PBA Round 8 (Philippine Cup): TNT Tropang keep a leadership position

PBA is at the halfway of the Regular Season and there are still another 8 rounds left. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The game had a very big importance for second-ranked TNT Tropang as it allowed them to take a leadership position. TNT Tropang defeated 10th ranked Phoenix in Makati 87-72. The best player for the winners was naturalized American guard Michael Williams (188-1991, college: CS Fullerton) who scored 27 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists. Roger Ray Pogoy (189-1992) chipped in 20 points and 4 assists. Naturalized American forward Sean Anthony (193-1986) produced a double-double by scoring 13 points and 14 rebounds for the guests. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. TNT Tropang have a solid three-game winning streak. As mentioned above they are alone now at the top position. Phoenix at the other side dropped to the ninth place with four games lost. They share the position with FiberXers. Phoenix will play next round against NLEX RW trying to get back on the winning streak. TNT Tropang will try to continue on its current victory against eighth ranked North Port in Pasig City.
Very important is a road loss of third ranked Meralco Bolts (3-2) against seventh ranked NLEX RW (3-2) on Saturday night. Visiting Meralco Bolts were defeated by NLEX RW in Makati City 90-75. Center Justin Chua (198-1989) orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 15 points and 11 rebounds. Calvin John Oftana contributed with 12 points and 13 rebounds for the winners. Guard Chris Newsome (187-1990, college: Georgetown, KY) replied with 17 points for Meralco Bolts. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. NLEX RW moved-up to fifth place, which they share with defeated Meralco Bolts. NLEX RW will play against Phoenix (#10) in Quezon in the next round where they are favorite. Meralco Bolts will play at home against Blackwater Elite (#4) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Bottom-ranked Terrafirma Dyip (0-5) tried to put together a comeback for its first victory of the season, but they fell short in the 107-70 loss to sixth ranked Blackwater Elite (3-1) in Makati City on Saturday evening. Worth to mention a great performance of Yousef Taha who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 12 points, 14 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 blocks. Joshua Munzon responded with 17 points and 5 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. Blackwater Elite moved-up to fourth place. Loser Terrafirma Dyip still closes the standings with five games lost. Blackwater Elite will meet Meralco Bolts (#6) in the next round. Terrafirma Dyip will have a break next round.

In the last game of round 8 SM Beermen crushed FiberXers in Manila 111-92.
The best stats of 8th round was 18 points, 16 rebounds and 4 blocks by June Mar Fajardo of SM Beermen.

Terrafirma Dyip - Blackwater Elite 70-107

Bottom-ranked Terrafirma Dyip (0-5) tried to put together a comeback for its first victory of the season, but they fell short in the 107-70 loss to sixth ranked Blackwater Elite (3-1) in Makati City on Saturday evening. They also forced 19 Terrafirma Dyip turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 29 assists comparing to just 12 passes made by Terrafirma Dyip's players. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Blackwater Elite made 7 blocks. Worth to mention a great performance of center Yousef Taha (201-1988, college: North Lake CC) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 12 points, 14 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 blocks and power forward Kevin Ebona (197-1996) who added 11 points and 8 rebounds during the contest. Five Blackwater Elite players scored in double figures. Naturalized American guard Joshua Munzon (191-1995, college: CS Los Angeles) responded with 17 points and 5 rebounds and power forward Joseph Gabayni (196-1994) scored 12 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. Blackwater Elite moved-up to fourth place. Loser Terrafirma Dyip still closes the standings with five games lost. Blackwater Elite will meet Meralco Bolts (#6) in the next round. Terrafirma Dyip will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Terrafirma Dyip: J.Munzon 17+5reb+3ast, G.Joseph 12+7reb+1ast, E.Camson 10+8reb, J.Tiongson 10+3reb+1ast, G.De Liano Javier 9+3reb+3ast, A.Ramos 6+11reb
Blackwater Elite: U.Renato 16+5reb, J.Casio 14+1reb+4ast, Y.Taha 12+14reb+4ast, E.Kevin 11+8reb+2ast, D.Mark 11+6reb, J.Sena 11+5reb+2ast

NLEX RW - Meralco Bolts 90-75

Very important is a road loss of third ranked Meralco Bolts (3-2) against seventh ranked NLEX RW (3-2) on Saturday night. Visiting Meralco Bolts were defeated by NLEX RW in Makati City 90-75. Meralco Bolts were plagued by 29 personal fouls down the stretch. Center Justin Chua (198-1989) orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 15 points and 11 rebounds. Forward Calvin John Oftana (195-1996) contributed with a double-double by scoring 12 points and 13 rebounds for the winners. Five NLEX RW players scored in double figures. Guard Chris Newsome (187-1990, college: Georgetown, KY) replied with 17 points and Raymar Jose added 6 points and 9 rebounds in the effort for Meralco Bolts. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. NLEX RW moved-up to fifth place, which they share with defeated Meralco Bolts. NLEX RW will play against Phoenix (#10) in Quezon in the next round where they are favorite. Meralco Bolts will play at home against Blackwater Elite (#4) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Meralco Bolts: C.Newsome 17+3reb+3ast, R.Hugnatan 10+5reb, B.Aaron 9+4reb+1ast, A.Jose Caram 7+1reb+1ast, C.Hodge 7+6reb+2ast, M.Allein 7+6reb+2ast
NLEX RW: T.Celedonio 19+4reb+1ast, J.Quinahan 16+6reb+2ast, J.Chua 15+11reb, K.Alas 14+3reb+5ast, C.John Oftana 12+13reb+1ast, K.Rosales 5+2ast

TNT Tropang - Phoenix 87-72

The game had a very big importance for second-ranked TNT Tropang as it allowed them to take a leadership position. TNT Tropang defeated 10th ranked Phoenix in Makati 87-72. The best player for the winners was naturalized American guard Michael Williams (188-1991, college: CS Fullerton) who scored 27 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists. Roger Ray Pogoy (189-1992) chipped in 20 points and 4 assists. Naturalized American forward Sean Anthony (193-1986) produced a double-double by scoring 13 points and 14 rebounds and Javee Mocon (193-1995) added 12 points and 10 rebounds respectively for the guests. Four Phoenix players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. TNT Tropang have a solid three-game winning streak. As mentioned above they are alone now at the top position. Phoenix at the other side dropped to the ninth place with four games lost. They share the position with FiberXers. Phoenix will play next round against NLEX RW trying to get back on the winning streak. TNT Tropang will try to continue on its current victory against eighth ranked North Port in Pasig City.
Top scorers:
Phoenix: S.Anthony 13+14reb+2ast, T.Tyler 13+1ast, M.Javee 12+10reb+3ast, R.Jazul 11+1reb+3ast, M.Aljun 6+2reb+2ast, S.Manganti 5+7reb
TNT Tropang: M.Williams 27+6reb+7ast, R.Ray Pogoy 20+2reb+4ast, G.Khobuntin 9+10reb+1ast, J.Paul Erram 8+12reb, J.Castro William 8+4reb+2ast, J.Alejandro 7+2reb+2ast

FiberXers - SM Beermen 92-111

There was no surprise in Makati where 8th ranked FiberXers (2-4) were crushed by fourth ranked SM Beermen (4-1) 111-92 on Sunday. SM Beermen dominated down low during the game scoring 78 of its points in the paint compared to FiberXers' 52. They outrebounded FiberXers 56-29 including a 39-20 advantage in defensive rebounds. SM Beermen looked well-organized offensively handing out 32 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of guard Jaymar Perez (188-1993) who helped to win the game recording a triple-double by scoring 15 points, 13 rebounds and 12 assists and center June Mar Fajardo (210-1989) who added 18 points, 16 rebounds and 4 blocks during the contest. Allyn Bulanadi responded with 22 points and naturalized American guard Michael Digregorio (185-1990, college: McKendree) scored 21 points. Both teams had five players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. SM Beermen moved-up to second place, which they share with Ginebra Kings. Loser FiberXers dropped to the ninth position with four games lost. They share it with Phoenix. SM Beermen's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Manila Rain or Shine.
Top scorers:
FiberXers: B.Allyn 22+2reb, M.Digregorio 21+1reb, H.Tyrus 15+2reb, M.Ahanmisi 10+2reb+7ast, D.Murrell 10+3reb, A.Justine 4+6reb+1ast
SM Beermen: J.Cruz 22+1reb+6ast, M.Tautuaa 19+10reb+4ast, J.Mar Fajardo 18+16reb+1ast, J.Perez 15+13reb+12ast, M.Lassiter 12+5reb+1ast, C.Michael 10+2reb+2ast



Tags : MICHAEL WILLIAMS, TALK N TEXT TROPANG GIGA, FILIPINO BASKETBALL