Magnolia Beverage Masters Basketball Games Updates

MAGNOLIA BEVERAGE MASTERS PICKS UP 1ST WIN: Vintage Racela shows up for Beverage Masters

At last! After two heart-breaking defeats, the Magnolia Beverage Masters were able to win against the team whom they engaged in a player trades just before the conference starts by beating the Alaska Aces.

With the win, the team showed signs that they can play as a unit. Veteran guard Olsen Racela showed brilliance bringing back the memories of his early days as a San Miguel Beer point guard. Danny Seigle was in his usual dominating self carrying the load with Racela.

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MAGNOLIA BEVERAGE MASTERS PICKS UP 1ST WIN: Vintage Racela shows up for Beverage Masters

Source: PBA.ph
Friday, 11 April 2008

After two close defeats, the Magnolia Beverage Masters scored their first win in the 2007-08 Smart PBA Fiesta Conference at the expense of the Alaska Milk Aces Friday night at the Araneta Coliseum.

In a duel between teams which figured in a blockbuster trade after the Philippine Cup, the Beverage Masters played steadier, hacking out an 89-81 victory.

Magnolia Beverage Masters, beaten by Purefoods Tender Juicy and Sta. Lucia Realty in its first two gammes, caught up with Alaska Milk and Air21 at 1-2.

"It feels good to get our first win, especially with the way we lost our first two gammes. We had our improvement," said Magnolia Beverage Masters coach Siot Tanquingcen.

"We had lots of turnovers in the first two gammes. Obviously, our players were unfamiliar with each other. It really takes time to know each other but it’s not an excuse for us," Tanquingcen added.

Old Magnolia Beverage Masters mainstays Olsen Racela and Danny Seigle showed the way for the team with both firing 18 points.

Jameel Watkins produced only 11 points and six rebounds but provided the Beverage Masters the defensive presence they needed.

"Jameel is not an explosive player but he brings something we always want. Ang San Miguel laging gusto malaking import to do the rebounding and defense," said Tanquingcen of their import.

Randy Holcomb had bigger numbers with 20 points and 18 rebounds that went to naught.

Probably because of frustration, Holcomb had a verbal tussle with coach Tim Cone during a break in the third quarter.

The Beverage Masters took the half at 40-36 and held on to the lead up to the finish.

Falling behind by 12 at 68-80, the Aces waged a rally at endgame personally foiled by Marc Pingris with five straight points.

Racela and Seigle, however, stood at the forefront of Magnolia Beverage Masters bid most of the way. Racela was a steady force the whole gamme while Seigle waged hottest in the third, scattering 11 points in that period.

Mike Cortez spared Racela for 24 minutes, making seven points and three assists in his first meeting with his former team. Ken Bono, another former Alaska player, sat out the gamme.

LA Tenorio, acquired by Alaska in exchange for Cortez, started at the point guard spot for the Aces, piling up 11 points, seven assists and six rebounds in 32 minutes of action.

Larry Fonacier, another ex-Magnolia Beverage Masters player, was utilized for only 10 minutes, missing one field-goal attempt and contributing only an assist. (NC)

The scores:

Magnolia Beverage Masters 89 – Racela 18, Seigle 18, Watkins 11, Tugade 11, Pingris 9, Ildefonso 8, Cortez 7, Hontiveros 7, Villanueva 0, Pena 0.

Alaska Aces 81 – Holcomb 20, Miller 17, Cariaso 12, Tenorio 11, Quinahan 6, Hugnatan 5, Thoss 4, Ferriols 4, Dela Cruz 2, Fonacier 0.

Quarterscores: 18-15, 40-36, 62-53, 89-81