PBA Round 16 (Regular Season): Phoenix beat TNT Tropang by three after a very close game

The games at this stage are more interesting as they can be crucial for the final standings in Regular Season. Despite we already know who is stronger and who is weaker, there may be still last minute surprises and upsets. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most exciting game of round 16 in the PBA took place in Makati. This derby game ended with only three-point home defeat of one of their biggest challengers Giga (6-4) to sixth ranked Masters (6-4) 100-97 in the game for the fifth place. Worth to mention a great performance of guard Ricci Rivero (185-1998) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 31 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists. American power forward James Dickey III (208-1996, college: UNCG, agency: JCK Sports Group) contributed with 22 points, 15 rebounds and 6 assists for the winners. South Sudanese-American center Bol Bol (218-1999, college: Oregon, agency: The Crew A.M.) replied with a double-double by scoring 30 points and 20 rebounds for TNT Tropang. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Phoenix moved-up to fifth place, which they share with TNT Tropang. Phoenix will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. TNT Tropang will play at home against Hotshots (#7) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Another interesting game was a derby match between two teams from Manila: Bolts (#5) and Kings (#3). Kings were smashed at home by 21 points 91-112 and even the fact of playing on their own court did not help. It ended at the same time the five-game winning streak of Kings. Worth to mention a great performance of American center Marvin Jones (213-1993, college: Texas Southern) who helped to win the game recording 18 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists and CJ Cansino who added 18 points during the contest. At the losing side naturalized American forward Justin Brownlee (197-1988, college: St.John's) responded with 23 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Meralco Bolts (6-3) moved-up to fourth place. Ginebra Kings at the other side keep the third position with three games lost. Meralco Bolts will play against Blackwater (#12) in Caloocan City in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Ginebra Kings' supporters look forward to another derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Manila to the arena Rain or Shine.
PBA top team - Warriors (9-2) had no problems winning another game on Saturday. This time they crushed ninth ranked FiberXers (4-7) in Makati 100-81. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of FiberXers. The winners were led by Cady Lalanne who had that evening a double-double by scoring 22 points, 14 rebounds and 4 assists. Even 21 points and 7 rebounds (on 10-of-13 shooting from the field) by Justine Arana 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. Warriors have a solid three-game winning streak. NLEX RW maintains first position with 9-2 record. Loser FiberXers dropped to the tenth place with seven games lost. NLEX RW will meet at home Titan UGR (#11) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. FiberXers will have a break next round.

In the last game of round 16 Macau was beaten by Terrafirma Dyip on the road 102-84.



TNT Tropang - Phoenix 97-100

The most exciting game of round 16 in the PBA took place in Makati. This derby game ended with only three-point home defeat of one of their biggest challengers Giga (6-4) to sixth ranked Masters (6-4) 100-97 in the game for the fifth place. Worth to mention a great performance of guard Ricci Rivero (185-1998) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 31 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists. American power forward James Dickey III (208-1996, college: UNCG, agency: JCK Sports Group) contributed with a double-double by scoring 22 points, 15 rebounds and 6 assists for the winners. South Sudanese-American center Bol Bol (218-1999, college: Oregon, agency: The Crew A.M.) replied with a double-double by scoring 30 points and 20 rebounds and forward Calvin-John Oftana (195-1996) added 22 points and 6 rebounds in the effort for TNT Tropang. Both teams had five players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Phoenix moved-up to fifth place, which they share with TNT Tropang. Phoenix will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. TNT Tropang will play at home against Hotshots (#7) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
TNT Tropang: B.Bol 30+20reb+1ast, O.Calvin-John 22+6reb+1ast, P.Roger Ray 17+7reb, J.Castro William 11+2reb+3ast, K.Glenn 11+3reb+1ast, G.Henry 2+1reb
Phoenix: R.Ricci 31+11reb+4ast, D.James 22+15reb+6ast, P.Jason 15+7reb, T.Tio 14+1reb+2ast, K.Tuffin 11+12reb+2ast, B.Santos 5+1reb

Ginebra Kings - Meralco Bolts 91-112

Another interesting game was a derby match between two teams from Manila: Bolts (#5) and Kings (#3). Kings were smashed at home by 21 points 91-112 and even the fact of playing on their own court did not help. It ended at the same time the five-game winning streak of Kings. Meralco Bolts players were unselfish on offense dishing 27 assists comparing to just 14 passes made by Ginebra Kings' players. Worth to mention a great performance of American center Marvin Jones (213-1993, college: Texas Southern) who helped to win the game recording 18 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists and guard CJ Cansino (188-1999) who added 18 points during the contest. Five Bolts players scored in double figures. At the losing side naturalized American forward Justin Brownlee (197-1988, college: St.John's) responded with 23 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists and guard Rhon Jhay Abarrientos (181-1999) scored 24 points. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Meralco Bolts (6-3) moved-up to fourth place. Ginebra Kings at the other side keep the third position with three games lost. Meralco Bolts will play against Blackwater (#12) in Caloocan City in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Ginebra Kings' supporters look forward to another derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Manila to the arena Rain or Shine.
Top scorers:
Ginebra Kings: R.Jhay Abarrientos 24+1reb+2ast, B.Justin 23+5reb+6ast, S.Holt 8+2reb, G.Jeremiah 8+1reb, T.Scottie 8+3reb+2ast, A.John 6+4reb+1ast
Meralco Bolts: C.Cansino 18+2reb+1ast, J.Marvin 18+9reb+4ast, C.Newsome 12+1reb+3ast, K.Quinto 11+1ast, C.Hodge 11+3reb+3ast, B.Jason 10+2reb+6ast

Terrafirma Dyip - Macau BB 102-84

No shocking result in a game when tenth ranked Dyip (4-6) beat bottom-ranked Black Bears (2-9) in Makati City 102-84 on Saturday. Terrafirma Dyip dominated down low during the game scoring 76 of its points in the paint compared to Black Bears's 42. Terrafirma Dyip looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists. The winners were led by Finnish power forward Mubashar Ali (213-1997, college: FMU, agency: BIG) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 24 points, 16 rebounds and 5 assists and guard Jerrick Ahanmisi (185-1997) supported him with 29 points and 8 assists. Even 27 points and 7 rebounds by Australian forward Ramon Cao (202-1997, college: Florida Coll.) did not help to save the game for Macau. American-Mexican forward Tony Mitchell (203-1992, college: N.Texas) added 22 points and 12 rebounds for lost side. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Terrafirma Dyip moved-up to ninth place. Loser Black Bears dropped to the bottom position with nine games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Macau BB: C.Ramon 27+7reb+1ast, T.Mitchell 22+12reb, S.Phoenix 13+6reb+2ast, J.Leung 10+3reb+6ast, D.Chong-Qui 8+1reb+7ast, Z.Zhaojing 2+1ast
Terrafirma Dyip: J.Ahanmisi 29+1reb+8ast, A.Mubashar 24+16reb+5ast, J.Bravo 12+6reb+2ast, G.Chiu 12+11reb+2ast, A.Maverick 9+3reb+3ast, P.Hernandez 5+2reb+2ast

FiberXers - NLEX RW 81-100

PBA top team - Warriors (9-2) had no problems winning another game on Saturday. This time they crushed ninth ranked FiberXers (4-7) in Makati 100-81. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of FiberXers. NLEX RW made 28-of-36 free shots (77.8 percent) during the game, while FiberXers only scored five points from the stripe. The winners were led by Haitian center Cady Lalanne (208-1992, college: UMass) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 22 points, 14 rebounds and 4 assists and guard Schonny Winston (193-1998) supported him with 21 points and 5 assists. Four Warriors players scored in double figures. Even 21 points and 7 rebounds (on 10-of-13 shooting from the field) by forward Justine Arana (201-1999) did not help to save the game for FiberXers. Naturalized Spanish guard Juan Gomez De Liano (184-1999) added 9 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists for lost side. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Warriors have a solid three-game winning streak. NLEX RW maintains first position with 9-2 record. Loser FiberXers dropped to the tenth place with seven games lost. NLEX RW will meet at home Titan UGR (#11) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. FiberXers will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
FiberXers: A.Justine 21+7reb+2ast, C.Archie 10+1reb, B.Justine 9+9reb, J.Gomez De Liano 9+8reb+8ast, A.Calvin 8+4reb+1ast, P.Jonnel 6+1reb+1ast
NLEX RW: L.Cady 22+14reb+4ast, S.Winston 21+4reb+5ast, B.Robert 21+3reb+5ast, A.Semerad 11+7reb, X.Torres 8+2reb, K.Racal 4+1reb