In a draft filled with big names (June Mar Fajardo, Calvin Abueva, Chris Tiu, Cliff Hodge, and Chris Ellis among others), AJ Mandani and Jason Deutchman were just a couple of intriguing Fil-foreigners.
Deutchman, a 66 product of the San Diego State Aztec Warriors, was chosen by Global Port as the last pick of the first round, while Mandani, a 511 guard out of the Missouri S&T Joe Miners program, was chosen in the second round behind Yousef Taha, Dave Marcelo, and Jewel Ponferrada.
Before their game against the Meralco Bolts, Deutchman and Mandani averaged a combined 14.0ppg, 6.0rpg, 3.7apg, 1.0spg, and 1.0bpg in Global Ports first three games, which were all losses. Against the Bolts, Jason and AJ paired up for 32 points, 16 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals, and 2 blocks. Wow. Big diff right there.
With Gary David momentarily out, fellow rookie Vic Manuel a little inconsistent, and the enigmatic Rabeh Al-Hussaini remaining, well, enigmatic, the Batang Piers fortunes might rest on how well both Deutchman and Mandani can step up and produce.
As the tourney goes on, I have no doubt David and Willie Miller will still be the focal points of Global Ports play, but Im also sure Coach Glenn Capacio wouldnt mind seeing some of his young guns flash fine form.
Game Recaps: GLOBAL PORT BATANG PIER over MERALCO BOLTS, 105-104
Veteran Willie Miller had 33 points and 11 rebounds in GlobalPorts come-from-behind 105-104 victory over the Meralco Bolts Wednesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
It was the first PBA victory for the franchise for the Batang Pier, who also relied on a strong finishing kick from rookies Jason Deutchman and AJ Mandani.
Akala ko hindi pa aabot ngayon, said GlobalPort rookie coach Glenn Capacio.
Siguro ako among the coaches ang ni-ni-nerbiyos dahil Im searching for my first win. Grabe mga teams sa PBA. Halos lahat malalakas. Mahirap yung first win, pero malaking bagay ito medyo down mag-iiba pakiramdam ng mga players.
Miller was a steady presence all game long, but it was rookies Deutchman and Mandani who delivered the most crucial baskets.
Deutchman scored 20 points, including three key three-pointers in the fourth quarter. His last three-pointer gave GlobalPort the lead for good, 100-99, with 1:13 left.
In the Batang Piers next offensive play, it was Mandani who rose to the challenge, completing a three-point play for a 103-99 tally.
After two missed attempts by Sunday Salvacion from beyond the arc, Ronjay Buenafe finally buried a three-pointer to put the Bolts within striking distance.
Rabeh Al-Hussaini, who scored 17 points, made two free throws for the Batang Pier, giving them a three-point lead with five seconds left.
Without a timeout left, Sol Mercado rushed to the other end, but surprisingly went coast-to-coast for a layup instead of a three-pointer to tie the game.
TALK N TEXT TROPANG TEXTERS over AIR21 EXPRESS, 96-89
Be it in the PBA or the UAAP, Norman Black wants to continue his winning reputation.
The multi-titled coach notched his first official win as coach of the Talk N Text Tropang Texters, leading his team to a 96-89 triumph over the Air 21 Express on Wednesday night at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Black coached the team in their 108-104 win over GlobalPort just one day after leading the Ateneo Blue Eagles to its fifth consecutive UAAP championship but was unable to inform the PBA in time to be officially named head coach.
This was his first official game as coach of the Tropang Texters.
The win enabled the Tropang Texters to pick up their third win in as many games and climb into the solo lead in the team standings.
We played much better in the second half. We gave up too much in the post on KG (Canaleta) and (Bitoy) Omolon in the first half. We switched bigger players on them, said Black.
Ranidel de Ocampo finished with 19 points while Jimmy Alapag, who achieved a milestone by becoming the latest player to make at least 1,000 three-point shots, added 16 points on 4-for-6 shooting from beyond the arc.
Black admitted he tried to get out of their structured offense to get their latest victory.
Our offense is still a work in progress. But Im satisfied with the way we played defense, particularly in the second half. We implemented a free flowing offense, he added.
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
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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
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