PBA Round 8: Derby game ends with Hotshots' defeat of North Port

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most interesting game was a derby match between two local teams from Pasig City: Hotshots (#1) and North Port (#3). Hotshots (5-0) smashed visiting North Port (3-3) by 18 points 109-91. Hotshots made 17-of-20 free shots (85.0 percent) during the game. They also forced 20 North Port turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 32 assists comparing to just 15 passes made by North Port's players. Serbian-American forward Nick Rakocevic (211-1997, college: USC, agency: Pensack Sports) orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 26 points, 14 rebounds and 4 assists. point guard Andy Barroca (176-1988) contributed with 13 points and 8 assists for the winners. American-Rwandan center Prince Ibeh (208-1994, college: Texas) replied with a double-double by scoring 11 points, 13 rebounds and 4 blocks for North Port. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Undefeated Hotshots have an impressive five-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 5-0 record. North Port at the other side keeps the third place with three games lost. They share the position with Blackwater Elite. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Worth to mention about the upset in a game between Rain or Shine (2-3) and TNT Tropang (2-1), which took place in Manila. Higher ranked Rain or Shine was outleveled at home by tenth ranked TNT Tropang 110-91. Worth to mention a great performance of American forward Cameron Oliver (203-1996, college: Nevada) who helped to win the game recording 21 points and 8 rebounds and Calvin John Oftana who added 15 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists during the contest. Guard Rey Nambatac (179-1994) responded with 20 points and 4 assists. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. TNT Tropang moved-up to fifth place. Rain or Shine at the other side dropped to the ninth position with three games lost. They share it with Phoenix. TNT Tropang will play against NLEX RW (#8) in Makati City in the next round. Rain or Shine will have a break next round.
The game between second ranked Bay Area D. (5-1) and 11th ranked SM Beermen (1-2) in Hong Kong on Sunday ended with biggest points difference. Bay Area D. outscored guests from Manila 113-87. The winners were led by Andrew Nicholson who had that evening a double-double by scoring 39 points (!!!) and 12 rebounds (was perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw line). Even 19 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists by Jaymar Perez did not help to save the game for SM Beermen. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Newly promoted Bay Area D. maintains second position with 5-1 record having just one point less than leader Hotshots. Defending champion SM Beermen keeps the eleventh place with two games lost. Bay Area D. will meet bottom-ranked Terrafirma Dyip (#13) in the next round which should be another easy win for them. SM Beermen will play against FiberXers and hope to win that game.

In the last game of round 8 FiberXers beat Meralco Bolts on the road 106-99.

Meralco Bolts - FiberXers 99-106

Everything could happen in Manila at the game between two tied teams. Both eleventh ranked FiberXers and 12th ranked Meralco Bolts had identical 1-2 record. But Meralco Bolts were not able to use a home court advantage and were defeated by the opponent from Makati 106-99 on Saturday night. FiberXers made 16-of-21 free shots (76.2 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. The winners were led by American forward Quincy Miller-Scott (206-1992, college: Baylor) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 29 points, 16 rebounds, 5 assists and 5 steals and guard Maverick Ahanmisi (188-1991, college: Minnesota) supported him with 21 points. Even a double-double of 27 points and 15 rebounds by American power forward Johnny O'Bryant III (207-1993, college: LSU, agency: Slash Sports) did not help to save the game for Meralco Bolts. Forward Aaron Black added 18 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists for the hosts. Both teams had five players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. FiberXers (2-2) moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Ginebra Kings and NLEX RW. Loser Meralco Bolts keep the twelfth position with three games lost. FiberXers will meet SM Beermen (#11) in the next round where they are favorite. Meralco Bolts will play against Phoenix and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
FiberXers: Q.Miller-Scott 29+16reb+5ast, M.Ahanmisi 21+4reb+1ast, B.Allyn 12+3reb, J.Alvin Teng 11+5reb+2ast, I.Regile 10+3reb+3ast, T.Abu Jahal 9+2reb+1ast
Meralco Bolts: J.O'Bryant III 27+15reb+3ast, B.Aaron 18+7reb+6ast, A.Jose Caram 14+1ast, M.Allein 14+4reb, Q.Kier 12+4reb+2ast, C.Hodge 10+10reb+1ast

Rain or Shine - TNT Tropang 91-110

Worth to mention about the upset in a game between Rain or Shine (2-3) and TNT Tropang (2-1), which took place in Manila. Higher ranked Rain or Shine was outleveled at home by tenth ranked TNT Tropang 110-91. TNT Tropang outrebounded Rain or Shine 58-43 including a 47-36 advantage in defensive rebounds. Their players were unselfish on offense dishing 21 assists. Rain or Shine was plagued by 27 personal fouls down the stretch. Worth to mention a great performance of American forward Cameron Oliver (203-1996, college: Nevada) who helped to win the game recording 21 points and 8 rebounds and forward Calvin John Oftana (195-1996) who added 15 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists during the contest. Guard Rey Nambatac (179-1994) responded with 20 points and 4 assists and center Leonard Santillan (195-1996) produced a double-double by scoring 11 points and 10 rebounds. Five TNT Tropang and four Rain or Shine players scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. TNT Tropang moved-up to fifth place. Rain or Shine at the other side dropped to the ninth position with three games lost. They share it with Phoenix. TNT Tropang will play against NLEX RW (#8) in Makati City in the next round. Rain or Shine will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
TNT Tropang: C.Oliver 21+8reb+1ast, R.Ray Pogoy 15+3reb+2ast, C.John Oftana 15+8reb+4ast, T.Frederick 14+3reb+1ast, J.Castro William 10+4reb+6ast, M.Kib 8+2reb+1ast
Rain or Shine: R.Nambatac 20+4reb+4ast, C.Andrei 12+2ast, A.Antonio 11+1reb+4ast, L.Santillan 11+10reb, D.Ildefonso 9+2reb+1ast, B.Belga 7+7reb

Bay Area D. - SM Beermen 113-87

The game between second ranked Bay Area D. (5-1) and 11th ranked SM Beermen (1-2) in Hong Kong on Sunday ended with biggest points difference. Bay Area D. outscored guests from Manila 113-87. Bay Area D. looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. The winners were led by Canadian Andrew Nicholson (206-1989, college: St.Bonaventure) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 39 points (!!!) and 12 rebounds (was perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw line) and Australian guard Hayden Blankley (198, college: WT) supported him with 17 points and 9 rebounds. Five Bay Area D. players scored in double figures. Even 19 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists by guard Jaymar Perez (188-1993) did not help to save the game for SM Beermen. American power forward Diamond Stone (210-1997, college: Maryland) added 11 points, 14 rebounds and 5 assists for the guests. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Newly promoted Bay Area D. maintains second position with 5-1 record having just one point less than leader Hotshots. Defending champion SM Beermen keeps the eleventh place with two games lost. Bay Area D. will meet bottom-ranked Terrafirma Dyip (#13) in the next round which should be another easy win for them. SM Beermen will play against FiberXers and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Bay Area D.: A.Nicholson 39+12reb+2ast, H.Blankley 17+9reb+2ast, K.Lam 16+5reb+5ast, Z.Songwei 16+5reb+1ast, C.Liu 12+10reb+2ast, D.Reid 6+4reb+1ast
SM Beermen: J.Perez 19+9reb+6ast, V.Manuel 15+5reb, D.Stone 11+14reb+5ast, M.Tautuaa 9+10reb, S.Enciso 9+1reb+1ast, J.Cruz 8+2reb

Hotshots - North Port 109-91

The most interesting game was a derby match between two local teams from Pasig City: Hotshots (#1) and North Port (#3). Hotshots (5-0) smashed visiting North Port (3-3) by 18 points 109-91. Hotshots made 17-of-20 free shots (85.0 percent) during the game. They also forced 20 North Port turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 32 assists comparing to just 15 passes made by North Port's players. Serbian-American forward Nick Rakocevic (211-1997, college: USC, agency: Pensack Sports) orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 26 points, 14 rebounds and 4 assists. Point guard Andy Barroca (176-1988) contributed with 13 points and 8 assists for the winners. American-Rwandan center Prince Ibeh (208-1994, college: Texas) replied with a double-double by scoring 11 points, 13 rebounds and 4 blocks and forward Kevin Ferrer (194-1993) added 19 points in the effort for North Port. Five Hotshots and four North Port players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Hotshots have an impressive five-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 5-0 record. North Port at the other side keeps the third place with three games lost. They share the position with Blackwater Elite. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Hotshots: N.Rakocevic 26+14reb+4ast, A.Barroca 13+2reb+8ast, A.Jerrick 10+2reb+3ast, I.Paul Sangalang 10+4reb+1ast, J.Jalalon 10+2reb+7ast, J.Corpuz 9+2reb+1ast
North Port: K.Ferrer 19+1reb+2ast, B.Robert 15+3reb+1ast, P.Ibeh 11+13reb+1ast, A.Tolentino 11+5reb+3ast, A.Mer Jesper 10, B.Jerrick 8+2reb+3ast



Tags : NICK RAKOCEVIC, MAGNOLIA HOTSHOTS, FILIPINO BASKETBALL