PBA Round 1: Meralco Bolts opened season with a win

The Regular Season in PBA just started. Here is the last round review presented by ESL.

Meralco Bolts smashed North Port in Manila 85-63. Meralco Bolts held North Port to an opponent 21.0 percent shooting from the field compared to 43.6 percent accuracy of the winners. Meralco Bolts had a 43-30 advantage in offensive rebounds. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists comparing to just 10 passes made by North Port's players. Forward Ray Belo (196-92) stepped up and scored 27 points and 9 rebounds for the winners and forward Allein Maliksi (191) chipped in 14 points and 6 rebounds. At the losing side guard Robert Bolick (185-95) responded with 11 points and 9 rebounds. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. North Port will play next round against Phoenix trying to get back on the winning streak. Meralco Bolts will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game.
The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of SM Beermen in Manila. Hosts were defeated by Meralco Bolts 93-87. Guard Chris Newsome (187-90, college: Georgetown, KY) nailed 17 points and 6 assists for the winning side and Kier Quinto accounted for 9 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists. Naturalized Tongan center Moala Tautuaa (200-89, college: Chadron St.) came up with a double-double by scoring 17 points and 10 rebounds for SM Beermen in the defeat. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
A very close game took place in Manila between Rain or Shine and NLEX RW. Rain or Shine got a very close home victory over NLEX RW. Rain or Shine managed to escape with a 1-point win 83-82 on Friday evening. Beau Belga fired 17 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners. Kiefer Isaac Ravena produced 23 points and 7 assists for lost side. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.

There were no shocking results in the rest of the games of round 1: winless Ginebra Kings was destroyed by NLEX RW on the opponent's court 94-75. Winless Blackwater Elite lost to undefeated Rain or Shine in a home game 62-71. Winless Blackwater Elite lost to undefeated Alaska Aces on the road 77-103. Hotshots defeated Phoenix on its own court 80-73. Winless Terrafirma Dyip lost to undefeated TNT Ka Tropa in Makati 79-86.
The most impressive stats of the last round was 15 points and 11 rebounds by John Paul Erram of TNT Ka Tropa.

SM Beermen - Meralco Bolts 87-93

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of SM Beermen in Manila. Hosts were defeated by Meralco Bolts 93-87. Meralco Bolts made 22-of-26 charity shots (84.6 percent) during the game. SM Beermen was plagued by 26 personal fouls down the stretch. Guard Chris Newsome (187-90, college: Georgetown, KY) nailed 17 points and 6 assists for the winning side and Kier Quinto (188-95) accounted for 9 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists. Naturalized Tongan center Moala Tautuaa (200-89, college: Chadron St.) came up with a double-double by scoring 17 points and 10 rebounds and point guard Terrence Romeo (180-92) added 18 points respectively for SM Beermen in the defeat. Four SM Beermen players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Meralco Bolts: C.Newsome 17+4reb+6ast, B.Aaron 14+4reb+1ast, R.Hugnatan 13+3reb, N.Pinto 11, Q.Kier 9+7reb+6ast, R.Belo 7+5reb
SM Beermen: T.Romeo 18+3reb+2ast, J.Perez 17+6reb, M.Tautuaa 17+10reb, M.Lassiter 11+2reb+2ast, A.Santos 8+8reb+4ast, J.Mar Fajardo 5+5reb+1ast

NLEX RW - Ginebra Kings 94-75

There was a minor upset in Makati City where Ginebra Kings were crushed by NLEX RW 94-75 on Sunday. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when NLEX RW made 10 blocks. Guard Kiefer Isaac Ravena (181-93) fired 19 points and 5 assists for the winners. Point guard Kevin Alas (183-91) chipped in 20 points. Four NLEX RW players scored in double figures. Guard Scottie Thompson (188-93) produced a double-double by scoring 12 points, 12 rebounds and 9 assists and center Japeth Aguilar (206-87, college: WKU) added 15 points and 5 rebounds respectively for lost side. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
NLEX RW: K.Alas 20+2reb+3ast, K.Isaac Ravena 19+2reb+5ast, T.Don 11+7reb+2ast, A.Semerad 11+1reb, J.Quinahan 10+10reb+3ast, J.Cruz 9+4reb+1ast
Ginebra Kings: J.Aguilar 15+5reb+2ast, S.Thompson 12+12reb+9ast, L.Tenorio 11+5reb+5ast, P.Caperal 8+8reb+1ast, S.Pringle 8+3reb, C.Standhardinger 8+10reb

Blackwater Elite - Rain or Shine 62-71

There was a surprise result in Caloocan City where Rain or Shine defeated Blackwater Elite 71-62 on Sunday. They outrebounded Blackwater Elite 56-42 including 20 on the offensive glass. Guard Rey Nambatac (179-94) fired a double-double by scoring 21 points and 12 rebounds for the winners. Javee Mocon (193-95) chipped in a double-double by scoring 12 points and 12 rebounds. Center Kelly Nabong (201-88) produced 18 points and 7 rebounds and center Marion Evan Magat (201-90) added 4 points and 10 rebounds respectively for lost side. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Rain or Shine: R.Nambatac 21+12reb+1ast, N.Torres 13+5reb+1ast, M.Javee 12+12reb+3ast, B.Belga 8+10reb+1ast, M.Borboran 4, L.Santillan 4+3reb
Blackwater Elite: K.Nabong 18+7reb+2ast, E.Daquioag 10+3reb+2ast, S.Enciso 7+3reb+3ast, R.Canaleta 6+4reb+2ast, B.Amer 6+2reb+2ast, P.Desiderio 4+2reb

Meralco Bolts - North Port 85-63

Meralco Bolts smashed North Port in Manila 85-63. Meralco Bolts held North Port to an opponent 21.0 percent shooting from the field compared to 43.6 percent accuracy of the winners. Meralco Bolts had a 43-30 advantage in offensive rebounds. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists comparing to just 10 passes made by North Port's players. Forward Ray Belo (196-92) stepped up and scored 27 points and 9 rebounds for the winners and forward Allein Maliksi (191) chipped in 14 points and 6 rebounds. At the losing side guard Robert Bolick (185-95) responded with 11 points and 9 rebounds and forward Kevin Ferrer (194-93) scored 9 points and 7 rebounds. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. North Port will play next round against Phoenix trying to get back on the winning streak. Meralco Bolts will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game.
Top scorers:
Meralco Bolts: R.Belo 27+9reb+3ast, M.Allein 14+6reb+1ast, Q.Kier 8+4reb+5ast, C.Hodge 6+6reb+1ast, P.Alvin 5+2reb+3ast, C.Newsome 4+2reb+2ast
North Port: O.Sidney 13+6reb, B.Robert 11+9reb+3ast, M.Jamie 9+9reb+1ast, K.Ferrer 9+7reb+3ast, S.Anthony 6+6reb+1ast, T.Rike 3+4reb

Alaska Aces - Blackwater Elite 103-77

The game between closely ranked teams ended with Blackwater Elite's road loss to Alaska Aces 77-103 on Friday. Alaska Aces dominated down low during the game scoring 60 of its points in the paint compared to Blackwater Elite's 36. They outrebounded Blackwater Elite 62-40 including a 43-31 advantage in defensive rebounds. Alaska Aces looked well-organized offensively handing out 28 assists. Naturalized American guard Michael Digregorio (185-90, college: McKendree) fired 20 points and 5 rebounds for the winners. Center Yousef Taha (201-88, college: North Lake CC) chipped in 16 points and 7 rebounds. American guard Simon Enciso (180-91, college: NDN) produced 23 points and guard Mike Tolomia (191-93) added 15 points respectively for lost side. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Alaska Aces will meet Terrafirma Dyip in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Blackwater Elite will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Alaska Aces: M.Digregorio 20+5reb+2ast, Y.Taha 16+7reb+3ast, T.Abu Jahal 13+6reb+1ast, G.Banal 8+6reb+3ast, I.Regile 8, A.Benedict 7+5reb+1ast
Blackwater Elite: S.Enciso 23+1reb+3ast, M.Tolomia 15+2reb+1ast, E.Daquioag 12+5reb+1ast, R.Canaleta 7+4reb+1ast, K.Nabong 6+9reb+2ast, M.Evan Magat 6+7reb+3ast

Rain or Shine - NLEX RW 83-82

A very close game took place in Manila between Rain or Shine and NLEX RW. Rain or Shine got a very close home victory over NLEX RW. Rain or Shine managed to escape with a 1-point win 83-82 on Friday evening. Beau Belga (198-86) fired 17 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners. Guard Rey Nambatac (179-94) chipped in 19 points and 8 rebounds (made all of his seven free throws). Guard Kiefer Isaac Ravena (181-93) produced 23 points and 7 assists and point guard Kevin Alas (183-91) added 13 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists respectively for lost side. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Rain or Shine: R.Nambatac 19+8reb+2ast, B.Belga 17+7reb+5ast, M.Javee 12+6reb+4ast, J.Ponferrada 10+5reb, G.Norwood 8+7reb+4ast, A.Antonio 6
NLEX RW: K.Isaac Ravena 23+4reb+7ast, K.Alas 13+6reb+5ast, T.Don 11+3reb+2ast, J.Cruz 10+4reb+1ast, R.Soyud 6+4reb, A.Semerad 6

Hotshots - Phoenix 80-73

Hotshots used a home court advantage and beat the opponent from Quezon 80-73 on Saturday night. Hotshots shot 22 for 32 from the free-throw line, while Phoenix only scored six points from the stripe. Naturalized American forward Calvin Abueva (190-88) fired a double-double by scoring 26 points and 10 rebounds for the winners. Guard Paul Lee (185-89) chipped in 21 points and 6 rebounds. Naturalized Canadian guard Matthew Wright (193-91, college: St.Bonaventure) produced 20 points and 8 assists and forward Vic Manuel (193-87) added 16 points and 10 rebounds respectively for lost side. Four Phoenix players scored in double figures. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Hotshots will meet TNT Ka Tropa in the next round. Phoenix will play against North Port and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Hotshots: C.Abueva 26+10reb+3ast, P.Lee 21+6reb+2ast, A.Barroca 7+2reb+5ast, I.Paul Sangalang 6+9reb+1ast, J.Jalalon 6+4reb+6ast, R.dela Rosa 6+9reb+2ast
Phoenix: M.Wright 20+4reb+8ast, V.Manuel 16+10reb+2ast, R.Roose Garcia 11+5reb+1ast, J.Perkins 11+13reb+3ast, J.Chua 7+11reb+1ast, N.Demusis 4+8reb+1ast

TNT Ka Tropa - Terrafirma Dyip 86-79

TNT Ka Tropa used a home court advantage and defeated the opponent from Makati City 86-79 on Saturday night. TNT Ka Tropa dominated down low during the game scoring 58 of its points in the paint compared to Terrafirma Dyip's 34. Power forward John Paul Erram (203-89) fired a double-double by scoring 15 points and 11 rebounds for the winners. Point guard Jayson Castro William (180-86) chipped in 17 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. Guard Juan Tiongson (178-91) produced 10 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists and American guard Rashawn McCarthy (185-89, college: Old Westbury) added 13 points and 5 rebounds (made all of his eight free throws) respectively for lost side. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. TNT Ka Tropa will meet at home Hotshots in the next round. Terrafirma Dyip will play against Alaska Aces and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
TNT Ka Tropa: J.Castro William 17+5reb+4ast, J.Paul Erram 15+11reb+2ast, J.Troy Rosario 14+10reb, R.Ray Pogoy 10+4reb+5ast, D.Marcelo 9+4reb, K.Williams 7+5reb+1ast
Terrafirma Dyip: A.Ramos 17+2reb, R.McCarthy 13+5reb+3ast, P.Cahilig 12+6reb, J.Tiongson 10+7reb+6ast, R.Adams 7+9reb+1ast, J.Laput 6+9reb



Tags : RAY BELO, MERALCO BOLTS, FILIPINO BASKETBALL