The 2013 PBA
Commish Cup Semifinals cast is nearly complete with three teams already
advancing after the first whirlwind weekend of the Playoffs went underway.
Alaska wasted no time in disposing of Air21 to be the first team to advance, the
Texters swept the Boosters in their best-of-three, and the Gin Kings defeated
the Painters twice in a row to book their seats in the Final Four. The fourth
and last semis slot is still being contested between the Meralco Bolts and the
San Mig Coffee Mixers.
 |
| Alfrancis Chua and the Kings move on to the Commish Cup Final Four. |
Last Friday,
Meralco beat San Mig Coffee, 88-85, to take a 1-0 lead in their series. The
Mixers tried to stop Eric Dawson, but they failed in the end. He didn't score
50 points this time around, but, hey, 25 ain't too shabby, right? One win away
from a semis stint. One win away from dethroning last year's Commish Cup
champs. One win away from thoroughly proving he's the best import around.
Mac Cardona
was not on fire tonight, but Ronjay Buenafe and Sunday Salvacion both stepped
in and stepped up. That duo combined for 26 points, including 6-of-12 shooting
from rainbow country, to help the Bolts get one step closer to the Commish Cup
Semis.
In the
second game, Talk N Text defeated Petron, 100-93, for their own 1-0 lead. Though he battled with foul trouble all
night, I love how RaniDIRK De Ocampo came up big again for the Texters. RDO
shot 9-of-12 from the field in a scintillating shooting display, enabling him
to finish with 22 points. The Gilas Pilipinas helped spread the floor with a
variety of moves and outside shots. Man, if he were only 3 inches taller, he
might just be in the NBA already. MIGHT.
Petron and
TNT are certainly two of the deepest teams in the league, but only one team
really showed it tonight, with the Texters' bench mob, led by Rabeh Al-Hussaini
and Ali Peek, sparking a key fourth quarter run that all but put the coach
Norman Black just one win away from advancing to the Commish Cup Final Four.
Al-Hussaini and Peek paired up for 19 points and 11 rebounds.
A day after,
Alaska overcame Air21, 87-81, to be the first club to advance to the semis. This
was a game dominated by former national team playmaker JV Casio. I mean, wow.
The diminutive Casio hit 4 triples on his way to 19 points on top of 5 assists
as the Aces were the first to move into the semifinals.
The Aces’ Rob
Dozier may not have the scoring chops of Eric Dawson, but one can argue he fits
like a glove in Alaska and is the biggest reason they areare on top of the PBA
right now. Dozier continued to impress here, scoring just 17 points, but
grabbing 22 rebounds and blocking 4 shots. He also limited Air21 import Mike
Dunigan to just 13 points in 46 minutes.
In Saturday’s
main game, Bgy. Ginebra forced a rubber match after winning over Rain or Shine,
90-83. The big-small combo of Vernon Macklin and LA Tenorio was wonderful in
this one. V-Mack dropped 21 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, and 1
block, while Tenorio registered 19 markers, 7 boards, 3 assists, and 2 thefts.
Jayjay
Helterband wowed everyone with a performance reminiscent of his Fast &
Furious days with Mark Caguioa. Helterbrand scored all 13 points in the fourth
quarter to rally the Kings and help force a rubber match against the
second-seeded Painters.
During
Sunday’s curtain-raiser, Talk N Text swept Petron, 96-88, to barge into the
semis. The Gilas boys came to play tonight. Ranidel De Ocampo, Jayson Castro,
Ryan Reyes, and Jimmy Alapag -- all members of the Gilas PIlipinas National
Pool -- combined for 59 points to lead the Texters into the semifinal round!
On the other
end of the floor, Alex Cabagnot and Jay Wasington, historically two of Petron's
top guns, were silent again tonight. Both paired up for 6 points in 41 minutes
of action. Perhaps even more intriguing, however, was Washington commenting
post-game that he doesn't know what the future holds. #TradeTalks?
In the
Sunday closer, San Mig Coffee muffed Meralco, 100-92, to force a game
three. This time, it was Denzel Bowles
who shone brightest. He scored 35 points, grabbed 14 rebounds, blocked 3 shots,
and stole the ball twice. Looks like he has no plans of relinquishing the Best
Import plum that easily.
Also, Tim
Cone's much maligned faith in the inconsistent Alex Mallari was rewarded
tonight. The rookie playmaker dropped 16 points, grabbed 7 rebounds and had 2
steals in what might be his best showing in the conference.
In yesterday’s
do-or-die Monday match-up, Bgy. Ginebra frustrated Rain or Shine, 81-79. Vernon
Macklin was the unquestionable main driving force in this big win. He unloaded
24 points on 11-of-19 FG shooting along with 16 rebounds and 6 assists. He also
made the big plays down the stretch, including a huge block on Jeff Chan and
the marginal free throws, to prop the Kings up in the semifinals.
For Rain or
Shine, Bruno Sundov was rattled by foul trouble, and, once again, his
production took a big hit. The Croatian big man finished with just 12 points
and 6 boards in 26 minutes of play as his Painters were booted despite having
the twice-to-beat edge.
Game Recaps:
MERALCO BOLTS over SAN MIG
COFFEE, 88-85
The Meralco
Bolts survived a monster performance from Denzel Bowles, clamping down on the
rest of the San Mig Coffee Mixers to pull out a thrilling 88-85 victory in
their best-of-three Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals series Friday at the
SMART-Araneta Coliseum.
Bowles, the
tournament’s reigning Best Import, exploded for 37 points. But only one other
player, Alex Mallari who had 12 points, scored in double figures for the
defending champions.
“The
challenge against San Mig Coffee is to make them bleed for their baskets, and
that’s what we did,” said Meralco coach Ryan Gregorio, whose Bolts are still
trying to book their first PBA final four appearance in franchise history.
The win put
Meralco one step closer to advancing, but Gregorio cautioned against
overconfidence.
“There’s no
reason for us to celebrate,” said Gregorio, who noted that his team had been in
a similar situation before. The two squads also faced off last year in the
quarterfinals of the Commissioner’s Cup, with the Bolts also taking Game One
behind import Earl Barron.
But led by
Bowles, the team then known as the B-MEG Llamados rallied to win the next two
games of the series to advance to the semifinals and before eventually going
all the way to the title.
Meralco got
another fine performance from import Eric Dawson, who shook off a knee injury
to finish with 25 points, including several crucial free throws late in the
game, and 18 rebounds.
“He’s so
used to playing in playoff situations,” said Gregorio. “We’re just climbing on
his back.”
Ronjay
Buenafe and Sunday Salvacion added 13 points apiece from the Bolts, who had the
chance to close out the series on Sunday at the same venue.
MER 88 – Dawson 25, Buenafe 13,
Salvacion 13, Manuel 8, Cardona 8, Ross 7, Hugnatan 6, Hodge 4, Reyes 3, Artadi
1.
SMC 85 – Bowles 37, Mallari 12, Simon
9, Yap 8, Pingris 7, Barroca 6, Devance 6, Gaco 0, Najorda 0, Reavis 0, De
Ocampo 0.
QS: 16-26, 47-43, 70-66, 88-85
 |
| The Bolts had a big win in Game 1 against San Mig Coffee. |
TALK N TEXT over PETRON,
100-93
With import
Jerome Jordan and top scorer Ranidel De Ocampo in foul trouble, Talk ‘N Text
looked like it was in trouble.
Instead, the
Tropang Texters’ reserve big men stepped up, keying a fourth quarter run to
help put away the Petron Blaze Boosters, 100-93, in the opener of their
best-of-three Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals series Friday at the
SMART-Araneta Coliseum.
Rabeh
Al-Hussaini scored all eight of his points in a 17-7 run to open the fourth
quarter for Talk ‘N Text. That turned a tight 72-69 game into a comfortable
89-76 advantage.
Al-Hussaini
and Ali Peek, who had 11 points, combined to anchor the Tropang Texters for
long stretches in the second half.
“Those guys
stepped up for us defensively and also supplied some points for us,” said Talk
‘N Text coach Norman Black.
Petron made
a final run, cutting the lead to just five points, 95-90, with just a minute
left in the game. But the Tropang Texters held on in the clutch to move just
one game away from booking their semifinals ticket.
But Black
was not exactly happy with his team’s performance.
“We got
killed on the boards again,” said Black, who saw seven players score at least
eight points for Talk ‘N Text. De Ocampo had 18 of his 22 points in the first
half, while Ryan Reyes added 16.
The coach
called out Jordan, who had a quiet evening with just 11 points and five
rebounds.
“Jerome
Jordan’s got to play a lot better,” said Black, whose team has a chance to
close out the series on Sunday.
TNT 100 - De Ocampo 22, Reyes 16,
Fonacier 14, Jordan 11, Castrro 11, Peek 11, Al-Hussaini 8, Alapag 3, Dillinger
2, Carey 2, Aban 0.
PET 93 - Sims 22, Lassiter 17, Fajardo
13, Tubid 11, Miranda 9, Santos 8, Cabagnot 7, Washington 4, Lutz 2, Pena 0.
QS: 21-19, 41-41, 72-69, 100-93
 |
| Rabeh Al-Hussaini came up big against Petron. |
ALASKA ACES over AIR21,
87-81
The Alaska Aces
cruised to its second straight semifinals stint of the season, but not before
having to survive a big Air 21 uprising and score an 87-81 triumph in the PBA
Commissioner’s Cup on Saturday night at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
JVee Casio
finished with 19 points to lead four other Alaska players in double figures.
Robert
Dozier contributed 17 points and a game-high 22 rebounds and four blocks,
Calvin Abueva added 14 markers, while Sonny Thoss and Cyrus Baguio each had `12
for the Aces, who will march to yet another semifinals stint, the second
straight under young coach Luigi Trillo.
But Trillo
and the Aces squandered a 19-point lead early in the third period, 48-29, and
allowed the Express to make a game out of it.
“I thought
we had a good first half. We seemed sharp. It’s good to see the players
healthy,” said Trillo. “But I’m not surprised Air21 is in the quarterfinals.
Once KG (Canaleta) gets started, Air 21 is capable of beating any team.”
Canaleta
scored nine of his 16 markers in the third period when the Express mounted a
rally. By the end of the third, the lead has been cut down to seven, 67-60.
But Casio
set the tone anew in the fourth and with Dozier and Thoss muscling their way
inside, the Aces were able to survive the Express charge.
ALA 87 – Casio 19, Dozier 17, Abueva
14, Thoss 12, Baguio 12, Jazul 8, Hontiveros 3, Dela Cruz 2, Reyes 0, Espinas
0.
AIR 81 – Canaleta 16, Dunigan 13,
Cortez 11, Omolon 9, Custodio 8, Isip 8, Arboleda 8, Baclao 4, Menor 4, Atkins
0, Wilson 0, Ritualo 0.
QS: 28-21, 46-29, 67-60, 87-81.
 |
| JV Casio caught fire against Air21. |
BGY. GINEBRA over RAIN OR
SHINE, 90-83
Jayjay
Helterbrand, one of only two Most Valuable Player awardees on the Barangay
Ginebra lineup, made a return to vintage form when his team needed it the most.
Inserted
back into the rotation after coming off a bout with bronchitis, the veteran
guard contributed 13 points to inspire the Kings in completing a
come-from-behind 90-83 triumph over the Rain or
Shine Elasto
Painters on Saturday night at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
With the
win, the Kings survived another day and set up a winner-take-all showdown with
the Elasto Painters for a final four seat on Monday.
“I told the
players that twice-to-beat and best-of-three is the same thing because you need
to beat them twice,” said Barangay Ginebra coach Alfrancis Chua regarding the
Kings’ situation prior to the
start of
their quarterfinals showdown with the Elasto Painters.
“Jayjay and
Kerby (Raymundo) stepped up for us while (Josh) Urbiztondo and Vernon Macklin
did their job. But on this game, I’m giving it to Jayjay. I’m happy yung
kumpiyansa niya bumalik na,” added
Chua.
Helterbrand
scored all of his total output in the pivotal fourth when the Kings completed a
comeback after being down by as much as 15, 60-45, in the third period.
But the Kings
scored 32 fourth-quarter points with Helterbrand leading the charge as the
league’s crowd darling turned the tables on the Elasto Painters.
GIN 90 – Macklin 21, Tenorio 19,
Raymundo 14, Helterbrand 13, Baracael 7, Hatfield 7, Ellis 5, Urbiztondo 4,
Taha 0, Labagala 0, Mamaril 0.
ROS 83 – Sundov 29, Chan 15, Cruz 12,
Arana 8, Lee 6, Norwood 5, Quinahan 4, Ibanes 4, Tiu 0, Matias 0, Belga 0,
Rodriguez 0.
QS: 23-29, 37-48, 58-62, 90-83.
 |
| Vernon Macklin was dominant against ROS. |
TALK N TEXT over PETRON,
96-86
Talk ‘N Text
drew another quiet game from import Jerome Jordan, but the rest of the Tropang
Texters stepped up to upend Petron Blaze, 96-86, to clinch their Commissioner’s
Cup quarterfinals series Sunday at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum.
The Tropang
Texters swept the series in two games, with both matches playing out in
near-identical fashion.
Jordan once
again struggled with foul trouble, finishing with just 11 points and five
rebounds. But six other Talk ‘N Text players scored at least seven points, as
the Tropang Texters, like in Game One, used another fourth quarter push to book
the victory.
“You’ve
gotta give a lot of credit to the local players,” said Talk ‘N Text coach
Norman Black. “They really stepped up with Jerome on the bench with foul
trouble. They really delivered.”
Just like in
Game One, Ranidel De Ocampo led the Tropang Texters with 17 points, while
Jayson Castro added 16.
Talk ‘N Text
outscored Petron, 23-12, in the final period to enter the tournament’s final
four.
“We
basically struggled the whole conference so it’s good to see our game pick up
when it mattered most,” said Black, whose Talk ‘N Text squad entered the
playoffs as the No. 6 seed after finishing with a 7-7 win-loss record.
Black said
replacing the struggling Jordan at this point is out of the question.
“Right now,
I think he’s not really accustomed to the physical play,” said Black.
“Hopefully Jerome’s just getting used to the physicalness of the PBA.”
Talk ‘N Text
will play the winner of the quarterfinal series between Barangay Ginebra San
Miguel and Rain or Shine, whose rubber match will be played on Monday.
“I’ll be
watching that game with a lot of interest,” said Black.
It was
another disappointing finish for Petron, who entered the quarterfinals as the
third seed. It marked the second straight tournament wherein the talented
Boosters failed to make it past the quarterfinal round.
TNT 96 - De Ocampo 17, Castro16, Reyes
14, Alapag 12, Jordan 11, Dillinger 8, Al-Hussaini 7, Peek 7, Fonacier 4, Aban
0, Ferriols 0, Carey 0.
PET 86 - Lassiter 23, Sims 17, Fajardo
15, Santos 15, Miranda 10, Cabagnot 4, Washington 2, Lutz 0, Tubid 0, Pena.
QS: 28-32, 52-56, 73-74, 96-86
 |
| Ranidel De Ocampo is all smiles after TNT eliminated Petron. |
SAN MIG COFFEE over MERALCO,
100-92
Denzel
Bowles put together another monster performance for San Mig Coffee.
Unlike in
the series opener, however, he got plenty of help from the rest of the Mixers.
The
defending champions kept their repeat bid alive with a 100-92 victory over the
Meralco Bolts Sunday at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum to extend their
Commissioner’s Cup best-of-three series to a rubber match.
San Mig
Coffee coach Tim Cone, however, cautioned about celebrating too early.
“We
certainly haven’t won anything yet, so it’s nothing to get excited about,” he
said.
Bowles was
once again dominant, scoring 35 points to lead the Mixers along with 14
rebounds and three blocks.
Alex Mallari
continued his fine performance in the series, scoring a career-high 16 points
and adding seven rebounds. Marc Pingris and Peter June Simon added 12 and 11
points, respectively, for the Mixers.
“It’s a
confidence-booster but I’m not gonna stop there. I’ll just keep better,” said
Mallari, who scored 12 points in the opening match of the series.
San Mig
Coffee is hoping for a repeat of last year’s quarterfinals, which saw them
defeat Meralco in three games before winning the title.
But Cone
said history is the farthest thing from the Mixers’ minds.
“If we’re
thinking about what happened last year, then we’re getting ahead of ourselves,”
said Cone.
“We don’t
want to assume, because what do they say? If you assume, then you make an ass
of you and me.”
SMC 100 - Bowles 35, Mallari 16,
Pingris 12, Simon 11, Barroca 9, Yap7, Devance 6, De Ocampo 3, Reavis 1.
MER 92 - Dawson 23, Cardona 14, Hodge
12, Ross 10, Hugnatan 9, Salvacion 9, Reyes 8, Buenafe 3, Manuel 2, Artadi 2.
QS: 24-28, 52-42, 75-68, 100-92
 |
| Alex Mallari stepped up big time to force Game 3 against Meralco. |
BGY. GINEBRA over RAIN OR
SHINE, 81-79
Vernon
Macklin scored the last four points of the game, including the marginal free
throws to lead Barangay Ginebra San Miguel to an 81-79 victory over the Rain or
Shine Elasto Painters Monday at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum.
The Gin
Kings import scored on a tip-in to tie the game with under a minute left,
before making two pressure-packed free throws with 11 seconds in the game to
help Ginebra complete a quarterfinals upset over the second-seed Elasto
Painters.
Rain or
Shine had several opportunities to at least tie the game. But Macklin blocked
Jeff Chan’s layup attempt with six seconds left.
The Elasto
Painters drew up a play that freed up Paul Lee for a corner three-pointer that
missed. Rain or Shine got a couple of offensive rebounds, but point-blank
attempts by Chan and Gabe Norwood failed to hit the mark, leaving the mammoth
crowd of 12,764 fans at the Big Dome in ecstasy as the final buzzer sounded.
Macklin
finished with 24 points, 16 rebounds, and six assists for Ginebra, which moves
to the best-of-five semifinals against the Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters.
Chris Tiu
and Lee led Rain or Shine with 15 and 14 points apiece, while import Bruno
Sundov battled foul trouble to finish with a quiet 12 points.
GIN 81 - Macklin 24, Ellis 13, Raymundo
13, Baracael 10, Helterbrand 9, Hatfield 6, Urbiztondo 3, Tenorio 2, Taha 1.
ROS 79 - Tiu 15, Lee 14, Sundov 12,
Cruz 10, Chan 9, Belga 5, Norwood 4, Matias 3, Araña 3, Rodriguez 2, Quiñahan
2, Ibañes 0.
QS: 22-23, 44-41, 63-61, 81-79
 |
| Chris Ellis rams it through as the Kings advance. |
Source: Unless otherwise specified, game
recaps were compressed and compiled from InterAKTV. (Writing credit to Rey
Joble)
Images: Images are from InterAKTV and the
PBA. (Photo credit to Paolo Papa and Paul Ryan Tan)
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