2013 PBA Governors’ Cup Roundup: August 28, 2013

The Petron Blaze Boosters and Alaska Aces were dominant as they notched separate wins in yesterday’s 2013 PBA Governors’ Cup action at the Mall of Asia Arena (sporting the hardwood flooring of the PhilSports Arena/Ultra) in Pasay City.

In the curtain-raiser, Petron Blaze beat Air21, 112-86, thanks to June Mar Fajardo showing some flashes of brilliance. Against the Express, Fajardo dropped 17 points, 9 rebounds, 3 blocks, and 2 steals. Oh, and did I mention he went 7/7 from the field? Man, if this guy can produce at this rate on a consistent basis, then we may have found the, potentially, most dominant BIG man since Asi Taulava.

June Mar Fajardo fights for the rebound against
three Air21 Express players.

Another guy who stepped up for coach Gee Abanilla was Marcio Lassiter. After a forgettable outing in Petron's last game, Lassiter returned to relevancy by hitting three triples on his way to 13 points on top of 5 assists and 1 steal. Should he produce these numbers consistently for the Boosters, then they should remain in the top half of the standings with little difficulty.

As for the Express, we all now know why they just had to get underutilized off-guard Joseph Yeo, right? I mean, what else can coach Franz Pumaren do when his starter, Ogie Menor, produces 0 points, 2 rebounds, and 1 assist in 14 minutes? I love how BonBon Custodio scored 6 markers on 3/3 FG shooting, but I don't think expecting that from him every game is realistic.

In the main game, Alaska defeated Rain or Shine, 94-79, as JV Casio made short work of ROS's backcourt. He was running rings around everyone, hitting open teammates, and canning long toms on his way to 21 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block. He also made good on three treys and went 6/6 from the free throw line. Not bad for a guy left out of the Gilas pool, right? Is he in consideration for Spain? Hey, if he can drop this kind of game consistently, then I don't see why not.

As for the Painters, their shooting woes continued here. Jeff Chan finally broke through the double-digit barrier, but he went 0/7 from rainbow country. The rest of his teammates, meanwhile, combined for 3/17 3-pt shooting, too. Suffice to say, this is just not the kind of shooting that will win games for a team that prides itself on playing with a free-flowing style of hoops. Coach Yeng Guiao is probably pulling his hair… oh, wait.

In the meantime, a lot has been written about the possibility that Calvin Abueva might be the first ROY-MVP since Benjie Paras. Well, this is no knock on Abueva, but shooting 1/5 from the field and making just 4 points won't cut it. I loved all thirteen of his rebounds, but that was easily offset by having just 1 assist and 3 turnovers. I think he's pretty much the runaway ROY winner, unless Fajardo can average a double-double this conference and lead Petron to the title, but as for the MVP convo, Abueva still has a ways to go.

Game Recaps:

PETRON BLAZE over AIR21, 112-86

The Petron Blaze Boosters made quick work of the Air 21 Express, 112-86, on Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

It was the third straight victory for the Boosters after opening the Governors’ Cup with a loss.

“We’re very happy about this win,” said Petron coach Gee Abanilla. “It just means that we have a chance to be in the upper bracket of the standings.”

Import Elijah Millsap continued to display steady form for the Boosters, finishing with 27 points and 12 rebounds.

“Elijah Millsap played really well. He’s like a silent workhorse for us,” said Abanilla.

“We can depend on him on defense and on offense. He also provides a lot of leadership.”

Petron was never threatened after taking a 49-38 halftime lead, as the Boosters had their way with the porous Air 21 defense. Eight players scored at least eight points for Petron, who led by as much as 33 points, 112-79, late in the match.

The Boosters held prolific Air 21 import Zach Graham to just 19 points on 7-of-20 (35 percent) shooting.

Abanilla said the victory sets Petron up well for a grueling stretch.

“We have three games in about seven days. We’ve got San Mig Coffee next,” said Abanilla.

PET 112 – Millsap 27, Fajardo 17, Lassiter 13, Cabagnot 13, Santos 12, Lutz 10, Yeo 9, Lanete 8, Miranda 3, Deutchman 0, Kramer 0, Tubid 0.

A21 86 – Graham 19, Canaleta 16, Omolon 10, Cortez 8, Manuel 6, Custodio 6, Sharma 6, Arboleda 5, Ritualo 4, Atkins 2, Sena 2, Isip 2, Menor 0.

QS: 24-22, 49-38, 82-60, 112-86

KG Canaleta outscored rival Arwind Santos, but his
team came up way short of the win.

Marcio Lassiter stepped up big time for the Boosters.

ALASKA over RAIN OR SHINE, 94-79

Import Wendell McKines flexed his muscles in the paint for 30 points and 13 rebounds as the Alaska Aces fashioned out a 94-79 victory over the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters on Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Jvee Casio added 21 points for the Aces, who built a 12-point halftime lead before cruising to its first win in the Governors’ Cup.

“We didn’t expect Rain or Shine to be like this,” said Alaska coach Luigi Trillo, whose wards only allowed the Elasto Painters to score more than 20 points in a quarter — 27 in the third — only once all game.

Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao was thrown out of the game for his second technical foul at the 2:11 mark of the final quarter. After an offensive foul called on Alaska center Sonny Thoss, Guiao shouted at the referees, “Ngayon ka pa tumawag, ulul!”

The Elasto Painters, who played without star guard Paul Lee, lost its second straight game to see its win-loss record fall to 2-2.

Trillo was happy about a better effort from his squad after losing its opening assignment to GlobalPort last Friday.

“Kulang sa tension yung sa first game,” he said. “Tonight I thought they had a little more fire in their eyes.”

Despite his import’s production, Trillo noted that McKines is still far from ideal form.

“Wendell’s still not in great shape,” said Trillo, noting that he had to call timeout several times to give McKines, who played 39 minutes, a breather.

Coming off a title run in the Commissioner’s Cup, Trillo expects that a target will be on the Aces’ backs for the rest of the tournament.

“We know what we’re up against,” he said. “I’m just happy that we’re back in the win column.”

ALA 94 – McKines 30, Casio 21, Baguio 12, Jazul 10, Espinas 7, Thoss 5, Hontiveros 5, Abueva 4, Ramos 0, Reyes 0, Belasco 0.

ROS 79 – Reid 22, Tiu 10, Chan 10, Norwood 7, Quinahan 7, Tang 5, Ibanes 5, Matias 4, Belga 3, Cruz 2, Rodriguez 2, Arana 2, Uyloan 0, Jaime 0.

QS: 22-16, 46-34, 70-61, 94-79