PBA Round 8 (Regular Season): No surprise as #1 Rain or Shine defeat SM Beermen

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

PBA top team - Painters (6-0) added another victory to their record on Wednesday. This time they beat fifth ranked Beermen (3-3) in Manila 116-112. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Beermen. Rain or Shine made 19-of-25 free shots (76.0 percent) during the game. They also forced 20 SM Beermen turnovers. Rain or Shine looked well-organized offensively handing out 34 assists comparing to just 20 passes made by SM Beermen's players. Worth to mention a quality performance of American center Jaylen Johnson (206-1996, college: Louisville, agency: Octagon Europe) who helped to win the game recording 24 points and 5 rebounds and guard Jhonard Clarito (188-1996) who added 16 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists during the contest. Center June Mar Fajardo (210-1989) responded with a double-double by scoring 17 points and 13 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Undefeated Painters have an impressive six-game winning streak. Rain or Shine maintains first position with 6-0 record. Defending champion SM Beermen dropped to the seventh place with three games lost. They share the position with Terrafirma Dyip. Rain or Shine will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. SM Beermen will play at home against Hotshots (#10) and is hoping to prove to their fans that this time they can win.
PBA top team - Painters (6-0) managed to deliver another win. This time they beat twelfth ranked FiberXers (1-5) in Manila 120-111. The winners were led by American center Jaylen Johnson (206-1996, college: Louisville, agency: Octagon Europe) who scored that evening 35 points (!!!) and 21 rebounds and Gian Mamuyac supported him with 21 points. Even a double-double of 16 points and 16 rebounds by American center Kylor Kelley (213-1997, college: Oregon St.) did not help to save the game for FiberXers. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Undefeated Painters have an impressive six-game winning streak. Rain or Shine maintains first position with 6-0 record. FiberXers lost fifth consecutive game. They keep the twelfth place with five games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
A very close game took place in Pasig City between Kings and Hotshots. Seventh ranked Kings (3-2) got a very close victory on the road over 9th ranked Hotshots (2-4). Kings managed to escape with a 2-point win 91-89 on Friday evening. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Hotshots. The best player for the winners was Justin Brownlee who scored 29 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists. Clinton Chapman produced a double-double by scoring 18 points and 10 rebounds for the hosts. Both coaches allowed to play bench players in such tough game. Ginebra Kings moved-up to fourth place, which they share with TNT Tropang and Phoenix. Hotshots at the other side dropped to the tenth position with four games lost. Ginebra Kings will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Hotshots will play against SM Beermen (#7) in Manila and hope to secure a win.

In the last game of round 8 Titan UGR won against Blackwater on the opponent's court 102-98.



Blackwater - Titan UGR 98-102

Everything could happen in Caloocan City at the game between two tied teams. Both eleventh ranked Risers and 10th ranked Bossing had identical 1-3 record. But Bossing was not able to use a home court advantage and was defeated by the opponent from Pasig City 102-98 on Wednesday night. Titan UGR made 23-of-25 free shots (92.0 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. The best player for the winners was Belgian-American forward Michael Gilmore (208-1995, college: VCU, agency: BIG) who had a double-double by scoring 21 points and 15 rebounds. Naturalized American guard Joshua Munzon (191-1995, college: CS Los Angeles) chipped in 25 points and 4 assists. American center Robert Upshaw (213-1994, college: Washington) produced a double-double by scoring 25 points and 11 rebounds and his fellow American import guard Sedrick Barefield (188-1996, college: Utah) added 25 points and 5 rebounds respectively for the hosts. Both coaches allowed to play bench players in such tough game. Titan UGR (2-3) moved-up to ninth place. Blackwater at the other side dropped to the eleventh position with four games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Blackwater: R.Upshaw 25+11reb+2ast, S.Barefield 25+5reb+2ast, D.Panopio 10+5reb+3ast, T.Abu Jahal 9+5reb+1ast, E.Richard 9+3reb+1ast, C.David 7+12reb+2ast
Titan UGR: J.Munzon 25+4reb+4ast, G.Michael 21+15reb+2ast, A.Dionisio 11+6reb, R.Ular 7+6reb+2ast, F.Yu 7+5reb+8ast, P.Javillonar 7+1ast

SM Beermen - Rain or Shine 112-116

PBA top team - Painters (6-0) added another victory to their record on Wednesday. This time they beat fifth ranked Beermen (3-3) in Manila 116-112. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Beermen. Rain or Shine made 19-of-25 free shots (76.0 percent) during the game. They also forced 20 SM Beermen turnovers. Rain or Shine looked well-organized offensively handing out 34 assists comparing to just 20 passes made by SM Beermen's players. Worth to mention a quality performance of American center Jaylen Johnson (206-1996, college: Louisville, agency: Octagon Europe) who helped to win the game recording 24 points and 5 rebounds and guard Jhonard Clarito (188-1996) who added 16 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists during the contest. Center June Mar Fajardo (210-1989) responded with a double-double by scoring 17 points and 13 rebounds and naturalized American swingman Marcio Lassiter (190-1987, college: CS Fullerton) scored 27 points. Four Rain or Shine and five SM Beermen players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Painters have an impressive six-game winning streak. Rain or Shine maintains first position with 6-0 record. Defending champion SM Beermen dropped to the seventh place with three games lost. They share the position with Terrafirma Dyip. Rain or Shine will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. SM Beermen will play at home against Hotshots (#10) and is hoping to prove to their fans that this time they can win.
Top scorers:
SM Beermen: M.Lassiter 27+3reb+1ast, P.Jaymar 18+4reb+5ast, F.June Mar 17+13reb+3ast, T.Celedonio 14+4reb+4ast, J.Patton 12+17reb, C.Jericho 9+4reb+1ast
Rain or Shine: J.Jaylen 24+5reb+3ast, A.Nocum 21+5reb+2ast, J.Clarito 16+8reb+5ast, P.Felix 14+6reb+4ast, T.Caelan 11+6reb+2ast, G.Mamuyac 10+2reb+5ast

Rain or Shine - FiberXers 120-111

PBA top team - Painters (6-0) managed to deliver another win. This time they beat twelfth ranked FiberXers (1-5) in Manila 120-111. Rain or Shine made 19-of-24 charity shots (79.2 percent) during the game. Their players were unselfish on offense dishing 24 assists. The winners were led by American center Jaylen Johnson (206-1996, college: Louisville, agency: Octagon Europe) who scored that evening 35 points (!!!) and 21 rebounds and guard Gian Mamuyac (180-1999) supported him with 21 points. Even a double-double of 16 points and 16 rebounds by American center Kylor Kelley (213-1997, college: Oregon St.) did not help to save the game for FiberXers. Naturalized American guard Michael Williams (188-1991, college: CS Fullerton) added 16 points, 5 rebounds and 10 assists for the guests. Four Rain or Shine and five FiberXers players scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Painters have an impressive six-game winning streak. Rain or Shine maintains first position with 6-0 record. FiberXers lost fifth consecutive game. They keep the twelfth place with five games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
FiberXers: S.Alec 17+4reb+2ast, A.Justine 16+5reb, W.Michael 16+5reb+10ast, K.Kelley 16+16reb+2ast, J.Gomez De Liano 14+3reb+4ast, P.Jonnel 11+8reb+4ast
Rain or Shine: J.Jaylen 35+21reb+3ast, G.Mamuyac 21+3reb+3ast, T.Caelan 14+2reb+3ast, A.Caracut 12+4reb+1ast, P.Felix 10+2reb+3ast, A.Nocum 8+2reb+4ast

Hotshots - Ginebra Kings 89-91

A very close game took place in Pasig City between Kings and Hotshots. Seventh ranked Kings (3-2) got a very close victory on the road over 9th ranked Hotshots (2-4). Kings managed to escape with a 2-point win 91-89 on Friday evening. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Hotshots. Ginebra Kings made 23-of-28 free shots (82.1 percent) during the game. They also forced 20 Hotshots turnovers. The best player for the winners was naturalized American forward Justin Brownlee (197-1988, college: St.John's) who scored 29 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists. Guard Scottie Thompson (188-1993) chipped in a double-double by scoring 24 points and 10 rebounds. Brownlee is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. American power forward Clinton Chapman (208-1989, college: Texas, agency: Diamond Sports) produced a double-double by scoring 18 points and 10 rebounds and naturalized American forward Zavier Lucero (198-1999, college: Cal Maritime) added 19 points and 7 rebounds (was perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw line) respectively for the hosts. Five Hotshots players scored in double figures. Both coaches allowed to play bench players in such tough game. Ginebra Kings moved-up to fourth place, which they share with TNT Tropang and Phoenix. Hotshots at the other side dropped to the tenth position with four games lost. Ginebra Kings will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Hotshots will play against SM Beermen (#7) in Manila and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Hotshots: L.Zavier 19+7reb+3ast, C.Chapman 18+10reb+2ast, B.Andy 14+4reb+6ast, L.Jerom 11+2reb+2ast, L.Paul 10+4reb+6ast, d.Rosa Rome 9+5reb
Ginebra Kings: J.Brownlee 29+9reb+4ast, S.Thompson 24+10reb+3ast, J.Rhon 19+1reb+2ast, H.Stephen 6+3reb+1ast, T.Norbert 5+1ast, N.Pinto 4