PBA Round 9 (Regular Season): NLEX RW is upset by Phoenix

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The game between third ranked NLEX RW (5-3) and eleventh ranked Phoenix (3-5) was the most important one in the last round on Saturday night. NLEX RW was crushed by Phoenix in Quezon 112-77. Phoenix had a 37-20 advantage in offensive rebounds. They shot the lights out from three sinking 17 long-distance shots on high 51.5 percentage. Phoenix looked well-organized offensively handing out 29 assists. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Phoenix made 7 blocks. The best player for the winners was guard RJ Jazul (180-1986) who scored 19 points and 4 assists. Naturalized New Zealand forward Kenneth Tuffin (194-1997) chipped in 17 points and 7 rebounds (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field). At the other side the best for losing team was Enoch Valdez who recorded 16 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. Phoenix moved-up to ninth place, which they share with Meralco Bolts and Blackwater. NLEX RW at the other side dropped to the fourth position with three games lost. Phoenix is looking forward to face Meralco Bolts (#11) in Manila in the next round. NLEX RW will have a break next round.
FiberXers can celebrate finally their first win this season after eight consecutive losses. The victory is especially important as it came on the road game in Manila, where they defeated Meralco Bolts (3-5) 104-99. It was a good game for forward Justine Arana (201-1999) who led his team to a victory with 18 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists. Bryan Santos contributed with 22 points and 5 rebounds for the winners. Guard Chris Newsome (187-1990, college: Georgetown, KY) answered with 25 points and 5 assists for Meralco Bolts. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. FiberXers maintains twelfth place with 1-8 record. Meralco Bolts at the other side keep the ninth position with five games lost. They share it with Blackwater and Phoenix. FiberXers will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Meralco Bolts will play on the road against Phoenix (#10) in Quezon and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Undefeated leader SM Beermen delivered the seventh consecutive victory on Sunday night. This time they crushed 6th ranked North Port (4-5) 120-100 in Manila. Jaymar Perez stepped up and scored 29 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists for the winners. The best for the losing side was Arvin Tolentino with 26 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Undefeated SM Beermen (7-0) have an impressive series of seven victories in a row. They maintain first place with a perfect record of 7 victories in a row. North Port lost fourth consecutive game. They dropped to the seventh position with five games lost. They share it with Terrafirma Dyip. SM Beermen will meet Hotshots (#3) in the next round, which may be the game of the day. North Port will play against Terrafirma Dyip (#8) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

In the last game of round 9 Hotshots defeated Rain or Shine in Pasig City 108-102.



Phoenix - NLEX RW 112-77

The game between third ranked NLEX RW (5-3) and eleventh ranked Phoenix (3-5) was the most important one in the last round on Saturday night. NLEX RW was crushed by Phoenix in Quezon 112-77. Phoenix had a 37-20 advantage in offensive rebounds. They shot the lights out from three sinking 17 long-distance shots on high 51.5 percentage. Phoenix looked well-organized offensively handing out 29 assists. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Phoenix made 7 blocks. The best player for the winners was guard RJ Jazul (180-1986) who scored 19 points and 4 assists. Naturalized New Zealand forward Kenneth Tuffin (194-1997) chipped in 17 points and 7 rebounds (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field). At the other side the best for losing team was Enoch Valdez who recorded 16 points and 9 rebounds and guard Robert Bolick (185-1995) added 11 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists respectively. Both teams had five players each who scored in double figures. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Phoenix moved-up to ninth place, which they share with Meralco Bolts and Blackwater. NLEX RW at the other side dropped to the fourth position with three games lost. Phoenix is looking forward to face Meralco Bolts (#11) in Manila in the next round. NLEX RW will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Phoenix: R.Jazul 19+4reb+4ast, T.Kenneth 17+7reb+2ast, J.Alejandro 16+5reb+3ast, S.Kent 11+4reb+8ast, J.Perkins 10+8reb+4ast, R.Rivero 8+1reb+2ast
NLEX RW: V.Enoch 16+9reb+2ast, N.Jhan 12+1ast, A.Semerad 11+6reb+3ast, F.Dominick 11+4reb+2ast, B.Robert 11+6reb+7ast, B.Amer 11+2reb+1ast

Rain or Shine - Hotshots 102-108

We cannot really consider it an upset in the game between close teams in Manila where 4th placed Rain or Shine (5-5) was defeated by fifth ranked Hotshots (5-2) 108-102 on Saturday. Hotshots outrebounded Rain or Shine 51-35 including a 36-25 advantage in defensive rebounds. Hotshots looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. Power forward Ian Paul Sangalang (201-1991) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 25 points and 12 rebounds (on 11-of-14 shooting from the field) for the winners and point guard Andy Barroca (176-1988) chipped in 18 points, 7 rebounds and 9 assists. The best for the losing side was Beau Belga (198-1986) with 16 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists and center Leonard Santillan (195-1996) scored 17 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. Four Hotshots and five Rain or Shine players scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Hotshots have a solid series of four victories in a row. They moved-up to third place. Loser Rain or Shine dropped to the fifth position with five games lost. Hotshots will meet at home league's leader SM Beermen in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Rain or Shine will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Hotshots: I.Paul Sangalang 25+12reb+3ast, A.Barroca 18+7reb+9ast, D.Aris 13+6reb, M.Jonathan 12+3ast, P.Lee 11+2reb+1ast, J.Eriobu 10+3reb
Rain or Shine: N.Adrian 19+2reb+2ast, L.Santillan 17+5reb+4ast, B.Belga 16+8reb+6ast, G.Mamuyac 14+3reb+2ast, C.Andrei 12+3reb+2ast, A.Antonio 9+2ast

Meralco Bolts - FiberXers 99-104

FiberXers can celebrate finally their first win this season after eight consecutive losses. The victory is especially important as it came on the road game in Manila, where they defeated Meralco Bolts (3-5) 104-99. FiberXers made 20-of-26 charity shots (76.9 percent) during the game. FiberXers outrebounded Meralco Bolts 44-33 including 30 on the defensive glass. FiberXers players were unselfish on offense dishing 21 assists. Meralco Bolts were plagued by 25 personal fouls down the stretch. It was a good game for forward Justine Arana (201-1999) who led his team to a victory with 18 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists. Bryan Santos contributed with 22 points and 5 rebounds for the winners. Guard Chris Newsome (187-1990, college: Georgetown, KY) answered with 25 points and 5 assists and guard Aaron Black (185-1996) added 19 points and 6 assists in the effort for Meralco Bolts. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. FiberXers maintains twelfth place with 1-8 record. Meralco Bolts at the other side keep the ninth position with five games lost. They share it with Blackwater and Phoenix. FiberXers will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Meralco Bolts will play on the road against Phoenix (#10) in Quezon and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
FiberXers: S.Bryan 22+5reb, S.Alec 20+4reb+2ast, A.Justine 18+7reb+7ast, W.Schonny 14+7reb+1ast, D.Los Santos John 10+4reb+4ast, C.King 9+6reb+3ast
Meralco Bolts: C.Newsome 25+3reb+5ast, C.Banchero 20+2reb+3ast, B.Aaron 19+3reb+6ast, C.Hodge 10+9reb, Q.Kier 9+4reb+1ast, A.Jose Caram 6+3ast

SM Beermen - North Port 120-100

Undefeated leader SM Beermen delivered the seventh consecutive victory on Sunday night. This time they crushed 6th ranked North Port (4-5) 120-100 in Manila. SM Beermen shot the lights out from three sinking 18 long-distance shots on high 51.4 percentage. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 31 assists. Guard Jaymar Perez (188-1993) stepped up and scored 29 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists for the winners and center June Mar Fajardo (210-1989) chipped in 12 points and 9 rebounds. Four SM Beermen players scored in double figures. The best for the losing side was forward Arvin Tolentino (195-1995) with 26 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists and naturalized American guard Joshua Munzon (191-1995, college: CS Los Angeles) scored 10 points, 5 assists and 4 steals. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. SM Beermen (7-0) have an impressive series of seven victories in a row. They maintain first place with a perfect record of 7 victories in a row. North Port lost fourth consecutive game. They dropped to the seventh position with five games lost. They share it with Terrafirma Dyip. SM Beermen will meet Hotshots (#3) in the next round, which may be the game of the day. North Port will play against Terrafirma Dyip (#8) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
SM Beermen: J.Perez 29+9reb+6ast, M.Tautuaa 15+5reb+1ast, M.Lassiter 14+3reb+2ast, T.Celedonio 13+7reb+1ast, J.Mar Fajardo 12+9reb+3ast, J.Alvin Teng 10+2reb
North Port: A.Tolentino 26+9reb+4ast, Z.Lucero 10+4reb, J.Munzon 10+4reb+5ast, B.Allyn 10, C.Damie 9+1ast, P.Zamar 8+1reb