source: gmanetwork.com

Powerade thwarted Talk 'N Text's sweep bid in the 37th PBA Philippine Cup Finals, winning Friday night's Game Four, 100-97, at the Araneta Coliseum.

Sean Anthony buried a pressure-packed jumper with 39.8 seconds left to break the game's final deadlock and put the Tigers in front for good, 99-97.

The Tigers' breakthrough win in the best-of-seven title series derailed what many expect to be a sweep by the Tropang Texters, who still holds a 3-1 lead over the lowest seeded team to ever reach the championship round.

Game Five is set Sunday also at the Big Dome.

"Buhay pa," was Powerade coach Bo Perasol's opening statement during the post-game interview.

"I think I have to give it to the players for really wanting to win and let the people know that we're here to compete."

And the Tigers, behind newly-crowned Best Player of the Conference Gary David, showed that they too can go toe-to-toe with the defending champions.

David finished with a game-high 35 points, including a split from the foul line with 14.6 seconds left for the final count.

Anthony added 19 markers and 11 rebounds for Powerade, which led by 46-32 late in the third period and 92-81 with six minutes left in the final quarter.

Rookie Marcio Lassiter, Doug Kramer and rejuvenated veteran Rommel Adducul combined for 34 points.

But Talk 'N Text, as expected, came roaring back entering the homestretch.

Larry Fonacier's back-to-back three pointers, six of a team-high 20 points, in a one-minute span tied the game at 97-97.

The Tropang Texters again had a chance to knot the count after Anthony's jumper, but Jayson Castro, uncharacteristically, missed two free throws at the other end.

After David made it a three-point Powerade lead, the reigning champions had two good attempts for a possible game-tying basket.

But Castro's shot missed its mark and so did Alapag at the buzzer, even after the Talk 'N Text playmaker successfully evaded David's defense.

"Kinabahan din ako nung binato ni Jimmy," said David, who shot 11-of-20 from the field and 11-of-12 from the foul line, later.

Castro added 18 for the Tropang Texters—16 of them coming in the third period, including a three-pointer from about 30 feet that beat the quarter buzzer and tied the game at 75-all entering the final 12 minutes of play. — JVP, GMA News

Scores:

Powerade 100—David 35, Anthony 19, Lassiter 13, Kramer 11, Adducul 10, Casio 7, Lingganay 3, Vanlandingham 2, Cruz 0, Crisano 0.

Talk 'N Text 97—Fonacier 20, Castro 18, Alapag 18, Carey 11, Reyes 10, Peek 8, Williams 7, De Ocampo 3, Dillinger 2, Aguilar 0, Alvarez 0, Lao 0.

Quarter scores: 25-23, 53-43, 75-75, 100-97.

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source: Olmin Leyba | philstar.com

Although enjoying the obvious edge in height, Ateneo All-Star selection will not be that disadvantaged in terms of speed when it takes on La Salle in the “Blue vs Green: Dream Game 2012” exhibition game on Feb. 5 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, coach Norman Black said yesterday.

“Based from what I have read in the newspaper, our advantage is size,” said Black, who will have at his disposal an awesome frontline composed of Enrico Villanueva, Japeth Aguilar, Rabeh Al-Hussaini, Noy Baclao, Doug Kramer, Paolo Bugia, and Rich Alvarez.

“But remember, we also have speed with L.A. out there.”

He’s referring to L.A. Tenorio, the cat-quick point guard who is expected to quicken the pace at times, along with the other speedsters on the backcourt, JC Intal, Eric Salamat, Larry Fonacier, Wesley Gonzales and Magnum Membrere.

Ateneo’s big men are also capable of running the floor and complementing the team’s speedy guards on transition, Black pointed out.

However, Black expressed doubts Al-Husseini will already be 100 percent for the charity event jointly presented by the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) and Mastermind Entertainment for the benefit of young cancer patients of the Philippine Children’s Medical Center (PCMC) .

“I’m not sure though if Rabeh can play,” said Black of the former UAAP Most Valuable Player (MVP) and last year’s PBA Rookie of the Year, who’s still recuperating from an ACL injury.

Their archrivals are loaded at the 1-2 positions, with JV Casio, Mike Cortez, Joseph Yeo, Mac Cardona, RenRen Ritualo, TY Tang and Ryan Arana forming a deadly combo for coach Franz Pumaren.

Supplying the muscle underneath for the green squad in the first AdMU-DLSU exhibition match in four years are Don Allado, Rico Maierhoffer, Carlo Sharma, Jerwin Gaco, Willie Wilson and Brian Ilad.

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UPDATE: (Game 4) Powerade stays alive, foils TNT's sweep bid | Gary David of Powerade was amply rewarded for his rise in the 2011-12 PBA Philippine Cup, beating Arwind Santos of Petron Blaze in a close fight for the Best Player of the Conference honors.

The scoring machine prevailed over Mr. Double-Double, becoming the first Tiger in eight years to win the coveted award.

Jeffrey Cariaso emerged as BPC in the 2002 All-Filipino Cup while Rudy Hatfield won the same award as a (Coca-Cola) Tiger in the 2003 Reinforced Conference.

David, the scoring champ in the last two seasons and in four of the last five conferences including the current one, gained BPC honors on the strength of the PBA Commissioner’s Office and the media votes.

Santos contended in the derby by topping the stats race and gaining the nod of the majority of his fellow players.

The Powerade main man amassed 1268 value points as against the Petron stalwart’s 1159. Alex Cabagnot came in third with 569 then James Yap with 464 and Marcio Lassiter with 454.

It’s the second individual award for David after his inclusion in the Mythical Five Selection in the 2006-07 season as an Air21 Express, the same year he was awarded Comeback Player of the Year by the PBA Press Corps.

The former Lyceum star was drafted No. 10 overall by Coca-Cola in 2004. He was traded to Air21 the following year before moving back to his original team in 2009.

The 6-foot-2 gunner has become a legitimate star, carving his niche as he carried Powerade to the Philippine Cup finals versus Talk n Text with his steady prolific showing.

Going to Game Four of the Philippine Cup finals, David averaged 25 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.0 steal.

He scored at least 30 points in nine of 12 games in the playoffs and 12 times overall this conference – the most explosive performance by a local player in the league in years. (SB)

source: www.pba.ph/

UPDATE: (Game 4) Powerade stays alive, foils TNT's sweep bid

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source: Reynaldo Belen | interaksyon.com

The PBA on Friday approved the blockbuster five-man trade involving Barako Bull, Barangay Ginebra, and B-MEG.

In the deal, B-MEG received Gin Kings forward JC Intal and a 2012 2nd round pick from Barako Bull that originally belonged to Air 21, formerly Shopinas.com. Ginebra got Llamados forward Kerby Raymundo and Energy rookie Dylan Ababou. Barako Bull ended up with Gin Kings veteran swingman Ronald Tubid and rookie Reil Cervantes, as well as a second round draft pick in 2014 from Ginebra.

PBA commissioner Chito Salud, who has the right to revise or veto transactions that he deems imbalanced, gave his stamp of approval to the trade as is.

“The three-way trade was fairly sound and reasonable,” he said. “The teams gave and received players and picks of relative even value and use for their respective purposes.”

B-MEG coach Tim Cone had nothing but kind words for Raymundo on Twitter.

“Kerby was the consummate professional. It only took one conference for me to realize his greatness as a player and a person,” Cone wrote.

“Kerby leaving is almost like when Alvin retired. End of an era for Purefoods/B-MEG.”

He also explained how the acquisition of Intal would complement B-MEG top gun James Yap.

“We feel JC will be the perfect ‘bookend’ for James — a threat on the other side of the floor and a topnotch, athletic defender,” he wrote.

A 10-time all-star selection and a three-time member of the PBA mythical squad, Raymundo has been part of the Purefoods franchise since 2002, winning the Governors’ Cup finals Most Valuable Player award in his first tournament with the team. After missing most of last season due to injury, the former Letran stalwart made a triumphant return for the Llamados in the Philippine Cup, ranking first on the team in assists, second in rebounding, and third in scoring.

Intal was a reliable role player for the Gin Kings, averaging 9.2 points per game in the Philippine Cup, good for fifth on the team.

Ababou, a former SMART-Gilas Pilipinas backup forward, had a solid rookie campaign for Barako Bull, averaging 11.4 points and 4.5 rebounds per game. Picked 10th overall, Ababou will be joining another former Barako rookie, No. 8 pick Allein Maliksi, on the Ginebra lineup. Curiously, Barako Bull, Ginebra, and B-MEG were also involved in another blockbuster deal earlier this season that sent Maliksi and Rico Maierhofer to the Gin Kings.

This marks the second consecutive year that the Barako Bull franchise has traded away all its first round picks midway through the season. Last year, the team, then known as Air 21, traded its top three picks Nonoy Baclao, Rabeh Al-Hussaini, and Rey Guevarra to San Miguel.

by Reynaldo Belen, InterAKTV | interaksyon.com

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Just one more game with the kind of mind-set that has carried Talk 'N Text this far and a rich prize awaits.

"We've done a great job staying present and not getting ahead of ourselves," said Tropang Texters coach Chot Reyes. "We have to stick to that thinking, that we're only concerned about the next play, the next possession, the next game."

That match is Friday, when TnT tries to complete a sweep of the Powerade Tigers in what could be the final PBA Philippine Cup duel at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Tne Texters put themselves in the position of becoming the first team in 27 years to defend the title of the tourney formerly known as the All-Filipino with a 133-126 overtime win in Game 3 last Wednesday.

The victory was TnT's third in as many games in the best-of-seven series and league history is on its side.

All 11 teams which erected 3-0 leads never lost the series. Five teams have managed to force a Game 5, Alaska even set up a Game 6 against Gordon's Gin in the 1997 Commissioner's Cup. But they still fell short.

Also, TnT is now on the verge of becoming only the sixth team to complete a best-of-seven sweep and just the fourth in the finals. But that niche is something Reyes would only look at when the series' final buzzer has sounded.

"We have to keep our focus on the next game," he stressed. "Nothing else, just the next game."

After seeing his Powerade team's mightiest stand thus far in the series still come up just short, coach Bo Perasol himself admitted the task is now tantamount to insurmountable.

That doesn't mean the towel is about to be thrown.

"Their (Texters') firepower is more superior than what we have," admitted Perasol. "Their points are coming from anywhere. I was telling the guys that if its not Talk 'N Text we were up against, we would have blown out our opponent already."

What is foremost on the Tigers' collective mind right now is, simply, to avoid that big broom and take it from there.

Perasol even knows what it will take. "It's just about trying to commit to what we need to do, which is to make stops," he said.

Last Wednesday's game saw Powerade force overtime by stringing up five points, courtesy of workhorse Doug Kramer and Jayvee Casio, in the last 10 seconds of regulation. Kramer's undergoal stab and Casio's triple off an inbounding error by Ranidel de Ocampo pegged a 121-all count.

The Tigers were visibly running on vapors in the extension, however, making only two of 10 shots while De Ocampo atoned with five of his 21 points through a triple that made it 126-121 and a pair of charities for a 129-123 lead, only 1:54 left.

Gary David wound up with a gamehigh 36 points, his 12th game of at least 30 points in the conference, but he went 0-for-5 from the field in OT.

"I told my guys at end of the game, what can I ask more from them?" offered Perasol.

Powerade can take heart from what TnT just recently pulled off.

The Texters were in a similarly dire position after falling behind Petron Blaze, 1-3, in their race-to-four semifinals. That explains why Reyes keeps reiterating his desire to wait for the series to be over first.

"What we've got to watch out for on Friday is we're gonna play a team that has nothing to lose," he pointed out. " It would go out there, play its heart out, play relaxed basketball. That's always dangerous.

"So we have to go out, hang out and play. We know how Powerade thinks right now and we've got to take that into heart."

Meanwhile, the Best Player of the Conference will be handed out before the game, with Petron's Arwind Santos and David leading the contenders that include another Tiger in rookie Marcio Lassiter, B-MEG's James Yap and another Booster in Alex Cabagnot.

In case the finals ends Friday, the PBA Press Corps will also be handing out the scribes' choice for Finals Most Valuable Player, which, after three games, remains a toss-up among TnT's prized players, led by Jayson Castro, Jimmy Alapag and Larry Fonacier. (NC)

source: www.pba.ph

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UPDATE: PBA OKs Raymundo-Intal-Ababou deal

Now come the moves. Three teams which failed to live up to expectations in the PBA's season-opening tournament have started taking steps towards redemption by formally offering a trade proposal to league commissioner Chito Salud Thursday for approval.

Reports persist, however, that more trades are in the works, although nothing solid has yet completely surfaced.

At the center of the currently proposed deal is B-Meg's Kerby Raymundo, which is set to go to Barangay Ginebra by way of Barako Bull.

Also being included in the package are Ginebra's JC Intal, Ronald Tubid and Neil Cervantes and Barako's Dylan Ababou, plus a pair of future second round picks in the draft.

Salud's decision on whether to approve the trade or order a fairer deal should be known as early as Friday.

The Commissioner's Cup starts Feb. 10 featuring imports of unlimited height.

The involved teams do need some overhaul, based on their disappointing performances in the Philippine Cup.

Ginebra got ambushed by Rain or Shine and Barako by Talk ,N Text in the quarterfinals, winding up fifth and seventh, respectively.

Despite a new man at the helm in 13-time champion Tim Cone, B-Meg proved to be the biggest bust after topping the eliminations, only to get swept by twice-to-win Powerade in their own quarterfinals duel.

The incoming players, if approved, should help.

Under the proposed deal, Intal goes to Barako for Ababou before heading B-Meg's way, along with Barako's second round pick (acquired from Shopinas) next year, for Raymundo.

Raymundo then goes to Ginebra for Tubid, Cervantes and the Kings' second round pick in the 2014 rookie draft. (NC)

source: www.pba.ph


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source: Joaquin Henson | philstar.com

It’s not often that an NBA first round pick comes over to play in the PBA. Since the league opened shop in 1975, over 600 imports have invaded the country and only 40 were NBA first round choices.

But in the Commissioner’s Cup starting Feb. 10, DerMarr Johnson will suit up for Barako Bull to become the 41st NBA first round pick to play in the PBA. Johnson, 31, was the Atlanta Hawks first round selection and sixth overall in the 2000 NBA draft from the University of Cincinnati. The 6-8 forward played for Atlanta, New York, Denver and San Antonio in seven NBA seasons until 2007-08, averaging 6.2 points in 344 total games.

In his NBA career, Johnson earned about $9.3 Million with a high of $2.4 Million on his third year with Atlanta and a low of $42,000 on his last season with the Spurs.

The last NBA first round pick to play in the PBA was Dickey Simpsons who saw action for Alaska in 2004-05. Sherell Ford, Kenny Payne, John Morton, Mario Bennett, Chris Morris, Johnny Taylor, Rodrick Rhodes, Scott Burrell, Cedric Ceballos and Simpkins were the last 10 NBA first round choices to sign PBA contracts.

In the coming conference, there is no height limit for imports, opening the floodgates for giants like Barangay Ginebra’s 7-1 Chris Alexander, Meralco’s 6-10 Jelani McCoy, B-Meg’s 6-10 Denzel Bowles, Alaska’s 6-11 Matt Haryasz, Powerade’s 6-11 Dwayne Jones, Rain Or Shine’s 6-11 Jake Voskuhl, Petron’s 6-11 Nick Fazekas and Talk ‘N’ Text’s 6-11 Omar Samhan. Air 21, formerly Shopinas, is still deciding on whom to recruit but coach Franz Pumaren’s list of candidates includes 7-foot Jeff Foote and 6-11 Devon Hardin.

Johnson will be the shortest import in the Commissioner’s Cup but Barako coach Junel Baculi isn’t worried. “He’s still feeling his way,” said Baculi. “He’s 6-8 legit. We’ve got players who can defend seven-footers like (Dorian) Pena, Mick (Pennisi) and Don (Allado) so we’ll see how we do with DerMarr. We think he’s the import we need. Hopefully, that translates into wins.” Barako PBA governor Manny Alvarez said Johnson has been outstanding in tune-ups so no complaints from management.

Yesterday, Barako trounced Alaska, 91-82, in a practice game at the Reyes Gym as Johnson scattered 39 points.

Johnson played only a year for the Cincinnati varsity before jumping to the pros. Cincinnati was where former PBA imports Art Long and Pete Mickeal played and also produced baseball star Sandy Koufax and NBA legend Oscar Robertson. At the height of his NBA career, Johnson figured in a major car accident in 2002. He fell asleep behind the wheel, crashed his Mercedes-Benz S600 into a tree and broke his neck. Johnson and his two friends in the car managed to get out of the vehicle before it blew up in a ball of fire. Johnson didn’t only escape death but also paralysis. Miraculously, he returned to the NBA with the New York Knicks in the 2003-04 season.



Johnson said he wasn’t bothered by the four screws that held his neck in place during his recovery. Within months from the accident, he was back on the court shooting jumpers. “I didn’t see what the big deal was,” said Johnson, quoted by writer Mark Grey. “I felt like it was just a bone like any other bone and it would heal. I missed the game so bad, I couldn’t take it anymore. I was shooting lay-ups in my halo (in his head). I’m sure I shouldn’t have but I couldn’t stay away any longer.”

From the NBA, Johnson took on playing jobs in Italy, Puerto Rico, China, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon and Colombia. Before moving to Barako, Johnson led the Bucaros de Bucaramanga team to the Copa Federacion title in Colombia, clinching the crown in a seven-game finals.

A scorching shooter, Johnson learned the game playing as a guard. With a seven-foot wingspan, he used his length to advantage on defense and his quickness to disengage from any type of coverage.



Grey said two years ago, Johnson felt he was better than ever. “I may not be able to take off from the free throw line like I used to but I’m a much better player than I’ve ever been,” said Johnson. “I can still shoot and I’m a much smarter player.” Grey said it’s remarkable how Johnson is able to drain triples from five and six feet behind the arc with ease.

Barako posted a 6-8 record in the Philippine Cup eliminations and was booted out of contention by Talk ‘N’ Text via an 81-79 decision in the wildcard knockout phase with a twice-to-win disadvantage. Baculi is confident that with Johnson in harness, Barako will be a serious title contender. Back in the Barako fold are Pena, Pennisi, Allado, Willie Miller, Danny Seigle, Wynne Arboleda, Sunday Salvacion, Leo Najorda, Jimbo Aquino, Lou Gatumbato, Jondan Salvador, Paul Sorongon and Dylan Ababou. Chico Lanete joined the team in a trade with Paul Artadi the other day.

by Joaquin Henson | philstar.com


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The PBA Board has given a luckless member the rights to arm itself with a tested and very formidable weapon.

Shopinas.com, which will now carry the Air21 banner, was given by the league governors the exclusive rights to negotiate with naturalized national team star Marcus Douthit as its import for the Commissioner's Cup that starts Feb. 10.

"After due deliberation, the board... decided to step aside and to allow the Air21 Express to negotiate and engage the services of Douthit for the second conference," announced PBA commissioner Chito Salud following the 90-minute meeting at the league offices.

Salud added the governors have also thrown in the provision that in case Air21 and Douthit do not come to terms the American native will be "barred from playing" in the conference.

The 6-foot-11 naturalized Filipino was supposed to be raffled off among the 10 teams, but the rest already have their own respective imports for the tourney which has reinforcements of unlimited height.

"Primarily because due to the lateness of the hour and because nine of the 10 teams have already their own imports, it was decided there would be no more drawing of lots," related Salud.

"They (governors) just decided to give the opportunity to engage the services of Douthit to Air21."

In its league debut, Shopinas went winless in 14 games. Coach Franz Pumaren was set to hire Malcolm Thomas, but he was contracted by the San Antonio Spurs.

Salud also said Air21 representative Shiela Lina expressly stated they are very much interested and will get in touch with Douthit as soon as possible.

Pumaren said they will definitely try and come to terms with Douthit. “In Marcus, you know what you’ll be expecting,” he said. “At least, we won’t gamble anymore if we get a new import. And I think he definitely help us in our campaign.”

Salud added Douthit has contacted the PBA and stated he is "willing to play."

He is currently seeing action with also-ran Foshian in the Chinese league and will be free by Feb. 18 "at the earliest," according to Salud.

In another development, Salud upgraded the flagrant foul-Penalty 1 slapped against Talk ‘N Text's Ranidel de Ocampo last Monday to a Penalty 2 and threw in a P20,000 fine.

De Ocampo's wayward elbow opened a nasty cut on Powerade counterpart Sean Anthony's right eyebrow following a rebounding battle.

"We have provisions that any elbow contact above the shoulder will merit an FF2 and another that states any foul, even if not deliberate, will be classified as FF2," explained Salud. "So pasok sa parehong provisions na iyon ang foul ni De Ocampo."

The fine was added following a review of the game tape by Salud and his technical staff.

"The commissioner is given the leeway, particularly when he is reviewing, in terms of downgrading or upgrading the foul and adjusting the penalties," said Salud. "I believe the contact merits a P20,000 fine and that amount should suffice." (NC)

source: www.pba.ph

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source: June Navarro | inquirer.net

The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas wants the Smart Araneta Coliseum to be the venue of the 2013 Fiba Asia Championship if the country wins hosting rights for the world championship qualifier.

SBP executive director Renauld “Sonny” Barrios recently sat down with Smart Araneta officials and discussed the infrastructure requirements of the Asian championship slated next year.

Three continental slots to the 2014 Fiba World championship in Spain are at stake in the Asian continental tournament and the SBP wants to gain a sort of homecourt edge by hosting it.

Araneta officials told Barrios that modern improvements to the Big Dome, the country’s largest indoor, multipurpose sports arena with a seating capacity of 15,000, would start to become visible in the middle of this year.

“[Owner] George Araneta was very gung-ho on hosting the 2013 Fiba Asia championship,” said Barrios. “I showed them the kind of new venues that Fiba Asia would be playing and the American consultant they hired assured the improvements will be world-class.”

Adjacent to the Big Dome is the Gateway Mall and a five-star hotel, which is expected to be operational by next year.

Barrios said the hotel beside the coliseum will house the participating teams as well as Fiba officials for two weeks, eliminating transportation concerns for the entire tournament entourage.

Qatar and Lebanon are also bidding to host the tournament.

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Ranidel de Ocampo ought to be swaying to Bob Marley’s Redemption Song.

De Ocampo committed one of the most terrible errors in PBA Finals history in regulation but redeemed himself beautifully in overtime as defending champion Talk ‘N Text turned back Powerade, 133-126, to move within a game of sweeping the Philippine Cup Finals at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.

The Tropang Texters gun for their fifth title in Game Four Friday night at the same venue, hoping to add the Tigers to 11 previous teams that fell behind 0-3 and never recovered.

“This game was determined by hunger, by the team that wanted it more,” said TNT coach Chot Reyes, who is eyeing his eighth championship and fifth with the Texters.

“I told my players before the game that they better be starving because I am,” added Reyes who appeared to have Game Three under wraps until the shocking developments with 3.3 seconds left and TNT in possession and holding a 121-118 lead.

Inbounding from in front of their bench, De Ocampo, who had 12 points in the fourth quarter, miscalculated on a lead pass to teammate Larry Fonacier, covered heavily by Gary David.

The ball sailed over Fonacier to the backcourt and was scooped up by streaking Powerade rookie JV Casio, who drilled in a huge three-point shot to send the game into overtime.

De Ocampo, who had 21 points behind Fonacier’s 25, then had five points in overtime, including a triple that gave Talk ‘N Text a 126-121 lead which it never relinquished.

“We just gutted it out,” said Reyes. “We couldn’t stop (Gary) David, but in the end we were able to stop them when it mattered. I think we played excellent defense.”

Jimmy Alapag, who scored a quiet 10 points, let out a big roar with a 3-pointer that gave TNT a 117-116 edge with less than a minute remaining.

David led Powerade with 36 points but was too worn out in overtime to come to his team’s aid, missing all five shots he took.

“Sobrang pagod na talaga si Gary,” said Powerade coach Bo Perasol.

“But we’ll keep on fighting. We’re not thinking of coming back from 0-3. We just want to win one game first.”

With history against them and nothing to lose, Powerade, Reyes believes, is an even more dangerous opponent.

“It’s not over, we still have to take the final steps,” said Reyes.

TNT outscored Powerade, 12-5 in overtime. David, Marcio Lassiter, Sean Anthony, Casio and Doug Kramer – the Tigers’ main five – were a combined five points in the extra period.

Powerade shot better from 3-point range but surrendered 15 more attempts overall from its 43 percent field goal shooting. The Tigers also gave up 15 points in free throw conversions after getting whistled for 25 fouls against TNT’s 14.

Alapag’s way-out 3-point shot beat the buzzer and gave bench-powered TNT a 63-60 lead at halftime.

Fonacier had 12 points, with three triples, while Ali Peek added 11, manhandling every Tiger player that gets in his way inside the paint.

Powerade took the first quarter, 34-28, as David scored 12 points and the Tigers shot 61 percent from the floor while the Texters missed 14 of 21. But TNT turned hot in the second, draining 13 of 21 and taking the quarter, 35-26.

The Texters found themselves at the receiving end of some hard fouls.

Jayson Castro, the top gun in Game One, was hammered by David on the drive early in the game, while reserve center Gilbert Lao got an elbow from Powerade center Romel Adducul – a flagrant one foul.

Then, minutes into the second quarter, TNT guard Ryan Reyes took a hard foul from Tigers hotshot Josh Vanlandingham, triggering another strong reaction from Reyes.

Bench scoring went one-sided to TNT, 37-4, a testimony to the Texters’ extra deep roster.

De Ocampo, who swung an elbow at Anthony in Game Two, causing a bloody gash on the Tiger forward’s eyebrow that needed 10 stitches to close, was fined P20,000 but escaped a suspension which an upgraded F2 foul would have merited.

“The fine suffices,” said PBA Commissioner Chito Salud.(TST)

Scores:

TALK N' TEXT 133 – Fonacier 25, De Ocampo 21, Reyes 19, Peek 16, Williams 14, Castro 10, Alapag 10, Aguilar 6, Dillinger 6, Carey 4, Lao 2, Gamalinda 0.

POWERADE 126 – David 36, Lassiter 25, Anthony 25, Casio 18, Kramer 14, Cruz 3, Adducul 3, Lingganay 2, Vanlandingham 0, Allera 0.

Quarters: 28-34, 63-60, 87-93, 121-121, 133-126

source: www.pba.ph

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source: gmanetwork.com

UPDATE: (Game 3) TNT def. Powerade, 133-126 OT

Talk `N Text played with the poise of a champion, repeating over Powerade Monday night, 102-96, and took full command of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals at the Araneta Coliseum.

The defending All-Filipino champions uncorked seven straight points in a span of a minute during the homestretch to clinch the victory and a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven title series.

Jimmy Alapag, who finished with a team-high 23 points on 7-of-11 shooting from the floor, banged in a dagger three-pointer to cap the telling run as the Tropang Texters pulled away for good, 101-93, with 50 seconds to go.

The Tigers had just battled back from 12-points down (89-77) and threatened at 94-93 on a jump shot by rookie Marcio Lassiter inside the final two minutes, when the Tropang Texters got their act together and came through with that crucial scoring blast.

“We don’t want to relax. This is still a long way to go,” said Alapag later.

Coach Chot Reyes agreed with his prized point guard.

“We still need to get two more. All we’ve done is move a step closer to our ultimate objective. We can’t relax, we can’t take our foot off the pedal because we’re expecting the mightiest fight-back from Powerade in Game Three.”

After Alapag scored on that pressure-packed trey, the Tigers failed to score at the other end, leading to a Larry Fonacier open lay-up following a broken play.

Ryan Reyes then sealed the deal by completing a steal for a breakaway two as the Tropang Texters’ bench and its horde of supporters began celebrating.

They all had reasons to rejoice.

No team in the history of the league has ever come back from a 0-3 deficit, something which Talk `N Text is aiming to shoot for in Game 3 Wednesday also at the Big Dome.

On track of becoming the first team to repeat as All-Filipino champion since Great Taste in 1985, the Tropang Texters pounded the Tigers off the boards in the second half, 31-13, and 56-42 overall.

Jayson Castro added 19 points for Talk `N Text, while Fonacier and Ali Peek had 13 and 10, respectively.

Top gunner Gary David led Powerade with 30 markers, 19 in the first half, and top rookie JV Casio returned from a hamstring injury in Game 1 and finished with 17.

Fil-Am Sean Anthony, a key player for the Tigers in the series opener, struggled this time with only two points on 1-of-9 shooting.

He also had to be taken out of the game early in the fourth quarter after receiving an elbow from big man Ranidel de Ocampo that left him with a bloodied eye. The Talk `N Text forward however, only got a flagrant foul penalty 1. -- OMG, GMA News

The scores

Talk 'N Text (102) -- Alapag 23, Castro 19, Fonacier 13, Peek 10, Carey 9, Williams 8, Reyes 7, De Ocampo 7, Dillinger 4, Gamalinda 2, Aguilar 0.

Powerade (96) -- David 30, Casio 17, Lassiter 15, Kramer 14, Adducul 9, Vanlandingham 4, Cruz 3, Anthony 2, Antonio 2, Allera 0, Crisano 0.

Quarterscores: 31-25, 56-51, 80-73, 102-96

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source: Jasmine W. Payo inquirer.net

A formidable core returns for Ateneo this year with the seven-foot standout Greg Slaughter deciding to put his pro plans on hold.

“Next season we should be pretty good since Greg Slaughter has decided to come back,” Ateneo coach Norman Black announced after receiving the UAAP Coach of the Year plum.

“[This award] just reflects the hard work of the players in Ateneo.”

Black shared coaching honors with NCAA counterpart Frankie Lim of San Beda in the Collegiate Basketball Awards presented by the UAAP-NCAA Press Corps and Smart on Saturday night at the Gateway Suites.

Ateneo’s rookie sensation Kiefer Ravena also bagged the Smart MVP award both for his stellar collegiate debut and social contributions.

“This award is very precious because it recognizes not only my talent on the court but also my actions off court,” said Ravena, who successfully organized a charity game recently for the Cagayan de Oro victims of Tropical Storm “Sendong.”

“It constantly reminds me to just be the person that I am and that not everything in life is about basketball.”

Ravena and the pro-ready Slaughter also earned spots in the Collegiate Mythical Team together with reigning UAAP MVP Bobby Ray Parks of National University, San Beda’s Garvo Lanete and San Sebastian’s Calvin Abueva.

The Blue Eagles—poised to build a varsity dynasty after capturing their fourth straight UAAP crown last year—had the most awardees with Nico Salva (Pivotal Player), Kirk Long (Defensive Stopper) and Emman Monfort (Maynilad Super Senior) also earning citations.

Far Eastern University’s RR Garcia (Court General), Letran’s Kevin Alas (Energy Player) and Perpetual Help president Anthony Tamayo (Special Recognition) also copped individual honors.

Lim said that this early, his back-to-back champion Lions are similarly priming up for their third straight title bid.

“We have a lot of players who are graduating, so we’re trying to get more games to prepare for next season,” said Lim, whose wards are now seeing action in the Sinulog Cup in Cebu.

The annual awards night, organized by print and online sportswriters covering the varsity beat, was also backed by Gatorade, San Miguel Corporation, Antonov Mixed Drinks, Maynilad, Accel, 3XVI, UAAP Season 74 host Ateneo and NCAA Season 87 host Perpetual Help.

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source: Nelson Beltran | philstar.com

Several trade deals are in the works in the run-up to the PBA Commissioner’s Cup, including the possible transfer of Kerby Raymundo from B-Meg to Barangay Ginebra.

Alaska’s LA Tenorio is another marquee name being mentioned on the trading block.

B-Meg top official Rene Pardo has hinted in his Facebook account trade deals happening in the next few days.

“Daming (several) trade on the table. It’s that time of the year again,” said Pardo.

The former league chairman defended the need by teams to use this exercise on certain occasions.

“Trading of players is a vital part of the PBA. Sometimes it seems that a team is on the losing end of trade because not all factors are made aware to the public. The important thing to understand is that no team will agree to a trade that will not benefit its objective of being competitive in the league,” he said.

Reports said Raymundo is moving from B-Meg to Ginebra with Barako Bull used by the SMC sister teams as the third party in the deal. League disallows sister teams from making direct trade transactions.

Raymundo has played the best years of his career with B-Meg after spending his earlier years in the pro league with the original Red Bull team.

The former Letran star, a two-time member of the national team to the Fiba Asia championship, is just back from an injury.

Pardo, however, stressed there’s no final deal yet involving their team.

“Nothing final on our end as of now. Puro what if pa lang,” said Pardo.

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source: Jasmine W. Payo | inquirer.net

Only 13 years old, basketeer Stephen Jimenez already stands at 6-foot-3. Although a natural choice to play center, the “Higanteng Magilas” program aims to convert Jimenez into a point guard.

“I have nothing against players like JV Casio and Jimmy Alapag who are good small guards, but it’s high time that we develop taller point guards for future tournaments abroad,” project director Allan Gregorio said during the recent launch of the point guard academy at a Taguig restaurant.

“Other countries already have 6’2” and 6’3” players who are already playing point guards.”

Letran’s Louie Alas, NLEX’s Boyet Fernandez, Meralco’s Ryan Gregorio and Ronnie Magsanoc and Shopinas’ Franz Pumaren are among the topnotch coaches who will be part of the training program.

“The players who will be discovered will be trained by these coaches,” said Gregorio. “We will give these players scholarships.”

The program, bankrolled by sportsman Bert Lina and backed by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, will divide the talents into age groups of 8-12 and 13-15.

“We’re doing this not just in Metro Manila, but also in the provinces,” said Lina, noting that the academy can serve as a pool for the national youth squad.

“It’s more ideal to train them at an early age,” said Gregorio.

***

higantengmagilas.org


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source: Nelson Beltran | philstar.com

Besides the fact that it’s just one game, the Powerade Tigers remain comfortable with the thought that they lost Game One of the PBA Philippine Cup finals minus a vital cog in Jvee Casio.

The Tigers are unfazed by their Game One defeat, believing it could have been a different story if Casio were there.

The former Smart Gilas mainstay, nursing a strained hamstring, returns to play in Game 2 tomorrow at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“We rested him in Game One to give him time to heal his injury. It’s just one game in a seven-game series,” said Powerade coach Bo Perasol.

“Jvee plays an important role for us. He could have given the game a different complexion if he’s there,” said Powerade top gun Gary David.

Talk n Text coach Chot Reyes acknowledged they got an advantage with Casio’s absence.

“We just caught them off since Jvee’s not there. It will be a completely different team when Casio comes back,” said Reyes.

Casio was in uniform and wanted to play but Perasol opted to sit him out in the game dominated by the Texters for a 116-100 rout.

Casio himself wasn’t fazed.

“They were just able to get a good start. They’re too good a team to be allowed that,” said the 5-foot-10 Powerade ace playmaker.

“We really shot very well,” said Reyes, on the other hand, of their torrid offense allowing them to jumpstart, 31-13, and stay in full control to the finish.

The Texters were also able to execute their defensive plan, holding down David to 19 points - his lowest output in the post-elim plays.

“We felt right there in the absence of Jvee. He’s among the team’s top options offensively. Since he wasn’t there, Talk n Text was really able to concentrate on me,” said David.

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source: Musong R. Castillo | inquirer.net

DIGOS, Davao del Sur - Want to know how valuable JV Casio is? Despite manhandling Powerade in Game 1 of their PBA Philippine Cup title series Friday night here, Talk ‘N Text coach Chot Reyes believes that the burden of adjustment is on them in Game 2 with Casio expected to return for the Tigers.

And with an ace still left in his deck, Powerade coach Bo Perasol, notwithstanding a 16-point series-opening loss, remained confident and even sounded upbeat when the teams went back to Manila Saturday.

“We may win a game without JV, but we can definitely not win the series without him,” Perasol said.

Casio, the top overall pick in the last Draft, sat out Game 1 as Perasol decided that his prized rookie’s right hamstring need some time to rest after being bruised somewhat in the Tigers’ semifinal series with Rain or Shine.

“We just shot incredibly well and it wasn’t easy (despite what the final score says),” Reyes said. “And they didn’t have that guy,” he added, pointing to the Powerade rookie and shaking his hand in a brief meeting at the airport.

“This is a series and we have to be able to make the adjustments even if we won the previous game,” he continued. “We have to be able to adjust because JV Casio is returning (for Game 2).”

With the former La Salle ace set to make his return when the second game is played tomorrow at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, even Powerade superstar Gary David is confident of bouncing back from his worst game of these playoffs.

While he remains the tourney’s leading scorer, his 19-point effort in Game 1 paled in comparison to the many offensive outbursts he’s had in the playoffs.

And the pacesetter for the Best Player of the Conference award knows that he needs Casio’s presence to be able to have a shot at replicating those games.

“The focus of their defense becomes easier if JV is not around,” David said in Filipino, acknowledging the fact that it is easy for the Texters to double-team him if one member of Powerade’s Big Three is not there.

Casio won’t actually say that he is slated to play in his first championship game tomorrow night at 6:45, but it was Perasol himself who gave that away.

“You couldn’t keep a player like JV out of the court for so long,” Perasol said.

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source: gmanetwork.com

The San Miguel Beermen toppled the AirAsia Philippine Patriots, 78-70, to bounce back from an opening-day loss and take their first win in the 3rd ASEAN Basketball League Saturday at the Ynares Sports Arena.

The Beermen got 23 points and 11 rebounds from 6-foot-9 Darlon Johnson, who held explosive Patriots import Nakiea Miller to 15 markers. Johnson also had three assists and two blocks.

Doug Thomas, San Miguel's other reinforcement, and local Leo Avenido added 14 points each.

San Miguel suffered a shock 83-77 overtime defeat against the Westport Kuala Lumpur Dragons in Malaysia last week.

"It's a good wake-up call for us. We won the preseason tournament and the guys may have felt that they are unbeatable," said San Miguel Beermen coach and seven-time PBA Best Import Bobby Parks.

"I knew it's going to be a tough game for us but the guys played very well. And I take my hat off to the Patriots. They came to play," added Parks.

The Patriots dropped their first match of the season after a convincing win over another expansion team Bangkok Cobras.

San Miguel proved to be the tougher first-year squad racing to a 21-17 lead in the first period. That advantage ballooned to a 40-32 spread at the half.

After the Beermen led by 11 points early in the third, the Patriots came to within five points but Johnson made two straight baskets while Jun Mar Fajardo finished the third with a slam for a 60-50 lead.

The Patriots once again threatened at 63-60 but an Avenido three-pointer capped San Miguel's 7-0 spurt, 70-60, with 4:35 left in the game.

AJ Johnson led the Patriots with 25 points, Miller also had seven rebounds while Al Vergara added 13 points and seven assists for the Patriots. — JVP, GMA News

Scores:

San Miguel 78—Johnson 23, Avenido 14, Thomas 14, Fernandez 8, Fajardo 6, Rizada 4, dela Pena 3, Luanzon 2, Baguion 2, Cabatu 2, Mangahas 0.

Philippine Patriots 70—Johnson 25, Miller 15, Vergara 13, Rodriguez 6, Ramos 5, Fernandez 4, Wainwright 2, Ybanez 0, Arellano 0, Juntilla 0, Larong 0.

Quarter scores: 21-17; 40-32; 60-50; 78-70.

Saturday game, January 28
(Ynares Sports Arena, Pasig City)
4 p.m. AirAsia PH Patriots vs Indonesia

Sunday game, January 29
(Thai-Japanese Association gym, Bangkok)
4 p.m. Chang Thailand vs San Miguel


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source: abs-cbnnews.com

High scorer Gary David of the Powerade Tigers is closing in on Petron Blaze’s Arwind Santos in the race for the Best Player of the Conference (BPC) plum.

According to PBA.ph, David went 5 places up in the BPC ranks due to his statistical points (SPs) following his team’s successful semifinal duel against Rain or Shine.

David is Powerade’s scoring machine, pouring in at least 30 points in 7 of their games in the playoffs.

Santos is still ahead with 36.52 SPs a game, followed by David, who went up from 6th after averaging 33.65 SPs per game.

Another Powerade player, Marcio Lassiter, is also a contender in the race.

Lassiter is now ranked 3rd with 31.48 SPs, followed by B-Meg’s James Yap with 31.38. Petron’s Alex Cabagnot slid down to 5th with 30.74 SPs.

Also in the list are Powerade’s prized rookie Jayvee Casio (24.45), Barako Bull’s Dylan Ababou (20.50) and Shopinas.com’s James Sena (20.50).

Petron’s Chris Lutz actually had an average of 29.25 SPs but wasn’t included in the list for missing 7 of their 23 games due to injury.

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source: gmanetwork.com

Powerade paid dearly when it engaged Talk 'N Text in a virtual shootout in Game One of their PBA Philippine Cup best-of-seven Finals series Friday night.

The defending champions, capitalizing on Powerade top rookie guard Jvee Casio's absence, torched the Tigers early in the game en route to a 116-110 thrashing at the jampacked Sports Tourism and Business Center of Davao del Sur Gym in Digos City.

The Tropang Texters went to their deadly backcourt of Jimmy Alapag, Jayson Castro and Ryan Reyes in burying the Tigers behind an avalanche of long-range bombs.

Playing in their first championship game in nine years, Tigers played catch-up the rest of the way as the Tropang Texters never wavered even at the height of several Powerade rallies.

"We expected this kind of game, because the best running and scoring team in the league right now is Powerade,” said Talk 'N Text coach Chot Reyes. "It just so happen (Casio) is out right now. We're not making a statement out of this win, all it gave us is a 1-0 lead."

Game Two of the title series returns to the Araneta Coliseum on Monday.

Castro led the Tropang Texters, on track of becoming the first team in 27 years to defend the All-Filipino title, with 23 points. Reyes and Jared Dillinger tallied 15 each while Alapag, Ali Peek, Larry Fonacier and Ranidel de Ocampo combined for 50 points.

"We take it one game at a time because we know this is a long series," said Castro. "We just have to continue focusing our defense on Gary (David)."

After scoring six straight 30-plus point in the post-season and 24 in the Powerade's 107-98 Game Seven win in their semis series against Rain or Shine, David was finally held down to his lowest output of 19 points obviously bothered by different defensive players thrown at him by the Tropang Texters.

With David’s offense stifled and Casio down with an injured knee, Sean Anthony took the scoring cudgels for Powerade with a game-high 23 points, including 14 in the first half.

"We just had a good job of containing Gary David tonight, but Sean Anthony had a spectacular game for Powerade," said Reyes. "So, we had to be ready in Game Two, be ready with Jvee (Casio) coming back for them."

The Tigers fell by as many as 19 but managed to trim the deficit to seven, 74-67, after David's breakaway lay up an Anthony outlet pass.

But the Tropang Texters answered back behind De Ocampo's eight-point swing highlighted by two back-breaking three-pointers that hike the lead back to 82-67, forcing Powerade coach Bo Perasol to call a timeout.

Behind the outside guns of Fonacier, Alapag, Reyes and Castro, the Tropang Texters sat on a comfortable 68-50 lead at the break.

Fonacier already had 13 points at this point on a perfect 3-of-3 from beyond the arc. He had 10 points in the second quarter alone and shot 4-of-5 from the field as he sustained the Tropang Texters' brilliant outside shooting initiated by Alapag and Reyes.

Alapag scored seven points as the defending champions started with a sizzling 14-5 run, before Reyes took over just before the first period was over, hitting nine of his 11 points from beyond the arc in steering Talk 'N Text to a 38-21 lead after 12 minutes of play.

The lead was at its biggest in the opening quarter at 33-13 on Reyes' three-pointer inside the two minute mark. — JVP, GMA News

Scores:

Talk 'N Text 116 — Castro23, Reyes15, Dillinger15, Fonacier14, De Ocampo14, Peek13, Alapag 9, Aguilar 6, Carey 4, Williams 3, Gamalinda 0, Raymundo 0.

Powerade 100 — Anthony 23, David 19, Lassiter 19, Lingganay13, Kramer12, Cruz 4, Antonio3, Vanlandingham 3, Adducul2, Crisano 2, Allera 0.

Quarter scores: 38-21, 68-52, 96-81, 116-100

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source: Waylon Galvez | mb.com.ph

The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) is trying to ask officials of FIBA-Asia to set a meeting so it can present in detail how it plans to host the FIBA-Asia Championship next year should the Philippines be chosen as site of the tournament.

The SBP’s move can be interpreted as a show of determination to host the event which observers believe may give the Smart-Gilas national basketball team a stronger chance to nail one of three berths at stake for the World Championship slated in Spain in 2014.

The SBP made the suggestion when the FIBA-Asia Central Board held a meeting in Malaysia recently which was attended by SBP executive director Renauld “Sonny” Barrios.

A FIBA official, however, declined the offer saying that they could not discuss the proposal as it was not in the agenda.

“We asked them if we can make a presentation, their answer was it’s not in the agenda,” said Barrios. “Instead, they will make a schedule of presentation meeting to allow other interested countries to also make a presentation.”

“As far as we’re concerned, we’re initiating it. FIBA-Asia will open the opportunity to all other countries interested to also make a presentation, which is to me very fair,” added Barrios, a former Commissioner of the PBA.

Barrios said that the SBP will write FIBA-Asia next week to ask when and where the presentation will be held.

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