PBA Round 8 (Regular Season): Hotshots lose to Ginebra Kings

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

Top ranked Hotshots (7-2) recorded its second loss in Manila on Sunday night. Visitors were defeated by seventh ranked Kings (6-3) 85-81. The best player for the winners was center Japeth Aguilar (206-1987, college: WKU) who had a double-double by scoring 17 points and 11 rebounds. American Stephen Holt (193-1991, college: SMC) chipped in 14 points and 7 rebounds. Power forward Ian Paul Sangalang (201-1991) produced a double-double by scoring 16 points and 12 rebounds for the guests. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Ginebra Kings moved-up to fourth place. Hotshots at the other side still keep top position with two games lost. They share it with NLEX RW. Ginebra Kings are looking forward to face TNT Tropang (#7) in Makati in the next round. Hotshots will play at home against the league's second-placed NLEX RW (#2) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Another interesting game was a derby match between two teams from Manila: Bolts (#7) and Kings (#7). Bolts (6-5) won against visiting Kings (6-3) 82-73. Guard Chris Newsome (187-1990, college: Georgetown, KY) orchestrated the victory by scoring 15 points and 6 rebounds. Christopher Banchero contributed with 14 points for the winners. Bolts' coach Luigi Trillo allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. Guard Scottie Thompson (188-1993) replied with 16 points and 7 rebounds for Ginebra Kings. Bolts have a solid three-game winning streak. Meralco Bolts moved-up to sixth place. Ginebra Kings at the other side dropped to the fourth position with three games lost. Meralco Bolts will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Ginebra Kings will play at home against TNT Tropang (#7) and hope to get back on the winning track.
The game with biggest result difference took place in Pasig City. Local North Port (1-7) was outscored by eighth ranked TNT Tropang (5-3) 94-70 on Friday night. Worth to mention a quality performance of Calvin-John Oftana who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 15 points and 10 rebounds. Joshua Munzon responded with 20 points (was perfect 10-for-10 from the free throw line !!!). The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. TNT Tropang have an impressive five-game winning streak. They moved-up to seventh place, which they share with Rain or Shine. North Port lost seventh consecutive game. They keep the tenth position with seven games lost. They share it with Blackwater. TNT Tropang will meet higher ranked Ginebra Kings (#4) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. North Port will play against Phoenix (#9) in Quezon and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

Rest of the games of round 8 were very predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
bottom-ranked Terrafirma Dyip was defeated by FiberXers in Makati 117-103. Phoenix was beaten by Rain or Shine at home 99-109. Phoenix lost to NLEX RW on the opponent's court 95-105.



FiberXers - Terrafirma Dyip 117-103

There was no surprise in Makati where 12th ranked Terrafirma Dyip (1-8) was defeated by fifth ranked FiberXers (6-4) 117-103 on Wednesday. FiberXers dominated down low during the game scoring 74 of its points in the paint compared to Terrafirma Dyip's 36 and made 16-of-21 free shots (76.2 percent) during the game. They outrebounded Terrafirma Dyip 55-33 including a 34-21 advantage in defensive rebounds. FiberXers looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of Justine Baltazar (208-1997) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 17 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists and forward Justine Arana (201-1999) who added 17 points and 13 rebounds during the contest. Naturalized American point guard Stanley Pringle (184-1987, college: Penn State, agency: Pensack Sports) responded with 23 points and 5 assists and forward CJ Catapusan (191) scored 12 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists. Both teams had five players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. FiberXers maintains fifth position with 6-4 record. Terrafirma Dyip lost eighth consecutive game. They stay at the bottom place with eight games lost. FiberXers' supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Makati .
Top scorers:
FiberXers: K.Caralipio 18+10reb+1ast, A.Stockton 17+1reb+5ast, J.Baltazar 17+10reb+5ast, J.Arana 17+13reb+2ast, S.Winston 16+4reb+2ast, K.Racal 9+1ast
Terrafirma Dyip: S.Pringle 23+4reb+5ast, L.Sangalang 18+5reb+1ast, K.Zaldivar 17+1ast, M.Nonoy 15+2reb+6ast, C.Catapusan 12+8reb+5ast, K.Ferrer 11+2reb+1ast

Phoenix - Rain or Shine 99-109

The game between closely ranked teams ended with eighth ranked Painters' (5-3) road victory over 9th ranked Masters (2-7) 109-99 on Wednesday. Rain or Shine looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of guard Adrian Nocum (183-1999) who helped to win the game recording 30 points and 5 rebounds and guard Jhonard Clarito (188-1996) who added 20 points and 10 rebounds (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field) during the contest. Naturalized American forward Jason Perkins (193-1992, college: VCSU) responded with 10 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists and naturalized New Zealand forward Kenneth Tuffin (194-1997) scored 15 points and 6 rebounds. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Rain or Shine moved-up to seventh place, which they share with TNT Tropang. Phoenix lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the ninth position with seven games lost. Rain or Shine will meet at home higher ranked SM Beermen (#3) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Phoenix will play against North Port (#11) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Rain or Shine: A.Nocum 30+5reb+1ast, J.Clarito 20+10reb+1ast, C.Tiongson 14+8reb+4ast, L.Santillan 12+5reb+2ast, A.Caracut 8+1reb+3ast, G.Mamuyac 6+1reb+4ast
Phoenix: K.Tuffin 15+6reb, T.Tio 14+1reb+4ast, R.Verano 14+3reb+1ast, R.Jazul 11+4reb+2ast, J.Perkins 10+8reb+4ast, K.Ballungay 8+11reb+1ast

North Port - TNT Tropang 70-94

The game with biggest result difference took place in Pasig City. Local North Port (1-7) was outscored by eighth ranked TNT Tropang (5-3) 94-70 on Friday night. TNT Tropang outrebounded North Port 66-42 including a 18-7 advantage in offensive rebounds. TNT Tropang looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. Worth to mention a quality performance of forward Calvin-John Oftana (195-1996) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 15 points and 10 rebounds and forward Kelly Williams (201-1982, college: Oakland) who added 11 points and 12 rebounds during the contest. Five TNT Tropang players scored in double figures. Naturalized American guard Joshua Munzon (191-1995, college: CS Los Angeles) responded with 20 points (was perfect 10-for-10 from the free throw line !!!) and power forward Cade Flores (196-1998) scored 9 points and 12 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. TNT Tropang have an impressive five-game winning streak. They moved-up to seventh place, which they share with Rain or Shine. North Port lost seventh consecutive game. They keep the tenth position with seven games lost. They share it with Blackwater. TNT Tropang will meet higher ranked Ginebra Kings (#4) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. North Port will play against Phoenix (#9) in Quezon and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
TNT Tropang: C.Oftana 15+10reb+2ast, R.Ray Pogoy 13+5reb+6ast, A.Vosotros 12+2reb+1ast, K.Williams 11+12reb+2ast, S.Enciso 11+5reb+3ast, J.Paul Erram 11+10reb
North Port: J.Munzon 20+4reb+3ast, J.Balanza 9+1reb, C.Flores 9+12reb+1ast, D.Cuntapay 7+5reb, J.Jalalon 5+4reb+1ast, A.Bulanadi 5+2reb+2ast

Meralco Bolts - Ginebra Kings 82-73

Another interesting game was a derby match between two teams from Manila: Bolts (#7) and Kings (#7). Bolts (6-5) won against visiting Kings (6-3) 82-73. Meralco Bolts made 17-of-18 charity shots (94.4 percent) during the game. Meralco Bolts outrebounded Ginebra Kings 48-33 including 19 on the offensive glass. Guard Chris Newsome (187-1990, college: Georgetown, KY) orchestrated the victory by scoring 15 points and 6 rebounds. Point guard Christopher Banchero (186-1990, college: Seattle Pacific) contributed with 14 points for the winners. Bolts' coach Luigi Trillo allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. Guard Scottie Thompson (188-1993) replied with 16 points and 7 rebounds and forward Jeth Troy Rosario (201-1992) added 14 points and 10 rebounds in the effort for Ginebra Kings. Four Meralco Bolts and five Ginebra Kings players scored in double figures. Bolts have a solid three-game winning streak. Meralco Bolts moved-up to sixth place. Ginebra Kings at the other side dropped to the fourth position with three games lost. Meralco Bolts will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Ginebra Kings will play at home against TNT Tropang (#7) and hope to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Meralco Bolts: C.Newsome 15+6reb+2ast, C.Banchero 14+4reb+3ast, C.Hodge 11+7reb+1ast, K.Quinto 10+7reb+3ast, C.Cansino 10+1reb+2ast, J.Rios 5
Ginebra Kings: J.Malonzo 16+6reb, S.Thompson 16+7reb+3ast, J.Troy Rosario 14+10reb+1ast, J.Aguilar 12+2reb, J.Abarrientos 12+2reb+1ast, S.Holt 3+4reb+2ast

NLEX RW - Phoenix 105-95

Very expected game in Makati City where 9th ranked Masters (2-7) were defeated by third ranked Warriors (7-2) 105-95 on Sunday. NLEX RW looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of guard Robert Bolick (185-1995) who helped to win the game recording 20 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists and Javee Mocon (193-1995) who added 23 points and 9 rebounds during the contest. Naturalized American forward Jason Perkins (193-1992, college: VCSU) responded with 28 points and 7 rebounds and naturalized New Zealand forward Kenneth Tuffin (194-1997) scored 17 points and 5 rebounds. Five NLEX RW and four Phoenix players scored in double figures. Masters' coach rotated fifteen players in this game, but that didn't help. NLEX RW used an opportunity after Hotshots lost their game and moved up joining them at the top position. Phoenix lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the ninth place with seven games lost. NLEX RW will meet league's leader Hotshots in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Phoenix will play against North Port (#11) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
NLEX RW: J.Mocon 23+9reb+3ast, R.Bolick 20+8reb+7ast, J.Bahio 15+5reb+2ast, A.Semerad 14+3reb+1ast, X.Torres 13+2reb, M.Nieto 8+3reb+3ast
Phoenix: J.Perkins 28+7reb+3ast, K.Tuffin 17+5reb+3ast, T.Tio 11+1reb+2ast, K.Ballungay 11+10reb+2ast, R.Roose Garcia 11+2reb+1ast, R.Rivero 6+2reb

Ginebra Kings - Hotshots 85-81

Top ranked Hotshots (7-2) recorded its second loss in Manila on Sunday night. Visitors were defeated by seventh ranked Kings (6-3) 85-81. The best player for the winners was center Japeth Aguilar (206-1987, college: WKU) who had a double-double by scoring 17 points and 11 rebounds. American Stephen Holt (193-1991, college: SMC) chipped in 14 points and 7 rebounds. Four Kings players scored in double figures. Power forward Ian Paul Sangalang (201-1991) produced a double-double by scoring 16 points and 12 rebounds and American forward Zavier Lucero (198, college: Cal Maritime) added 16 points and 8 rebounds respectively for the guests. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Ginebra Kings moved-up to fourth place. Hotshots at the other side still keep top position with two games lost. They share it with NLEX RW. Ginebra Kings are looking forward to face TNT Tropang (#7) in Makati in the next round. Hotshots will play at home against the league's second-placed NLEX RW (#2) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Ginebra Kings: J.Aguilar 17+11reb, J.Troy Rosario 15+5reb+3ast, S.Holt 14+7reb+2ast, J.Malonzo 11+5reb, J.Abarrientos 10+1reb+6ast, J.David 5+1reb+2ast
Hotshots: Z.Lucero 16+8reb, I.Paul Sangalang 16+12reb+1ast, J.Laput 9+3reb+1ast, M.Barroca 9+2reb+5ast, J.Lastimosa 8+3reb+1ast, P.Lee 6+1reb+6ast