2013 PBA Governors’ Cup Roundup: September 10, 2013

Last night’s action from the 2013 PBA Governors’ Cup opened old wounds as the Mixers and Aces tussled in the main game, while the Painters got back on the winning track with a convincing win over the Energy.

Gabe Norwood and the Painters got back on-track against
the Barako Bull Energy.

In the curtain-raiser, Rain or Shine routed Barako Bull, 120-93, as Jeff Chan finally found the bottom of the net, making 4 triples and shooting 7/8 FGs overall to finish with 20 points. The Gilas gunner was the highest-scoring local in this game, and boy did Rain or Shine need it, especially since the Painters are fighting for a twice-to-beat edge in the next round.

Like Chan, Gabe Norwood seems to have found his bearings, too. The FIBA Asia stopper netted 11 points on 5/7 FG shooting, had 3 boards, and dished out 7 assists. More importantly, though, he had ZERO turnovers in this game. If Chan and Norwood can keep up with this kind of production, then coach Yeng Guiao will have more reason to smile.

In the meantime, Emman Monfort's performance continues to slide this conference. After a rousing start, the law of averages seems to have caught up with the Pocket Rocket, who was only 1/4 from the floor tonight. He had 4 assists, but he also turned the ball over 3 times. His chief back-up, Celino Cruz, was more productive, scoring 7 points and handing out 3 dimes.

In the main game, San Mig Coffee overcame Alaska, 95-82, with coach Tim Cone's bench mob deserving much of the credit. Off-the-pine guys Allein Maliksi, Mark Barroca, and PJ Simon all delivered in spades. They combined for 44 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 assists to provide a big lift for the Mixers as most of the starters struggled to find the hole.

Alaska shot atrociously from practically everywhere in this encounter. The Aces were 3/20 from rainbow country, 63% from the line, and under 40% total from the field. The starting locals -- Sonny Thoss, Cyrus Baguio, Tony dela Cruz, and RJ Jazul -- all combined to shoot 11/37 from the floor, which is good for just under 30%. Just unacceptable shooting for coach Luigi Trillo.

The SMC-Alaska match-up just has so many emotional underpinnings. We have coach Tim against his former team. We have coach Trillo against his mentor. Former Gilas teammates JV Casio and Mark Barroca squaring off. We have crowd favorite James Yap against crowd heel Calvin Abueva. Every single time, it is memorable.

Game Scores:

RAIN OR SHINE over BARAKO BULL, 120-93

Defending champion Rain or Shine broke out of its shooting slump to pour down on Barako Bull, 120-93, on a rainy Tuesday evening at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum.

The Elasto Painters caught fire after being limited to just 76 points in their last outing, a loss to Meralco.

“We prepared really hard, we knew it was a big game,” said Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao. “I just asked the guys to look to score before this game.”

And score they did, as eight players finished with at least seven points for Rain or Shine, which improved its win-loss record to 4-3 to tie Barako Bull.

Import Arizona Reid had 34 points and 10 rebounds for Rain or Shine, while star forward Jeff Chan scored 20 points on 4-of-5 shooting from beyond the arc to finally break out of his tournament-long shooting slump.

“Jeff Chan got his bearings back on his outside shot,” said Guiao.

Rain or Shine won handily despite missing guards Paul Lee, who injured his elbow in the last game, and Chris Tiu, who is still abroad to attend to personal matters.

Seldom-used guard Jonathan Uyloan got the starting nod and finished with 12 points and six rebounds, earning compliments from Guiao.

Mike Singletary led Barako Bull with 31 points, with Danny Seigle adding 19.

ROS 120 – Reid 34, Chan 20, Uyloan 12, Rodriguez 12, Norwood 11, Arana 10, Matias 8, Cruz 7, Tang 4, Ibanes 2, Jaime 0, Belga 0, Quinahan 0.

BAR 93 – Singletary 31, Seigle 19, Macapagal 9, Jensen 7, Cruz 7, Buenafe 6, Weinstein 5, Monfort 2, Intal 2, Gonzales 2, Pena 2, Villanueva 1, Marcelo 0, Bulawan 0, Pennisi 0.

QS: 27-19, 58-40, 86-64, 120-93

Danny Seigle tries to box out ROS's Arizona Reid.

Jeff Chan finally broke out in the 2013 Govs' Cup.

SAN MIG COFFEE over ALASKA, 95-82

On a rainy Tuesday night at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum, a cup of coffee was better than a glass of milk.

Marqus Blakely finished with monster numbers to lead San Mig Coffee to a 95-82 victory over Alaska to extend the Mixers’ winning streak to three games in the Governors’ Cup.

The do-evertyhing import finished with 22 points, eight assists, and a whopping 28 rebounds in the victory.

“He told me he was gonna get 30,” said San Mig Coffee coach Tim Cone in jest, as Blakely stepped up to cover the absence of star forward Marc Pingris for the second straight game.

After trailing by five points in the opening period, the Mixers dominated the second and third quarters, outscoring the Aces, 57-36, during that span.

San Mig Coffee then went for the killer blow, opening the fourth period on a 10-2 run to push its lead to 24 points, 84-60.

The frustration set in for Alaska as coach Luigi Trillo was thrown out with 8:28 left in the game for his second technical foul, after arguing what he thought should have been traveling on San Mig Coffee guard Mark Barroca.

The Aces showed signs of life, going on a 9-1 run to cut their deficit to 15 points, 85-69. But Alaska couldn’t come any closer despite going on a fouling spree to send Blakely to the free throw line, where he shot just 8-of-22 (36.4 percent) for the game.

“We talked about the character of the team fully having to shine through,” said Cone, praising his reserves for stepping up, with Allein Maliksi (16 points), Mark Barroca (15), and Peter June Simon (13) scoring big points off the bench.

That more than made up for an off-night from superstar James Yap, who was limited to just seven points after battling foul trouble all night.

“James struggled a little bit today,” said Cone. “But other stepped up. That’s what we want our character to be about.”

Wendell McKines led Alaska with 30 points and 15 rebounds.

The Mixers swept their assignments despite missing Pingris because of suspension for two games. They’re expected to get a boost with the fiery forward’s return on Saturday against Barako Bull.

“Key now is we can’t let down with Ping coming back,” said Cone. “We’ve got to be very careful.”

SMC 95 – Blakely 22, Maliksi 16, Barroca 15, Simon 13, Yap 7, Mallari 6, Devance 6, Reavis 6, Ponferrada 2, De Ocampo 2.

ALA 82 – McKines 32, Thoss 13, Baguio 9, Espinas 8, Abueva 6, Casio 5, Dela Cruz 4, Jazul 3, Hontiveros 2, Reyes 0.

QS: 17-22, 48-41, 74-58, 95-82