For me, the biggest PBA story for the past few days has been the great play of Meralco rookie Cliff Hodge.
The #4 overall pick in the 2012 PBA Draft has proven to be Meralcos most consistent Bolt in its first two games. The former Hawaii Pacific Sea Warrior is currently averaging 19.5ppg, 9.5rpg, 1.0spg, and 1.0bpg in 39.0mpg for the Manny Pangilinan franchise.
In sum, he has been the most productive rookie thus far. Hes #8 in points, #9 in rebounds, and #2 in minutes for the whole league, and by far #1 among rookies in statistical points (37.5 SPs). The next closest freshie is Kelly Nabong with just 27.0 SPs.
Those stats are much better than those of the three guys taken before him in the draft. As of this writing, top pick June Mar Fajardo has accumulated only 20.0 SPs, while #3 pick Alex Mallari has just 13.0 SPs. Calvin Abueva, the #2 pick, has yet to play for the Alaska Aces because the NCAA wars are still ongoing.
Game Recaps: MERALCO BOLTS over ALASKA ACES, 93-86
Look whos taking up the scoring cudgels for the Meralco Bolts.
Rookie Cliff Hodge showed hes more than just an energy guy as he led the Bolts with a double-double performance and steered his squad to a 93-86 triumph over the Alaska Aces in the PBA Philippine Cup at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday night.
Hodge finished with 20 points and 11 rebounds, doing practically everything on the floor while fellow newcomer Kelly Nabong also stepped up, grabbing 11 boards on top of six markers.
Its unusual to have a rookie dictate our effort level, but were fortunate to draft Cliff Hodge, said Meralco coach Ryan Gregorio. We thought in the beginning, hes there to provide us excitement and do the dirty work, but hes been scoring as well and has been averaging close to 20 points in his first two games. Its a good relief to have him.
Hodge and Nabong, two hardworking forwards, provided plenty of the energy and rebounding that the team needed after losing stalwart Asi Taulava before the start of the season.
Were playing center by committee in the absence of Asi, said Gregorio. Sometimes its Jay-R Reyes, sometimes its Carlo Sharma or Nabong. Its a good thing we were able to pull it through.
Hodge pumped in 12 of his total output in the third period when the Bolts pulled away. The Bolts established their biggest lead, 63-48, on a putback by Sunday Salvacion with still 7:04 left in the third.
High-scoring guards Mac Cardona, Ronjay Buenafe and Sol Mercado took the backseat for the streaking Hodge.
Cardona made up for his sub-par performance against Talk N Text in their opener, tallying 16 points. Buenafe contributed 13 while Mercado and Sunday Salvacion added 10 apiece for the Bolts, who played minus injured starting guard Chris Ross.
He had a tear in his right meniscus, so hes day-to-day right now. Hopefully, he will recover sooner or later. The good thing is no surgeries needed. Just rehab. He wants to play, but if his future is in jeopardy, were not risking it, added Gregorio.
PETRON BLAZE BOOSTERS over BARAKO BULL ENERGY, 98-89
Petron Blaze banked on its run and gun game to notch its first win of the season.
The Boosters unleashed 30 fastbreak points to run roughshod over the Barako Bull Energy Colas, 98-89, in the PBA Philippine Cup on Wednesday night at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum.
Chris Lutz, still recuperating from his old injury, led the way for the Boosters with 22 points but it was Alex Cabagnots clutch performance that bailed Petron Blaze out of trouble as they withstood a late rally made by Barako Bull.
Cabagnot had two triples in the last six minutes, including his last one that gave the Boosters a 93-82 lead with only 2:40 left in the game.
We made adjustments on the transition, said rookie coach Olsen Racela, who picked up his first career win as coach in the PBA. Last game, we had difficult time with our halfcourt set and we felt that 102 points was too much to give to any team, so we also stepped up in defense.
Arwind Santos added 18 points while Cabagnot contributed 16.
Petrons fast-paced attack produced a positive result for the squad, but visibly affected the game of 6-foot-10 center June Mar Fajardo, who struggled for only three points and seven rebounds.
The top overall rookie pick attempted five times, missed four shots and split his two free throws.
But Racelas first victory was nearly threatened when the Energy Colas climbed back from 20 points down.
The lead was cut down to as low as five by Enrico Villanuevas split charities early in the fourth period, 82-77.
But Cabagnot kept things at hand for the Boosters as his two three-pointers touched off a crippling 13-5 spurts by Petron Blaze, which pulled away anew, 95-82, in the final two minutes.
Nag-relax kami. We have to play consistently for 48 minutes because any team in the PBA once given an opportunity can come back from big deficits, said Racela.
PET 98- Lutz 22, Santos 18, Cabagnot 16, Duncil 8, Miranda 8, Yeo 7, Mallari 4, Washington 4, Ildefonso 4, Pena 4, Fajardo 3 BAR 89- Urbiztondo 17, Pennisi 16, Villanueva 13, Anthony 10, Kramer 10, Tubid 10, Najorda 5, Seigle 4, Alvarez 2, Cruz 2, Yap 0 QS: 24-20, 53-40, 80-68, 98-89
TALK N TEXT TROPANG TEXTERS over GLOBAL PORT BATANG PIER, 108-104
Incoming Talk N Text coach Norman Black was in a jubilant mood, and his Tropang Texters didnt let the GlobalPort Batang Pier spoil the fun.
Ranidel De Ocampo banged in a three-pointer that put the game out of reach with 9.2 seconds left, allowing Talk N Text to escape with a thrilling 108-104 victory over GlobalPort in the Philippine Cup Friday at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum.
The Tropang Texters needed big baskets from Jayson Castro, who scored 30 points, to turn back the winless Batang Pier and give Black a triumphant welcome. The win comes a day after he piloted the Ateneo Blue Eagles to their fifth straight UAAP title.
The 10-time PBA champion coach said he had intended to leave interim coach Nash Racela at the helm, but couldnt resist taking a more active role as GlobalPort looked to steal a victory from Talk N Text.
The two teams battled in a tight first half, before a fiery third quarter had the defending champion Tropang Texters threatening to break the game wide open. A 12-2 run capped by a Larry Fonacier three-pointer gave Talk N Text an 86-70 advantage.
But GlobalPort battled back with its own 16-2 run to bridge the third and fourth quarters to cut the Talk N Text lead to just two points, 88-86. The two teams exchanged blows before a Vic Manuel jumper gave GlobalPort a one point lead, 94-93, with seven minutes left.
The Batang Pier were still up, 104-101, with less than three minutes remaining when Castro scored four straight points to give Talk N Text the lead for good. GlobalPort came up empty in its next possessions in the clutch, allowing De Ocampo to seal the game with his clutch hit.
Ryan Reyes and Larry Fonacier added 19 points apiece for Talk N Text, which won its second straight nailbiter. It defeated Meralco in overtime, 112-10, in its first assignment last Friday.
Willie Miller scored 22 points and rookie Vic Manuel added 21 to carry the fight for GlobalPort, which missed Gary David due to injury. Rabeh Al-Hussaini, a former Black protege at Ateneo who was benched in Batang Piers last game, added 17 points.
Black, who has been handling for a month, said Talk N Text is still a team in transition.
Its still a work in progress for me, said Black. Players are still learning my system offensively.
He noted that he had missed several Talk N Text practices over the past weeks as he concentrated on Ateneos playoff run, which would explain the Tropang Texters defensive struggles. Prior to taking over as coach, Black had served as Talk N Texts consultant, playing the role of defensive coordinator for the squad.
Black, who is making his return a decade after his last PBA head coaching gig, promised the best is yet to come for Talk N Text.
Its only a matter of time before I turn this into a smooth running machine, he said.
TNT 108 - Castro 30, Reyes 19, Fonacier 19, De Ocampo 15, Williams 11, Alapag 5, Peek 4, Carey 3, Gamalinda 3, Raymundo 0, Alvarez 0 GLO 104 - Miller 22, Manuel 21, Al-Hussaini 17, Salvador 9 Vanlandingham 8, Deutchman 7, Guevarra 6, Yee 6, Mandani 4, Cruz 2, Antonio 2, Lingganay 0 QS: 32-31; 57-52; 86-78; 108-104
RAIN OR SHINE ELASTO-PAINTERS over AIR21 EXPRESS, 99-98 (OT)
Jeff Chan scored a career-high 35 points, including the go-ahead basket with 15 seconds left, to lift Rain or Shine to a tense 99-98 overtime victory over Air 21 in the Philippine Cup Friday at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum.
With the shot clock winding down in extra period, Chan found himself against the smaller Wynne Arboleda. The southpaw hotshot drove right, sidestepped to his right, before fading away for a baby jumper that trickled in to give the Elasto Painters the victory.
Air 21 had one final opportunity to steal the win, but Rain or Shine hounded Arboleda into an airball on his attempt and stripped the ball from KG Canaleta off a rebound play to preserve the win.
Were lucky we got a good game from Jeff. His offense carried us for most of the game, said Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao of Chan, last years Most Improved Player who is off to a blistering start this season. Over his first three games, the sharpshooter from Bacolod City has averaged 26.7 points, despite getting little offseason rest after leading Rain or Shine to last seasons Governors Cup title and playing for SMART-Gilas Pilipinas in two international tournaments.
Chans brilliant performance bailed out the Elasto Painters, who looked like they had the game in the bag in regulation. Rain or Shine led Air 21, 93-88, with just 23 seconds remaining in the game. But it allowed Nelbert Omolon to score a three-point play with 10 seconds left to cut the Elasto Painters advantage to a single basket.
Air 21 sent Beau Belga to the free throw line in the ensuing possession, and the Rain or Shine center split his foul shots to give the Elasto Painters a three-point lead, 94-91. Arboleda raced down the court and shoveled a pass to Canaleta, who hit a 25-foot three-pointer at the buzzer to send the game into overtime.
Gabe Norwood and Jervy Cruz added 12 points apiece for Rain or Shine, which won its second game in three outings. Air 21, which lost for the second time in three games, was paced by John Wilson who scored 21 points.
Rain or Shine dedicated the game in honor of late assistant coach Roehl Nadurata, who succumbed to lung cancer last Tuesday. Nadurata, who has been part of Guiaos coach staff for 20 years, was a key member of the Rain or Shine brain trust during its Governors Cup title run.
I have a theory. I believe the San Miguel Beermen lost Game 1 because they had trouble remembering, much less pronouncing, the name of the guy who plugged the winning shot Thai national team mainstay Darongpan Apiromvilaichai.
Darongpan Apiromvilaichai.
Yes, say that over and over till your head hurts and your tongue gets tied.
If you were SMB coach Leo Austria, how can you prepare your team against a guy whose name has nine syllables.
Still, its no excuse [read more]
I have a theory. I believe the San Miguel Beermen lost Game 1 because they had trouble remembering, much less pronouncing, the name of the guy who plugged the winning shot Thai national team mainstay Darongpan Apiromvilaichai.
Darongpan Apiromvilaichai.
Yes, say that over and over till your head hurts and your tongue gets tied.
If you were SMB coach Leo Austria, how can you prepare your team against a guy whose name has nine syllables.
Still, its no excuse. The Beermen werent the Beermen in this one.
Sure, maybe we can forgive the fact they had less rebounds, assists, and steals than the Slammers. Sure, fine. But we CANNOT forgive SMBs 50% free throw shooting and their 25 turnovers.
Tsk tsk.
I guess they have more problems than pronouncing these Thai names.
Oh, and did I mention that this Darongpan guy has a twin?
No. Really.
Game Recaps: SPORTS REV THAILAND SLAMMERS over SAN MIGUEL BEERMEN, 62-60 Darongpan Apiromvilaichai knocked down the biggest shot of his career with 5 seconds left on the game to help the Sports Rev Thailand Slammers upset the No. 1 seed San Miguel Beermen with a 62-60 win in Game 1 of the AirAsia 2013 ABL Playoffs semi-finals.
All the credit goes to all my teammates. Everybody works very hard to get this win. On the last play, coach drew a great play and Im very happy I was to able to knock it down, said Apiromvilaichai after the game.
Chris Charles led the Slammers with 24 points and 13 rebounds while Kannawat Lertlaaokul added 10 points. Darrius Brannon, who was battling a knee injury all game long, contributed 8 points and 10 rebounds for the Slammers who are leading 1-0 in this best-of-five series.
Slammers head coach Joe Bryant credited his teams defense. We played great aggressive defense in this game. We put a lot of pressure on the ball and it worked very well, said Bryant after game. The Slammers aggressive defense forced San Miguel to commit 25 turnovers in this game.
Despite never having beaten the Beermen this season, the Slammers came ready to play as they took a 15-7 lead with 3:45 left in the first period on a three-point shot from Chanachon Klahan. However, Chris Banchero came off the Beermens bench and made an impact right away. With Banchero on the court, the Beermen were able to play high-tempo basketball. As a result, they ended the first period with a 10-2 run capped off by a layup from Banchero to tie things up at 17.
In the second quarter, the Slammers were able to answer every Beermen run. After Justin Williams cut the Beermens deficit to 2 points, Charles came back with a long two and layup that stretched the lead back to 6 points with 3 minutes left in the second period. Right before halftime, Paulo Hubalde and Banchero had a layup each to once again get the Beermen within 2 points. Unfortunately for San Miguel, Luiz Gonzaga made a three-pointer with 40 seconds left to give the Slammers a 36-31 lead at halftime.
It was the same story in the third quarter. Asi, who had been very quiet in the first half, made a layup that cut the Slammers lead to 43-42 with 1:48 left in the third quarter. Once again, the Slammers were able to respond immediately with a jumpshot from Charles and layup from Sukdavb Ghogar as the Slammers head to the final quarter with a 47-42 lead.
The fourth quarter was everything you expected in a playoffs game. Both teams kept exchanging baskets and hit big shots. Banchero put the Beermen in front at 54-53 after finishing a tough layup against Baguion. With 13 seconds left and his team down by 2, Banchero calmly knocks down both of his free throws to tie the game. Off a timeout, coach Bryant drew a perfect play which led to Apiromvilaichai standing free on the wing and made the game winning-shot.
This is San Miguels first loss since February 16th, 2013. During this loss, Banchero scored 13 points in his return, Justin Williams had 12 points and 12 rebounds, and Brian Williams added 12 points and 10 rebounds.
Sources: Intro by Enzo Flojo/HoopNut.com. Game recap was compressed and compiled from AseanBasketballLeague.com.
Two former Best Import awardees and potentially exciting finds are set to come in for the season-ending PBA Governors Cup beginning on August 14.At least six former imports are being eyed for another tour of duty, including former Rain or Shine Elasto Painters reinforcements Arizona Reid (196-F-86, college: High Point) and Jamelle Cornley (196-F-87, college: Penn St.) who are on the radar of the Petron Blaze Boosters and Global Port Batang Pier, respectively [read more]
Two former Best Import awardees and potentially exciting finds are set to come in for the season-ending PBA Governors Cup beginning on August 14.
There are also new faces including Alaska Aces prospect Wendell McKines (198-F-88, college: N.Mexico St.), who has earned a reputation as an electrifying scorer who plays like a bigger version of Calvin Abueva (191-F-88).
Barangay Ginebra San Miguel is said to have already agreed in principle with former ABL top scorer Dior Lowhorn (201-F-87, college: USF), but a sources informed that former Houston Rocket Mike Harris (198-F-83, college: Rice) is also being considered.
Asia-Basket.com All-PBA Commissioner's Cup Awards 2013 - May 21, 2013
POSTED BY:
EUROBASKET CENTER
follow us on
Guard of the Year: LA Tenorio (177-PG-84) of Barangay Ginebra; Forward of the Year: Calvin Abueva (191-F-88) of Alaska Aces; Center of the Year: Robert Dozier (206-F-85) of Alaska Aces; Domestic Player of the Year: Calvin Abueva (191-F-88) of Alaska Aces; Import Player of the Year: Robert Dozier (206-F-85) of Alaska Aces; Defensive Player of the Year: Calvin Abueva (191-F-88) of Alaska Aces; Coach of the Year: Luigi Trillo of Alaska Aces; 1st Team: F: Robert Dozier (206-F-85) of Alaska Aces; C: [read more]
Asia-Basket.com All-PBA Commissioner's Cup 1st Team 2013
Dozier
Devance
Abueva
David
Tenorio
Guard of the Year: LA Tenorio (177-PG-84) of Barangay Ginebra Forward of the Year: Calvin Abueva (191-F-88) of Alaska Aces Center of the Year: Robert Dozier (206-F-85) of Alaska Aces Domestic Player of the Year: Calvin Abueva (191-F-88) of Alaska Aces Import Player of the Year: Robert Dozier (206-F-85) of Alaska Aces Defensive Player of the Year: Calvin Abueva (191-F-88) of Alaska Aces Coach of the Year: Luigi Trillo of Alaska Aces
1st Team
F: Robert Dozier (206-F-85) of Alaska Aces
C: Joe Devance (201-C-82) of San Mig Coffee
F: Calvin Abueva (191-F-88) of Alaska Aces
G/F: Gary David (188-G/F-78) of Global Port
PG: LA Tenorio (177-PG-84) of Barangay Ginebra
Copyright (c) 1998-2013 Eurobasket Inc. Disclaimer
WARNING:
Do not copy, redistribute, publish or otherwise exploit information that you download from the site !
Do not encumber, license, modify, publish, sell, transfer or transmit, or in any way exploit, any of the
content of the site, nor will you attempt to do so.
