OFFICIAL PBA THREAD

CARDONA ENDGAME TRIPLE WINS IT FOR TNT
Phone Pals level series as Mark has last laugh vs. other Mark
Friday, 26 January 2007


Mark Cardona made up for his shortcomings in Game 1, knocking down the biggest shot of the game Friday night to lift the Talk N Text Phone Pals to a 99-96 victory over the Barangay Ginebra Kings in Game 2 of their semifinal series at the Araneta Coliseum.

That was a well executed play. Jimmy (Alapag) didnt force a shot and Mac made the big shot just in time, said Talk N Text head coach Derrick Pumaren of their final offensive play which enabled them to tie best-of-seven series at one game apiece.

With the game tied at 96-all and time ticking away, Cardona, standing all squared up at the left corner of the court, received a pass from Jimmy Alapag and without hesitation took the shot. The ball sailed over the outstretched hand of Mark Caguioa, who attempted to contest the shot which had the ball swishing the net with 1.1 seconds left and stopping the Kings cold off their tracks.

Though stunned by that sequence, the Kings made desperate effort to force overtime after a timeout but Rudy Hatfields three-point attempt bounced off the back rim as time expired.

Medyo pagod nung Game 1, Cardona explained of his disappearance in the series opener that saw him scoring just four points. But he redeemed himself Friday night by pouring in a team-high 21 points including a 3-for-6 shooting from the 3-point range. He also had two steals, two assists and one shot block in 32 minutes.

We came out with a totally different attitude tonight. We were highly energized and we forced them to play half-court offense. We didnt allow them (Kings) to dictate the tempo like they did in Game 1, Pumaren said in explaining their victory.

The Phone Pals also got big games from Anthony Washington, Jimmy Alapag and Harvey Carey, who had 20, 16 and 15 points, respectively.

Washington, who help guard Caguioa, scattered 17 points in the first three quarters while teaming up with Yancy de Ocampo, also in double figures with 10, to help the Phone Pals stay in control.

Alapag, who accounted for just eight points in Game 1, highlighted his 34-minute job with eight assists, the last one setting up Cardona for the winning triple.

Cardonas endgame heroics spoiled spectacular performances from Caguioa and Jay-Jay Helterbrand for the second straight game.

Caguioa, who scorched the Phone Pals with 34 points in Game 1, finished with 31 on an 11-of-24 shooting from the field, making him the first local player to tally back-to-back 30-point games since Red Bulls Enrico Villanueva registered 30 points on December 8 and 12, 2004 against Talk N Text and Coca-Cola in the Philippine Cup eliminations two seasons ago.

JayJay Helterbrand, who had a career-high 16 assists in Game 1, tallied 15 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists in Game 2 to become the first Filipino to register a triple-double in a game since Willie Miller finished with 24 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists in a 106-105 Talk N Text loss against Barangay Ginebra in Game 2 of the 2004-05 Philippine Cup Finals on February 2, 2005.

Game Three of the best-of-seven series of the Talk N Text-PBA Philippine Cup is set on Sunday also at the Araneta Coliseum.

After a tied first half, the Phone Pals, starring Carey, Alapag and Cardona, opened the third quarter with a 20-5 run to break the game wide open. Alapag and Cardona ended that spurt with successive threes as the Phone Pals erected a 15-point lead.

With their advantage seemingly out of reach, Pumaren said his troops relaxed, became tentative and momentarily lost their focused when the Kings defended with the zone.

As a result, the Kings slowly made their way and got back into the game.

After Rafi Reavis, who had 16 points and 9 rebounds, sank two freebies to tie the count at 96 with 59 seconds remaining, the Kings had a chance to steal the game but Helterbrand missed a crucial fallaway shot with 23 second left.

Cardona pulled down the rebound and the Phone Pals called a timeout to plot their final offensive. When play resumed, the Phone Pals went to Alapag, who dribbled several seconds away before tossing the ball to the wide open Cardona near the left corner for the killer three.

The scores:

Talk N Text 99 Cardona 21, Washington 20, Alapag 16, Carey 15, de Ocampo Y. Taulava 9, Ritualo 8, Fran 0, Pablo 0, Belano 0.

Barangay Ginebra 96 Caguioa 31, Reavis 16, Helterbrand 15, Salvacion 11, Hatfield 10, Macapagal 3, Holper 3, Mamaril 3, Abarrientos 3, Tubid 1.

Quarterscores: 23-29, 54-54, 78-71, 99-96.
 
PAYBACK TIME FOR RED BULL
Valenzuela keys 4th quarter burst as Barakos tie series at 1-1ed the fourth quarter with a swashbuckling 24-10 run and went on to avenge their 109-114 defeat in the series opener.

"I guess we beat the best team in the league. We beat them convincingly and it should boost our confidence," said Red Bull coach Yeng Guiao.

Red Bull broke away early in the fourth then showed killers instinct, pouncing on San Miguel to the finish, handing the Beermen their worst defeat this conference.

Its also San Miguels worst setback since a 77-103 blowout by Talk N Text in Game Three of the 2005 Fiesta Conference Finals.

Personally for coach Chot Reyes, it was his worst since a 73-100 loss to San Miguel on March 18, 2004. He was still with Coca-Cola then.

"I told the boys lets get a left-over momentum. Kung pwedeng tambakan pa, tambakan namin to further boost our confidence going to Game Three," said Guiao.

The Barakos walloped the Beermen, 42-23, in the payoff period with Valenzuela tossing in 13 of his game-high 22 points and Enrico Villanueva adding six, Najorda and Pennisi five apiece and Baguio and Magnum Membrere four each.

Neither team took full control of the contest until the Barakos unleashed that jackrabbit start in the fourth canto, breezing through at the finish.

Red Bull actually started to build momentum late in the third but San Miguel closed the gap, 61-64, at the end of the quarter on an error by Baguio translated into a basket by LA Tenorio just before the buzzer sounded.

"We have no doubt that we can beat San Miguel. But in a series like this where it can be very close, we have to make our own breaks," said Guiao.

"I think we could have had a lead big enough in Game One if we didnt make bad decisions towards the end," Guiao added.

Taking a 69-61 lead at the onset of the fourth quarter, there was no stopping the Barakos this time.

"My players played better defense and were confident taking shots. Thats the big difference this time," Guiao said.

Valenzuela, Najorda and Pennisi struck from afar, Baguio from inside and out while Robinson provided so much hustle, keying their fourth-quarter breakaway.

Valenzuela had three treys in the fourth period, the last one touching off a nine-to-nothing run that opened up a 17-point bulge for the Barakos at 88-71.

The scores:

Red Bull 106 Valenzuela 22, Baguio 12, Najorda 9, Fonacier 9, Cruz 9, Villanueva 9, Pennisi 9, Robinson 7, Sharma 6, Membrere 5, Bugia 5, Alvarez 4.

San Miguel 84 Gonzales 14, Seigle 13, Tenorio 12, Hontiveros 12, Calaguio 11, Racela 9,. Espinas 4, Wilson 4, Tugade 2, Pena 2, Adducul 1, Ildefonso 0.

Quarterscores: 23-15, 40-43, 64-61, 106-84
 
SMB HANDS RED BULL WORST LOSS IN MORE THAN 4 YEARS
Beermen take a 2-1 series lead; Ildefonso and Valenzuela ejected
Sunday, 28 January 2007



Danny Seigle got away with 27 points and the vengeful San Miguel Beermen pounded on the Red Bull Barakos, 109-82, Sunday night in an emotionally-charged Game 3 of their semifinal duel in the Talk N Text PBA Philippine Cup that had the Araneta Coliseum filled up by the largest crowd this conference.

Saying Game 2 was an eye-opener, the Beermen never allowed themselves to be pushed around and eventually got the best of the Barakos in the third quarter.



With Rommel Adducul and Danny Ildefonso asserting their might on both ends of the floor, the Beermen outplayed and outscored the Barakos, 18-5, in a span of 5:34.



A steal and 12-foot jumper by Olsen Racela opened the flood gates of that telling spurt which broke a 59-all count and shoved San Miguel Beer to 77-64 advantage in the third period which they never relinquished until the final buzzer.



"I think we were intimated the last time out. So I told the players this game will show what kind of stuff we're made of. I so glad the guys didn't back down. I'm so proud with the way they responded," said Beermen head coach Chot Reyes.



"From now on, if they (Red Bull) make a stance, they can expect us to make a stance also," Reyes added.



So much emotion was displayed by both teams last night with emotions flaring up on several occasions keeping the record crowd of 17,875 up on their feet.



Ildefonso hinted early on that that he wouldn't allow himself to be bullied by trading shots with Red Bull forward Mick Pennisi which cost him a "T".



The 2000 and 2001 league MVP was eventually ejected off the floor after picking up his second technical with still eight minutes left in the game, following a literal face-off confrontation with Red Bull center Rico Villanueva.



"If that's the price we have to pay (for playing physical and aggressive) we'll take it," Reyes said. "Matira na ang matibay."



Seigle shot 8-of-16 from the field, made 11-of-13 free throws and grabbed 10 in 27 minutes as he kept the Beermen in the game in the first half.



Ildefonso tallied 16 points, Dondon Hontiveros added 12 points and Adducul 12 points and as many boards for the Beermen who lead the best-of-seven series, 2-1.



Game 4 is set for Wednesday also at the Big Dome with Reyes expecting their next game to be more emotional.



The Barakos, who clobbered the Beermen in Game 2 106-84, kept the game close in the first two quarters but fell asleep on defense in the third and the Beermen capitalized on it.



To make matters worse, Red Bull lost their offensive touch in that fateful quarter, shooting an awful 26 percent from field on a 6-of-23 shooting.



Leo Najorda scored 15 points to show the way for Red Bull which finished the game with just a 34 shooting percentage (29-of-84). Villanueva and Pennisi each finished with a double-double of 14 pts. and 11 rebounds and 11 points and 11 rebounds, respectively, the Beermen still had a huge 75-49 advantage off the boards.



SMB's hustle and aggressiveness in rebounding also earned the Beermen a 28-13 edge off the offensive boards and a 26-11 advantage in second chance points.


The loss was Red Bull's worst since a 102-68 defeat ironically also against the Beermen and also in Game 3 of the semifinals of the 2002 Commissioner's Cup.

The scores:

San Miguel Beer 109 Seigle D. 27, Ildefonso 16, Adducul 12, Hontiveros 12, Racela 11, Gonzales 10, Tenorio 8, Tugade 7, Wilson 3, Espinas 2, Calaguio 1, Pena 0.

Red Bull 82 Najorda 15, Villanueva 14, Baguio 11, Pennisi 11, Valenzuela 9, Alvarez 8, Cruz 6, Sharma 5, Fonacier 3, Membrere 0, Bugia 0, Robinson 0.

Quarterscores: 24-19, 46-48, 77-64, 109-82.
 
RITUALO SIZZLES, LIFTS TALK N TEXT TO 2-1 UPPERHAND
6 triples and 29 points for the Rain Maned flat but picked up his game in the second half, meeting the challenge of Caguioa head-on.

Both Cardona and Caguioa made 13 in the third period. Cardona, however, had the last laugh again in their shootout with the former La Salle Archer making clutch baskets in the final quarter. Caguioa, on the other hand, fired blanks in the payoff period.

It took Ginebra crucial plays by Hatfield and Helterbrand as the Kings threatened at 89-93 midway through the last canto.

Cardona hit a trey and Asi Taulava completed a three-point play, sparking a run that had the Pals breaking away for good.

Just like Game Two, Pumaren said they key was forcing Ginebra to play a half-court game.

"We really cant allow them to run. It happened tonight. One-two-three points off a quick transition attack and theyre back in the game," said Pumaren.

The unassuming Talk N Text mentor stressed the series is far from over.

"Its not the series yet. We cant let our guards down because Ginebra is capable of coming back," said Pumaren.

Taulava, Harvey Carey, Jimmy Alapag and Jay Washington also provided significant help as the Pals followed up their Game Two win.

Taulava hauled down 17 rebounds and scored 11 points, Alapag had 12 points and 10 rebounds, Carey 15 points and eight rebounds and Washington 11 points, three rebounds and one assist.

The scores:


Talk N Text 109 Ritualo 29, Cardona 18, Carey 15, Alapag 12, Washington 11, Taulava 11, Belano 5, De Ocampo 4, Fran 2, Noble 2.

Ginebra 100 Caguioa 26, Hatfield 20, Helterbrand 17, Salvacion 16, Reavis 9, Mamaril 6, Abarrientos 4, Tubid 2, Macapagal 0, Seigle 0.

Quarterscores: 30-30, 63-49, 90-83, 109-100.
 
BEERMEN TO MEET RED BULL FORCE WITH FORCE
Matira na ang matibay. SMB head coach Chot Reyes
Tuesday, 30 January 2007


Playing physical isn't exactly San Miguel's type of game. But head coach Chot Reyes wants Red Bull counterpart Yeng Guiao and the Barakos to know that his troops won't back down when push comes to shove.

The SMB mentor made his declaration Sunday evening after the Beermen clobbered the Barakos, 109-82, in Game 3 of their best-of-seven semifinal playoff to take a 2-1 series lead.

It was a redeeming victory for the Beermen who just two nights ago allowed the Barakos to take away their dignity in the form of a 106-84 blowout in the process casting doubts on their ability to endure pressure.

"We simply allowed ourselves to be intimidated," Reyes admitted. "Game 2 was an eye opener for us."

The disappointing 22-point loss was San Miguel Beers most lopsided in 19 months and Reyes worst in almost three years.

After that Game 2 defeat, Reyes said he warned his troops they don't stand a chance against the Barakos if they could not withstand the pressure of what is likely to be a highly-physical series.

"They're not dirty. They're just physical," Reyes said of Red Bull's style of play. "And they're (Red Bull) good at that."

But San Miguel is not just any other ballclub. It's a team with a great championship tradition, the 17 championships in their trophy cabinet the most in league history. On Sunday, the Beermen showed why they are the winningest team in the PBA.

Watched by conference record crowd of 17, 875, Danny Ildefonso and Romel Adducul banged bodies and traded barbs with Red Bull's big men and Olsen Racela, Dondon Hontiveros and rookie guard L.A Tenorio repeatedly drove in traffic with reckless abandon to dominate the emotionally-charged Game 3 for the go-ahead win anew in the series.

"I guess my players have shown what kind of stuff they're made of. They didn't back down when the going got tough. I'm so pleased with the way responded," proclaimed Reyes.

Ildefonso, who came away with 16 points and 10 rebounds, typified the Beermen's toughness by picking up two technical fouls which meant an automatic ejection early in the fourth quarter.

But even with the possibility of Ildefonso being suspended for Game 4 as result of those two Ts, Reyes was unfazed.
"If that's the price that we will have to pay (for being tough) we'll take it," the San Miguel coach said.

Reyes hinted the remainder of the series will no doubt be highly physical and emotional. But he said the Beermen are ready.

"We won't allow ourselves to be manhandled. From now on, when they make a stance, we will also make a stance. Matira na ang matibay," Reyes said.
 
CARDONA IS CONFERENCES FIRST 3-TIME POW WINNER
Ex-DLSU stalwart shining brightest among TNTs stars in semised flat but picked up his game in the second half starting with 13 points in the third period, meeting the challenge of his match-up with the very potent Caguioa head-on.

Cardona had the last laugh in the head-to-head, however, as the Ginebra star, thoug finishing with a team-high 27 points, could only fire blanks in the fourth canto.

"Palagi lang talaga kasi akong na-tsa-challenge kay Mark. Kasi magaling siya," said Cardona.
Humble words indeed from someone who prefers to let his hardcourt exploits speak for themselves.
 
KINGS LEVEL SERIES AS CAGUIOA EXPLODES IN 2ND HALF
The Spark breaks 30-point barrier for 3rd time in 4 games as Jay Washington came away with 21 points in the opening half to help the Phone Pals take control.

But when the Kings started to make a run, the Phone Pals couldnt locate JayWash. The sophomore forward managed only two points in the fourth and finished with 23 points to still show the way for the Phone Pals.

Harvey Carey, who finished with 21 points and 11 rebounds, tried to carry the fight for the Phone Pals but couldnt get the job done all by himself.

Renren Ritualo and Mark Cardona, who burned the Kings the last two games, were big disappointments in Game 4. The two never found their range and struggled all evening with Cardona managing 15 points but finishing with only five in the 2nd half which hardly lifted up the spirit of the team. Ritualo finished with only four points on a 1-for-11 shooting from the floor. (DBC)

BUZZER-BEATERS: It was the second time in the conference Caguioa scored 35 points in a game, the most by any player in the tourney. He also had the same output in a 116-105 Kings win over Air21 last December 3 and was matched by Sta. Lucia rookie Kelly Williams in the Realtors' 121-118 overtime win over the Express last January 12 in a wildcard playoff for the final quarterfinal berth... Hatfield's 20 rebounds tied the second most in a game in the conference which he himself recorded in their 84-79 loss to Red Bull last October 15. The conference-high for most rebounds in a game is 21 by John Ferriols, his career-high which he recorded in the Aces' 99-91 win over Sta. Lucia in a wildcard game last January 10... Helterbrand's 13 assists was the fourth straight game in the semis he finished in double figures in that category, likely the first local to do so since Ramon Fernandez, who averaged a near triple-double during the 1984 season... Caguioa, Hatfield and Helterbrand are the conference's overall leaders in scoring, rebounding and assists, respectively.

The scores:

Barangay Ginebra 110 Caguioa 35, Hatfield 18, Helterbrand 14, Reavis 13, Tubid 12, Salvacion 7, Holper 5, Mamaril 5, Macapagal 1, Seigle A. 0, Abarrientos 0.

Talk N Text 103 Washington 23, Carey 21, Taulava 17, Alapag 17, Cardona 15, Ritualo 4, de Ocampo Y. 4, Fran 2, Noble 0, Belano 0.
Quarterscores: 29-29, 48-52, 77-75, 110-103.
 
PENNISI PLAYS HERO IN RED BULL SQUEAKER OVER SMB
Barakos square series 2-2 on late three-pointer from veteran big man
Wednesday, 31 January 2007



San Miguel rookie guard LA Tenorio dished out a great all-around performance in the fourth quarter but Red Bull veteran center Mick Pennisi flicked one shot to steal the show in the end.

Pennisi banged away a three-pointer on a pick-and-roll play with Junthy Valenzuela and time down to 6.3 seconds, giving the Barakos a 109-107 squeaker over the Beermen Wednesday, forcing a second standoff after four games of their 2006-07 Talk N Text PBA Philippine Cup Final Four showdown at the Araneta Coliseum.

"I have to thank my teammates for having the confidence in me. Ive been shooting the ball pretty badly since the playoffs but they still have faith in me. They just keep on telling me to keep on shooting," said Pennisi.

Incidentally, Pennisi had gone 2-of-10 from beyond the arc when put on the spot by Valenzuela.

Pennisi, however, didnt shy away from the challenge, squaring up for the shot that swished through the net, triggering pandemonium on the Red Bull bench and
gallery.

Quickly suing for time, San Miguel went to Dondon Hontiveros. The Cebuano guard, however, failed to bail the Beermen out of trouble with his layup deflected
by Valenzuela then totally foiled by Pennisi.

Dorian Pena and Danny Seigle were trying to grab the loose ball when time expired, sealing the outcome that forced a two-game standoff between the two teams in their best-of-seven semifinal showdown.

"I dont think its about physicality. For us, its about our manhood. Pinatunayan namin ang pagkalalaki namin for winning a game using our effort and playing as hard as we can, not as an Ildefonso and an Adducul na nakikipagangasan," said Red Bull coach Yeng Guiao.

"We felt this could be the turning point of the series. This could be a good stepping stone towards building up determination again for the next game,"
Guiao added.

Larry Fonacier went 4-of-4 from beyond the arc and totaled 23 points with Valenzuela and Carlo Sharma adding 16 apiece and Leo Najorda chipping in 14.

Pennisi, as in the first three games of the series, struggled with his shooting but proved to be Red Bulls biggest hero on his game-winning trey.

For San Miguel, Tenorio turned from hero to the goat as he missed an attempt which could have won it for the team.

Before that, the rookie guard from Ateneo did practically everything from defending, hustling and shooting as San Miguel surged ahead at 107-102 from
92-96.

Tenorio made all his nine points in the fourth quarter, including two from a twisting layup off Pennisi after a steal off Najorda. With a foul to boot, Tenorio canned the charity as San Miguel took an 87-83 lead.

He later fired two three-pointers with the last one again off Pennisi, sending the San Miguel crowd to a frenzy as the Beermen raced to the 107-102 advantage
with time down to 1:48.

Alas, the Beermen went scoreless the rest of the way while the Barakos made a seven-to-nothing run, thus avoiding falling to a 1-3 deficit in the series.

"I think the way we won the game is the same way were going to win the series. Its gonna be hard," said Guiao.

The scores:

Red Bull 109 Fonacier 23, Sharma 16, Valenzuela 16, Najorda 14, Alvarez 11, Pennisi 11, Baguio 8, Cruz 7, Villanueva 3, Robinson 0.

San Miguel 107 Seigle 22, Hontiveros 17, Pena 15, Racela 10, Ildefonso 10, Tenorio 9, Calaguio 9, Wilson 6, Adducul 4, Gonzales 3, Tugade 2.

Quarterscores: 23-16, 46-52, 76-77, 109-107.
 
FRIDAY MAD SCRAMBLE FOR PIVOTAL WIN NO.3
Thursday, 01 February 2007

With momentum shifting to their side, the Red Bull Barakos and the Barangay Ginebra Kings try to seize the moment and regain control in their respective semifinal series in the 2006-07 Talk N Text PBA Philippine Cup.
Red Bull coach Yeng Guiao is certain that their astonishing victory Wednesday night has raised his troops' level of confidence. And if his gut feel serves him right, their gutsy stand in Game 4 could be the turning point of their series against the San Miguel Beermen.

"The important games of this series are not the ones you win by blowouts but by sheer determination," Guiao contends.

Mick Pennisi demonstrated Red Bull's great resolve by courageously taking and knocking in a pressure-packed, game winning three in the closing seconds to tie the series at two games apiece.

Their ability to dominate the boards also helped the Barakos in their cause. Badly beaten off the boards in Game 3, 49-75, the Barakos asserted their strength in the lane in Game 4 for a 60-50 rebounding edge.

Guiao considers that victory as "a good stepping stone to build our determination for the next game. He also maintains the series will be a long, tough grind, but insists grim determination, not physicality, will determine whoever between Red Bull and SMB will make it to the Finals.

Game 5 of the best-of-seven series is set at 4:35 p.m. at the Araneta Coliseum. The other showdown pitting the Talk N Text Phone Pals and the Barangay Ginebra Kings unfolds at 7:20 pm .

Amazed at how his charges turned the complexion of Game 4 around, Ginebra coach Jong Uichico couldn't help but feel optimistic about their chances going into Friday's game.

"If we could play with the same kind of intensity in Game 5, I think we got a good shot," Uichico said.

Mark Caguioa, who scored 35 Wednesday, remains a big headache for the Phone Pals if he gets his way.

Saying he makes it a point to raise the level of his game during playoffs, the Ginebra firebrand posed a challenge to the Phone Pals by contending that he doubts if anybody could stop him.

"I'll do whatever it takes. If I score just two points and the team wins I'll be happy. Our goal is to reach the championship," Caguioa said.
 
SAN MIGUEL BEER A WIN AWAY FROM FINALS
7 Beermen in double figures; Red Bull in 2nd worst loss in franchise history thinking about Sunday.

By all means well go for it on Sunday, proclaimed Reyes, proud and happy with the way his big men Dorian Pena, Romel Adducul and Danny Ildefonso held their own against their Red Bull counterparts.

Carlo Sharma and Leo Najorda (of Red Bull) really hurt us the last time out and really challenged my big men. Im happy with how they responded tonight, Reyes observed.

For the fifth consecutive game, Danny Seigle showed the way for the Beermen with 21 points on a 9-of-24 shooting. But it was SMBs veteran backcourt of Racela and Chris Calaguio who delivered the killer blows each time Red Bull threatened to make a run.

SMB got off to a good start and erected a 10-point lead early in the second quarter. The Barakos quickly got back into the game and a basket by Rich Alvarez, who suffered a cut in his chin after accidentally being elbowed by Adducul, put Red Bull ahead, 33-32.

That turned out to be Red Bulls finall hurrah and the last time to enjoy the drivers seat.

A 14-0 blast by the Beermen turned the complexion of the game around and Red Bull never recovered from there. Pena scored 10 points and Seigle and Calaguio had a 3-pointer each during that telling spurt.

Usually ferocious and energetic, the Barakos played flat and didnt seem to have the urgency to win.

The grit and determination they displayed when they beat the Beermen in the closing seconds of Game 4 to level the series were showcased virtually the entire game.

Overall though it was their turnovers and poor shooting that cost them the game.

Red Bull committed 18 errors, four more than SMB, which earned 21 points from those miscues. And although the Barakos gained a 22-19 edge off the offensive boards, SMB still had a 21-13 edge in second chance points.

Thats because the Barakos shot just 36 percent from the field (31-of-86) and 15-of-24 from the free throw line. In contrast, the Beermen connected 45 percent of their attempts (42-of-93) and missed just one of 16 free throws.

Cyrus Baguio scored 18 points and Junthy Valenzuela added 16 for the Barakos, who absorbed their second worst loss in franchise history, next only to a 102-68 drubbing also by the Beermen on August 28, 2002 in Game 3 of both teams best-of-five semifinal in the Commissioners Cup.

Last years Fiesta Conference Best Player of the Conference Rico Villanueva of Red Bull was held to only two points, his lowest output in the tournament and lowest since finishing with only one point in an 89-85 loss to Coca-Cola April 2 last year in the elims of the previous Philippine Cup.

The scores:

San Miguel Beer 111 Seigle D. 21, Racela 19, Gonzales 16, Calaguio 15, Pena 13, Adducul 10, Ildefonso 10, Hontiveros 3, Espinas 2, Wilson 2, Tenorio 0, Tugade 0.

Red Bull 82 Baguio 19, Valenzuela 15, Fonacier 14, Najorda 9, Alvarez 6, Cruz 5, Pennisi 5, Sharma 3, Robinson 3, Villanueva 2.
Quarterscores: 21-15, 49-41, 74-64, 111-82.
 
CAGUIOA-HELTERBRAND COMBO STRIKES, GINEBRA UP 3-2
Endgame flurry averts total collapse as Kings near Finals berth
Friday, 02 February 2007


Barangay Ginebra blew a 21-point lead and teetered on the brink of collapse but came through with clutch plays in the closing seconds to salvage a win and move into the threshold of the 2006-07 Talk N Text PBA Philippine Cup Finals.

Before another sellout crowd at the Araneta Coliseum Friday, Mark Caguioa and Jayjay Helterbrand conspired for two crucial fastbreak plays in the last 17 seconds, and the Kings pulled off a 108-105 heart-stopper over the Talk N Text Phone Pals to gain the pivotal 3-2 lead in their best-of-seven semifinal showdown.

The Kings take their first of two cracks at the title playoff Sunday also at the Big Dome.

"This is a very emotional win but the series is not yet over. If we come Sunday thinking its already over, then well be in trouble," said Ginebra coach Jong Uichico.

"Ang hirap kalaban ng Talk N Text, lalo na Sunday with their backs against the wall. Imagine, we were already leading by 21 points but they were able to seize control in the fourth quarter," Uichico added.

"Im glad we got the 3-2 lead. Its hard to win two straight games. Were not gonna relax. Well take the opportunity Sunday," said Caguioa, who had another explosive performance.

Caguioa, the league scoring leader and hot contender for the Best Player of the Conference award, erupted for 31 points, including a fastbreak layup with 17 seconds to go, giving Ginebra the lead to stay at 106-105.

Helterbrand fed Caguioa on that play. Then after Jimmy Alapag fumbled Talk N Texts possession, Helterbrand and Caguioa again conspired for another transition offense with the former this time finishing the play as the Kings all but wrapped up the game.

Talk N Texts bid eventually vanished in the air as Harvey Careys desperation three-point missed the target at the buzzer.

"Again, the boys showed their never-say-die spirit. We lost control and gotten into trouble but the players still found a way to win," said Uichico.

The Pals pushed the Kings to wall as they took a 105-102 lead with time down to 50 seconds.

The Kings, however, saw a ray of hope as Sunday Salvacion scored two charities off Renren Ritualo, then Rudy Hatfield and Rafi Reavis put up a defensive gem on Taulava in the ensuing play.

With the clock winding down, everything seemed like a blur as Caguioa and Helterbrand teamed up in back-to-back fastbreak plays to win it for Ginebra in the last 17 seconds.

Hatfield, Helterbrand and Reavis also put in huge numbers like Caguioa. Hatfield had 21 points, seven rebounds, four steals and one assist, Helterbrand 16 assists and 15 points, and Reavis 16 rebounds and eight points.

The Kings utterly dominated the first half while shooting well offensively and defending tenaciously on the other end.

Converting 56.1 percent of their shots and lording it over the boards, 26-18, the Kings erected a 61-45 lead at halftime.

Ginebra outscored Talk N Text, 21-12, on three-point shooting in the first 24 minutes with Mark Caguioa accounting for three triples, Sunday Salvacion two and Jayjay Helterbrand and Ronald Tubid one apiece.

The Kings jumped the gun on the Pals, taking control early as they set a 35-20 cushion after the first period.

The scores:

Ginebra 108 Caguioa 31, Hatfield 21, Helterbrand 15, Salvacion 10, Reavis 8, Holper 6, Mamaril 6, Tubid 5, Macapagal 4, Abarrientos 2.

Talk N Text 105 Washington 22, Taulava 21, Cardona 19, Ritualo 13, Carey 11, Alapag 11, Belano 5, De Ocampo 3, Fran 0, Pablo 0.

Quarterscores: 35-20, 61-45, 87-80, 108-105.
 
ohhh...only one game away...and theyre in i cant wait
TEAM NJ NETS​
Kidd. Carter. Jefferson. Need we say more?​
 
i want a san miguel ginebra finals :pimp:
pimp.gif

love is taking the air less travelled.
 
GINEBRA KINGS COMPLETE RETURN TO FINALS
H-Bomb fires career 2nd-best 28, Flying A new career steals leader
Sunday, 04 February 2007



With leg cramps slowing him down, Mark Caguioa was called to the bench with still 4:32 remaining. His absence though was hardly missed by the Barangay Ginebra Kings, which got a terrific effort from its reserves.
Ronald Tubid and Billy Mamaril brought life back to Barangay Ginebra when things looked lost, while Rudy Hatfield was his usual all-around, hustling self as the trio led an amazing rally by the Kings in the second half for a 98-89 victory over the Talk N Text Phone Pals in Game 6 Sunday night before a conference record crowd of 18,337 at the Araneta Coliseum.

Tubid tallied 13 points and Mamaril a reserve center added nine all coming in the second half as the Kings secured their place in the best-of-seven Finals of the Talk N Text PBA Philippine Cup.

But more than the baskets they scored, it was their energy and hustle which enabled the Kings to turn the complexion of the game that had looked well under control by the Phone Pals.

Its been a tough game. But the players just refused to give up, said a visibly overjoyed Barangay Ginebra head coach Jong Uichico after the game.

To get here (in the Finals) makes me so proud personally, he added.

The Kings, who finished the semifinal series four games to two, will face either San Miguel Beer or Red Bull in the championship series of the leagues most prestigious conference of the season.

Talk N Text had led 57-47 after a three-pointer by Mark Cardona with 8:14 left in the third quarter. Then Mamaril made his presence felt by scoring seven straight points which led to a 28-14 run, putting the Kings ahead, 75-66, at the end of the third period.

But it was Tubid, who scored the biggest blow in the third period by causing the ejection of Mark Cardona, who seemed to have kicked him on the tummy with 36 second to go in the period.

The loss of Cardona, who was averaging 15.4 points and 3.4 rebounds in the series and already had 12 markers before his ouster, hurt the Phone Pals offensively.

The Phone Pals grimly stayed in the game until midway in the fourth quarter when a three-pointer by Jay Washington, who led TNT with his 21 points, gave his team an 83-79 lead.

But the Phone Pals missed their next five attempts and the Kings scored 11 straight points to take the lead for good, 90-83, with 2:43 left. Rudy Hatfield had five points and Sunday Salvacion added six in that decisive run.

Hatfield eventually finished with a career second-best 28 points and had 12 rebounds while Caguioa still ended up with 15 points his lowest in the series despite a 6-of-17 shooting for the Kings, who will be making their 16th finals appearance overall since entering the league in 1979 and eighth in the all-Filipino tournament.

Veteran Barangay Ginebra point guard Johnny Abarrientos made it a double celebration by reaching another milestone in his career. Abbarientos, the most senior among the leagues active players at 36, finished with just three points but had one steal to overtake the legendary Ramon Fernandez (1,302) into No. 1 in the leagues all-time steals list.

The 1996 MVP recorded the milestone at the 7:46 mark of the second period when he stole the ball from Yancy de Ocampos possession following a rebound play.

The Kings are looking to regain the all-Filipino title which they won during the 2004-05 season over Talk 'N Text in a six-game Finals.

The scores:

Barangay Ginebra 98 Hatfield 28, Caguioa 15, Tubid 13, Salvacion 13, Mamaril 9, Reavis 8, Helterbrand 5, Holper 4, Abarrientos 3, Macapagal 0.

Talk N Text 89 Washington 21, Alapag 19, Cardona 12, Taulava 11, Ritualo 11, Carey 5, de Ocampo Y. 5, Belano 3, Noble 2, Fran 0.
Quarterscores: 15-21, 42-48, 71-66, 98-89.
 
RED BULL BUCKS COACHS EJECTION, FORCES SUDDEN DEATH
Cruz erupts in payoff period as Barakos draw even at 3-3
Monday, 05 February 2007


A team which thrives under severe trials and tough adversities, Red Bull once again displayed its warrior spirit while pushed to the wall Sunday night.

The Barakos lost their coach on technical fouls but not their fighting heart, squeezing out a 104-100 win over the San Miguel Beermen to force sudden death in their 2006-07 Talk N Text PBA Philippine Cup best-of-seven semifinal showdown before a spillover crowd of over 18,000 at the Araneta Coliseum.

"What comes to my mind right now is Divine Justice. The boys vindicated me. Its their warrior spirit that bailed us out," said coach Yeng Guiao, who was thrown out of the game on two technical fouls committed in an incident triggered by his collision with San Miguel shooter Dondon Hontiveros in front of the Red Bull bench late in the second quarter.

"I dont know why I was given two technical fouls. Dondon bumped into me, I protected myself, then he did a good acting job. The San Miguel bench rushed at us. So I dont understand why I was given two technical fouls," Guiao pointed out.

The Barakos wavered for a while following Guiaos exit but regained their bearing, surprising the Beermen with a lethal assault in the fourth quarter to pull
even with three games apiece.

The two teams knock each other out for the right to play Barangay Ginebra in the title playoff at 7 p.m. Wednesday.

Its still uncertain whether Guiao will be suspended for the deciding Game Seven.

"I have to give credit to my coaching staff. They have a high winning percentage so I feel they dont need me anymore," said Guiao.

The Barakos responded well on the calls of assistant coach Gie Abanilla as they fought off imminent disaster to live to fight another game.

Celino Cruz scored nine of his 19 points in the fourth quarter, including two charities with 4.1 seconds left to clinch the crucial win.

It was a highly emotional game marred by a near fracas following the Guiao-Hontiveros collision.

San Miguel assistant coach Pido Jarencio came into the picture, confronting Guiao curiously his former coach at Sarsi. Jarencio was called a technical for
that action.

The Beermen seemed to get electrified by the incident and went on to erect an 81-70 lead at the end of the third period.

They had looked headed for a breeze when the Barakos came back to life midway through the fourth quarter, launching a counterattack to turn the tide in their favor.

The Barakos pounced on a five-minute dry spell by the Beermen and surged ahead at 102-95 with time down to 1:49.

Then it was San Miguels turn to make a surprise move with Danny Seigle and LA Tenorio combining in a 5-0 binge to bring the Beermen back into the fight at 100-102 with still 27.1 ticks left.

A Red Bull error in the ensuing play gave San Miguel a chance to force overtime but Seigle missed a running jumper off Enrico Villanueva.

Cruz pulled down the rebound and sealed the win with two free throws off a foul by Hontiveros.

"Warrior talaga ang players namin, tumatapang kapag nasusugatan. Thats what sets us apart from the other teams," said Guiao.

The scores:


Red Bull 104 Cruz 19, Baguio 18, Villanueva 18, Najorda 15, Fonacier 7, Alvarez 7, Valenzuela 6, Robinson 5, Pennisi 5, Sharma 4.

San Miguel 100 Seigle 22, Tugade 16, Hontiveros 16, Ildefonso 16, Pena 10, Calaguio 6, Gonzales 5, Racela 4, Tenorio 3, Adducul 2, Wilson 0.

Quarterscores: 37-32, 50-53, 70-81, 104-100.
 
kings in the finals...sorry carlo it was a good series
TEAM NJ NETS​
Kidd. Carter. Jefferson. Need we say more?​
 
AN AMOTIONAL 10TH FINALS STINT FOR COACH JONG
Soft-spoken mentor looks forward to possibility of playing former team
Tuesday, 06 February 2007

The way he sounded during the post game interview, it was as if Jong Uichico is making his first Finals appearance.

"This is very emotional for me," the Barangay Ginebra coach told sportswriters who swarmed him Sunday night following Ginebra's 98-89 conquest of the Talk N Text Phone Pals in Game 6 of their semifinal showdown that landed Uichico and his Kings in the Finals of the PBA's centerpiece event.
Uichico was trying to hold back his tears that it seemed what he had just accomplished was the defining moment of his coaching career.

"I have my personal reason," he said but refused to elaborate.

There is a strong suspicion that the mild-mannered tactician still fells bad about being "transferred" from San Miguel to Ginebra.

Uichico, who became a full-pledged PBA coach in 1999, masterfully guided San Miguel to nine Finals appearances in 17 conferences and has won six championships.

"If I get emotional it's because you try your best to get to the championship. My first goal is to really get to the championship. Now you have a great possibility of playing your former team," said the ex-San Miguel coach.

Uichico said he is excited by the thought of playing the San Miguel Beermen in the best-of-seven titular series for the 2006-07 Talk N Text PBA Philippine Cup.

SMB and Ginebra arranged a championship showdown in this same conference in 2001 with the Beermen winning the series in six games.

"What I'm afraid of is that we might have lost so much emotion to win this series, we might not have much left for the Finals," said Uichico,

He need not worry though. The Kings have enough time to rest and reenergize while waiting for their Finals opponent. And it may not be the Beermen.

The Red Bull Barakos beat the Beermen, 104-100, in the other semifinal series Sunday to force a deciding Game 7 on Wednesday.
 
JUDGMENT WEDNESDAY FOR SMB, RED BULL
Winner to face Ginebra Friday for Finals opener
Wednesday, 07 February 2007

So a sudden death Game 7 will have to decide who will meet the Barangay Ginebra Kings for the PBA's most coveted crown.

From all indications, the final act featuring the San Miguel Beermen and the Red Bull Barakos promises to be one hell of a battle.

"As the clich goes, it's not over 'till its over," said Guiao after the Barakos stole Game 6, 104-100, with a ferocious late rally.

There's no doubt these two teams deserve to be in the championship. Too bad, only one spot is available.

After six games that featured lots of banging, pushing and trash talking, neither camp managed to end the rivalry. So they need one more game to settle it all and this one now boils to character.

Game 7 could be earthshaking.

The ugly sequence that marred Sunday's Game 6 should provide color for Wednesday's "You-or-Me" encounter scheduled at 7 p.m. at the Araneta Coliseum.

Guiao, who was tossed out late in the second quarter of Game 6 after picking two "Ts", was fined by the league P30,000 and suspended one game which he will serve after the deciding seventh game.

Guiao enraged the San Miguel bench after he apparently elbowed SMB star Dondon Hontiveros, who was headed downcourt after knocking a basket.

Shortly after, SMB assistant coach Pido Jarencio rushed near the Red Bull bench and confronted Guiao.

The incident cost Guiao two "Ts" that led to his ejection. Jarencio, who also got a "T" was fined P50,000 and likewise suspended for one game for shoving a game official who tried to pacify him at the height of the incident.

Without doubt the penalties will serve as additional motivation for Guiao and his troops.

The Beermen blew the Barakos out of the court in Games 3 and 5 but the Red Bull coach maintains the character of a team is determined by its ability to win close games the type his team survived Sunday night.

"My players bring out the warrior inside them when our backs are against the wall. So well see what happens in Game 7," Guiao said.

Stopping SMB's big men will spell a big difference in this deciding game. Dorian Pena and Danny Ildefonso can be dominating on any given night and could be very dangerous if they're not contained.

In five of six games, Danny Seigle was SMB's scoring leader although it was noticeable that he has the tendency to disappear in the fourth like he did in Games 2, 4 and 6 battles that the Beermen lost.
 
well i dont k now if this belongs here but i know alex cabognot and mark cagiwa or how ever you spell his last name!... i played ball with alex before and with mark his dad plays here in the US in some adult leagues that i play in also... sorry if this dosent belong here
TEAM TOP FLIGHT
>kRuNkz<
Go Get`Em SOn
Aim - Krunkz in motion
 
GUIAO, JARENCIO FINED, SUSPENDED
Suspensions to be served the game after Wednesdays Game 7
Wednesday, 07 February 2007

Red Bull head coach Yeng Guiao and San Miguel assistant coach Pido Jarencio paid dearly for their involvement in the fracas that marred Game 6 of the semifinal series between San Miguel and Red Bull Sunday.
It will be recalled that SMBs Dondon Hontiveros, who just converted a basket and was going back on defense, went down hard after Guiao allegedly elbowed him in front of the Red Bull bench. As a result, San Miguel assistant coaches Biboy Ravanes and Jarencio confronted Guiao and engaged the latter in a verbal tussle. In Jarencios rage, he came into physical contact with referee Mario Montiel.

Guiao was fined P30,000 while Jarencio was slapped the heavier fine of P50,000. On top of the fines, both bench strategists were also penalized by PBA commissioner Noli Eala with a one game suspension which they will serve immediately after Wednesday's deciding Game 7.

Guiao was eventually slapped with two technical fouls that led to his ejection late in the first half.

"Under normal circumstances, if a coach or player has been ejected with two "Ts" and one of those "Ts" has been considered to be flagrant misconduct during review, the offender will have to immediately serve the suspension," said PBA technical chief Perry Martinez.
"But the commissioner, taking into account the interest of the Red Bull basketball team and its fans and the importance of Wednesday's Game 7, opted to delay the serving of the suspension," he added.

The Red Bull coach, who was also fined and suspended early in the season, claimed he was just trying to protect himself from Hontiveros and brace himself for the impact.
"We carefully reviewed the tape of the game and our studied evaluation is contrary with coach Yeng's claims," Martinez said.

In the case of Jarencio, Martinez said the fine and the suspension is a reminder that the league is strict when it comes to infractions that constitute physical contact with a game official.
At height of his emotions, Jarencio shoved referee Mario Montiel, who was trying to pacify him to prevent the incident from escalating.

Martinez cited two incidents in the past which also involved Guiao and then Purefoods team manager Rene Pardo. Both were fined P50,000 with Guiao getting an additional one-game suspension.

For his part, Ravanes was fined P1,000 for the technical foul he incurred during the incident.

Meanwhile, Talk N Text guard Mark Cardona was also fined P20,000 and suspended for one game after losing his cool in their 89-98 loss in Game 6 also played last Sunday.

Cardona, a key figure in TNT's campaign in the ongoing Philippine Cup, kicked Ginebra's Ronald Tubid in the stomach after the two players got entangled during a rebound play.

He will serve his suspension when the Phone Pals plunge into the battle for third place with either San Miguel or Red Bull.

TNT teammate Donbel Belano and Tubid were likewise fined P5,000 each for being assessed flagrant fouls (penalty 1)
 
"The Red Bull coach, who was also fined and suspended early in the season, claimed he was just trying to protect himself from Hontiveros and brace himself for the impact."

that's priceless.

i'm all for physical, hard-nosed play, but red bull really has a tendency to play dirty. trying to make excuses and weasel your way out of it is just :smh:
smh.gif

loved by few. hated by many. respected by all.
 
^it's corny if there's no alaska in there. LOL

I'm an Alaska fan and Ginebra Hater! LOL
MACNOTAPPLE x STORM THE FRONT

DS Jordan 4 "Black Cat" sz9.5 FS/FT (pref. Nike Blazers or Vans). PM me​
 
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