Petron, Rain or Shine, and Meralco all successfully
booked their places in the 2013 PBA Governors’ Cup Semifinals, with Alaska and San
Mig Coffee the only ones left to dispute the last spot.
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| JV Casio shot really well in Alaska's big quarterfinal win. |
In the Wednesday opener, Meralco beat Barako Bull,
86-68, as Reynel Hugnatan stepped up once again, registering 18 points and 12
rebounds. Hugnatan shot 9/15 from the field and added 2 blocks plus 1 steal to
his stat-line, and now he has a chance to do something similar in the
semifinals. The thing is, he still has some waiting to do because the Alaska
Aces forced the San Mig Coffee Mixers to a do-or-die match tonight.
Three of Barako's starters -- JC Intal, Mark
Macapagal, and Mick Pennisi combined for a grand total of 6 points and 4
rebounds. At this level, that production just won't cut it. In the process, the
Energy wasted the 4 triples and 23 points of Ronjay Buenafe. And now? Rajko
Toroman and his crew have a long vacation to think about their future.
Mario West has been up-and-down a little bit this
conference, but at least he was able to lead Meralco into the Govs' Cup version
of the Final Four. West has averaged 28.0ppg, 8.0rpg, and 1.8spg so far while
also shooting 31% from beyond the arc. Needless to say, coach Ryan Gregorio
would need him to consistently unload that kind of production if the Bolts are
to push right through to the Finals.
In the second game, Alaska defeated San Mig Coffee,
112-105, as JV Casio played like the kind of top-tier point guard he has the
potential to be, dropping 21 points plus 7 assists, 4 rebounds, and 3 steals.
He effectively backstopped Wendell McKines, who scored 38 points and grabbed 15
boards. Casio won his match-up against former Gilas teammate Mark Barroca, who
scored just 6 markers.
Aside from Casio, other locals who came up big for
Alaska were Sonny Thoss and Cyrus Baguio. Thoss had 17 points, 7 rebounds, and
4 assists, while Baguio ended up with 17 markers, 4 boards, and 2 dimes.
McKines is a superb import, but there is no way he can spearhead Alaska by
himself.
The three is one of the main weapons of San Mig
Coffee, but when the Mixers connect on only 3 of their 19 treys, it shouldn't
come as a surprise that they end up losing. Marqus Blakely, James Yap, Joe
Devance, and Allein Maliksi all combined for 13 of SMC's 16 misses from rainbow
country.
In last night’s curtain-raiser, Rain or Shine rallied
past GlobalPort, 108-106. The Painters stepped up big time when they needed to,
and now they're back in the Govs' Cup semifinals. Arizona Reid led 5 Painters
in who finished in double-figures, scoring 25 points on top of 8 rebounds, and
4 assists. Ryan Arana also did well, scoring 12 of his 16 markers in the payoff
period as Rain or Shine stayed alive in its bid to defend the Govs' Cup title.
The percentages just caught up with GlobalPort here,
and, well, they didn't exactly do a terrific job of taking care of the
basketball. The Batang Pier turned it over 15 times while forcing just 6 TOs
from ROS. Now Sol Mercado, Jay Washington, Gary David, and the rest of
GlobalPort can ponder on their short-lived playoff experience before the start
of the next season.
Just think about this for a minute -- the Rain or
Shine Elasto-Painters are in the semifinals despite their biggest guns -- Jeff
Chan and Gabe Norwood -- still playing a little below what we're used to. They
will be tested against Petron Blaze, of course, and if the Painters want to
continue their advance, both Norwood and Chan need to unleash their true capabilities.
In the nightcap, Petron Blaze overcame Ginebra,
101-94. Yes, Elijah Millsap wants to win the big one. Millsap may not have
scored as much as his Ginebra counterpart, Dior Lowhorn, but wow, a
triple-double isn't anything to scoff at. Millsap registered 22 points, 11
rebounds, 12 assists, and 3 steals for the Boosters, who have now set a semis
date with defending champion Rain or Shine.
Mark Caguioa slipping, sliding, and almost doing a
split on the MOA Arena floor. Sad to see a star like him go down like that.
Insert sad face. Oh, and where did Chris Ellis's great play from their last
game disappear to?
Finally, the depth of Petron is in full showing and
it sure looks like they can run through any opponent on their way to the Govs
Cup. The tandem of June Mar Fajardo and Arwind Santos has been rock-solid in
the paint, Alex Cabagnot and Marcio Lassiter have been effective from the
outside, and, well, Millsap has been the perfect complement. Barring any
injuries, this conference is Petron's to lose.
Game Recaps:
MERALCO over
BARAKO BULL, 86-68
The Meralco Bolts put together a fine defensive
effort to shackle Barako Bull, 86-68, on Wednesday at the SMART-Araneta
Coliseum to advance to the semifinals of the Governors’ Cup.
The win gives the Bolts their first final four
appearance in franchise history, and they leaned on one thing that has carried
them all tournament long: defense.
Meralco allowed Barako Bull to shoot just 27.8
percent from the field while holding prolific import Mike Singletary to just
nine points. Singletary came into the game leading all players in scoring
during the tournament, averaging almost 36 points per game.
“It made our game easier,” said Meralco coach Ryan
Gregorio. “Whatever stops we made, we just ran them to the ground.”
Once again, Gregorio credited Bolts coaching
consultant Jong Uichico, who is in charge of drawing up the team’s defensive
gameplan.
“Coach Jong has done a tremendous job preparing us
defensively,” said Gregorio.
Mario West finished with 25 points to lead Meralco.
“His total package is just beyond description,” said
Gregorio of West, who returned to the team at the last minute prior to the
conference after the Bolts’ first choice, DJ Kennedy, was measured to be too
tall.
“For a guy who was not really supposed to be here,
it’s a testament to how things happen for a reason.”
Meralco, which also drew 18 points and 12 rebounds
from veteran big man Reynel Hugnatan, will face the winner of the San Mig
Coffee-Alaska quarterfinals matchup in a best-of-five series.
“We’re happy that we’re here,” said Gregorio, “but
the task is not yet over.”
MER 86 – West 25, Hugnatan 18, Cardona 12, Hodge 10, Wilson
8, Cortez 6, Salvacion 3, Ross 2, Dillinger 2, Sena 0, Timberlake 0, Reyes 0.
BAR 68 – Buenafe 23, Jensen 10, Singletary 9, Seigle 9,
Weinstein 5, Marcelo 2, Intal 2, Macapagal 2, Cruz 2, Villanueva 2, Pennisi 2,
Pena 0.
QS: 21-15, 44-27, 67-53, 86-68
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| Mario West came up big for Meralco. |
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| Mac Cardona dropped a dozen on Barako Bull. |
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| Danny Seigle has something to say to the official. |
ALASKA over
SAN MIG COFFEE, 112-105
The Alaska Aces clamped down on the San Mig Coffee
Mixers in the fourth quarter to carve out a 112-105 victory in the Governors’
Cup quarterfinals on Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
With the win, Alaska forced a do-or-die match on
Friday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
“We can’t be satisfied now. We can’t celebrate,” said
Alaska coach Luigi Trillo. “(San Mig Coffee) coach Tim (Cone) is the master
when it comes to adjustments.”
Alaska import Wendell McKines had 38 points, 13
rebounds, and five assists to lead the Aces, who clawed back from a 12-point
deficit in the final period.
JVee Casio and Cyrus Baguio sparked the Alaska
comeback, combining for 17 points to outscore the whole San Mig Coffee team in
the fourth quarter. The Mixers managed just 16 points in the final period after
sizzling for 37 and 31 in the second and third quarters.
“I was glad with the way we stepped it up
defensively,” said Trillo.
Casio finished with 21 points and seven assists,
Baguio had 17 points, while Sonny Thoss posted 17 points and seven rebounds.
Import Marqus Blakely had 27 points, 12 rebounds, and
seven assists for San Mig Coffee, but had another poor performance from the
free throw line. He made just nine of 22 shots from the stripe for a miserable
40.9 percent clip.
“He’s a beast, but he’s still got to prove that he
can make his free throws,” said Trillo.
Alaska is taking inspiration from the Mixers’ past
history failing to advance to the semifinals despite enjoying twice-to-beat
advantage. They fell in the 2011-12 Philippine Cup after losing twice to the
Powerade Tigers in the quarterfinals.
“They have been beaten before,” said Trillo.
ALA 112 – McKines 38, Casio 21, Thoss 17, Baguio 17, Espinas
7, Abueva 5, Dela Cruz 4, Jazul 3, Hontiveros 0.
SMC 105 – Blakely 27, Simon 15, Reavis 12, Yap 11, Pingris
11, Devance 10, Maliksi 8, Barroca 6, Mallari 5.
QS: 30-21,
59-58, 81-89, 112-105
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| Wendell McKines slams one home! |
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| Marqus Blakely runs into turbulence under the basket. |
RAIN OR
SHINE over GLOBALPORT, 108-106
Defending champion Rain or Shine became the second
team in the Governors’ Cup semifinals, but flirted with disaster first before
winning over GlobalPort, 108-106, on Thursday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The Elasto Painters fell behind by as much as 12
points in the third period, before import Arizona Reid rallied Rain or Shine
back.
Lefty guard Ryan Arana then took over in the fourth
quarter, scoring 12 of his 16 points to help Rain or Shine return to the PBA
final four.
“The memory of the last conference was still fresh in
our minds,” said Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao, who admitted his team felt a
little pressure after losing twice to lower-seeded Ginebra in the quarterfinals
of the Commissioner’s Cup.”
The Batang Pier remained within striking distance
down the stretch, trailing by just a single point before Gabe Norwood hit an
insurance three-pointer with 17.8 seconds left to ice the win.
“The important thing is we made some big shots,” said
Guiao. “Ryan made a big shot, Gabe made the biggest shot, I think.”
GlobalPort was handicapped to end the game, playing
without coach Junel Baculi who was ejected after picking up his second
technical foul early in the fourth quarter.
The Batang Pier lost Junel Baculi early in the fourth
period after picking up his second technical foul. He already incurred his
first one inside the six-minute mark of the second period.
“Coach Junel getting thrown out, its like deja vu.
Parang nakikita ko sarili ko nung na-thrown out siya,” said Guiao, who is known
for his fiery demeanor on the sidelines. “That’s a really big break for us.”
The win sets up a best-of-five series between Rain or
Shine and the victor of the quarterfinals matchup of Petron Blaze versus
Ginebra.
“Whoever wins the Petron-Ginebra game, gusto ko lang
tumagal series nila kahit sino manalo kahit three to four overtimes kada game,”
said Guiao in jest.
ROS 108 – Reid 25, Arana 16, Lee 14, Cruz 12, Tiu 10, Norwood
9, Belga 7, Quinahan 7, Chan 6, Rodriguez 2, Uyloan 0, Matias 0, Tang 0, Ibanes
0.
GLO 106 – Cummings 29, Mercado 22, Washington 18, David 18,
Nabong 5, Taha 4, Lingganay 4, Salvador 4, Miller 2, Belencion 0, Alonzo 0.
QS: 23-34,
49-53, 77-78, 108-106
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| Paul Lee strokes it from deep. |
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| Kelly Nabong grabs the rebound. |
PETRON
BLAZE over GINEBRA, 101-94
Petron Blaze had to turn back a spirited Barangay
Ginebra San Miguel squad before coming away with a 101-94 victory in the
Governors’ Cup quarterfinals on Thursday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
With the win, the Boosters booked a best-of-five
semifinals date with the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters.
“Our immediate goal right now is accomplished. Now,
we are aiming for something higher,” said Petron coach Gee Abanilla.
But that only came after a big scare from the
never-say-die Gin Kings, who whittled down a 25-point Petron lead all the way
to one before falling short in the end.
“I think we just got lucky because we were playing a
very tired Ginebra team,” said Abanilla. Ginebra was playing its fourth game in
six days after figuring in a knockout match for the final playoff seat with
Talk ‘N Text two days ago.
Petron was comfortably ahead, 74-49, in the third
quarter before Ginebra unleashed a 15-0 run capped by a three-pointer by LA
Tenorio.
The Boosters struck back, pushing their lead back to
14 points heading into the fourth quarter, 83-69. But Ginebra, which lost top
local scorer Mark Caguioa to a knee injury in the second quarter, kept coming
back.
The Gin Kings opened the final period with a 19-6 run
to cut the lead to a single point, 89-88.
But after the teams exchanged baskets, Petron
unleashed a final 9-0 run that served as the knockout punch to finally kick
Ginebra out of the playoffs.
Import Elijah Millsap finished with a triple-double
for the second straight game with 22 points, 11 rebounds, and 12 assists for
Petron, which had seven players scoring at least eight points.
Rookie center June Mar Fajardo was dominant down low,
making nine of his 10 shots from the field to finish with 20 points and eight
rebounds before fouling out with 3:11 left in the game. Arwind Santos added 17
points and 11 rebounds for the Boosters, who won their ninth consecutive game.
Ginebra import Dior Lowhorn had 31 points and 13
rebounds to carry his team, while LA Tenorio went down fighting with 20 points,
six rebounds, and four assists. Josh Urbiztondo, who helped spark Ginebra’s
comeback with four three-pointers, had 14 points and five assists.
The win sets up a duel between the top-seeded
Boosters against the defending champion Elasto Painters. Abanilla, who was
appointed coach of Petron prior to the tournament, was a longtime assistant to
Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao, giving way to an interesting matchup between
the two tacticians.
“I learned a lot from Coach Yeng,” said Abanilla, who
praised Guiao’s skills as a leader. “I really appreciate that, I really admire
that.”
PET 101 – Millsap 22, Fajardo 20, Santos 17, Cabagnot 12,
Lassiter 11, Lanete 8, Kramer 8, Lutz 3, Tubid 0, Ildefonso 0.
GIN 94 – Lowhorn 31, Tenorio 20, Urbiztondo 14, Baracael 11,
Helterbrand 6, Mamaril 4, Caguioa 4, Ellis 2, Maierhofer 2, Ababou 0, Wilson 0,
Raymundo 0.
QS: 24-25,
58-42, 83-69, 101-94
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| LA Tenorio gets past Ronald Tubid. |
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| Marcio Lassiter tries to go around Mark Caguioa. |
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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