PBA Round 4 (Philippine Cup): Hotshots keep a leadership position

Here is the last round review presented by ESL.

The game had a very big importance for second-ranked Hotshots as it allowed them to take a leadership position. Hotshots defeated 6th ranked Ginebra Kings in Pasig City 89-79. Hotshots made 27-of-31 free shots (87.1 percent) during the game. 24 personal fouls committed by Ginebra Kings helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. Worth to mention a great performance of guard Paul Lee (185-89) who helped to win the game recording 22 points (made all of his nine free throws !!!) and naturalized American forward Calvin Abueva (190-88) who added 15 points and 9 rebounds during the contest. At the losing side naturalized American point guard Stanley Pringle (184-87, college: Penn St., agency: Pensack Sports) responded with 22 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Hotshots have a solid three-game winning streak. As mentioned above they are at the top of the standings, which they share with Rain or Shine. Ginebra Kings at the other side dropped to the seventh place with two games lost. They share the position with 3 other teams. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
The most crucial game of the last round was the first loss of undefeated Meralco Bolts (2-1) in Manila. Hosts were defeated by Rain or Shine (3-0) 85-72. It was a key game for the top position in the league. The winners were led by Javee Mocon (193-95) who scored that evening 18 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists and Beau Belga supported him with 17 points and 10 rebounds. Even 13 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists by guard Chris Newsome (187-90, college: Georgetown, KY) did not help to save the game for Meralco Bolts. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Rain or Shine keeps a position of league leader, which they share with Hotshots. Meralco Bolts at the other side dropped to the third place with one game lost. They share the position with SM Beermen. Rain or Shine will play against Alaska Aces (#9) in Makati in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Meralco Bolts will play on the road against Phoenix (#10) in Quezon and hope to get back on the winning track.
Quite upsetting was North Port's (#7) home defeat in a game versus eighth ranked SM Beermen who edged hosts 88-86. Jaymar Perez fired 18 points and 8 rebounds for the winners. Gregory Slaughter produced a double-double by scoring 23 points and 17 rebounds for lost side. North Port's coach Pido Jarencio tried various players' combinations and tested in total eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. SM Beermen (2-1) moved-up to third place, which they share with Meralco Bolts. Loser North Port keeps the seventh position with two games lost. They share it with 3 other teams. SM Beermen will meet at home bottom-ranked Blackwater Elite (#12) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. North Port will have a break next round.

In the last two games of round 4 Phoenix won against Alaska Aces on the opponent's court 101-93. NLEX RW managed to outperform Terrafirma Dyip in a home game 108-94.
The most impressive stats of the last round was 21 points and 5 rebounds by Kevin Alas of NLEX RW.

Meralco Bolts - Rain or Shine 72-85

The most crucial game of the last round was the first loss of undefeated Meralco Bolts (2-1) in Manila. Hosts were defeated by Rain or Shine (3-0) 85-72. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Rain or Shine forced 21 Meralco Bolts turnovers. The winners were led by Javee Mocon (193-95) who scored that evening 18 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists and Beau Belga (198-86) supported him with 17 points and 10 rebounds. Four Rain or Shine players scored in double figures. Even 13 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists by guard Chris Newsome (187-90, college: Georgetown, KY) did not help to save the game for Meralco Bolts. Naturalized American Clifford Hodge (196-88, college: HPU) added 9 points and 12 rebounds for lost side. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Rain or Shine keeps a position of league leader, which they share with Hotshots. Meralco Bolts at the other side dropped to the third place with one game lost. They share the position with SM Beermen. Rain or Shine will play against Alaska Aces (#9) in Makati in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Meralco Bolts will play on the road against Phoenix (#10) in Quezon and hope to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Rain or Shine: M.Javee 18+6reb+6ast, B.Belga 17+10reb+1ast, N.Torres 11+5reb, R.Nambatac 11+5reb+1ast, W.Adrian 8+1ast, M.Borboran 7+2reb+1ast
Meralco Bolts: C.Newsome 13+5reb+6ast, R.Almazan 10+6reb, C.Hodge 9+12reb+1ast, R.Hugnatan 9+4reb+2ast, N.Pinto 8+2reb+2ast, Q.Kier 7+5reb+4ast

Alaska Aces - Phoenix 93-101

There was a minor upset in Makati where higher ranked Alaska Aces (1-2) were defeated by eleventh ranked Phoenix (1-2) 101-93 on Saturday. Forward Vic Manuel (193-87) fired a double-double by scoring 26 points and 12 rebounds for the winners. Naturalized American forward Jason Perkins (193-92, college: VCSU) chipped in 12 points and 8 rebounds. Five Phoenix players scored in double figures. The former international forward Abu Jahal Tratter (196-93) produced a double-double by scoring 16 points and 10 rebounds and center Yousef Taha (201-88, college: North Lake CC) added 9 points and 12 rebounds respectively for lost side. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Phoenix left bottom position moving up to seventh place, which they share with 3 other teams including defeated Alaska Aces. Phoenix will meet at home higher ranked Meralco Bolts (#3) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Alaska Aces will play against the league's second-placed Rain or Shine (#2) having rather not much hope for a victory.
Top scorers:
Phoenix: V.Manuel 26+12reb+2ast, R.Jazul 19+1reb+1ast, M.Aljun 13+2reb+3ast, J.Perkins 12+8reb+3ast, J.Elvin Pascual 10+6reb+2ast, J.Rios 9+3reb+2ast
Alaska Aces: G.Banal 17+3reb, T.Abu Jahal 16+10reb+3ast, R.Herndon 13+4reb+1ast, Y.Taha 9+12reb+3ast, J.Alvin Teng 8+2reb+3ast, M.Digregorio 8+6reb+4ast

North Port - SM Beermen 86-88

Quite upsetting was North Port's (#7) home defeat in a game versus eighth ranked SM Beermen who edged hosts 88-86. SM Beermen forced 19 North Port turnovers. Strangely North Port outrebounded SM Beermen 56-39 including 19 on the offensive glass. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when SM Beermen made 7 blocks. Guard Jaymar Perez (188-93) fired 18 points and 8 rebounds for the winners. Naturalized American guard Alex Cabagnot (183-82, college: Hawaii-Hilo) chipped in 16 points and 7 assists. Center Gregory Slaughter (216-88, agency: BeoBasket) produced a double-double by scoring 23 points and 17 rebounds and guard Robert Bolick (185-95) added 19 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists respectively for lost side. Four North Port players scored in double figures. North Port's coach Pido Jarencio tried various players' combinations and tested in total eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. SM Beermen (2-1) moved-up to third place, which they share with Meralco Bolts. Loser North Port keeps the seventh position with two games lost. They share it with 3 other teams. SM Beermen will meet at home bottom-ranked Blackwater Elite (#12) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. North Port will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
SM Beermen: J.Perez 18+8reb+2ast, A.Santos 17+5reb, A.Cabagnot 16+4reb+7ast, M.Tautuaa 11+3reb, J.Mar Fajardo 8+7reb+1ast, V.Rolfe Pessumal 6+1ast
North Port: G.Slaughter 23+17reb+1ast, B.Robert 19+8reb+6ast, O.Sidney 12+5reb+1ast, B.Jerrick 11+1reb+2ast, M.Jamie 10+5reb, P.Taha 9+9reb+3ast

Hotshots - Ginebra Kings 89-79

The game had a very big importance for second-ranked Hotshots as it allowed them to take a leadership position. Hotshots defeated 6th ranked Ginebra Kings in Pasig City 89-79. Hotshots made 27-of-31 free shots (87.1 percent) during the game. 24 personal fouls committed by Ginebra Kings helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. Worth to mention a great performance of guard Paul Lee (185-89) who helped to win the game recording 22 points (made all of his nine free throws !!!) and naturalized American forward Calvin Abueva (190-88) who added 15 points and 9 rebounds during the contest. At the losing side naturalized American point guard Stanley Pringle (184-87, college: Penn St., agency: Pensack Sports) responded with 22 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists and guard Scottie Thompson (188-93) produced a double-double by scoring 13 points and 12 rebounds. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Hotshots have a solid three-game winning streak. As mentioned above they are at the top of the standings, which they share with Rain or Shine. Ginebra Kings at the other side dropped to the seventh place with two games lost. They share the position with 3 other teams. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Hotshots: P.Lee 22+3reb+3ast, I.Paul Sangalang 17+3reb, A.Barroca 15+2reb+6ast, C.Abueva 15+9reb, J.Corpuz 9+12reb+1ast, J.Jalalon 5+2reb+1ast
Ginebra Kings: S.Pringle 22+7reb+6ast, S.Thompson 13+12reb+3ast, C.Standhardinger 13+11reb+3ast, L.Tenorio 13+2reb+3ast, J.Aguilar 9+1reb+1ast, J.Chan 9+2reb

NLEX RW - Terrafirma Dyip 108-94

Rather predictable result in Makati City where eighth ranked NLEX RW (2-2) defeated bottom-ranked Terrafirma Dyip (0-2) 108-94 on Sunday. NLEX RW made 22-of-27 free shots (81.5 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. Point guard Kevin Alas (183-91) fired 21 points and 5 rebounds for the winners. Forward Calvin John Oftana (195-96) chipped in 16 points and 7 rebounds. Four NLEX RW players scored in double figures. Naturalized American guard Joshua Munzon (191-95, college: CS Los Angeles) produced 24 points and forward Aldrech Ramos (198-88) added 17 points and 9 rebounds respectively for lost side. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. NLEX RW moved-up to fifth place. Loser Terrafirma Dyip still closes the standings with two games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
NLEX RW: K.Alas 21+5reb+2ast, J.Quinahan 19+2reb, C.John Oftana 16+7reb+2ast, J.Cruz 15+4reb+4ast, A.Semerad 13+3reb+1ast, R.Soyud 7+12reb+3ast
Terrafirma Dyip: J.Munzon 24+2reb+1ast, A.Ramos 17+9reb, P.Cahilig 10+3reb+1ast, R.Adams 9+11reb+1ast, R.McCarthy 8+1reb+2ast, C.John 7



Tags : PAUL LEE, MAGNOLIA HOTSHOTS, FILIPINO BASKETBALL