manuel V. Pangilinan, whose support of the team ends this season after his bitter break-up with the Ateneo over mining and the Reproductive health bill. Salva, for his efforts, was awarded the Finals MVP, his second, after also claiming the award during their fourth championship last season. "I never thought I'd get five championships. I feel very blessed and grateful," said Salva after the game. "UST's a great team, they'll do so much better next year. I tip my hat to them." "I just told myself, I just wanna win," he said. "I don't care what happens, I just wanna win."

With half a minute remaining, Kiefer Ravena buried a tough step-back jumper from the wing to put Ateneo ahead by six, 65-59. Not to be outdone, Jeric Fortuna rifled in a triple from the left corner to cut the deficit to three with 21 ticks remaining. UST fouled Juami Tiongson on the next possession, who missed both attempts from the line. Ateneo forced a defensive stop but the Tigers kept ball possession with seven ticks to go. Making up for his earlier faux pas, Tiongson intercepted an errant inbounds and dribbled out the clock, preserving the win for the Blue Eagles.

Greg Slaughter registered a double-double with 15 points, 11 rebounds and three blocks and point guard Tiongson chipped in 10 points. Salva tallied eight points and six rebounds after his 30-point Game 1 outing. Ateneo did what they do best, getting inside points and forcing their way to the free throw line. They also did a masterful job of containing UST's top scorers, Karim Abdul and Aljon Mariano. The pair combined for 12 points on 6 for 28 shooting.

Overall, the Tigers shot just 24-of-73, or 32.9 percent. On the other hand, Ateneo made 22 of 56 attempts, or 39.3 percent. Ateneo also took advantage of their time at the free throw line, making 18 of 25, or 72 percent. In comparison, UST struggled with a 7 for 17 clip, or 41.2 percent. UST looked flat on offense at the start of the game, scoring sporadically on jumpers as they were hampered by turnovers and Ateneo's interior defense. Meanwhile, Kiefer Ravena and Greg Slaughter carried the Eagles ahead as they attacked the basket and scored almost at will. A trey by Ravena gave Ateneo a 13-6 lead with under four minutes to play. Inexplicably, Ateneo began settling for shots outside the shaded area. In that same stretch, UST's Kim Lo pulled a fast one by scoring back-to-back triples, incidentally his only makes from downtown this season. Lo then scored on a driving layup with 20 ticks left in the quarter to put the Tigers in the driver's seat, 14-13, after the first period.

The Eagles quickly snatched the lead back as reserves Justin Chua and Tonino Gonzaga scored five straight for the blue and white at the 8:17 mark, 18-14. But the run was short-lived as both teams were lulled into quick shots that yielded no results. At 4:47, Fortuna finally dismantled the Eagles' defense and scored UST's first field goal in the quarter. The basket seemed to light a fire under Ateneo however, as Ryan Buenafe's playmaking guided Ateneo and allowed Nico Salva to score six of their next eight. The Tigers outlasted them down the stretch however as Kevin Ferrer scored five points in an 11-4 run, capped by a gutsy jumper by Karim Abdul, to lead 29-26, with 49 seconds remaining in the half.

Ateneo was held without a field goal in the last 1:34 of the second quarter. The Eagles rounded out the quarter with a combined 3-of-4 mark from the charity stripe by Ravena and Slaughter to tie the game, 29-29. When play resumed, Juami Tiongson buried Ateneo's second make from downtown. Not to be undone, Clark Bautista, who was missing in Game 1 with a 0 for 5 clip from beyond the arc, dropped two triples as the Tigers dropped nine unanswered points, 38-32. Eagles coach Norman Black called timeout, and consequently Ateneo cobbled together a 7-0 run, capped by a trey by Tiongson. UST got clear attempts at the basket but failed to convert during the stretch. After Aljon Mariano finally got away for a fastbreak lay-up, his first points in the game, Chua answered with consecutive layups to produce a 44-40 tally with 3:18 left on the clock. After scoring just four points in the last six minutes, Fortuna rallied his troops and scored seven points in a 9-6 run that straddled the quarter break. The Tigers then trailed, 50-49, with half a minute into the final period. Their efforts were rebuffed as Ateneo almost exclusively attacked the rim on each trip, resulting in free throws for the Eagles. With the Tigers in the penalty situation, Slaughter bullied his way to back-to-back baskets resulting in a 59-51 lead, their largest margin thus far, with 6:43 remaining. Abdul drew Slaughter's fourth personal foul on a drive forcing the big man to sit. In his absence UST scored five unanswered points. Norman Black gambled and reinserted Slaughter, who drew a foul and split from the line, 60-56, with three and a half minutes to play. Crashing the boards on both ends, the Tigers managed to get multiple looks at the board but failed to convert. Mercifully, Teng banked in a put-back play to cut into the deficit with two minutes to play, but Tiongson answers him with with a floater on the other end a minute later. Abdul and Slaughter traded attempts and split from the line, 63-59, with under a minute remaining, to set up the stage for Ravena's heroics.

Despite the losses, Black remained optimistic about Ateneo's team next year. "Kiefer's coming back and they have good recruits," he said. "The new coach is gonna have to do what I did — go out there and find players willing to study and enter our program."

The scores:

ADMU 65 - Ravena 25, Slaughter 15, Tiongson 10, Salva 8, Chua 6, Gonzaga 3, Sumalinog 1, Golla 0, Elorde 0, Buenafe 0

UST 62 - Fortuna 20, Teng 9, Lo 8, Abdul 8, Ferrer 7, Bautista 6, Mariano 4, Vigil 0, Pe 0, Afuang 0

Quarter scoring: 13-14, 29-29, 47-46, 65-62

UAAP 75 Finals: Ateneo takes Game 1 vs UST (VIDEO Highlights)

2012-10-06T19:36:00.003+08:00

Ateneo used a monster second half start before relying on its championship composure in the endgame to upend University of Santo Tomas, 83-78, in Game One of the UAAP Season 75 finals Saturday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

Nico Salva scored 30 points to lead the Blue Eagles, which moved a win away from winning its fifth straight title.

Ateneo opened the third quarter with an 17-0 run that turned a 38-31 halftime deficit into a 48-38 lead. The defending champions ended the third quarter with a 61-51 lead.

But the Tigers came roaring back to start the fourth period, rattling off a 13-2 run capped by a dunk by Karim Abdul to take the lead briefly, 64-63.

It was a close ballgame for most of the rest of the game, as the two teams exchanged big baskets. A layup by Jeric Teng put UST within one point, 71-70, before the Blue Eagles rattled off a 10-2 run that gave them a comfortable 81-72 margin.

But Teng hit back-to-back three-pointers for the Tigers to move them back within striking distance with just 30 seconds left. Kiefer Ravena, however, dribbled down the clock before hitting a dagger with eight seconds left to seal the game for the Blue Eagles.

Aljon Mariano led UST with 22 points and 11 rebounds.

CLICK TO PLAY HIGHLIGHTS

CLICK TO PLAY TOP 5

The scores:

Ateneo (83) – Salva 30, Ravena 13, Tiongson 12, Buenafe 10, Chua 9, Slaughter 5, Gonzaga 2, Elorde 2, Sumalinog 0, Golla 0.

UST (78) – Teng 25, Mariano 22, Ferrer 13, Abdul 9, Fortuna 4, Lo 3, Pe 2, Bautista 0.

Quarterscores: 18-24; 31-38; 61-51; 83-78.

PBA: Ginebra starts 38th season with a BANG! (FULL GAME VIDEO)

2012-09-30T22:29:00.000+08:00

The Barangay Ginebra Kings played an almost perfect game on Sunday, demolishing GlobalPort Batang Pier, 110-90, in the opening day of the 38th season of the PBA at the Araneta Coliseum.

Tenorio only had two points, but almost had a double-double with 10 assists and nine rebounds. The former Alaska Ace looked comfortable orchestrating the offense for the Gin Kings, while the team's younger guns Keith Jensen and Chris Ellis chipped in 13 and 12, respectively, to provide ample support for Mark Caguioa and Rico Maierhofer who combined for 32 big points.

The new-look team sporting old school jerseys played like a well-oiled machine in dispatching the rookie franchise. Six of the Kings scored in double digits and all of the 12 players fielded in managed to score in the game.

Early on, Batang Pier got a basket off a fastbreak layup from Rudy Lingganay, but Ginebra quickly unleashed a 10-2 run bannered by LA Tenorio’s quarterbacking and inside incursions from Billy Mamaril and Allein Maliksi.

Lingganay kept his Global Port Batang Pier team in the game as he scored three more baskets, including two three point shots, to score their first 12 points. After the former UE Red Warrior was subbed out, it was Willie Miller who carried the scoring for Global Port, sinking seven straight points late in the first quarter.

Ginebra got the final say of the quarter when rookie Keith Jensen scored his first three point shot of his PBA career, which extended their lead to 6, 26-20. Ginebra pulled away further in the second quarter. A Chris Ellis fastbreak layup was followed by a three from Jayjay Helterbrand and a jumper from Mamaril to extend their lead to 18, 46-28. The Kings increased their lead to 21 after Ellis and Willie Wilson combined for three points after a Jondan Salvador flagrant foul, but a run by Global Port featuring two threes from Josh Vanlandingham and rookie AJ Mandani had had the new franchise down by only 16 at the half, 55-39.

Tenorio opened up the third quarter by dishing off three assists to Mamaril, Jensen, and Maierhofer. Caguioa, the reigning PBA Most Valuable Player, also made his presence felt in the third quarter when he scored three straight baskets and extending their lead to 24, 71 to 47. Willie Miller struggled to keep Batang Pier afloat with 26 markers, as Gary David only contributed his first points late in the fourth period.

Batang Pier went on spree early in the fourth, going on a 19-8 run capped by back to back drives by rookie AJ Mandani to cut the lead to 11, 94-83, with 5:44 remaining. GlobalPort continued to threaten as David cut the deficit to nine after a dagger three, but Maierhofer and Caguioa combined for 14 of Ginebra's 16-4 run to stave off GlobalPort in the end game.

After the final buzzer, Ginebra head coach Siot Tanquincen had nothing but good things to say about their prized recruit: “(Tenorio) brings a lot of intangibles in the game. He caused two or three turnovers that swung the momentum back on our side in the fourth quarter. He took control of the game and he made plays.” Ginebra’s big win came after an exciting opening ceremony that wowed the almost 19,000 paying patrons. The ceremony included a tribute to the Smart-Gilas team that recently won the Jones Cup and a promise from PBA Commissioner Chito Salud that the growth of Asia’s first professional basketball league has just begun.

GINEBRA 110 - Caguioa 18, Maierhofer 14, Mamaril 14, Jensen 13, Ellis 12, Hatfield 11, Raymundo 8, Maliksi 7, Helterbrand 5, Cortez 4, Tenorio 2, Wilson 2.

GLOBAL PORT 90 - Miller 26, Lingganay 14, Mandani 13, David 9, Vanlandingham 7, Salvador 7, Al-Hussaini 4, Raymundo 2, Manuel 2, Deutchman 2, Guevarra 2, Yee 2, Adducul 0, Cruz 0.

Quarters: 26-20, 55-39, 86-64, 110-90

WATCH FULL GAME REPLAY: GINEBRA VS GLOBAL PORT <SEPT 30, 2012>

FIBA Asia 2012: Iran outguns Japan to win FIBA Title anew

2012-09-22T20:31:00.000+08:00

Aren Davoudi sank a sizzling trey to bring former twice FIBA Asia champions Iran back into the lead on the scoreboard and the WABA giants held the fantastic hayabusa of Japan off for the following 18-and-half seconds to eke out a cliff-hanger 53-51 win in the final of the 4th FIBA Asia Cup on Saturday.

Samad Nikhhah Bahrami was the leader of the Iranian campaign in the game – as it has been in right through the competition – but his Most Valuable Player moment came when he tapped the ball off Takatoshi Furukawa and then followed it up with a defensive rebound to seal his team’s win.

Japan did have their moments, especially during the ravishing rally they presented in coming back from a 7-point first half deficit.

Kosuke Kanamaru was his usual sprightly self and JR Sakuragi did rather well to keep pace with his much younger opposite number Asghar Kardoust, but when push came to shove it was Aren Davoudi – who had been rested twice earlier for injuries – once on his eye and the other on his leg – provided the star turn!

So what was the actually the difference between the victors and the vanquished at the Ota City Gymnasium? Was it Japan’s lack of depth in their bench? Was it the hosts’ inadequacy to throw open the game when they had the opportunity? Was it their coach’s poor call for a play for a downtowner instead of a three-point play in the lane?

Well to the discerning, none of these. Well it all boiled down to one magical moment from a player who has been lurking in the shadows for long. Is it his time in the sun now? For sure, after Saturday the spotlight will burn a little brighter on Aren Davoudi

Samad Bahrami emerges MVP as the All Star line-up is announced

Samad Bahrami who played a stellar role in Iran’s triumph at the 4th FIBA Asia Cup became the most accomplished individual player of the competition winning two awards, including that of the MVP.

The 29-year-old Mahram star was also named in the All-Star line-up of the tournament for the position of the small forward.

The two finalists swept all the five places in the All-Star Best Five, with Iran’s Hamed Afagh named for the shooting guard and Asghar Kardoust for the center position.

Two players from Japan, who lost the final, figured in the All-Star – Kosuke Takeuchi for power forward and Ryota Sakurai for the position of point guard.

Mr. Kiyofumi Tamiaki, President and CEO of FIBA Asia partners Molten gave away the MVP award.

Mr. Kazuhito Matsuo of Asics Corporation gave away the prizes for the All Stars.

CHAMPIONSHIP GAME - IRAN VS JAPAN HIGHLIGHTS

FIBA Asia 2012: Japan reaches Finals via win against Qatar (Video)

2012-09-21T20:48:00.000+08:00

TOKYO, Japan (4th FIBA Asia Cup): For the second game running, Kosuke Takeuchi provided the spark for hosts Japan to pull away from a tantalizing position, taking the hayabusa to a 73-66 win against GCC champions Qatar and enter the finals of the 4th FIBA Asia Cup.

The win ensured Japan’s second successive entry to the gold medal game of this event – Japan having lost to the then hosts Lebanon in the finals of the 3rd FIBA Asia Stankovic Cup at Beirut (Lebanon) in 2010. Incidentally, Japan were then coached by Tom Wisman, who was the coach of Qatar tonight.

Qatar did extremely well to defying their ageing line-up – with most of them on the wrong side of the 30s to keep pace with Japan for a good part of the first two quarters.

Mohammed Yousuf Mohammed, who had played a stellar role in Qatar’s unexpected, but well deserved quarterfinal win against Lebanon, was once again in the vanguard of their campaign with some crisp baskets and brisk drive ins.

But Qatar’s challenge last only as long as Japan gave them the room and space.

Takeuchi, Japan’s hero in their quarterfinal win against China, slammed dunked and squared open the rival defense after Daiki Tanaka had burnt the basket from downtown, and in tandem with Makoto Hiejima helped Japan close the first half with an 11-0 run.

That in effect took left Qatar fighting an uphill battle for the remainder of the game. A task that got steeper as the game progressed.

Click Here for Complete Game Stats

JAPAN VS QATAR GAME HIGHLIGHTS (CLICK HERE)

FIBA Asia 2012: Japan upsets China, matched up against underdog Qatar in Semis (VIDEO)

2012-09-21T00:00:00.003+08:00

Host Japan pulled off the second quarterfinal stunner in the FIBA Asia Cup, defeating China 60-50 Thursday to advance to the semifinals against Qatar.

Star forward Kosuke Takeuchi bannered Japan with 23 points and 10 rebounds, while spitfire Ryota Sakurai added 19 points and seven rebounds for the home team, which has lost just once in the tournament, to undefeated Iran.

Teenage center Wang Zhelin led the fight for China with 18 points and 14 rebounds, but struggled from the field shooting just 6-of-16. China was held to just 32 percent shooting as a team and was woeful from the three-point line, making just two of nine attempts (22 percent).

Japan advances to the semis against Qatar, which pulled the rug from under Lebanon in an earlier match. The two teams met on opening day, with Japan eking out a 73-69 victory.

With the ouster of China and Lebanon, the SMART-Gilas Pilipinas national team remains the only team from Group A in the semifinals. The Philippine side, which suffered its only loss in the competition at the hands of China, faces Iran on Friday, with the winner taking on the victor of the Japan-Qatar matchup on Saturday.

Sept 20 Game Results (QUARTERFINALS)
QF1 - Iran def. Uzbekistan, 79-37
QF2 - Philippines def. Taipei, 75-68
QF3 - Qatar def. Lebanon, 79-72
QF4 - Japan def. China, 60-50

SEMIFINALS: (Sept. 21)
SF1: (3:30pm) Iran vs. Philippines - Live on AKTV
SF2: (6:00pm) Qatar vs. Japan - Live on AKTV

FINALS: (Sept. 22)

FIBA Asia 2012: Philippines hurddles Chinese Taipei, faces mighty Iran in Semis (VIDEO)

2012-09-20T23:42:00.001+08:00

The Smart Gilas National Team survived a fourth quarter scare from the Chinese-Taipei team, to emerge with a 75-68 win, Thursday, to advance to the semifinal round of the FIBA Asia Cup, held in Japan.

With Taipei's scoring trickling to a halt, with just four points in the first five minutes of the fourth period, a triple by Gary David had the Philippines up 71-57, 3:51 left in the game.

Taipei saved their best for last though, unleashing a 9-0 run that had their deficit down to 71-66 after a Shih-Chieh Chien basket with 1:52 left. However, Gilas responded by tightening up their defense, forcing a missed triple and two turnovers on Taipei's next possessions. On the offensive end, LA Tenorio, who sparked Gilas' fourth quarter scoring barrage, and Jeff Chan connected to keep their advantage intact as the Philippines held on until the final buzzer.

The Philippines now advances to the semifinal round where they'll play Iran, winners of a 79-37 blowout against Uzbekistan, on Friday.

Marcus Douthit finished with a monster performance of 19 points, 18 boards, two steals and four blocks. Gary David went 4-of-9 from beyond the arc on route to 14 points, and Ranidel De Ocampo chimed in 10 markers and eight rebounds.

Taipei got 21 points from Douglas Creighton, but the entire team shot just 37 percent from the field. At one point they were 10-of-20 from downtown, but they proceeded to miss their last four triples of the game.

A slow start for both sides saw the score stick at 4-all, three and a half minutes left in the first period. A dunk by Gabe Norwood and a score by Marcus Douthit began to create separation for Gilas, but Chih-Chieh Lin knotted things anew at 10 apiece, and then off a turnover by Jared Dillinger, Tsung-Hsien Chang hit a triple with five seconds to go, giving Chinese Taipei the slight lead after ten minutes, 13-10.

A 9-2 run for Gilas starting with 4:46 left in the first half had the Philippines on the cusp of the first double-digit lead in the game, 33-25, after Larry Fonacier charities at the 2:32 mark.

Norwood would miss two freebies of his own though, keeping the door open for Taipei. Lin and Shih-Chieh Chen made the most of that small opening, nailing baskets to make it a six-point game. With Dillinger unable to score off a timeout, Chinese-Taipei found themselves down 38-32 at the break, sticking close to the Gilas squad.

The third period saw Taipei go right for the throat of Gilas, as hot shooting by Douglas Creighton gave his side the lead late, off a triple, 1:17 left in the quarter, 53-52. Attempts to answer back by Jared Dillinger and Gary David missed their mark. An attempt by Hsueh-Lin Lee to add to Taipei's advantage fell short too, leading to a frantic finish that saw Douthit's miss put back in by De Ocampo with two ticks left, 54-53.

The scores:

Philippines 75 - Douthit 19, David 14, De Ocampo 10, Fonacier 9, Tenorio 9, Dillinger 5, Chan 5, Norwood 4, Thoss 0

Chinese Taipei 68 - Creighton 21, Lin 12, S. Chen 11, Tien 7, Wu 6, Mao 4, Chang 3, Lee 3, Tseng 1, Lu 0

Quarter scoring: 10-13, 38-32, 54-53, 75-68

FIBA Asia 2012: Philippines wants to surpass Chinese Taipei again in Quarterfinals

2012-09-20T00:02:00.000+08:00

       Smart Gilas coach Chot Reyes looked grim and serious before boarding the team bus Wednesday on the eve of their quarterfinal match with Chinese-Taipei in the FIBA-Asia Cup championship at the Ota gymnasium.

      “We’re facing perhaps the strongest Chinese-Taipei team. Everybody is here. We expect a very difficult match,” said Reyes who was set to conduct a mid-morning team practice. The Filipinos and the Taiwanese collide for the second time this year at 2 p.m. Thursday, the winner advancing against Iran in the semi-finals.

       The Iranians, the only undefeated squad in the tournament, are expected to get by Uzbekistan at 11:30 a.m. The last time the two teams fought, Smart Gilas rode on LA Tenorio’s 11 points in the final quarter to beat the Taiwanese, 76-72, during the Jones Cup last month in Taipei. The Filipinos went on to topple United States and win the annual tournament. “Kaya natin ‘yan,” said Tenorio, adding that the Taiwanese have no answer to Marcus Douthit, the team’s 6-11 naturalized center. Reyes, however, doesn’t share Tenorio’s optimism. “Both teams have similar styles. We have to do a good job on transition defense. And we have to find ways to break their zone,” Reyes said.

     After struggling in the first two games, the Filipinos did better shooting the threes against lightweight opponents. Jeff Chan, who only had one trey against China and Lebanon, finally found his range, scoring eight against Uzbekistan and Macau.

      Tien Lei, who once played in the NBA Summer League in 2005, will be Chinese-Taipei’s main man. He leads the team in scoring – 14.8 points – and in rebounds – 6.5. Smart Gilas has not lost a match against Chinese-Taipei. The last Philippine team to lose against the Taiwanese was the Powerade squad handled by Yeng Guiao in 2009. That came during the Jones Cup, but the Filipinos quickly avenged the loss during the FIBA Asia in Tianjin, China that same year. What could work against the Filipinos are the high expectations at home following their sensational win in Taipei last month.

What has been overlooked was the fact that the team was formed a little more than a month ago and is lacking in size since some of its players are still recovering from injuries. The team, however, does not have a shortage in energy and determination. Devoid of superstars, Smart Gilas has been performing beyond expectations under the innovative system used by Reyes, a nine-time PBA winner. Coming from six teams, the players have developed a strong bond and kinship, unseen in past national teams sent by the PBA.

“This is perhaps the best team ever formed. No big egos to deal with. No baggage to carry,” said Smart Gilas assistant coach Ryan Gregorio.

Rewind of the Jones Cup 2012 Match up of Phil. vs Taipei

FIBA ASIA CUP 2012:

Quarterfinals: (Sept.20 - Thursday)
QF1: Lebanon v Qatar (3:30pm)
QF2: Iran v Uzbekistan (10:30am)
QF3: PHL v Taipei (1:00pm)
QF4: Japan v China (6:00pm)

Semi-Finals: (Sept.21)
(SF1): QF1 Winner vs QF4 Winner
(SF2): QF2 Winner vs QF3 Winner

Finals: (Sept.22)
SF1 Winner vs SF2 Winner

Barangay Ginebra San Miguel's Current Official Line-up for All-Filipino Cup 2012

2012-09-09T21:48:00.001+08:00

JERSEY NAME HEIGHT POSITION

2 bily mamaril 6'6 center
5 LA Tenorio 5'8 point guard
10 rico mairhofer 6'6 forward center
11 mike cortez 6'0 point guard
13 jayjay heltelbrand 5'11 point guard
18 allein maliksi 6'3 forward
21 kerby raymundo 6'6 center forward
23 elmer espiritu 6'4 power forward
28 willy wilson 6'2 small forward
32 keith jensen 6'4 power forward
33 dylan ababou 6'3 forward
34 chris ellis 6'4 power forward
47 mark caguioa 6'1 shooting guard
99 rudy hatfield 6'3 forward
mac andaya 6'8 center under consideration
9 robert lagabala 5'9 guard

30 eric menk 6'6 center

Kerby RAYMUNDO

Cris ELLIS and Willy WILSON

Jayjay HELTERBRAND and LA TENORIO

Keith JENSEN and Allein MALIKSI

Elmer ESPIRITU and Robert LABAGALA

Erik MENK and Rudy HATFIELD

Mike CORTEZ and Billy MAMARIL

PBA Preseason Tune-up Game Video: Petron vs Alaska 9-7-2012

2012-09-09T14:11:00.002+08:00

Alaska Aces 90: JV Casio 15, Sonny Thoss 15, Cyrus Baguio 14, Mac Baracael 13, Dondon Hontiveros 10, Raffy Reyes 8, Tony Dela Cruz 7, RJ Jazul 5, Gabby Espinas 2, Nic Belasco 1

Petron Blaze 84: Jay Washington 19, Arwind Santos 18, June Mar Fajardo 16, Chico Lanete 6, Alex Mallari 6, Joseph Yeo 5, Alex Cabagnot 5, Danny Ildefonso 4, Denok Miranda 2

Quarter scores: 20-10; 42-28; 59-57; 90-84.

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