PBA Round 7 (Regular Season): NLEX RW is defeated by Meralco Bolts

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The game between second ranked Warriors (6-2) and eighth ranked Bolts (5-5) was the most important one in the last round on Sunday night. Warriors were defeated by Bolts in Makati City 108-92. It ended at the same time the six-game winning streak of Warriors. Meralco Bolts made 27-of-32 free shots (84.4 percent) during the game. It was a great shooting night for Meralco Bolts especially from behind the arc, where they had solid 56.3 percentage. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Meralco Bolts made 8 blocks. 26 personal fouls committed by NLEX RW helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. It was a great evening for guard Chris Newsome (187-1990, college: Georgetown, KY) who led his team to a victory scoring 21 points and 5 assists. point guard Christopher Banchero (186-1990, college: Seattle Pacific) helped adding 16 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists. At the losing side guard Robert Bolick (185-1995) responded with 22 points and 6 assists. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Meralco Bolts moved-up to sixth place. NLEX RW at the other side keeps the second position with two games lost. They share it with SM Beermen. Meralco Bolts' supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Manila Ginebra Kings.
The game between Top Four teams took place in Makati City. Second ranked host Warriors (6-2) defeated 4th placed FiberXers (5-4) 88-83. It was an exceptional evening for guard Robert Bolick (185-1995) who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 19 points, 7 rebounds and 10 assists. Xyrus Torres accounted for 18 points. Justine Baltazar (208-1997) came up with a double-double by scoring 21 points and 10 rebounds for FiberXers in the defeat. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Warriors have an impressive series of six victories in a row. NLEX RW maintains second place with 6-2 record behind leader Hotshots, which they share with SM Beermen. FiberXers at the other side dropped to the fifth position with four games lost. NLEX RW will play against Phoenix (#9) in Quezon in the next round and are hoping to win another game. FiberXers will play at home against Terrafirma Dyip (#12) and hope to get back on the winning track.
PBA top team - Hotshots (7-1) managed to deliver another win on Saturday. This time they beat tenth ranked North Port (1-6) in Pasig City 106-97. Zavier Lucero fired 20 points and 8 rebounds for the winners. William Navarro produced a double-double by scoring 27 points and 13 rebounds (made all of his eleven free throws !!!) for lost side. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Hotshots maintains first place with 7-1 record. North Port lost their sixth game in a row. They keep the tenth position with six games lost. Hotshots will meet Ginebra Kings (#4) in the next round. North Port will play against TNT Tropang (#7) and hope to win that game.

There were no shocking results in the rest of the games of round 7: Blackwater lost to Meralco Bolts on the opponent's court 85-103. Rain or Shine unfortunately lost to TNT Tropang in a home game 103-111. Ginebra Kings managed to beat Blackwater on the road 101-99. Blackwater was crushed by SM Beermen on its own court 78-115.



Meralco Bolts - Blackwater 103-85

Rather expected game in Manila where 10th ranked Bossing (1-7) was defeated by eighth ranked Bolts (5-5) 103-85 on Wednesday. Meralco Bolts dominated down low during the game scoring 70 of its points in the paint compared to Bossing's 42. Meralco Bolts outrebounded Blackwater 55-40 including 20 on the offensive glass. Meralco Bolts looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. Guard Chris Newsome (187-1990, college: Georgetown, KY) fired 19 points and 7 rebounds for the winners. Point guard Christopher Banchero (186-1990, college: Seattle Pacific) chipped in 13 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists. Four Bolts players scored in double figures. Canadian forward Christian David (198-1998, college: Butler) produced a double-double by scoring 24 points and 10 rebounds and American guard Sedrick Barefield (188-1996, college: Utah) added 23 points respectively for lost side. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Meralco Bolts moved-up to sixth place. Blackwater lost their fifth game in a row. They dropped to the eleventh position with seven games lost. They share it with Terrafirma Dyip. Meralco Bolts' supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Manila Ginebra Kings.
Top scorers:
Blackwater: C.David 24+10reb+1ast, S.Barefield 23+3reb+1ast, R.Escoto 11+2reb+1ast, T.Mallillin 7+3reb, J.Casio 6+3reb+2ast, P.Caperal 3
Meralco Bolts: C.Newsome 19+7reb+1ast, C.Cansino 14+5reb+3ast, C.Banchero 13+7reb+4ast, R.Jose 12+5reb+2ast, B.Bates 10+7reb+2ast, A.Black 9+6reb+6ast

Rain or Shine - TNT Tropang 103-111

We could consider it a predictable result in the game between close teams in Manila where seventh ranked TNT Tropang (4-3) defeated 6th ranked Painters (4-3) 111-103 on Wednesday. TNT Tropang made 22-of-28 free shots (78.6 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. Roger Ray Pogoy (189-1992) fired 35 points (!!!) for the winners. Forward Calvin-John Oftana (195-1996) chipped in 28 points and 8 rebounds. Guard Gian Mamuyac (180-1999) produced 18 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists and guard Andrei Caracut (178-1996) added 20 points and 5 rebounds (on 6-of-7 shooting from the field) respectively for lost side. Four Rain or Shine players scored in double figures. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. The victory was the fourth consecutive win for TNT Tropang. They maintain seventh place with 4-3 record, which they share with Rain or Shine. TNT Tropang will meet North Port (#10) in the next round. Rain or Shine will play against Phoenix in Quezon and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Rain or Shine: A.Caracut 20+5reb+2ast, G.Mamuyac 18+6reb+7ast, J.Clarito 17+1reb, K.Datu 10+5reb+3ast, A.Nocum 8+3reb+1ast, L.Santillan 7+10reb+2ast
TNT Tropang: R.Ray Pogoy 35+4reb+2ast, J.Paul Erram 31+6reb+1ast, C.Oftana 28+8reb+3ast, S.Enciso 8+2reb+6ast, G.Khobuntin 5+3reb+2ast, K.Aurin 3+1reb

NLEX RW - FiberXers 88-83

The game between Top Four teams took place in Makati City. Second ranked host Warriors (6-2) defeated 4th placed FiberXers (5-4) 88-83. NLEX RW players were unselfish on offense dishing 24 assists. It was an exceptional evening for guard Robert Bolick (185-1995) who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 19 points, 7 rebounds and 10 assists. Forward Xyrus Torres (183-2000) accounted for 18 points for the winning side. Justine Baltazar (208-1997) came up with a double-double by scoring 21 points and 10 rebounds and forward Justine Arana (201-1999) added 12 points and 12 rebounds respectively for FiberXers in the defeat. Four FiberXers players scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Warriors have an impressive series of six victories in a row. NLEX RW maintains second place with 6-2 record behind leader Hotshots, which they share with SM Beermen. FiberXers at the other side dropped to the fifth position with four games lost. NLEX RW will play against Phoenix (#9) in Quezon in the next round and are hoping to win another game. FiberXers will play at home against Terrafirma Dyip (#12) and hope to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
FiberXers: J.Baltazar 21+10reb, A.Stockton 17+6reb+3ast, S.Winston 16+1reb+1ast, J.Arana 12+12reb+3ast, M.Garcia 9+3reb+3ast, R.Suerte 3+1reb
NLEX RW: R.Bolick 19+7reb+10ast, X.Torres 18+4reb, A.Semerad 10+1ast, J.Mocon 10+7reb+2ast, J.Bahio 9+9reb+4ast, B.Ramirez 8+2reb+1ast

Blackwater - Ginebra Kings 99-101

Not a big story in a game in Caloocan City where 10th ranked Bossing (1-7) was edged by fifth ranked Kings (5-2) 101-99 on Friday. Ginebra Kings looked well-organized offensively handing out 29 assists. Forward Jamie Malonzo (198-1996) fired a double-double by scoring 15 points, 14 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners. Guard Scottie Thompson (188-1993) chipped in a double-double by scoring 18 points and 10 assists (on 6-of-7 shooting from the field). Five Kings players scored in double figures. American guard Sedrick Barefield (188-1996, college: Utah) produced 32 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists and guard Regile Ilagan (180-1997) added 24 points respectively for lost side. Bossing's coach tried various players' combinations and tested in total twelve players in this game, but that didn't help. The victory was the third consecutive win for Kings. Ginebra Kings moved-up to fourth place. Blackwater lost their fifth game in a row. They dropped to the eleventh position with seven games lost. They share it with Terrafirma Dyip. Ginebra Kings will meet at home league's leader Hotshots in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Blackwater will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Blackwater: S.Barefield 32+6reb+6ast, R.Ilagan 24+2reb+2ast, C.David 15+8reb+1ast, T.Mallillin 9+5reb+1ast, R.Escoto 8+4reb+2ast, J.Casio 3+2reb
Ginebra Kings: J.Aguilar 22+6reb+2ast, J.Troy Rosario 18+6reb+3ast, S.Thompson 18+4reb+10ast, J.Malonzo 15+14reb+5ast, S.Holt 13+8reb+4ast, J.Abarrientos 8+4reb+4ast

Hotshots - North Port 106-97

PBA top team - Hotshots (7-1) managed to deliver another win on Saturday. This time they beat tenth ranked North Port (1-6) in Pasig City 106-97. Hotshots looked well-organized offensively handing out 27 assists. American forward Zavier Lucero (198, college: Cal Maritime) fired 20 points and 8 rebounds for the winners. Guard Paul Lee (185-1989) chipped in 16 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists. Forward William Navarro (199-1997) produced a double-double by scoring 27 points and 13 rebounds (made all of his eleven free throws !!!) and forward Sidney Onwubere (193-1993) added 19 points and 9 rebounds respectively for lost side. Four North Port players scored in double figures. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Hotshots maintains first place with 7-1 record. North Port lost their sixth game in a row. They keep the tenth position with six games lost. Hotshots will meet Ginebra Kings (#4) in the next round. North Port will play against TNT Tropang (#7) and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
North Port: W.Navarro 27+13reb+3ast, S.Onwubere 19+9reb+1ast, J.Jalalon 16+6reb+1ast, J.Munzon 14+5reb+4ast, J.Kwekuteye 9+1reb+2ast, E.Nelle 7+1reb+3ast
Hotshots: Z.Lucero 20+8reb+2ast, P.Lee 16+5reb+6ast, M.Barroca 15+4reb+7ast, P.Alfaro 13+1reb+1ast, A.Dionisio 10+4reb+1ast, J.Lastimosa 10+1reb+2ast

Blackwater - SM Beermen 78-115

Everything went according to plan in Caloocan City where third ranked Beermen (6-2) outscored 10th ranked Bossing (1-7) 115-78 on Sunday. SM Beermen dominated down low during the game scoring 70 of its points in the paint compared to Bossing's 38 and made 19-of-25 free shots (76.0 percent) during the game. SM Beermen outrebounded Blackwater 52-41 including a 42-25 advantage in defensive rebounds. SM Beermen looked well-organized offensively handing out 28 assists. Center June Mar Fajardo (210-1989) fired a double-double by scoring 17 points and 13 rebounds for the winners. Guard Jaymar Perez (188-1993) chipped in 20 points. Four Beermen players scored in double figures. Canadian forward Christian David (198-1998, college: Butler) produced 15 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists and guard Regile Ilagan (180-1997) added 14 points and 5 assists respectively for lost side. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. The victory was the third consecutive win for Beermen. SM Beermen moved-up to second place, which they share with NLEX RW. Blackwater lost their fifth game in a row. They dropped to the eleventh position with seven games lost. They share it with Terrafirma Dyip. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Blackwater: C.David 15+6reb+5ast, R.Ilagan 14+4reb+5ast, B.Andrade 10+3reb+1ast, P.Caperal 8+1reb+1ast, T.Mallillin 6+7reb, S.Barefield 5+4reb
SM Beermen: J.Perez 20+2reb+3ast, J.Mar Fajardo 17+13reb+1ast, J.Calma 16+6reb, C.Trollano 15+4reb, J.Cruz 13+2reb+8ast, C.Ross 11+4reb+3ast

NLEX RW - Meralco Bolts 92-108

The game between second ranked Warriors (6-2) and eighth ranked Bolts (5-5) was the most important one in the last round on Sunday night. Warriors were defeated by Bolts in Makati City 108-92. It ended at the same time the six-game winning streak of Warriors. Meralco Bolts made 27-of-32 free shots (84.4 percent) during the game. It was a great shooting night for Meralco Bolts especially from behind the arc, where they had solid 56.3 percentage. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Meralco Bolts made 8 blocks. 26 personal fouls committed by NLEX RW helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. It was a great evening for guard Chris Newsome (187-1990, college: Georgetown, KY) who led his team to a victory scoring 21 points and 5 assists. Point guard Christopher Banchero (186-1990, college: Seattle Pacific) helped adding 16 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists. At the losing side guard Robert Bolick (185-1995) responded with 22 points and 6 assists and Jb Bahio scored 14 points and 5 rebounds (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field). Both teams had five players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Meralco Bolts moved-up to sixth place. NLEX RW at the other side keeps the second position with two games lost. They share it with SM Beermen. Meralco Bolts' supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Manila Ginebra Kings.
Top scorers:
NLEX RW: R.Bolick 22+4reb+6ast, K.Alas 14+1ast, J.Bahio 14+5reb+3ast, J.Mocon 12+7reb+2ast, D.Fajardo 11+2reb+1ast, B.Ramirez 6+4reb
Meralco Bolts: C.Newsome 21+2reb+5ast, C.Cansino 20+2reb, K.Quinto 18+3reb+3ast, C.Banchero 16+5reb+6ast, C.Hodge 12+5reb+4ast, A.Black 8+2reb+2ast