PBA Round 17 of Regular Season

There are only two more rounds left in the Regular Season in PBA. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

Second defeat of league's leader Hotshots (8-2) against second ranked Bay Area D. (9-2) 95-89 was the most important game of the last round. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Hotshots. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Bay Area D. forced 19 Hotshots turnovers. American guard Myles Powell (188-1997, college: Seton Hall) orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 32 points and 11 rebounds. British-Canadian guard Glen Yang (193, college: Mount Royal) contributed with 19 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists for the winners. Serbian-American forward Nick Rakocevic (211-1997, college: USC, agency: Pensack Sports) answered with a double-double by scoring 26 points and 19 rebounds for Hotshots. Hotshots' coach rotated twelve players in this game, but that didn't help. Bay Area D. have a solid series of three victories in a row. They keep a position of league leader. Hotshots at the other side dropped to the second place with two games lost. They were replaced at the leadership position by Bay Area D.. Hotshots will have a break next week, which should allow them to rest and make it back to the top of the standings. Bay Area D. will try to continue on its current victory against ninth ranked TNT Tropang in Makati.
Very important is a road loss of third ranked FiberXers (8-3) against fifth ranked North Port (6-5) on Sunday night. Visiting FiberXers were defeated by North Port in Pasig City 112-97. It ended at the same time the seven-game winning streak of FiberXers. Forward William Navarro (199-1997) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 29 points, 17 rebounds and 9 assists (on 11-of-14 shooting from the field) for the winners and Robert Bolick chipped in 26 points, 6 rebounds and 10 assists. Guard Aljun Melecio responded with 20 points and 8 assists. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. North Port have a solid series of three victories in a row. They maintain fifth place with 6-5 record. FiberXers at the other side keep the third position with three games lost. 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 Phoenix (5-6) and SM Beermen (4-5), which took place in Manila. Higher ranked Phoenix lost to tenth ranked SM Beermen in a road game 104-108 on Saturday. Devon Scott nailed a double-double by scoring 18 points, 14 rebounds and 6 assists for the winning side. Kaleb Wesson came up with a double-double by scoring 10 points, 13 rebounds and 7 assists for Phoenix in the defeat. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Defending champion moved-up to seventh place, which they share with Meralco Bolts. Phoenix lost third consecutive game. They keep the sixth position with six games lost. SM Beermen will meet bottom-ranked Terrafirma Dyip (#13) in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Phoenix will have a break next round.

In the last game of round 17 Ginebra Kings beat TNT Tropang on the road 89-85.
The most impressive performance of 17th round was 21 points, 9 rebounds and 8 assists by Justin Brownlee of Ginebra Kings.

SM Beermen - Phoenix 108-104

Worth to mention about the upset in a game between Phoenix (5-6) and SM Beermen (4-5), which took place in Manila. Higher ranked Phoenix lost to tenth ranked SM Beermen in a road game 104-108 on Saturday. SM Beermen looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists. American power forward Devon Scott (206-1994, college: Dayton) nailed a double-double by scoring 18 points, 14 rebounds and 6 assists for the winning side and his fellow American import guard Simon Enciso (180-1991, college: NDN) accounted for 20 points and 7 rebounds. American power forward Kaleb Wesson (208-1999, college: Ohio St.) came up with a double-double by scoring 10 points, 13 rebounds and 7 assists and naturalized American forward Sean Anthony (193-1986) added 13 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists respectively for Phoenix in the defeat. Both teams had five players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Defending champion moved-up to seventh place, which they share with Meralco Bolts. Phoenix lost third consecutive game. They keep the sixth position with six games lost. SM Beermen will meet bottom-ranked Terrafirma Dyip (#13) in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Phoenix will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Phoenix: M.Javee 18+7reb+1ast, T.Tyler 14+4reb+3ast, S.Encho 14+3reb+1ast, J.Perkins 13+4reb, S.Anthony 13+7reb+6ast, K.Wesson 10+13reb+7ast
SM Beermen: S.Enciso 20+7reb+3ast, D.Scott 18+14reb+6ast, J.Perez 16+3reb+4ast, M.Lassiter 14+2reb+3ast, M.Tautuaa 12+5reb+5ast, J.Cruz 11+3reb+3ast

Bay Area D. - Hotshots 95-89

Second defeat of league's leader Hotshots (8-2) against second ranked Bay Area D. (9-2) 95-89 was the most important game of the last round. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Hotshots. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Bay Area D. forced 19 Hotshots turnovers. American guard Myles Powell (188-1997, college: Seton Hall) orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 32 points and 11 rebounds. British-Canadian guard Glen Yang (193, college: Mount Royal) contributed with 19 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists for the winners. Serbian-American forward Nick Rakocevic (211-1997, college: USC, agency: Pensack Sports) answered with a double-double by scoring 26 points and 19 rebounds and point guard Jiovani Jalalon (175-1992) added 19 points and 6 rebounds in the effort for Hotshots. Hotshots' coach rotated twelve players in this game, but that didn't help. Bay Area D. have a solid series of three victories in a row. They keep a position of league leader. Hotshots at the other side dropped to the second place with two games lost. They were replaced at the leadership position by Bay Area D.. Hotshots will have a break next week, which should allow them to rest and make it back to the top of the standings. Bay Area D. will try to continue on its current victory against ninth ranked TNT Tropang in Makati.
Top scorers:
Hotshots: N.Rakocevic 26+19reb+1ast, J.Jalalon 19+6reb+3ast, P.Lee 15+5reb+1ast, I.Paul Sangalang 8+4reb+1ast, A.Jerrick 6+1reb, C.Abueva 4+5reb+1ast
Bay Area D.: M.Powell 32+11reb+2ast, G.Yang 19+5reb+6ast, Z.Songwei 15+7reb+5ast, C.Liu 8+5reb, M.Ju 8+3reb, D.Reid 6+3reb+2ast

North Port - FiberXers 112-97

Very important is a road loss of third ranked FiberXers (8-3) against fifth ranked North Port (6-5) on Sunday night. Visiting FiberXers were defeated by North Port in Pasig City 112-97. It ended at the same time the seven-game winning streak of FiberXers. They outrebounded FiberXers 55-38 including a 46-21 advantage in defensive rebounds. North Port players were unselfish on offense dishing 30 assists. They brought some defensive toughness making 10 blocks. FiberXers were plagued by 27 personal fouls down the stretch. Forward William Navarro (199-1997) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 29 points, 17 rebounds and 9 assists (on 11-of-14 shooting from the field) for the winners and guard Robert Bolick (185-1995) chipped in 26 points, 6 rebounds and 10 assists. Guard Aljun Melecio responded with 20 points and 8 assists and guard Jeron Alvin Teng (190-1994) scored 14 points and 7 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. North Port have a solid series of three victories in a row. They maintain fifth place with 6-5 record. FiberXers at the other side keep the third position with three games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
FiberXers: M.Aljun 20+2reb+8ast, J.Alvin Teng 14+7reb+2ast, M.Ahanmisi 11+5reb+3ast, I.Regile 11+2reb+2ast, T.Abu Jahal 9+7reb+3ast, S.Alec 8+4reb+1ast
North Port: W.Navarro 29+17reb+9ast, B.Robert 26+6reb+10ast, P.Ibeh 19+15reb+2ast, A.Tolentino 15+7reb, S.Roi Sumang 9+3reb+6ast, B.Jerrick 7+1reb+1ast

TNT Tropang - Ginebra Kings 85-89

No shocking result in a game when fourth ranked Ginebra Kings (7-2) beat 9th ranked TNT Tropang (4-6) in Makati 89-85 on Sunday. Ginebra Kings looked well-organized offensively handing out 27 assists. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Ginebra Kings made 7 blocks. American forward Justin Brownlee (197-1988, college: St.John's) nailed 21 points, 9 rebounds and 8 assists for the winning side and center Japeth Aguilar (206-1987, college: WKU) accounted for 9 points and 12 rebounds. Brownlee is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. Naturalized American guard Michael Williams (188-1991, college: CS Fullerton) came up with 20 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists and Roger Ray Pogoy (189-1992) added 18 points and 7 rebounds respectively for TNT Tropang in the defeat. Four TNT Tropang players scored in double figures. Both coaches allowed to play bench players in such tough game. Ginebra Kings have an impressive series of five victories in a row. They maintain fourth place with 7-2 record. Loser TNT Tropang keeps the ninth position with six games lost. They share it with Rain or Shine. Ginebra Kings will meet at home NLEX RW (#11) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. TNT Tropang will play against the league's leader Bay Area D. in Hong Kong and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
TNT Tropang: M.Williams 20+7reb+5ast, R.Ray Pogoy 18+7reb+1ast, J.Paul Erram 16+8reb+1ast, G.Khobuntin 10+5reb+2ast, J.Castro William 7+4reb+3ast, C.John Oftana 6+10reb+1ast
Ginebra Kings: J.Brownlee 21+9reb+8ast, S.Pringle 12+1reb, S.Thompson 10+4reb+6ast, J.Aguilar 9+12reb+3ast, A.Mariano 8+2reb+1ast, M.Jamie 8+4reb+2ast



Tags : MYLES POWELL, BAY AREA DRAGONS, FILIPINO BASKETBALL