It's back to square one for the Magnolia Beverage Masters - Air21 Express basketball series. Magnolia's veterans will be lead again by Danny Ildefonso and Lordy Tugade who contributed heavily in Game 4's victory as well as their import Amal McCaskill.
The winner of Game 5 will be determined by the team who has more desire to win and who can play more as a cohesive team both in defense and offense. As I see in this series, the Magnolia Beverage Masters were having a difficulty defending the Air21 Express as they are very unpredictable, meaning every player on their roster who played in the hardcourt has the capability to score at anytime both outside and inside. That makes them very difficult to stop.
Danny Seigle is still a non-factor though he scored a dunk on the first play of the ballgame. He is not as aggressive as he used to be, which very well shows he is not yet 100%.
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MAGNOLIA, AIR21 TAKE THE FLOOR IN PIVOTAL GAME 5
Coaches point to intensity and execution as key
Source: Philippine Basketball Association
Tuesday, 29 July 2008
Certainly, Jong Uichico didn't want to play killjoy. In fact, he gammely responded to every inquiry by sportswriters following the Kings' four-gamme basketball sweep of the Red Bull Barakos in their basketball semifinal series last Sunday.
The last question though reminded him of bad memories from a distant past, so the Barangay Ginebra basketball coach politely declined to answer it.
"The last time I was asked to pick which basketball team I preferred to play I got burned. The basketball team I picked eventually eliminated us. Sorry, but I won't make any picks this time. I'm not good at basketball match-ups," offered Uichico, who also refused to identify the basketball tournament and the year it took place.
But he was kind enough to provide a hint. "It happened in the semifinals," he said, flashing a mischievous grin.
At any rate though, guessing which basketball team gets a crack at challenging Barangay Ginebra for the 2008 Smart PBA Fiesta Conference basketball championship is as tough as predicting that the Kings – proud owner of a 12-gamme winning basketball streak – would finish the basketball playoffs unscathed.
And while the Ginebra – Red Bull basketball showdown was done in four basketball gammes – leaving many league followers in disbelief – the Magnolia Beverage Masters – Air21 semifinal basketball series is looming to be a potential suspense-thriller that might require an Act 7 for an ending.
The script required alterations after the Magnolia Beverage Masters – thanks to the clutch hits by Lordy Tugade and import Amal McCaskill down the stretch – turned back the Express in Gamme 4 for a 104-102 decision to even the best-of-seven basketball series at two gammes apiece.
"Dikit lagi ang laban naming since the elimination round and I don't see it getting easier the rest of the basketball series,” said Magnolia Beverage Masters coach Siot Tanquingcen moments after the crucial win.
Based on their previous battles, Tanquingcen believes the eventual challenger of the Kings for the basketball championship will be determined by passion and determination.
"The way I look at it, this basketball series now boils down to which team wants it more," said Tanquingcen, seeking a third basketball Finals appearance and second basketball championship in an import-laced basketball conference.
The intensity of the series nearly blew out of proportion in Game 4 when Air21 import Steven Thomas and Magnolia Beverage Masters center Dorian Pena traded taunts on their way to the dugout at halftime. Both were fined by PBA commissioner Sonny Barrios and warned of severe penalty if they lost their heads in the succeeding basketball gammes.
As much as both basketball teams are anticipating a deciding Game 7, it also remains a possibility that the result of Wednesday's Game 5 could be the turning point of the basketball series so the scheduled 7 o'clock duel Wednesday at the Araneta Coliseum promises to be a lot more physical.
"I'm expecting the same intensity from both basketball teams. We just have to keep our focus. Whoever dictates the tempo of the basketball gamme would win it. Which means we can't play their (Express’) style of basketball," Tanquingcen said.
Bo Perasol, the low-keyed basketball coach of Air21 who is aiming to land the basketball team to its first-ever trip to the basketball Finals since joining the basketball league in 2002, is a bit more specific.
Apparently learning his lessons from Sunday's unexpected downfall, Perasol said sound decision-making and accuracy in basketball play execution would be very crucial in Game 5.
"If our last few basketball gammes would be a reflection of how the basketball series would be won, then we have to be very precise in our execution – defensively and offensively," Perasol said.
"It's down to a best-of-three basketball series so we can't afford to make costly mistakes," he added. (DBC)
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Danny Ildefonso, Lordy Tugade to Lead Magnolia Veterans in Pivotal Game 5
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Danny Ildefonso, Lordy Tugade Lead Magnolia's Local Crew, Amal McCaskill Sinks Winning Basket
Magnolia Beverage Masters' veterans proved once again that they can deliver in a crucial situation like this one. Danny Ildefonso provided the needed offensive firepower all throughout the ballgame with his steady post-up moves. Lordy Tugade, on the other hand, showed his clutch shooting in the endgame with the help of Olsen Racela's well-orchestrated play.
The game-winning shot of the evening belonged to Amal McCaskill, who had been playing sub-par in almost three quarters. He started to showed aggresiveness in the fourth period with the ballgame on the line. After getting an excellent pass from point guard Olsen Racela, Amal immediately posted up Steven Thomas and let fly a turn-around shot that went inside the net.
This marked the first time that the Magnolia Beverage Masters won against the Air21 Express when Steven Thomas is around this conference. Enjoy the exciting crucial moments of the basketball game from this recorded video that I got from Youtube courtesy of captainlionheart16.
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MAGNOLIA PULLS EVEN ON McCASKILL’S HEROICS
Beverage Masters’ import finally win one over Thomas
Source: Philippine Basketball Association
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Amal McCaskill finally pulled one over Steven Thomas as Magnolia drew even with Air21 after four gammes of their 2008 Smart PBA Fiesta Conference best-of-seven semifinal showdown at the Araneta Coliseum Sunday.
McCaskill pumped in a turnaround jumper off Thomas himself in the closing seconds as the Magnolia Beverage Masters eked out a 104-102 win that reduced their battle to a best-of-three affair.
Magnolia Beverage Masters beat Air21 for the first time in the tourney with Thomas in harness. For McCaskill, it was his first over Thomas in four matches.
Thomas had his big baskets at endgame but McCaskill had the final laugh after making the gamme-winning basket with time down to 1.4 seconds.
With no more timeout left, the Express could no longer map out a decent play, eventually yielding the gamme with Arwind Santos making an errant throw-in.
"It was anybody's ballgame and it so happened that we made the last big shot," said Magnolia Beverage Masters coach Siot Tanquingcen.
"Dikit lagi ang laban namin from the elimination round and I don't see it getting easier the rest of this series," Tanquingcen added. "Malaking bagay sa morale namin na nakatabla kami."
Gary David sizzled with 32 points but fouled out on two successive offensive infractions entering the homestretch.
Santos and Thomas picked up the cudgels on the ouster of David but the Magnolia Beverage Masters stood their ground, getting clutch shots from Lordy Tugade and McCaskill.
Thomas scored all of Air21's last five points, including a short stab off McCaskill, tying the count at 102 with 14.4 seconds to go.
McCaskill, however, saved the day and the Magnolia Beverage Masters avoided falling into a 1-3 hole in the series.
The two teams figured in another tight contest marred by a near brawl between the two teams while heading to the lockers at the halftime break.
The Magnolia Beverage Masters came back strong from the halftime huddle, engaging the Express in seven deadlocks and three lead changes after trailing by eight at the turn.
David and Nino Canaleta failed to finish the gamme both on account of fouls while Wynne Arboleda sat out the last three minutes of the contest due to leg cramps.
Though worse in overall field-goal shooting, the Express took the half at 57-49 as they hit five triples to none for the Magnolia Beverage Masters.
Gary David went 2-of-2 from beyond the arc in the first half and himself fueled the Express' decisive charge from a 26-all standoff at the start of the second period.
Air21 outscored Magnolia Beverage Masters, 12-8, on second-chance points and, 9-4, on points off turnovers in the first 24 minutes of play. (NC)
The scores:
Magnolia 104 -- McCaskill 19, Tugade 19, Ildefonso 19, Pingris 10, Pena 10, Racela 7, Seigle 7, Hontiveros 6, Calaguio 3, Villanueva 2, Cortez 2.
Air21 102 -- David 32, Thomas 20, Santos 15, Arboleda 10, De Ocampo 8, Se 6, Kramer 4, Canaleta 3, Cruz 2, Billones 2, Intal 0, Sotto 0.
Quarterscores: 26-26, 49-57, 78-80, 104-102.
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Amal McCaskill Dominates in the Paint As Magnolia Beverage Masters Subdues Air21 Express
But make no mistake about it, the Air21 Express managed to lead in the middle of the second quarter before the Magnolia Beverage Masters tighten up on defense on the third quarter, which saw their lead baloon up to 18 points.
I must say the team played lousy defense in the first half by letting the Air21 Express dictate the tempo of the basketball gamme. Playing Air21's offense-oriented tempo would put the team in danger. Complacency also took stage but coach Siot Tanquincen was quick enough to address it. Gamme 2 will be a different story with Steven Thomas back in the Express lineup.
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MAGNOLIA BEVERAGE MASTERS DRAW FIRST BLOOD AGAINST IMPORT-LESS AIR21: Without Thomas, McCaskill frolicks inside paint en route to personal conference-best 34
Source: PBA.ph
July 20, 2008
Magnolia Beverage Masters knew it would be facing an import-less Air21 team and the knowledge seemed to have done more harm than good.
At least according to Magnolia Beverage Masters coach Siot Tanquingcen, who was more dissatisfied than pleased following his team's 113-87 victory at the start of the Smart PBA Fiesta Conference semifinals Sunday at the Cuneta Astrodome.
“Magaling talaga ang Air21, pero parang masyadong naging complacent ang mga players ko. It seems we forgot what got us here, which is defense, so it was really a bad start from that aspect,” said Tanquingcen.
The win was Magnolia Beverage Masters' first over Air21 this season, coming as it did in the most opportune of times, which is the opener of their best-of-seven basketball series.
Amal McCaskill waxed the hottest among the Magnolia Beverage Masters players, coming up with a PBA career-high 34 points that went with 12 rebounds while Lordy Tugade's 22 points led four locals who had at least 10 points each and stepped up in the continued absence of Danny Seigle.
But Air21 was without Steven Thomas, who first attended tryouts for the Korean basketball league in the US and then stayed longer there after he attended the Cleveland Cavaliers basketball training camp.
Still, the Express managed to hold their foes through 10 lead changes and seven deadlocks, leaving Tanquingcen with more creases on his forehead than when he came into the gamme.
“The first half was played poorly,” he stressed, referring to the fact his team even trailed 39-44 at one point.
Thomas, who averaged 23.4 points, 16.6 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per basketball gamme and led the Lina franchise to its first-ever outright semis berth and first No. 1 ranking in the playoffs, is set to arrive Monday and will play in Gamme 2 on Wednesday.
The thought now gnaws on Tanquingcen.
“They're gonna get a confidence boost. Iba talaga pag me import ka,” he said. “We've got to make sure coming in that we do things right. We can't win if we conduct ourselves the way we did kanina.”
Expectedly, Express coach Bo Perasol was more satisfied with his boys' showing.
“We're not going to be hard on ourselves,” he said, already looking forward to Wednesday. “They will have to contend with us as a complete unit next time at ibang usapan na iyon.”
Ironically, McCaskill also seemingly drew the best from Homer Se, who surprisingly paced Air21 with a career-high 31 points to go with seven rebounds. Egay Billones' 13 points and Arwind Santos' 12 were the only other double figures for Air21, who barely got beaten off the boards, 46-53.
Once the Magnolia Beverage Masters got their act together, however, it was simply a matter of time before the basketball gamme's true colors came out and it did mostly in the fourth period.
Already going to the payoff quarter with a 77-59 spread, Magnolia Beverage Masters put the outcome beyond doubt by erecting a 110-84 spread.
The second half domination was paved by McCaskill right in the third period, where he outscored the entire Air21 crew by himself by scattering 14, one more than the Express’ output.
As a result, the Magnolia Beverage Masters managed to bloat a 50-46 halftime lead to as much as 71-52, on a layup by Tugade, 4:09 to go in the quarter.
The Express helped along their loss by going 2-of-12 from the field in the first 7:08 of the quarter.
Se, whose previous high was only 22 recorded in a 123-106 loss to Sta. Lucia in the Philippine Cup elims last January 13, was the lone real bright spot for Air21, but the 6-foot-5 center suffered cramps on his left leg after successively missing an undergoal stab and a followup, with 7:19 to go.
He returned later on and even had 10 points in the fourth period but the difference was too much for even him and his career gamme. (NCo)
The scores:
Magnolia 113 – McCaskill 34, Tugade 22, Hontiveros 11, Racela 10, Pena 10, Pingris 6, Ildefonso 6, Bono 4, Gonzales 3, Calaguio 3, Eman 2, Cortez 0, Villanueva 0.
Air21 87 – Se 31, Billones 13, Santos 12, David 9, de Ocampo 8, Canaleta 7, Arboleda 5, Kramer 2, Cruz 0, Intal 0, Espinas 0, Sotto 0.
Quarterscores: 31-26, 50-46, 77-59, 113-87.
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Amal McCaskill Leads Magnolia Into Semifinals
The Coca-Cola Tigers struggled all night long under intense defensive pressure capped with their horrible shooting that sealed their doom in the season-ending Fiesta Conference.
Next in line are the offense-minded Air21 Express whom we will engage starting this Sunday, possibly without their prolific import Steven Thomas. I like our chances for this basketball series and if our vaunted defense clicks once again, I won't be surprised if we trip back to the Finals and possibly win the championship against an equally strong foe from the other bracket contested by Barangay Ginebra and Red Bull Barakos.
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MAGNOLIA BEVERAGE MASTERS BARGES INTO FINAL 4
Magnolia Beverage Masters take on Air21 in best-of-7 affair
Source: Philippine Basketball Association
Friday, 18 July 2008
ANTIPOLO -- The Coca-Cola Tigers put up tremendous basketball intensity and energy but seemed to forget how to shoot, enabling the Magnolia Beverage Masters to book the last slot in the 2008 Smart PBA Fiesta Conference Final Four.
The Magnolia Beverage Masters beat out the Tigers, 78-60, in their knockout tussle last night at the Ynares Center here, gaining the right to challenge the Air21 Express in a best-of-seven semifinals basketball showdown.
The Final Four begins Sunday at the Astrodome in Pasay with Barangay Ginebra and Red Bull pitted in the other semis basketball match-up.
"We’re tight offensively but our defense held on," said coach Siot Tanquingcen as they overcame the Tigers for a second straight Fiesta Conference semifinals and sixth semis in the last eight PBA basketball tourneys.
The Magnolia Beverage Masters did struggle at the start but slowly picked up their rhythm, winning the battle without yielding the lead at anytime in the basketball contest.
It helped that the Tigers practically threw bricks in the basketball contest.
Coca-Cola shot a league all-time low of 20 percent in the entire contest and franchise-lows of 9.5 percent in the first quarter and 17.5 percent in the first half.
"I think it’s a result of a little of our basketball defense and their poor shooting. We had a hand in their every shot," said Tanquingcen.
Amal McCaskill, Lordy Tugade and Dondon Hontiveros played well on both ends of the basketball court, leading the team to the semis against the Express.
McCaskill said he’s well familiar with Steven Thomas’ basketball gamme, expressing confidence Magnolia Beverage Masters will emerge victorious.
Tanquingcen thought it’s difficult to play Air21, believing their only advantage against the Express is their being the more experienced basketball team.
Chances are Air21 will play minus Thomas at the start of the semis Sunday as he’s been invited to attend the Cleveland Cavaliers’ basketball training camp. His original plan was to return Saturday after attending just the basketball tryouts for the Korean basketball league in Las Vegas.
"Minus Steven, it would be very difficult but not impossible to make an upset. It would depend on how my players are going to take it mentally," said Air21 basketball coach Bo Perasol.
Magnolia Beverage Masters and Coca-Cola figured in a tough defensive basketball battle in the first half ending in the Magnolia Beverage Masters’ favor at 29-25.
The Tigers trailed by as many as nine points but scored five charities in the last 20 seconds to narrow the gap to four going into the final half.
Largely behind McCaskill’s efforts, the Magnolia Beverage Masters pulled away in the final half en route to sending the Tigers to the basketball season exit.
Coca-Cola joined in the sideline deposed Fiesta Conference champion Alaska, All-Filipino ruler Sta. Lucia, Talk n Text, Purefoods and Welcoat. (NC)
The scores:
Magnolia 78 – McCaskill 18, Tugade 14, Hontiveros 14, Cortez 9, Pingris 6, Ildefonso 6, Racela 5, Pena 3, Bono 2, Gonzales 1, Villanueva 0, Tolomia 0.
Coca-Cola 60 – Buenafe 22, Dixon 16, Taulava 9, Belasco 4, Macapagal 3, Dean 2, Cabagnot 2, Telan 2, Catli 0, Dimaunahan 0.
Quarterscores: 15-12, 29-25, 52-41, 78-60
Saturday, June 14, 2008
JONAS VILLANUEVA STEALS LIMELIGHT FROM NEW IMPORTS: Villanueva-led Magnolia Beverage Masters shackle Sta. Lucia Realtors
The Magnolia Beverage Masters are once again in the winning track. Thanks to the decision of SMC management to replace turnover-prone import Jameel Watkins. Thank you Jameel for your contribution to the team!
I was not able to fully watch the basketball game but based on what the news says, it's rookie guard Jonas Villanueva who provided the big lift. It's very nice to see him started to blossom on the opportunities given to him. New import Amal McCaskill also performed well. He has more to show on the upcoming basketball games.
Playoffs is getting near and hopefully, the Magnolia Beverage Masters peaks at the right time. Is it the start of our team's winning streak? Read on...
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Source: PBA.ph
June 13, 2008
Rookie guard Jonas Villanueva took advantage of Mike Cortez's absence as he fired a career-best 12 points, nine coming in the final frame as he helped Magnolia Beverage Masters beat Philippine Cup champion Sta. Lucia Realty, 80-74, in the Smart-PBA Fiesta Conference Friday night at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.
The 6-foot Villanueva, who averaged just 4.4 points in his first nine basketball games this conference, scored five straight points – a three-pointer and a lay-up against the outstretched arms of new SLR import Lee Benson, giving the Beverage Masters a 72-57 lead with 7:04 left in the basketball game.
Another basket by Danny Seigle, who finished with 11 points, put Magnolia Beverage Masters ahead, 74-57, with six minutes to play.
“As much as possible, every young guy wants to get (playing) minutes,” Magnolia Beverage Masters head coach Siot Tanquingcen said of Villanueva, the team's ninth overall pick in the PBA Rookie Draft last August.
“Jonas is our up and coming point guard. He is learning from two very good point guards (Mike Cortez and Olsen Racela), but the good thing about him is he can move up to shooting guard. It speaks well of his talent,” he added.
Villanueva, a nephew of Jesus Is Lord (JIL) leader Bro. Eddie Villanueva, also came off the bench to collect four rebounds and four assists. In nine previous basketball games he played, the one-time Far Eastern University stalwart averaged just 12 minutes as the third point guard Cortez, sidelined due back spasms and the veteran Racela. He played 19 minutes against SLR.
“I know I have to wait for my time, and in this basketball game kailangan tumulong,” said Villanueva, 25, whose previous high was 11 points in against Red Bull last Sunday, making it the second straight basketball game he reset his career-high in scoring.
The Beverage Masters improved their record to 8-7, while dealing the Realtors their fourth straight defeat to drop to 6-8. It also avenged an 86-88 defeat to Sta. Lucia in their first round meeting last April 6.
Magnolia Beverage Masters' new import Amal McCaskill, an NBA veteran who replaced Jameel Watkins, finished with 16 points and 18 rebounds.
“I’m satisfied,” Tanquingcen said. “Amal somehow gave us what we expected from him.”
“The main thing we’re concerned is we can’t relax, we have to make sure that we build on it. It’s either we end up in the semis, or quarters or wildcard,” Tanquingcen.
Dorian Pena split his free throws and Don-Don Hontiveros, who had 12 points in his first basketball game back after missing their last three because of a severe ankle sprain, nailed a jumper for a 78-67 lead when Sta. Lucia moved within nine, 67-76.
Benson, the Realtors’ third import after Wesley Wilson and Jamar Brown, had 19 points and 17 boards, while Kelly Williams added 16 and 12 boards. Nelbert Omolon came off the bench to contribute 11.
Sta. Lucia, which was held to its lowest output this season, played without Joseph Yeo and rookie Philip Butel, who were reportedly suspended for the basketball game by team officials for figuring in a fight with each other during a team practice last Monday. (WG)
The scores:
Magnolia 80 -- McCaskill 16, Hontiveros 14, Villanueva 12, Seigle 11, Pena 9, Pingris 7, Ildefonso 6, Tugade 5, Racela 0.
Sta. Lucia 74 -- Benson 19, Williams 16, Omolon 11, Espino 8, Mendoza 8, Miranda 6, Reyes 2, Aquino 2, Gonzales 2, Coronel 0.
Quarterscores: 20-16, 37-37, 60-51, 80-74.
