PBA news

[♥helen♥]

Final Score: Is LA Tenorio the new Johnny A

Tim Cone is a fan of the familiar. He sits on the Alaska bench, arms crossed, in deep thought while fixtures by his side ruminate along with him. Cone scans the bench and finds people who have been by his side for years. Cone, then, surveys the floor. He watches L.A. Tenorio direct the Alaska offense. The head coach’s eyes follow the starting point guard’s moves. Tenorio whizzes by defenders, sets up teammates for easy baskets, sinks big shots at crunch-time. The veteran coach has seen this before. For a coach who finds strength in the familiar, Cone has to be pleased. He has a team that wins with typical Alaska efficiency and a point guard that reminds him of Johnny Abarrientos – the greatest court general in franchise history.

“Johnny and L.A. play differently," Cone says. “But there are certainly similarities in their personalities and approach to the game."

Abarrientos was a force of nature as soon as he entered the PBA in 1993. As a rookie, Johnny A averaged 16 points, five rebounds, six assists and two steals per game. Tenorio, on the other hand, had a decent rookie season for talent-stacked San Miguel in 2006-2007 (eight points, two rebounds, three assists and one steal per contest). Nowadays, with Tenorio having a virtual monopoly of PG minutes with Alaska, the disparity is gone. In Johnny A’s fourth season in the PBA, he averaged 15 points, five rebounds, five assists and one steal per game. Now on his fourth year in the league, Tenorio tallies 16 points, five rebounds, four assists and one steal per game. For Alaska, their similarity in production is eerie. For opponents, their similarity in effectiveness is a problem. Many thought Tenorio was destined to succeed Olsen Racela as San Miguel’s ace playmaker. Destiny, however, changed its mind. Tenorio now seems on track to follow in Johnny A’s footsteps instead.

“They talk softly and carry a big stick," Cone shares. “They are both extremely confident and hard to rattle."
It’s hard not to see some Johnny in LA. In a big game last Wednesday, ranged against San Miguel’s battalion of point guards – the Beermen’s version of Entourage starring Jonas Villanueva as Vincent Chase, Denok Miranda as Turtle, Mike Cortez as Eric Murphy and Racela as mentor-like Ari Gold (Olsen’s too nice and too accomplished to be Johnny Drama) – Tenorio took them all to school and stood out like the prettiest cheerleader on the pep squad. Tenorio led Alaska to a morale-boosting win with 27 points (career-high), six rebounds and four assists.

Tenorio, however, is still not Johnny A. Far from it. For that to happen, Tenorio will need to win one MVP trophy, be on the Mythical Team five times and basically be one of the league’s greatest players of all time. Cone, however, believes Tenorio is on the right track. After all, Cone’s current floor leader has a most important likeness with his former court general.

“They both have big hearts," Cone admits. “Huge." – GMANews.TV

[unurbab09]

Yup. Im talking about our Philippine basketball. I grew up watching  jaworski, Loyzaga, Patrimonio and even my uncles most hated referee Varela.He is an Anejo fun of course. What happened to our pba? wheres the game?

[♥helen♥]

No Asian imports in PBA Fiesta tilt
source: gmanews.tv


The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) has shelved its initial proposal to tap Asian talents for this year’s Fiesta Conference.

Citing the busy international basketball calendar in 2010, the league decided to do away with hiring Asian players for imports, and instead, go back to the tried and tested practice of tapping Americans as reinforcements.

The import-flavored conference is tentatively set on March 21.

“Top caliber Asian imports whom we hope to add and spice and draw the crowds may not be available to play for our teams in the coming Fiesta Conference," admitted league commissioner Sonny Barrios in a statement.

“Most of the big name stars we hope to sign are either tied up with their mother ballclubs or will be deep in training for the big international tournaments scheduled this year."

Lebanon stalwart Fadi El-Khatib, Iranian Mohhamad Samad Nikkah and Korean Lee Kyu Sup are among the possible Asian players eligible to see action in the season-ending meet.

Last Nov. 26, the PBA Board unanimously approved the move to tap imports among countries under the FIBA-Asia umbrella as a way of providing a new offering to the Filipino basketball fans.

But with the plan temporarily on hold, Barrios said member teams can now openly tap possible imports with a 6-foot-6 height limit.

“Imports who had been measured from the 2005-06 season when we started using the current method of measurement need not be re-measured," Barrios stressed. “The import’s last record of measurement will be used by this Office as the import’s official height."

Games January 6 (Araneta Coliseum)
2:30PM — Smart-Gilas vs Purefoods
5:00PM — Sta. Lucia vs Rain or Shine
7:30PM — Talk ’N Text vs Ginebra

[♥helen♥]

Four-player deal: Burger King trades David for Coke's Cabagnot
source: philstar.com

Burger King and Coca-Cola closed a trade deal in the first working day of 2010 with the Whoppers acquiring the services of Alex Cabagnot and Wesley Gonzales for Gary David and Chico Lanete.

“On our end, we made this deal to solve our problem on the absence of Wynne Arboleda. With our acquisition of Alex Cabagnot, we’ve got a solid guard to rely on,” Burger King top official Lito Alvarez told The STAR.

“But acquiring a solid player requires you to also give up a solid player. We had to give up Gary David,” Alvarez added.

At Coca-Cola, David will be playing under former Air21 (now BK) coach Bo Perasol.

“Coach Bo asked for Gary. He knows how to use Gary. He blossomed to the kind of player he is today under coach Bo with us,” Alvarez said.

The two ballclubs worked on this trade deal in an effort to improve their bids in the KFC PBA Philippine Cup which resumes tomorrow at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Whoppers (5-10) and the Tigers (3-12) are down in the lower half of the chart, slugging it out with the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters (4-10) and the Barako Bull Energy Boosters (2-12) for the last three slots in the wildcard plays.

In fact, Cabagnot and David are doing well individually.

Cabagnot is No. 18 in the stats side of the Best Players of the Conference derby with averages of 13.5 points, 5.9 assists and 4.1 rebounds.

Burger King is Cabagnot’s third team after being drafted by Sta. Lucia No. 2 overall behind Jay Washington in the 2005 annual draft.

“We need a player like Cabagnot but it’s not easy to give up Gary David,” Alvarez told The STAR moments after announcing the trade deal to the Lina Group people after a Mass at Cargohaus in Pasay.

“Even Mr. (Bert) Lina was surprised. He talked to me and reminded me how close to each other the daughters of Wynne (Arboleda) and Gary (David),” said Alvarez. “I’m sure, though, that everything will be fine. This is just basketball and friends will always be friends.”

David, a product of Lyceum University, is originally a Coca-Cola Tiger.

No. 10 draft pick by Coca-Cola in 2004, David played one season with the Tigers then was shifted to Air21.

Meanwhile, the PBA said due to the busy international basketball calendar this year, top-caliber Asian imports whom the PBA teams hope to tap in a bid to draw the crowds may not be available to play in the coming Fiesta Conference.

“Most of the big name stars we hope to sign are either tied up with their mother ballclubs or will be deep in training for the big international tournaments scheduled late this year,” according to the PBA.

The league said teams can now openly recruit their respective imports for the 2010 Fiesta Conference with a 6-foot-6 height limit.

Imports who had been measured from the 2005-06 season, however, need not be re-measured with the reinforcement’s last record of measurement to be used as the import’s official height.


**NOTE: A bigger trade coming soon..

[♥helen♥]

Texters coach Reyes still wary with injury-depleted Kings

Barangay Ginebra still has issues on players’ injuries to address entering its KFC-PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals series with defending champion Talk ‘N Text.

But not even that couldn’t take away Tropang Texters’ coach Chot Reyes’ worried lookespecially since they’ll be up against the league’s crowd darlings.

Even in the absence of top gun Mark Caguioa and defensive whiz Junthy Valenzuela, Reyes considers the Kings a very formidable opponent that is standing in his team’s way to repeat as All-Filipino champions.

"Mas malakas sila ngayon. Ang players nila sobra (They are much stronger now. They have a lot of players)," said Reyes as the Tropang Texters prepare for Game 1 of their best-of-five series that begins Friday.

"They have Cyrus Baguio, Ronald Tubid and JC Intal, who we think we have to contain. Imagine if they have Caguioa and Junthy playing, then those players will be lost in the rotation."

"To be honest, we are the underdogs in the series," added Reyes.

Both Caguioa and Valenzuela remain doubtful for the Kings as both still have to recover from their respective injuries.

Even reigning league most valuable player (MVP) JayJay Helterbrand is also uncertain of suiting up for the Kings.


"So how can we say that they (Texters) are the underdogs?" coach Jong Uichico asked, obviously refuting Reyes’ statement that the Kings are the favored team with three of Ginebra’s star players on the injured list.

"Sana kung mas malakas kami, kami ang nag-champion (If we had been the stronger team, we would have been the champions) last season because we have the same intact line-up."

Uichico tried to reverse the situation, stressing, “All I can say is that we are playing the defending champions with a healthy, intact line-up, not to mention the addition of Nic Belasco."

Talk ‘N Text and Ginebra split their elimination head-to-head duel in the eliminations.

And while the Tropang Texters barely made it to the quarterfinals, the Kings will be going into the playoffs fresh from a four-game winning streak.

"Definitely, they’re the hottest team right now," said Reyes. – GMANews.TV

[♥helen♥]

GINEBRA – TALK N TEXT, PUREFOODS – RAIN OR SHINE QUARTERFINAL DUELS START AT BIG DOME

BARANGAY Ginebra coach Jong Uichico will not be lulled by what his rival says. Not when he has enough reason to keep his team on its toes.

So expect the Kings to display the same fire and energy they have splendidly displayed in the windup of the eliminations when they tackle the Talk N Text Tropang Texters Friday at the start of the 2009-10 KFC PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals at the Araneta Coliseum.

Rain or Shine tries to carry over its surprising wildcard momentum when it tangles with well-rested Purefoods in the curtain raiser, but it will be on the nightcap – also a best-of-five affair – that much of the focus is heaped.

“Overall, Ginebra is playing the best of all the teams and presents us with a lot of problems,” said TNT coach Chot Reyes of the team that finished the elims with a four-game streak, including a 105-82 manhandling  of the Texters the last time they met.

“Game 1 will be critical to let us know if we can compete with them or not following the blowout we suffered in our last game,” added Reyes.

Uichico is quick to shrug off those statements. For good reason.

Contary to expectations, Ginebra's dreaded backcourt duo of Jayjay Helterbrand and Mark Caguioa have not fully recovered from their respective knee injuries.

“Jayjay hindi pa makakalaro, Mark’s situational,” Uichico bared Thursday in a text message.

That should leave the likes of JC Intal, Cyrus Baguio, Ronald Tubid and Willy Wilson continuing to lead in holding the fort for the Kings.

All of the TNT players are fit and ready and this gnaws at Uichico the most. “We are playing the defending champions with an intact lineup,” he pointed out.

It's not manpower Reyes is most concerned about. “Really our biggest problem is our inconsistency,” he said. “If we hurdle this then we will have a chance.”

After easily making it to the quarters outright, Purefoods is also well-rested. But it is up against a Rain or Shine crew that has proven most people wrong by getting this far and now eager to go at least one more step higher.

“I always felt that their 4-14 (win-loss) mark at the end of the elims is not an indicator of their real roster power,” noted Giants coach Ryan Gregorio of the Elasto Painters, who started the tournament with six straight losses and after landing ninth barely squeaked through to the wildcard round.

Then came the RoS turnaround as it notched back-to-back knockout wins over higher seeds Sta. Lucia Realty and Coca-Cola, the last via a 99-84 count only last Wednesday.

Coach Caloy Garcia admitted those must-win games may take their toll on his team's energy level, but not on their intensity and enthusiasm.

“In Game One, for sure, medyo pagod ang mga players,” Garcia admitted after the Coke game. “But tomorrow kasal ni Jeff Chan so I'll give the players time to rest tomorrow, enjoy the moment first and then back to work.”

After what they had to go through,  being in the quarterfinals is enough prod in itself for his team, Garcia added.

“At the start of the season hindi masyadong maganda ang laro, pero I told the players we have to have confidence,” Garcia related of his team that started the tournament with six straight losses and wound up the 18-game eliminations at ninth.

Sol Mercado most typified the Painters' drastic change.

After averaging just 14.1 points in the elims, the well-built guard caught fire in the wildcard, scoring 18 points and seven rebounds against the Realtors and torching Coke for 28 points to go with eight assists.

“I think they (Giants) are playing the best basketball in the PBA right now, but we're playing with a lot of heart so we'll be alright,” said Mercado. “I think we’re peaking at the right time. If we hit a good rhythm, we would be all right.”

Gabe Norwood, Mike Hrabak, Eddie Laure and Chan have also provided solid numbers of late, helping meld the Painters.

The fact was also not lost on Gregorio.

“Defense will be given emphasis in our game,” Gregorio added. “We've choked our opponents and limited them to less than 84 points in 18 games. I hope our fresh legs would be an advantage against a tired Rain or Shine team.” (NC)

from: www.pba.ph

[♥helen♥]

Ginebra, Rain or Shine: Pray for luck, play to survive
MICO HALILI, GMANews.TV

To say that a playoff game is just like any game is like saying the Aston Martin is just a car. Hence, it takes more effort to win one game in a playoff series than it does to win a regular contest. For Ginebra and Rain or Shine, the difference increases tenfold. When a team is down 2-1 in a best-of-five series, it’ll need a great game plan, talented players and a whole lot of luck just to survive.ast Wednesday, Ginebra was lucky that Mac Cardona didn’t explode for 30+ points or that Ren-Ren Ritualo failed to convert a wide-open three pointer that could’ve tied the game with seconds to go. JC Intal was even luckier to have Eric Menk as a teammate. Intal is like the hotshot pitcher with a rifle for an arm. Intal can strikeout opponents with ease. But when the game’s on the line, two outs, bottom of the 9th, bases loaded, Intal’s fastball isn’t as sure as his slam dunk. Eventually, he will learn to close-out games. If not for Menk’s free-throw conversions late in the game, The Rocket’s career-best 25 points in Game 3 would’ve been dwarfed by Intal’s two missed free-throws and a near-catastrophic mid-court turn-over.

Rain or Shine, meantime, was lucky that Purefoods kept Kerby Raymundo and Rico Maierhofer in cold storage because of injuries. Sol Mercado was even luckier to have Jeff Chan and Gabe Norwood by his side. Mercado, how has been playing like a bazooka on wheels in the playoffs, flaunted frustration as his focus faded in the fourth quarter of Game 3. If Chan didn’t make four three-pointers in the fourth quarter and Norwood didn’t seal Purefoods’ fate with a spectacular put-back slam, the spotlight would’ve been directed at Mercado’s shortcomings.
ere’s what we know so far. Intal is a hotshot. Mercado is a hothead. While their talent is undeniable, their weaknesses are just as noticeable. Nobody demands, though, that they win the series on their own especially since their teams are playing on the brink. As upstarts, they’re expected to shine and skid often at the same time. They’re both good and lucky. They’re so good they lead their teams in scoring. They’re lucky because they have one more chance to prove that they are PBA stars who can win games from start to finish.

It’s hard to imagine Talk 'N Text’s Jason Castro committing another late-game traveling violation or Ritualo missing another wide-open three-pointer in Game 4. I don’t know if Ginebra’s that lucky. Everyone also expects Raymundo and Maierhofer to play on Friday. If they don’t maybe Rain or Shine is that fortunate. One more smile from the basketball gods is all they ask. No PBA team, however, has rebounded from a 0-2 hole in a best-of-five series since 1993. None. Zilch. Zero. Therefore, only two words can summarize the plight of two players praying for one more display of talent and two teams hoping for one more night of good fortune. Good luck.

[♥helen♥]

Talk ‘N Text walks out of Quarterfinals game vs Ginebra

An unexpected twist happened in Game 4 of the Talk ‘N Text-Ginebra quarterfinal match Friday after the Tropang Texters of coach Chot Reyes walked out in the game citing unfair officiating.

The Gin Kings were holding on to a 27-20 lead with exactly one minute left when Ranidel De Ocampo committed a flagrant foul against a driving Ronald Tubid.

Texters coach Reyes was the one who ordered his players and coaching staff to leave the bench and go straight to the dugout.

Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) officials gave Talk ‘N Text five minutes to return on the playing court but the time expired with no Texters player getting out of their dugout.

It is not yet known how much fine would the PBA commissioners office would impose to the Texters.

With TNT forfeiting the match, the win was awarded to Ginebra that tied the best-of-five series to two games apiece.

Talk ‘N Text won the first two games, 107-92 and 106-105, while Ginebra scored a 102-97 victory last Wednesday to keep their semis hopes alive.

Ironically, Ginebra also walked out during its 1991 first conference finals against Shell where they were fined P500,000. – GMANews.TV

[*VV*]

Ironically, Ginebra also walked out during its 1991 first conference finals against Shell where they were fined P500,000. – GMANews.TV

Yung walk out nangyari nung 1990. Then both teams met in the finals again nung 1991 where Ginebra won in Game 7 via Distrito's heroics, after being down by 1-3 in the series.

[h5n1]

TnT willing to play in knockout match
By Nelson Beltran (The Philippine Star) Updated February 07, 2010 12:00 AM

Photo is loading...
Jervy Cruz of Rain or Shine stretches up for a layup against Rafi Reavis of Purefoods in Friday’s quarterfinal game won by the Rain or Shine, 103-100. JUN MENDOZA
| Zoom

MANILA, Philippines - Barring a Talk n Text no-show, the KFC PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinal round climaxes tonight with a double knockout at the Araneta Coliseum.

Talk n Text board representative Ricky Vargas said he would recommend to Smart-PLDT chairman Manny V. Pangilinan that the Tropang Texters return to play tomorrow on condition that “we be assured of fairness and the refs associated with these unfairness not be allowed to officiate.”

The Texters and the Barangay Ginebra Kings are scheduled to meet in a do-or-die game at 6:30 p.m. with the winner advancing to the semifinal round versus the Alaska Milk Aces.

Purefoods and Rain or Shine clash in a separate knockout duel at 4 p.m. with the victor arranging a semis confrontation with San Miguel Beer.

Talk n Text enabled Ginebra to force a deciding Game Five after the Texters walked out of the game Friday night in protest of officiating.

“We will not hesitate to walk out again if such unfairness continues. We cannot, as a matter of principle, tolerate biased officiating in the PBA,” said Vargas.

League chairman Lito Alvarez made a personal appeal to the Talk n Text team to play for the sake of Filipino basketball fans.

“Millions of basketball-loving Filipinos from here and abroad are closely monitoring the developments of this great match-up. Let’s give this one to them,” said Alvarez in his appeal to the Smart-PLDT chair.

“I completely understand your position. We heard your actions loud and clear. In my capacity as chairman of the PBA board, I would like to assure you that we will not let your sacrifices go to waste. We will all take action to make our PBA -- the league we all love -- an even better league,” Alvarez added.

League commissioner Sonny Barrios deferred sanction on Talk n Text’s walkout but upheld the flagrant foul penalty 2 on Ranidel de Ocampo, meaning the 6-foot-6 center-forward is suspended from playing in Game Five.

“There’s no penalty meted on the walkout yet because it’s more important to Talk n Text the status of Ranidel de Ocampo. As sportsmen, they accepted the decision but not necessarily agreed,” said Barrios.

The Texters insisted all the league guidelines on flagrant infractions were not present on De Ocampo’s foul on Tubid. They trooped to their dugout after it was called “F-2” by the refs.

Talk n Text team manager Virgil Villavicencio said practice was cancelled yesterday but the players are ready to play today.

The Texters are looking to defend the crown they won over the Alaska Milk Aces last year.

In the other series, both the Giants and the Elasto Painters are confident they would pull through.

“In a do-or-die match, you throw away all the stats and all the things that happened in the last four games. You just make sure that you bring along your big fighting heart,” said Purefoods coach Ryan Gregorio.

“It has turned out to be a classic match-up and it is nice to have a chance to play in Game Five despite being slowed down by injuries. If it requires inflammatory shots for our injured players to play, we’ll do it to salvage the conference,” Gregorio added.

Among the Giants nursing injuries are Kerby Raymundo (thigh), Rico Maierhofer (ankle), Paul Artadi (hamstring), James Yap (sore back) and Peter June Simon (knee).

Rain or Shine coach Caloy Garcia said the Giants still have the edge because of experience and talent but the Elasto Painters can score an upset with their big fighting heart.

Rain or Shine has survived four knockout games in the tournament so far, and the Elasto Painters are raring to make it five in a bid to stay in contention for a breakthrough finish.

“We want to carve a niche for our ball club. That’s our biggest motivation,” said Garcia.

[♥helen♥]

No walkout as Ginebra Kings dethrone Texters

Barangay Ginebra dethroned Talk 'N Text fair and square Sunday night, 113-100, to advance into the semifinals of the KFC-PBA Philippine Cup.

JC Intal pumped in a career-high 28 points, including 16 in the opening half, while adding 10 rebounds in the Game 5 win that clinched for the Kings the controversy-marred quarterfinals series, 3-2.

Waiting for the league’s crowd darling at the other end is top seed Alaska Aces. Game 1 of their best-of-seven semis begins on Wednesday.

Ronald Tubid finally played his best game of the series with 16 points, so did Eric Menk, while Willy Wilson had 14 and Celino Cruz and Enrico Villanueva finished with 13 and 10, respectively for the Kings, who were in control of the sudden-death game majority of the way.

The Kings also became the latest team to climb back from an 0-2 deficit to win a best-of-five duel, sweeping the last three games of the series, including a 27-20 win in Game 4, which the deposed champions forfeited after walking out of the game with one minute left in the first period owing to what they perceived were biased officiating in favor of Ginebra.

Officiating was never an issue in the decisive game as Intal and Tubid came out smoking for the Kings, who raced to an early eight-point lead before settling for a 55-49 edge at the half.

Then came the big third quarter rip-off.


Intal opened the second half by completing a three-point play, before Celino Cruz launched a booming three-pointer for a 61-49 Kings lead, at which time Talk `N Text gunner Mac Cardona was already nursing his fourth personal foul.

A jumper by Wilson at the 7:00 mark of the period stretched the lead to 15, before the Kings made it a 76-59 game midway into the third, prompting Talk `N Text coach Chot Reyes to call a timeout as chants of “Ginebra! Ginebra! Ginebra!" from majority of the 21,422 crowd in attendance reverberated inside the Araneta Coliseum.

The Tropang Texters made a concerted effort to bring down the deficit to 102-96, but the Kings made a short but telling 6-2 run to safely pull away in the final 1:40, 108-98.

Cardona topscored for the Tropang Texters with 21 points – half of them in the first half – while Jason Castro and Jimmy Alapag added 18 apiece.

Talk `N Text had no. 33 printed on their playing shirt in honor of suspended teammate Ranidel de Ocampo. The 6-foot-7 shooting forward out of St. Francis was meted a one-game suspension by the league for committing a flagrant foul 2 on Tubid in Game 4, the controversial call that eventually sparked the Tropang Texters’ decision to walk out of the game.

The scores

Ginebra 113 - Intal 28, Tubid 16, Menk 16, Wilson 14, Cruz 13, Villanueva 10, Salvacion 8, Baguio 3, Helterbrand 3, Caguioa 2.

Talk N Text 100 - Cardona 21, Castro 18, Alapag 18, Dillinger 17, Peek 9, Carey 8, Ritualo 5, De Ocampo Y. 4, Belasco 0.

Quarterscores: 30-22, 55-49, 88-79, 113-100.– GMANews.TV

[the_game]

The Rocket inilipad ang Ginebra
(Vladi Eduarte)

    Nitong nakalipas na linggo, walang nakapigil sa paglipad ng binansagang The Rocket, si JC Intal ng Barangay Ginebra.

    Walang pumalya sa pasabog ng 6-foot-4 high-flyer kaya gumapang ang Gin Kings para tigpasin ang defending champion Talk ‘N Text sa KFC-PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals.

    Sumampa sa semis ang crowd darlings, at makalipas ang 15 taon ay muling haharapin sa best-of-7 series ang mahigpit na karibal na Alaska Aces.

    Sa paggiya sa Ginebra sa dalawa sa tatlong panalo na lubhang kinailangan ng team para makaahon mula sa 0-2 deficit sa best-of-5 affair, nag-average si Intal ng 26.5 points, 10 rebounds, 3.5 assists at 2.0 blocks tampok ang career-high 28 points sa 113-100 clincher noong Linggo.

    Dahil sa mga pigurang iyon, nakuha ni Intal ang pagsang-ayon ng mga manunulat na kumukober sa PBA para itanghal na KFC/Accel-PBA Press Corps Player of the Week (Feb. 1-7).

    Una nang nakihati si Intal sa karangalan kay Kelly Williams ng Sta. Lucia noong Jan. 4-10, pero ngayon ay sinolo niya ang limelight nang ungusan si James Yap ng Purefoods.

    Na-forfeit ang Game 4 pabor sa Gin Kings dahil nag-walk out ang Tropang Texters 11-minuto lang sa laro. Sakaling natapos, hindi malayong naibagsak din ni Intal ang 25 points, 10 rebounds at three assists na pinakawalan noong Game 3.

    “JC has gone a long way from the time before he came to Ginebra,” ani Kings coach Jong Uichico.

    Kasama si dating Ateneo teammate Doug Kramer, hinugot si Intal mula Air21/Burger King sa mid-season trade noong ’08-’09.

    Pinaningas ni Intal ang kampanya ng Ginebra sa pagkawala nina Jayjay Helterbrand at Mark Caguioa. Bumalik na ang dalawa pero wala pa sa kondisyon kaya binalikat nina Intal, Ronald Tubid at Eric Menk ang responsibilidad para pahabain pa ang buhay ng Kings.

         

[the_game]

Chot tsinibug ng kahungkagan

    Bago pa man mag-umpisa ang Game 5 ng Talk ‘N Text at Ginebra noong Linggo, talo na ang TNT.

    Kumpara sa Purefoods-Rain or Shine series (nanalo ang PF Giants sa Game 5, 95-85) tumaob na ang TNT sa Game 4 pa lang.

    Kasi, sa walkout na ginawa ng TNT sa Game 4, nanlambot na ang Tropang Texters. Nawalan ng gana.

    Anuman ang paliwanag ni TNT coach Chot Reyes sa kanyang walkout, wala siya sa lugar.

    Pabor daw sa Ginebra ang mga reperi?
    Gasgas na ang linyang iyan.  Paboritong rason iyan ng mga talunan.
    OK lang magalit si Chot.  Pero ang sundan niya ito ng walkout?

    Dispalinghado.  Wala sa lohika. Sa anumang walkout, talo agad. Hungkag.
    Prinsipyo ang ipinaglalaban ni Chot?

    Puwede.  Pero sa walkout, damay lahat.  Sabit pati players, ang mga may-ari ng TNT.
    Sa totoo lang, bagama’t dumidepensang tsamp ang TNT, wala siya sa Top 4.

    Ang Top 4 bago mag-umpisa ang KFC-PBA Philippine Cup ay No. 1 Alaska, No. 2 SMB, No. 3 Purefoods at No. 4 Ginebra.

    Bukas, ang best-of-seven semifinal series ay tatampukan ng Purefoods laban sa SMB, at Ginebra kontra Alaska.

    Lungkot pa rin ako para sa TNT. Sa isang walkout lang, itinapon nila ang serye.  At ang koronang dinaklot nila noong 2009.

    Sa isang walkout lang, nabalewala lahat ang pinaghirapan, ang pinagpaguran, ang pinaghandaang pakikibaka para sa kampeonato.

    Dasal ko’y makatulog nang mahimbing si Chot. Makarekober sa salakab ng sakal-kunsensiya.

    Sa kanyang ginawa kasi, nahatak ang buong Tropang Texters sa kumunoy ng kawalan.

         

[caguioa_47]

What’s wrong with MVP’s Talk ‘N Text?

ACTUALLY, IT WASN’T EVEN CLOSE.

Of course, the reporter at ringside was right.

JC Intal indeed had to “deliver the most solid performance of his career while Barangay Ginebra played with steely resolve to eliminate defending champion Talk ‘N Text” in the deciding Game 5 of the KFC-PBA Philippine Cup.

But there were deeper, more alarming factors behind the dismal fall of the Tropang Texters at the Araneta Coliseum on Sunday.

* * *

If not, why would team owner Manny V. Pangilinan stay behind for over an hour, and keep his seat until they started turning off the last coliseum lights, before leading his small group to the special exit?

MVP, easily the single biggest supporter of RP sports from the private sector, did not look exactly bothered.

But he obviously could not find prompt answers to a set of nagging questions.

* * *

For starters, MVP discovered that, contrary to earlier allegations, Ginebra can beat Talk ‘N Text on any day if the refs called it fair and right—not the other way around.

This is not to say Ginebra is far greater than Talk ‘N Text.

No, man for man, Ginebra, like an item in a barangay garage sale, pales in comparison to the bejeweled Talk ‘N Text lineup.

However, as it turned out, the overload of superstars backfired and fueled the Talk ‘N Text disaster.

* * *

Repeat: Ginebra did not win because it happened to be the stronger outfit.

The Gin Kings just happened to be better trained.

The Ginebra squad was visibly more disciplined, better coached.

Actually, these factors may not be readily appreciated from ringside, skin-close to roaring do-or-die action.

But take it from one who stayed glued to soundless television, alone in his room.

* * *

Talk ‘N Text started with very limited use of the floor.

It had very little ball movement and indulged in shallow options, capped by hurried individual sorties.

The squad, in short, played to a low-percentage tempo at the outset.

Ginebra, although less-equipped, made sure the Talk ‘N Text gunmen were strictly hounded every inch of the way.

Naturally, Ginebra, using sharper, more liberal ball movement, was able to post an early lead and enjoy a cushion through the closing quarters.

* * *

Ginebra was not exactly out of Talk ‘N Text’s reach in the final stretch until coach Chot Reyes overemphasized on his top stars—Cardona, Alapag, Castro—-who did not happen to be his finest defenders.

The logic was simple: answer fire with fire.

What followed was a hail of unchallenged Kings put backs, starring JC Intal.

A forlorn Reyes was next caught by the camera clutching his hairdo, not unlike a housewife who woke up to see her bedroom on fire.

Did he suddenly realize the horrible shame he had caused his boss, MVP—and RP basketball for that matter—with his unwarranted walkout?

Reyes did try to win and say he was right.

Ginebra coach Jong Uichico did not have to tell both coach Reyes and Mr. Pangilinan they were wrong, very wrong.



SOURCE: http://sports.inquirer.net/columns/columns/view/20100209-252087/Whats-wrong-with-MVPs-Talk-N-Text

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TNT FINED MORE THAN 1 MILLION PESOS FOR WALKOUT --

The walkout staged by Talk N’ Text that marred Game 4 of its quarterfinal match-up with Barangay Ginebra last Friday cost the Tropang Texters over P1 million in penalty.

Besides forfeiting Game 4 in favor of the Kings, PBA commissioner Sonny Barrios levied a P500,000 fine on Talk N’ Text, the amount of which shall be paid to Barangay Ginebra under section 32 of the PBA constitution and by-laws.

On top of that, TNT’s share in the gate receipts and TV revenues for that game, which could be anywhere from P200,000 to P250,000, has also been forfeited in favor of the nine other PBA ballclubs.

The commissioner also imposed an additional P500,000 fine which he said will go to the Players’ Educational Trust Fund for the benefit of the players and their dependents.

Barrios pointed out that the PBA and its teams serve different publics, foremost of which is the watching public, who happens to be the lifeblood of the league and whose interest the league has sworn to protect and hold as primordial.

“There are established rules and procedures to properly ventilate a team’s disagreement with officiating so that the fans do not become innocent and unwilling victims of a team’s protest over calls,” Barrios stressed.

source: fidel mangonon III / twitlonger