Still fresh
from the fantastic FIBA Asia campaign of Gilas Pilipinas, Filipino hoops fans
were treated to top-tier hoops action anew as the 2013 PBA Governors’ Cup began
this past week. Ironically, the two teams with more than one Gilas player
managed to win their respective games despite resting their Gilas campaigners.
Also, Markeith Cummings ruled the hardwood for the Batang Pier, while Meralco
upended the Boosters.
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| J-Wash had a great game in his debut for GlobalPort. |
In
Wednesday’s first game, GlobalPort beat Air21, 101-94, and the big question
people are asking is this: where did Markeith Cummings come from?! And where
the hell did his folks get that first name?! Check these out, though -- 37pts,
11rebs, and 3stls on top of SEVENTY PERCENT field goal shooting. Ikaw na,
Markeith. Also, if Jay Washington can unload 15pts, 9rebs, 4asts, 3stls, and
1blk every game, then, watch out, folks. We might have another BPC candidate
right here.
In this
game, Air21 fell in love a little too much with the three-point shot, and,
sadly, the love was one-way. Zach Graham shot 1/7, KG Canaleta shot 1/8, and
the rest of theam shot 2/8 from rainbow country.
The second
game saw Rain or Shine defeat San Mig Coffee, 79-75, as Arizona Reid returned
to the PBA with a vengeance! A 20-20-10 in his first game? WOW. 28pts, 20rebs,
and, well, er, 10 turnovers. Still mighty impressive if you ask me, but perhaps
what makes this ROS win even more impressive is the FACT that Jeff Chan and
Gabe Norwood both didn't play. Coach Yeng Guiao did this on purpose despite his
team falling behind entering the fourth. Partida na yan, SMC.
Meanwhile,
James Yap shot 1/14 from the field including missing all 4 of his
three-pointers. Maybe he left his mojo in Italia?
Friday
night’s twin bill was opened by Talk N Text overcoming Barako Bull, 118-113.
Barako’s Mike Singletary dropped 41 big ones, but, man, how about TNT’s Tony
Mitchell doing even better with 48 markers!!! Plus 11rebs and 3asts to boot!!! Another
good thing for the Texters is it seems like Sean Anthony will fit really well
with them. The former Powerade Tiger and Energy Cola scored 23pts, grabbed
8rebs, and had 5stls for TNT. Maybe Kelly Williams won't be missed THAT much
after all.
The Energy
Colas just allowed too many offensive rebounds in this one. TNT hauled down
nearly half of their total rebound output from the offensive end, which
basically made up for their below-par 41% FG shooting.
To cap off
Friday night action, Meralco won over Petron, 89-83, with Reynel Hugnatan
hogging a hefty portion of the spotlight. Hugnatan may not be the freshest face
on any roster, but, man, he can still hack it. The hair-band-wearing veteran
(don't ask) shot 58% from the floor to finish with 20pts on top of 2blks. Just
cut your hair, man. Teammate Mario West wasn't exactly jump-out-of-the-arena
spectacular, but his 23pts, 11rebs, 4asts, and 3stls still filled up the
stat-sheet pretty well. He really looked like a great fir for this active
Meralco squad.
On the other
end, Elijah Millsap brought a lot of things to the table for Petron, including
6 turnovers, which was highest for the WHOLE NIGHT.
Game Recaps:
GLOBALPORT over AIR21,
101-94
Markeith
Cummings scored 37 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in his PBA debut to lead
GlobalPort to a rousing 101-94 victory over Air 21 to open the Governors’ Cup
on Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
It was the
first victory for the Batang Pier after losing their last 11 games in the
Commissioner’s Cup. GlobalPort had not won a game since a victory last February
15 over Barangay Ginebra San Miguel.
With
Cummings bringing the energy, GlobalPort took control of the game in the first
half, as the Batang Pier opened up a 47-30 lead in the second quarter.
GlobalPort
kept the Express at bay for most of the second half, before Wynne Arboleda led
a charge that cut the Batang Pier lead to just seven points, 83-76.
But rookie
swingman JP Belencion, starting in the place of resting Gilas Pilipinas star
Gary David, hit two three-pointers in an 11-2 blast to push the lead back to 16
points, 94-78. Belencion finished with 14 points on four shots from beyond the
arc.
Air 21 tried
to rally back anew, but Cummings nailed a 360-degree fastbreak dunk to put the
nail on the coffin, 100-87, with just 1:08 remaining.
Cummings,
who is in his first stint as a professional, was personally recruited by
GlobalPort coach Junel Baculi in a scouting trip to the United States.
“He’s young
and very hardworking He’s not heralded and didn’t make so much noise, but he
gets the job done,” said Baculi.
But the
import’s performance, according to the coach, will make him a marked man for
other teams.
“I’m sure,
other teams have seen him now and will prepare for him,” said Baculi, who was
also happy with the contributions of his new additions.
Jay
Washington scored 15 points in his first game with the Batang Pier after being
acquired from Petron Blaze prior to the start of the conference.
GLO 101 – Cummings 37, Washington 15,
Belencion 14, Miller 10, Lingganay 8, Mercado 8, Hayes 6, Salvador 2, Yee 1,
Buensuceso 0, Taha 0, Nabong 0, Alonzo 0.
A21 94 – Graham 31, Canaleta 19, Isip
13, Menor 9, Sharma 8, Arboleda 7, Sena 2, Custodio 2, Cortez 2, Omolon 1,
Manuel 0.
QS: 24-20, 53-42, 78-68, 101-94
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| Willie Miller and the Batang Pier start the conference 1-0. |
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| Zach Graham tries to drive past Mark Yee. |
RAIN OR SHINE over SAN MIG
COFFEE, 79-75
Arizona Reid
made a triumphant return to the PBA, leading defending champion Rain or Shine to
a thrilling 79-75 victory over San Mig Coffee on Wednesday at the Mall of Asia
Arena.
Reid
finished with 28 points and 20 rebounds in his return to the league after
winning Best Import honors two seasons ago.
Rain or
Shine was up by nine points in the third period, 50-41, when a violent
follow-up slam dunk by San Mig Coffee import Marqus Blakely woke up his team.
The Mixers ended the quarter on a 20-8 run capped by a three-pointer from
Blakely to take a 61-58 advantage.
The lead
ballooned to nine points, 69-60, before Rain or Shine came charging back behind
Reid. The Elasto Painters scored the next eight points to come within a point,
69-68.
A Beau Belga
three-pointer tied the game at 73-all.
Mark Barroca
and Chris Tiu exchanged fastbreak layups, keeping the game even at 75 with a
minute left.
Two free
throws from Paul Lee broke the game’s final deadlock, 77-75. Belga forced a
turnover on Blakely, and Lee split his free throws to give the Elasto Painters
a three-point advantage.
Blakely
missed a potential game-tying three-pointer in the ensuing possession, forcing
San Mig Coffee to foul Reid with nine seconds left. The dreadlocked import
missed both of his shots, but the Mixers were unable to collar the rebound.
James Yap was called for a foul on the play against Ronnie Matias, who made one
of two free throws to seal the deal for Rain or Shine.
Reid had
five assists for Rain or Shine but also committed 10 turnovers. Blakely posted
26 points and 20 rebounds, but missed his first 11 free throws en route to
6-of-19 shooting from the line.
Both teams
missed Gilas Pilipinas stars coming off a stint in the FIBA Asia Championship —
Jeff Chan and Gabe Norwood for Rain or Shine and Marc Pingris for San Mig
Coffee.
ROS 79 - Reid 28, Lee 12, Tiu 10, Arana
7, Matias 5, Tang 5, Belga 5, Cruz 2, Jaime 2, Rodriguez 2, Quinahan 1, Uyloan
0, Ibanes 0
SMC 75 - Blakely 26, Barroca 11,
Mallari 9, Simon 9, Yap 8, Acuna 7, Devance 3, De Ocampo 2, Gaco 0, Najorda 0,
Reavis 0
QS: 20-18, 40-35, 58-61, 79-75
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| James Yap struggled from the field. |
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| Paul Lee tries to fake off Yancy De Ocampo. |
TALK N TEXT over BARAKO
BULL, 118-113 (OT)
A decimated
Talk ‘N Text team got the load it expected from high-scoring import Tony
Mitchell, but got surprising contributions from new recruits to outlast Barako
Bull, 118-113, in overtime in the PBA Governors’ Cup on Friday at the SMART-Araneta
Coliseum.
Mitchell
finished with 48 points and 11 rebounds, continuing the explosive form he
displayed in three games in the Commissioner’s Cup semifinals.
But he got
big contributions from new Tropang Texters Sean Anthony and Jai Reyes and
mainstay Ryan Reyes as Talk ‘N Text bucked the absence of Jimmy Alapag, Ranidel
de Ocampo, Jayson Castro and Larry Fonacier, who are still resting after
suiting up for Gilas Pilipinas in the FIBA Asia Championship, and Harvey Carey,
who is in the United States for his wedding.
Anthony,
plucked by the Tropang Texters in a trade from Barako Bull prior to the start
of the conference, came through with a productive 23-point, eight-rebound
performance in his debut for the PLDT-owned franchise.
Jai Reyes,
an emergency inclusion on the squad following the absence of the team’s key
guards, contributed 11 markerpoints.
“I didn’t
really know what to expect on this game because we missed a lot of players. I
thought we really needed to play good defense to win a basketball game, but
instead, it turned out to be a shootout,” said Talk ‘N Text coach Norman Black.
“I’d like to
give credit to the remaining players who are not part of the national team who
really performed today. We definitely have a good import in Tony Mitchell, but
at the same time, we really have to support him to be able to win some games
until the Gilas guys come back.”
Talk ‘N Text
trailed most of the way, but a telling 21-0 run in the third quarter, turned
things around for the Philippine Cup champion.
TNT 118 – Mitchell 48, Anthony 23,
Reyes, R 19, Reyes 11, Al-Hussaini 8, Aban 7, Peek 2, Raymundo 0, Aquino 0,
Alvarez 0, Ferriols 0.
BAR 113 – Singletary 41, Macapagal 24,
Pennisi 13, Intal 12, Monfort 9, Marcelo 4, Seigle 4, Jensen 3, Buenafe 3,
Bulawan 0,
Weinstein 0,
Cruz 0.
QS: 26-31, 53-62, 81-80, 101-101, 118-113
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| Mick Pennisi takes a rest in the patron section. |
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| Jai Reyes is in the PBA!!! |
MERALCO over PETRON, 89-83
The Meralco
Bolts turned to intense defense in the second half to stop the Petron Blaze
Boosters, 89-83, to open their Governors’ Cup campaign on Friday at the
SMART-Araneta Coliseum.
Meralco held
Petron to just 38.8 percent shooting to rally back from a 12-point deficit to
end the first quarter.
Mario West
scored 23 points to lead the Bolts, while veteran Reynel Hugnatan, giving up
almost half a foot against Petron’s 6-foot-10 rookie center June Mar Fajardo,
added 20.
Meralco
coach Ryan Gregorio said it was about finding favorable defensive matchups
against the loaded Petron lineup.
“If the game
is played 12-on-12 we don’t stand a chance,” he said. “Good thing the game is
played five-on-five.”
John Wilson
added nine points in his debut from the Bolts apart from playing tough defense
on debuting Petron import Elijah Millsap, who scored 24 points but shot just
8-of-24 (33 percent) from the field.
Gregorio
praised West’s effort despite arriving only a day earlier and attending just
one practice with the team.
“Even if he
came in late as our standby import, he still played tremendously especially on
defense,” Gregorio said on West, who was a late choice after Meralco’s original
prospect DJ Kennedy measured above the conference’s height limit for imports.
The coach
said the team will depend on West, who is in his second tour of duty with
Meralco, to help shut down opposing reinforcements.
“He’s
definitely the best defender among imports,” said Gregorio.
MER 89 – West 23, Hugnatan 20, Ross 14,
Salvacion 13, Wilson 9, Reyes 4, Mangahas 2, Hodge 2, Guevarra 2, Vanlandingham
0, Allado 0.
PET 83 – MIllsap 24, Santos 16, Fajardo
12, Lassiter 8, Cabagnot 8, Tubid 7, Lutz 2, Lanete 2, Kramer 2, Miranda 2,
Deutchman 0, Yeo 0, Ildefonso 0.
QS: 16-28, 39-41, 66-61, 89-83
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| June Mar Fajardo challenges Reynel Hugnatan. |
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| Mario West tries to drive past Elijah Millsap. |
In other
news, what do you think of the ALLEIN MALIKSI trade?
Recap here
c/o InterAKTV’s Rey Joble:
Moments
after a trade that sent Allein Maliksi to San Mig Coffee for hardly used
players Wesley Gonzales and Chris Pacana, Alaska coach Luigi Trillo went to
Twitter to post his frustrations over what he feels was a lopsided trade.
“Best Barako
talent Maliksi for bench players Gonzales and Pacana? Are you kidding me?
Maliksi is the best player on that Barako team,” wrote Trillo on his Twitter
account.
On Friday,
the PBA approved the trade that sent Maliksi to the Coffee Mixers for Gonzales,
Pacana and a 2017 second round pick of San Mig Coffee.
The move
didn’t sit well for Trillo, whose led Alaska to the Commissioner’s Cup crown.
“Would you
trade James Yap for Bulawan and Celino Cruz? Cannot see the logic in letting a
talent like Maliksi go,” added Trillo.
Neither
Gonzales nor Pacana played in the Mixers’ game last Wednesday against Rain or
Shine.
Trillo’s
also commented on a series of lopsided trades at the expense of Barako Bull,
including one prior to the start of the season where the Mixers traded starting
point guard Josh Urbiztondo for a draft pick originally belonging to
GlobalPort. With the Batang Pier’s record, the pick is expected to be first and
second overall in the next draft.
“I love
Urbiztondo’s game, but why would Barako get Urbiztondo and miss out on a chance
to acquire a (Greg) Slaughter, (Ray) Parks or (Ian) Sangalang,” wrote Trillo.
Urbiztondo
had a pit stop with Barako Bull, but was traded to the Barangay Ginebra San
Miguel last conference.
“Am I
bitter? No I’m not just impressed at how teams find ways to strengthen their
lineups, quite shocked at Barako’s trades. Sad,” added Trillo.
Source: Unless otherwise specified, game
recaps were compressed and compiled from InterAKTV. (Writing credit to Rey
Joble)
Images: Images are from InterAKTV. (Photo credit
to Paolo Papa and Paul Ryan Tan)
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