PBA Scores, News and Updates

[Zurca]

Casio hopes Aces would regain competitive fire in time for Commissioner's Cup title defense

ALASKA guard JV Casio feels the Aces have lost some of the competitive fire after winning the  Commissioner’s Cup last season and they hope to regain the killer instinct early as they prepare for their title defense.

The Aces fell, 89-94, to the Barako Bull Energy on Thursday in the pro league's first pre-tournament game before the start of import-laced conference set to start on the first week of March.

Casio, the 5-foot-10 Alaska playmaker, said they are using tuneup matches like that as a way to hopefully rediscover the championship fire.

"Medyo nag-mellow siguro yung team after the championship, so we have to get the fire back. Yun ang gusto ni coach Luigi (Trillo)," Casio told Spin.ph after the team's five-point loss to the Energy at the Gatorade Hoops Center.

The Aces are also hopeful that comebacking import Robert Dozier could get himself into shape after a 10-month layoff.

"Alam na namin ano ang kaya niyang (Dozier) gawin. Kami, we just need to do what we need to do. Saka importante, mag-grow kami together," added the former Smart Gilas mainstay, who averaged 15.06 points, 3.8 rebounds and 3.8 assists in the Philippine Cup.

Alaska, which compiled a league-best 18-4 win-loss record on the way to the Commissioner's Cup crown last season, will be leaving on Friday for Cebu to join a four-team pocket tournament.

Alaska will be playing in the round-robin meet against Talk 'N Text bannered by NBA D-League veteran Richard Howell, Globalport, led by comebacking import Evan Brock, as well as a Cebu local squad.

From SPIN.ph

[Zurca]

Petron's Fajardo is PBA PH Cup best player

MANILA, Philippines – A big year for the big guy.

Sophomore center June Mar Fajardo of the Petron Blaze Boosters is hailed as the Best Player of the Conference in the 2013-2014 PLDT Home DSL PBA Philippine Cup.

The 6-foot-11 Cebuano slotman beat teammate Arwind Santos, Brgy. Ginebra's high-flying Japeth Aguilar and rookie Greg Slaughter, and Globalport Batang Pier forward Jay Washington for the distinction.

He received the award before Game 4 of the PBA Finals where San Mig Coffee currently leads Rain or Shine, 2-1.

Fajardo, member of the Gilas Pilipinas men's national basketball squad, led the league with 38.77 statistical points (SPs) per pba-online.net and is also the leader in player efficiency (43.55 EFF)

He averaged a gargantuan 16.4 PPG and 14.9 RPG in 18 games played, finishing with a double-double production in all but two games in this conference.

Statistical points account for 40% of the total score while media votes (30%), player votes (25%) and votes from the Commissioner's Office (5%) make up the rest of the criteria.

Fajardo helped Petron to a 10-4 record at the end of the eliminations; in the quarterfinals they swept Barako Bull, 2-0 but got waylaid by eventual finalist Rain or Shine, 4-1 in the semifinals.

From Rappler.com

[Zurca]

Champion Alaska to take on Talk 'N Text in Commissioner's Cup opening salvo

DEFENDING champion Alaska headlines the main game of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup opening day when the Aces, behind comebacking import Robert Dozier, collide with the Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters on March 5 at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Last season’s Best Import awardee, Dozier is back for a second tour of duty with the franchise and will readily test the mettle of Talk ‘N Text 6-foot-8 counterpart Richard Howell, who recently played for the Idaho Stampede in the NBA Developmental League.

The two squads clash at 8 p.m., with the Aces immediately out to redeem themselves following a poor eighth place finish in the Philippine Cup.

Alaska actually posted the second best conference record of the franchise at 18-4 (win-loss) during its title drive in last season’s edition of the mid-season tournament, culminating in a three-game sweep of Barangay Ginebra in the Finals.

Meantime, playing in the curtain raiser during the opener are the Globalport Batang Pier, who parade new coach Pido Jarencio and recently acquired veteran playmaker Alex Cabagnot, when they face the Air21 Express.

The Batang Pier landed the left-handed Cabagnot for Solomon Mercado, who was shipped to San Miguel Beer (formerly Petron).

The Batang Pier will be reinforced by another old hand in Evan Brock, who played for Barako Bull last season.

Brock and the Batang Pier are expected to have their hands full against the Express, who will be bannered by journeyman Ivorian forward Herve Lamizana in the 5:45 p.m. match.

From SPIN.ph

[kingjames24szupladoh]

The scores:

SAN MIG SUPER COFFEE 93 - Barroca 17, Sangalang 17, Yap 17, Devance 12, Simon 12, Melton 7, Pingris 6, Mallari 3, Reavis 2, Gaco 0.

RAIN OR SHINE 90 - Lee 28, Quinahan 11, Belga 10, Norwood 10, Cruz 8, Almazan 6, Chan 6, Tiu 4, Ibanes 4, Arana 3, Tang 0, Nuyles 0, Teng 0, Rodriguez 0.

Quarterscores: 26-27, 52-42, 70-76, 93-90

[tonistork]

kahit di ako naging fan ni The Captain, ni James Yap, ni Tim Cone at ng San Mig Coffee (dating Purefoods), gusto ko sila ang magchampion para mabawas-bawasan kayabangan ng kalbong congressman (daw) na coach ng RoS.

[kingjames24szupladoh]

February 23,2014


The scores:

RAIN OR SHINE 81 - Chan 24, Belga 10, Tiu 9, Lee 8, Norwood 7, Quinahan 6, Rodriguez 5, Arana 4, Almazan 4, Cruz 2, Ibanes 2.

SAN MIG SUPER COFFEE 74 - Pingris 18, Yap 18, Mallari 11, Barroca 10, Devance 7, Simon 4, Sangalang 3, De Ocampo 2, Reavis 1, Melton 0.

Quarters: 14-20, 35-43, 59-54, 81-74

San Mig Coffee Mixers leads 3-2 over Rain or Shine in their Best of 7 series Finals

[kingjames24szupladoh]

‘Ganun kami katakot kay Coach’ : Guiao’s warning fires up Rain or Shine before win

Before Game Five of the PLDT Home DSL Philippine Cup finals, Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao gave a warning to his players about their attitude as they tried to climb back from a 3-1 series deficit against the San Mig Super Coffee Mixers.

“Ang sabi ko nga sa kanila never show to me signs that you’re giving up, even on your body language,” Guiao said.

“If I see it that you’re giving up, tatapusin ko yung career niyo dito.”


Continue Reading HERE

[crashtest]

Galing ni Jeff Chan kanina ang init. hopefully matapos na ng San Mig ang series.
 

Sent from my LT26ii using Tapatalk

[Zurca]

Chan sizzles, helps Rain or Shine survive in Finals series (02/23/14)

MANILA, Philippines - Rain or Shine banked on the hot shooting of Jeff Chan in the fourth quarter and lives to fight another after a 81-74 victory over San Mig Coffee in Game 5 of the PBA PLDT myDSL Philippine Cup Finals at the Araneta Coliseum Sunday, February 23.

Struggling all series long and facing elimination, snipper Jeff Chan sizzled in the second half, firing all but one of his 24 points to salvage the Elasto Painters' finals campaign.

The Gilas Pilipinas gunner finally delivered telling baskets, punishing the Mixers with big shot after big shot under the final minute in front of 20, 512 paying fans to complete a resounding comeback for the Elasto Painters.

Chan nailed all his three triples in the second half as Rain or Shine protected their lead down the stretch to stay alive and force a Game 6 on Wednesday, February 26.

"We just grinded out a win but we're still behind in the series. One thing we can promise is we can fight to the end," said ROS head coach Yeng Guiao after the momentum-shifting win.

"(I told my boys) you cannot lose that sense of destiny. Even if we're behind, it's not over."

Guiao's wards found themselves buried in a big hole early, with Joe Devance and James Yap shooting big baskets early on.

The Mixers zoomed to a 20-11 edge in the opening period; and with Mark Pingris terrorizing the paint with his every move, San Mig held forth until the end of the first 24 minutes for a 43-35 halftime lead.

Alex Mallari came off the bench to provide an additional spark with 8 points, all of which he scored in a crippling blitz in the second quarter.

At that point, the Elasto Painters were badly beaten in the rebounding department (18 to 26), and also yielded 10 turnover points and 8 second chance points to the Mixers.

ROS paints town red in second half

But the resilient Rain or Shine crew, who are in their first do-or-die game this season, did not allow their title bid to go down the drain.

Chan started working on his offensive exploits, while Beau Belga powered his way for baskets underneath the lane. Down by 8, the two starred in a 13-3 run that gave RoS their first lead of the night at 48-46.

Asked what was different in today's game, the lefty shooter said, "Ayaw ko lang talaga matalo." (I just didn't wan't to lose.)

The two teams traded bombs but the Painters emerged with the upper hand, 59-54.


Frenetic fourth quarter stretch

Guiao's boys also held the lead entering the final canto of Game 4, but by the end were beginning to collapse.

Rain or Shine sat comfortably on a 69-60 bubble with Chan firing his second trey just under 7 minutes left in regulation.

But the Mixers - determined to close out the series - kept punching towards crunch time. Yap and Pingris connived for a crippling rally that saw the Painters' big advantage disappear.

Yap drained two three-pointers while Pingris added a monster slam as the Mixers kept knocking, 72-74 approaching the final two minutes.

That proved to be the closest they could get as RoS hit the daggers afterwards.

Gabe Norwood sank a huge corner trey with just 1:12 remaining, followed a a difficult turnaround jumper from Chan with the shot clock winding down that made it 79-72, 48.3 ticks left.


Chan not alone

Rain or Shine also drew ample support from Beau Belga, who notched a double-double (10 points, 10 rebounds) Chris Tiu, who also struggled to buy a basket throughout the series but reached 9 points on Sunday.

JR Quinahan added 11 boards in the win too as Rain or Shine controlled the glass in the pivotal payoff period.


Sterling turnaround

In the end, the Painters upped their rebounding to just two short of San Mig (47-49), dished out more assists (18-12), blocks (8-3), fastbreak points (12-7), and turnover points (20-12).

They also spoiled Marc Pingris' Herculian effort of 18 points and 15 rebounds, returning from an eye injury after getting hit inadvertently by Quinahan in Game 4.

Tim Cone also got 18 points from James Yap but they will need another 48 minutes - or more - to end the finals.

Game 6 is set on Wednesday, February 26 at Araneta Coliseum at 8 p.m.

The Scores:

Rain or Shine (81): Chan 27, Belga 10, Tiu 9, Lee 8, Norwood 7, Quinahan 6, Rodriguez 5, Arana 4, Almazan 4, Cruz 2, Ibanes 2

San Mig Super Coffee (74): Pingris 18, Yap 18, Mallari 11, Barroca 10, Devance 7, Simon 4, Sangalang 3, De Ocampo 2, Rafi 1, Melton 0

From Rappler.com

[Zurca]

San Mig's Cone, Pingris see tough battle 'til the end

MANILA, Philippines - Fabled head coach Tim Cone has been involved in many championship series, winning 15 PBA titles, but only one specific title series resonated when Cone saw his San Mig Super Coffee Mixers suffer to defeat in Game 5: The 2012 Governors Cup Finals between B-Meg and Rain or Shine.

The Llamados trailed the Elasto Painters 1-3 in that series, but were able to force a Game 7 after registering back-to-back wins. However, Jeff Chan ended their hopes of pulling a miraculous upset, and the gunner was hailed as Finals MVP

A little more than a year later, Cone engages in another battle of endurance with the same squad, hoping they can reverse their fortunes and deal the Elasto Painters revenge. That redemption wouldn't come in Game 5 after the Elasto Painters found a way to claw back and repulse the Mixers, 81-74.


Focus, not fatigue

Although Cone admits it would be unfair to say they haven’t been playing tired, he believes fatigue isn't the main culprit for their game 5 setback.

"We lacked focus and concentration," Cone said after Sunday's affair.

"We were not really tired but we just lacked focus. We'll use the next few days to regenerate and come out and put the game together on Wednesday."

And instead of letting the physical exhaustion get to them, the PBA title-winningest head coach (tied with Virgilio 'Baby' Dalupan) says they've got enough gas left in the tank.

"We've been going at it since the conference before. We only had a week's break and played again. We've been tired all the way to the playoffs. We're tired but we still got something left. We have to keep pushing."


Will 'Pingris power' show in Game 6?

Energetic forward Marc Pingris, who suffered an eye injury after getting hit by JR Quinahan on a rebound play in Game 4, returned and powered San Mig with a heroic performance of 18 points and 15 boards.

Sadly, his memorable showing went down the drain. He knows it was Jeff Chan's time.

"Gabi ni Jeff eh. Adjust kami next game, kukunin namin kahit gaano kahirap," he shared. (It was Jeff's night. We'll adjust in the next game and we will take it no matter how daunting a task it is)

Pingris, the Finals MVP of the 2013 PBA Governors Cup, says he'll come out undeterred, full of energy and with the sole mission of claiming his 5th PBA title.

"Gusto ko lang maglaro at bigyan ng energy yung team ko. Binigay namin lahat pero mas gutom sila ngayong gabi. Babawi kami." (I just wanted to play and give energy to my team. We gave our best but they were hungrier tonight. We will bounce back.)

From Rappler.com

[Zurca]

Coach Ravanes feels new boys Mercado, Maierhofer perfect fits for San Miguel

NEW coach Biboy Ravanes has high hopes that new acquisitions Solomon Mercado and Rico Maierhofer can help turn around a star-studded franchise that has underachieved over the last seven conferences.

Only one week since assuming the head coaching post, Ravanes said the atmosphere was positive in practice and the energy high as everybody welcomed the entry of Mercado and Maierhofer, who came in via seven-player, four-team trade that saw he Beermen let go of starting guard Alex Cabagnot.

“I saw a lot of positive things during our first week of practice, parang it’s some sort of like revival na nangyayari sa team kahit na may dalawang bago kami. Parang bagong spirit ang nasa team,” Ravanes confided to Spin.ph.

The Beermen took a day off on Tuesday to travel to Tagaytay for some team bonding at the rest house of San Miguel Corp. basketball operations head Robert Non.

“Team bonding lang muna kami. Siyempre may mga ilang bago din kami sa team,” added Ravanes, who succeeded Gee Abanilla.

Abanilla was promoted to team manager, while American consultant Todd Purves will be taking a more active role in helping Ravanes starting in the Commissioner’s Cup.

Ravanes said the coaching staff has been finding ways to adjust the team's mode of attack, weeks after the disappointing Philippine Cup semifinal series loss to Rain or Shine.

“The coaches made some brainstorming recently and made the decision to change some things. Kasi yung hinahanap namin, eh yung ways na di sana kami kakapusin,” explained the longtime San Miguel assistant coach and noted defensive wizard during his playing days.

“Tingin namin with Sol and Rico, pupunan nila yung department na kulang namin. Kasi si Sol, yung style niya, we feel babagay sa team namin tapos si Rico can add depth sa bench,” he added.

At the moment, the Beermen are still finalizing their negotiations with their import reinforcement for the mid-season conference. Ravanes declined to name their import prospect for the time being.

From SPIN.ph

[Zurca]

Guiao plans to stick to his veterans in Game Six as Cone braces for 'battle to the end'

ASIDE from being able to rest their aching bodies, San Mig coach Tim Cone hopes the Mixers have had enough time in the past two days to get refocused as they try to finish off Rain or Shine in Game Six of the PLDT myDSL-PBA Philippine Cup Finals on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Mixers’ victory party was derailed on Sunday when the Elasto Painters leaned on Jeff Chan’s red-hot second half shooting to pull off an 81-74 win in Game Five.

While the Mixers are still ahead, 3-2 in the best-of-seven series, Cone said clinching the title requires mental toughness for his team considering the Elasto Painters’ gung-ho approach to the title series.

“I thought we played really well (in Game Five), but we felt we lacked the concentration in the game,” said Cone. “This (title series) is gonna be a battle to the end, but we’ll just take Game Six and not worry about what happened in Game Five or not think about Game Seven.”

For his part, Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao said he is again shortening his rotation for Game Six as he tries to get premium effort from his veterans led by Chan, Paul Lee, Quinahan and Beau Belga.

“I purposely decided to shorten my rotation because there’s really no margin for error na ngayon,” said Guiao, who needs to win on Wednesday to forge a winner-take-all Game Seven on Friday.

“I’m sure the rookies will understand that (shortening of rotation) because, I have tried and given them (rookies) their breaks. Underandably, this (championship series) is not the best time to play (them) long minutes,” he added.

“Iyung experience, yung wisdom of the veteran players is siguro, of more premium in this (do-or-die) situation kaya nag-shorten na ako ng rotation.”

Forward Marc Pingris is again expected to play through the pain of a right eye abrasion.

Wearing protective lens on his right eye, Pingris registered a double-double of 18 points and 15 rebounds in the Mixers’ losing effort just days after getting poked in the right eye by Rain or Shine’s burly forward JR Quinahan during a rebound scramble in the third period of Game Four.

From SPIN.ph

[Zurca]

What a ride, says Ali Peek as he officially retires after 16 seasons in PBA

AFTER 16 years in the PBA, veteran Talk `N Text man-mountain Ali Peek finally called it quits on an accomplished career that saw him win championships with Alaska and later on, with the Tropang Texters.

Selected third overall during the 1998 rookie draft by the now defunct Pop Cola, the 6-foot-4 Peek announced his retirement on his official Twitter account @mtnpeek on Wednesday.

“2day I retire from professional basketball. I thank my family, loved ones, friends, team, coaches, management, and God:) what a ride!” Peek tweeted.

Talk 'N Text coach Norman Black also confirmed Peek's decision to retire, telling Spin.ph that the man-mountain will surely be missed by the Texters and the pro league.

The left-handed Talk ‘N Text power forward also took the time to thank the PBA, Tropang Texters fans, and the basketball-crazy Filipinos in general for the warm support he received during his years of playing in Asia’s pioneering pro league.

“I also want to thank all of you! The die-hard PBA fans who continued to support the league all these yrs! Please keep it up!!!),” he said.

“I also want 2 thank the Philippines n it's great people! I believe the Filipinos are the most passionate bball fans in the world!!!”

“And I cannot n will not ever 4get my beloved Blue and Yellow Talk n Text fans!!! @theTNTnation:) thank u for always supporting us!God bless,” added Peek, who turned 39 last February 13.

A potent inside force during his prime, Peek played just nine games in the Philippine Cup this season after being relegated to the reserve list during the eliminations owing to a nagging injury.

Black managed to squeeze out the best from his grizzled veteran big man during the time he was on the active roster.

Peek averaged 4.0 points and 4.5 rebounds in helping the Tropang Texters reach the quarterfinals of the All-Filipino before losing to the San Mig Super Coffee Mixers.

The Hawaii-born Peek owns PBA career averages of 11.5 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 1.0 assist in 16 seasons playing for teams Pop Cola, Alaska, Coca-Cola, Sta. Lucia, and Talk `N Text.

From SPIN.ph

[Zurca]

The San Mig Super Coffee Mixers wins the #pba2014 Philippine Cup, 93-87



From Rappler.com

[Zurca]

Guiao threatens with RoS walkout early in Game 6

MANILA, Philippines - Rain or Shine head coach Yeng Guiao threatened to walk out of the PLDT Home DSL PBA Philippine Cup finals after seeing what he believes is a bad call.

The fiery Elasto Painters mentor led his squad to vacate the Smart Araneta Coliseum floor at the 11:39 mark of the second quarter following a JR Quinahan foul on Marc Pingris, with the San Mig Super Coffee Mixers ahead 30-17.

PBA Commissioner Atty. Chito Salud already ordered 15 minutes of grace period following the attempted walkout, although Guiao's troops returned shortly, but not before receiving loud boos from Mixers fans.

According to PBA Media Bureau chief Willie Marcial, the Rain or Shine franchise could have been slapped 10 million pesos if they pursued the walkout.

San Mig led by as much as 17, 49-32 after that bizarre sequence, although they have managed to claw back and cut the deficit to just 6, 43-49 entering the break.

From Rappler.com