Olsen! Olsen! Olsen!
It's very nice to relive the glory days when our main point guard Olsen Racela orchestrates the plays for our team during those championship years in the early 2000's.
Olsen has been known as a great point guard and a deadly outside shooter as well. How he played tonight again revives the glory days of his playing career.
Read on and see how one of the oldest players in the league did the trick.
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Source: PBA.ph
Wednesday, 04 June 2008
Olsen Racela relived his role as Magnolia Beverage’s top playmaker Wednesday night at the Araneta Coliseum.
The 16-year veteran scored a personal season-high 20 points to lead Magnolia Beverage Masters to a 94-86 win opposite Welcoat Paints, solidifying their bid for an outright semifinal seat in the season-ending Smart-PBA Fiesta Conference.
Even with his new role as back-up guard to Mike Cortez (whom Magnolia Beverage Masters got via a trade with Alaska prior to the conference) and the arrival of rookie Jonas Villanueva, Racela, 37, proved that he can still contribute and orchestrate the Magnolia Beverage Masters’ offense.
“He (Racela) came out and played pretty well,” Magnolia Beverage Masters head coach Siot Tanquingcen said. “It shows na kaya pa nila ni Danny (Ildefonso). We’re trying to mix them with our young players, which is good for our team.”
Racela scored 13 points in the final frame, highlighted by a four-point play off a Donald Dulay foul with 10:04 left and a three-pointer that gave the Magnolia Beverage Masters a 85-75 lead with 5:18 to play.
The win avenged a 101-108 defeat last April 30 to the Dragons and improved the Magnolia Beverage Masters’ record to 7-6, while extending their victim’s losing skid to five for a 3-10 card.
Import Jameel Watkins came through with double-double of 17 points and 19 rebounds with five blocked shots.
Magnolia Beverage Masters played sans Danny Seigle (strained calf muscle) and Dondon Hontiveros (sprained left ankle) for the second straight basketball game.
“It’s good for us to win even without Danny and Dondon. Of course it’s big kung nandun sila. But it boosts the confidence of the other guys. Maski wala sila, that speaks well for the team,” he said.
A jumper and a three-pointer by rookie Joe Devance to start the fourth frame gave Welcoat a 67-66 lead, but Magnolia Beverage Masters answered with a 19-8 run capped by Racela’s trey, 85-75.
The closest the Dragons got was at 80-85 after a triple and two free throws by import Marquis Gainous, with 3:55 left to play, before Ildefonso and Villanueva made a jumper and a three-pointer, respectively, to make it 90-80, 2:09 to go.
Lordy Tugade, the hero in Magnolia Beverage Masters' 84-82 win against Talk ’N Text last Saturday in Puerto Princesa City, became the 13th player in the PBA history to have made a least 500 in a career.
The 6-foot-2 Tugade nailed two three-pointers in the first period, first at the 8:03 mark and second with 5:38 left in the quarter to achieve the milestone. He finished with 19 points.
He joined Allan Caidic, Ronnie Magsanoc, Al Solis, Robert Jaworski, Boybits Victoria, Jojo Lastimosa, Pido Jarencio, Noy Castillo, Kenneth Duremdes, Ren-Ren Ritualo, and teammates Olsen Racela and Hontiveros in the elite 500 triples club.
Import Corey Santee led Welcoat with 21 points, while sophomore Jay-R Reyes added 18. Devance had 17 and Gainous contributed 14 with 11 boards. (WG)
The scores:
Magnolia 94 – Racela 20, Tugade 19, Watkins 17, Ildefonso 10, Gonzales 9, Tolomia 7, Villanueva 5, Pena 4, Cortez 2, Pingris 1.
Welcoat 86 -- Santee 21, Reyes 18, Devance 17, Gainous 14, Arana 5, Mente 5, Wainwright 4, Ibanes 2, Dulay 0, Isip 0, Baguion 0.
Quarterscores: 17-20; 43-44; 64-62; 94-86.
Thursday, June 5, 2008
OLSEN RACELA TURNS BACK TIME AS MAGNOLIA GETS PAYBACK VS. WELCOAT: 16-year veteran fires 13 of his season-high 20 in 4th to lead Beverage Masters
Thursday, May 8, 2008
COCA-COLA, TALK N TEXT SEEK SHARE OF 1ST : But both expect no cakewalk in Friday twinbill
Magnolia Beverage Masters will be up against the towering frontliners of the Coca-Cola Tigers lead by monster import Jason Dixon and Fil-Tongan Asi Taulava.
The basketball team will be put to another test as it will come into the game less their main offensive weapon in Danny Seigle. Will the remaining local screw respond to the challenge? That question will be answered after this game.
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COCA-COLA, TALK N TEXT SEEK SHARE OF 1ST : But both expect no cakewalk in Friday twinbill
Source: PBA.ph
Thursday, 08 May 2008
They may be coming from opposite directions, but Coca-Cola and Talk and Text have something in common when the take the court Friday night.
For obvious reasons, the two teams have trained their sights at W number six that would allow them to stay abreast with Red Bull on top of the leader board and bolster their bid for outright semifinal berths in the 2008 Smart PBA Fiesta Conference.
Chot Reyes, who took over the reins from Derrick Pumaren at the end of the Philippine Cup, said he and his players are still in the process of getting to know each other but the team's impressive start in the season-ending conference seems to belie that.
The Phone Pals have won four of six ballgames highlighted by a three ballgame winning streak that earned them the distinction as the league's hottest team.
With a pair of hardworking and unselfish imports and a dependable cast, Coca-Cola managed to squeeze itself in the company of the league's early leaders. But the Tigers looked sluggish after the All-Star break and absorbed a 75-82 beating from Red Bull last Wednesday that snapped a two ballgame run.
But the Tigers will be recharged after a week-long break when they march onto the floor for their 4:50 p.m. date with the Magnolia Beverage Masters at the Araneta Coliseum as they attempt to regain lost ground.
Gee Gervin and Jason Dixon are complementing each other so well and if Asi Taulava, Nic Belasco and Ronjay Buenafe get their ballgame going, the Tigers should be in good stead.
Certainly, Magnolia Beverage Masters are no pushover. With cast that includes Dondon Hontiveros, Danny Ildefonso, Mike Cortez, Mark Pingris and Lordy Tugade, the team is a certified title contender.
The Magnolia Beverage Masters are currently in the middle of the pack with a 4-3 record that it shares with Sta. Lucia and Air21.
While the Coca-Cola Tigers – Magnolia Beverage Masters duel promises to be another thrilling encounter that’s too close to call, the Phone Pals are favored over the Welcoat Dragons in the scheduled 7:20 p.m. showdown.
But Reyes cautioned that the Dragons are a dangerous team.
"Their two victories are against elite teams and three of their five losses could have been won ballgames. So we can't take Welcoat for granted. We have to stay focused and do the things that we have to do," Reyes said.
Although he is pleased with their showing so far, Reyes emphasized that it's the team's growth and not the position that matters to him at this point in time.
Against the Dragons he said: "We'll come to the ballgame and see how much we've grown over the season." (DBC)
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Red-Hot Welcoat Dragons Burned Magnolia Beverage Masters
Was this a case of overconfidence by the Magnolia Beverage Masters? The team could have easily dispatch a team like the Welcoat Dragons, which has been the favorite whipping boys of the basketball league - but not tonight.
It's very evident that the team sorely missed the offensive power of forward Danny Seigle when the team needed to produce the needed points to catch up. Their defense also was not enough as the Welcoat imports devoured them by scoring big points.
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ERSTWHILE SLEEPING DRAGONS NOW FULLY AWAKE
After 15-game losing streak, Gainous-led Welcoat beats Magnolia Beverage Masters for 2nd straight win
Source: PBA.ph
Wednesday, 30 April 2008
Import Marquis Gainous scored 24 of his game-high 32 points in the second half, powering Welcoat to a 108-101 stunning win opposite Magnolia Beverage Masters at the resumption of the PBA Fiesta Conference Wednesday night at the Araneta Coliseum.
Gainous, who came up with his highest scoring ballgame in the conference, also provided the leadership and tenacity by playing tough defense on counterpart Jameel Watkins, limiting the Magnolia Beverage Masters import to just four points in the final frame.
It was the first back-to-back wins for the Dragons in this season-ending conference as they improved to 2-4.
Welcoat’s other import Corey Santee also had a big ballgame with 23 points, while rookie Joe Devance contributed 15 points.
The win came exactly 10 days after the team owned by Raymund Yu an Terry Que had its first win this conference when it downed Purefoods TJ Hotdogs, 110-103, last April 20.
Since entering the league last season, this is only the second time Welcoat has won back-to-back ballgames, the first one happening right before it went on that 15-game losing streak. The Dragons defeated Talk ‘N Text in OT 126-125 in the previous Phil1ppine Cup last Nov. 11 before defeating curiously also Magnolia Beverage Masters 95-93 five days later.
As for Magnolia Beverage Masters, the setback ended a three-game winning run, which leveled its win-loss card to 3-3.
“Akala ko it’s going to be a long while for us to win again because of the long break,” Welcoat’s interim coach Caloy Garcia said.
“We’re sluggish at practice. But we showed what character we have in this ballgame. Every ballgame we play is always like a championship for us,” Garcia said. “I’m proud of my players, everyone know their roles.”
With the score tied at 86 with seven minutes to play, Gainous, who replaced the ineffective Jason Keep, starred in a 9-0 run by nailing two consecutive jumpers and a booming triple that gave Welcoat a 95-86 lead with 2:50 left.
“He’s (Gainous) been playing good the last two, three ballgames,” Garcia said.
The 6-foot-10 Gainous, who, like Santee, attended Texas Christian University (TCU), said that with the way things are going for the Dragons, he’s confident that they can make it all the way to the playoffs.
“I think we can go pretty far. Yes, as far as the championship. We can do that, but we have to work more on defense and limit our turnovers,” Gainous said.
The Dragons also got double figures from sophomore center Jay-Arr Reyes (13 points) and rookie Guard Ryan Arana (12 points).
Welcoat actually dictated the first half when it outscored the Magnolia Beverage Masters, 21-12, in the second period, limiting its opponent to 4-of-14 field goals or 28.6 percent and forced Magnolia Beverage Masters to commit 10 turnovers, which it translated to 10 points.
Devance’s three-pointer sparked a 17-6 run, giving his team an 11-point lead, 48-37.
However, Magnolia Beverage Masters, which played without superstar forward Danny Seigle (foot injury), closed the gap at 48-41 halftime.
The Magnolia Beverage Masters finally regained the lead on a three-pointer by veteran guard Lordy Tugade, 65-62, with 3:54 left in the third period.
Tugade finished with 24 points, 18 of them in that third period, while Dondon Hontiveros, who became the 12th member of the 500 3-point club with his two triples in the first quarter, had 15. Hontiveros went 3-for-6 from the three-point territory. (WG)
The scores:
Welcoat Dragons 108 – Gainous 32, Santee 23, De Vance 15, Reyes 13, Arana 12, Dulay 5, Ibanes 3, Wainwright 3, Isip 2, Salangsang 0.
Magnolia Beverage Masters 101 – Watkins 26, Tugade 24, Hontiveros 15, Pingris 11, Ildefonso 10, Cortez 9, Calaguio 4, Pena 2, Villanueva 0, Gonzales 0, Racela 0.
Quarterscores: 27-29; 48-41; 74-76; 108-101
Monday, March 10, 2008
NIC BELASCO MOVES TO COCA-COLA FOR ISIP, DRAFT PICKS: Tigers now have top 2 Philippine Cup rebounders
While awaiting for updates from Magnolia Beverage Masters camp, let's try to scout other PBA teams who are strengthening their lineup and import acquisition for the upcoming PBA Fiesta Cup battle. Below is one of the early trade that happened a few days ago. Coke surely beefs up its lineup with this move.
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Source: PBA.ph
Veteran Fil-Am forward Nic Belasco is changing address for the third time inside three years.
After short tenures with Alaska and Welcoat, Belasco found himself in a new home as he was dealt by the Dragons to the Coca-Cola Tigers in exchange for sophomore pro Mark Isip plus two future draftt picks.
In the deal being sealed at press time, Welcoat is also to get Coca-Cola’s future second round picks in yielding Belasco.
It’s the first trade deal consummated since the league opened the trade market at the end of the 2007-08 Smart PBA Philippine Cup ruled by Sta. Lucia Realty.
Belasco provided the Dragons the leadership and big numbers while Isip played merely off-the-bench role for the Tigers in the recent all-Filipino tourney.
The deal may really look one-sided in favor of Coca-Cola on the surface but Welcoat management believes it would serve its purpose in the near future.
"We want to go young. We want to surround Ryan Reyes and Joe Devance with young players. What we’re looking at is that they mature at the same time," said Welcoat team owner Raymund Yu.
"Hindi na bata si Belasco. Two or three years baka retire na sya. Mark, on the other hand, is only 27. He’s 6-6 and we know him well since he played for us in the PBL," Yu added.
Yu is happy Belasco went to a team where he can win a championship as he’s about to end his career.
"Tingin ko mga one or two years pa bago kami maging contender. Ang Coca-Cola naman, baka isang Belasco na lang ang hinihintay niyan para mag champion," said Yu.
The Tigers have surely become a lot more formidable with Belasco joining the team which has already become an overnight contender on the entry of Asi Taulava at midstream in the recent Philippine Cup.
From ninth place at the end of the elimination round, the Tigers rallied to finish sixth in the tourney.
Taulava and Belasco emerged as the league’s top two rebounders in the Philippine Cup averaging 14.6 and 13.6 caroms a game, respectively. Belasco also averaged 15.5 points, 2.1 assists, 1.0 steal and 0.6 block a game for Welcoat last conference.
Welcoat was Belasco’s latest stop after his stints with Pop Cola, San Miguel Beer and Alaska in a pro career starting in 1997. Belasco is 34.
Friday, January 11, 2008
BallGame Updates - Magnolia Beverage Masters vs. Welcoat Dragons(2nd Round)
End of the Game
Magnolia Beverage Masters wins the baskteball game!
Magnolia Beverage Masters - 96
Welcoat Dragons - 84
Best Player of the Game
Danny Seigle with 32 points, his new conference high.
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End of Fourth Quarter
Magnolia Beverage Masters - 94
Welcoat Dragons- 78
Belasco jump shot -2pts.
Mente showtime layup - 2pts.
Eman finger roll - 2pts.
Eman blocks Mente's isolation layup.
Arana jump shots - 2pts.
Fourth Quarter - 2:26
Magnolia Beverage Masters - 94
Welcoat Dragons - 78
Dondon Hontiveros 3pts.
Fonacier jump shot - 2 pts.
Dondon Hontiveros jump shot - 2pts.
DeVance layup - 2pts.
Fourth Quarter - 4:26
Magnolia Beverage Masters - 87
Welcoat Dragons - 76
Calaguio offensive foul.
DeVance layup - 2pts.
DeVance 3pts.
Dorian Pena free throw - 0/2.
Dorian Pena layup - 2pts.
DeVance 3pts.
Mente layup - 2pts.
Fourth Quarter - 8:47
Magnolia Beverage Masters - 85
Welcoat Dragons - 66
Rico free throw - 0/2, Belasco rebound.
Danny Seigle layup - 2pts.
Arana layup - 2pts.
Arana layup - 2pts.
Danny Seigle 3pts.
Rico free throw - /2.
Danny Seigle undergoal - 2pts.
End of Third Quarter
Magnolia Beverage Masters - 77
Welcoat Dragons - 62
Jonas 3pts.
Arana 3pts.
Danny Seigle free throw - 1/2.
Jonas to Danny Seigle - 2pts.
Rico layup - 2pts.
Third Quarter - 2:53
Magnolia Beverage Masters - 69
Welcoat Dragons - 59
Wainright layup - 2pts.
Wainright 3pts.
Dorian Pena layup - 2pts.
Wainright layup - 2pts, bonus free throw, counted.
Arana layup - 2pts.
Dorian Pena layup - 2pts.
Mente jump shot - 2pts.
Flagrant foul penalty 1, Hontiveros for bumping Joey Mente.
Mente 2/2 technical free throw.
Arana 3pts.
Mente jump shot - 2pts.
Welcoat with a run, MBM lead downs to 10pts.
Third Quarter - 7:42
Magnolia Beverage Masters - 63
Welcoat Dragons - 40
Belasco layup - 2pts.
Dorian Pena undergoal - 2pts.
Belasco layup - 2pts.
Wilson free throw - 1/2.
Wilson steal, layup - 2pts.
Danny Seigle jump shot - 2pts.
Mente layup - 2pts.
Danny Seigle free throw - 1/2.
Wilson in the paint - 2 pts.
Dorian Pena put back + foul, miss bonus free throw.
Half-time Report
Bench scoring MBM - 10, Welcoat 0 in the first quarter.
Danny Seigle(19) and Dondon Hontiveros(10) explodes in the second quarter.
Scoring Leaders:
Magnolia Beverage Masters
Seigle - 19
Hontiveros - 10
R. Villanueva - 7
Welcoat Dragons
Belasco - 12
DeVance - 8
Dulay - 8
End of Second Quarter
Magnolia Beverage Masters - 51
Welcoat Dragons - 34
Dondon Hontiveros 3pt. play.
Dondon Hontiveros jump shot.
Dorian Pena layup - 2pts.
DeVance layup - 2 pts.
DeVance jump shot - 2 pts.
Belasco free throw 1/2.
Lordy layup - 2pts.
Danny Seigle free throw 2/2.
Danny Seigle jump shot - 2pts.
DeVance jump shot - 2 pts.
Dondon Hontiveros jump shot - 2 pts.
Danny Seigle 19 pts already in the ballgame.
Second Quarter - 5:00
Magnolia Beverage Master - 36
Welcoat Dragons - 27
Rico free throw - 1/2.
Reyes 2 pts.
Danny Seigle 2/2 free throw.
Danny Seigle 2/2 free throw.
Danny Seigle undergoal - 2pts.
Gelig alley-op from DeVance.
Rico fakes layup - 2 pts.
Belasco tip-in.
DeVance put back.
End of First Quarter
Magnolia Beverage Masters - 27
Welcoat Dragons - 19
Belaco dipsido - 2 pts.
Danny Seigle jump shot - 2 pts.
Calaguio 3 pts.Dondon Hontiveros 3 pts.
First Quarter - 1:54
Magnolia Beverage Masters - 19
Welcoat Dragons - 17
LA with steal, layup, 2 pts.
Dulay 3pts.
Lordy free throw - 0/2.
Welcoat TO.
Rico post up, 2 pts.
Belasco inside the paint - 2 pts.
LA layup, 2 pts.
Dulay jump shot - 2 pts.
Rico jump hook - 2 pts.
Belasco 3 pts.
First Quarter - 5:57
Magnolia Beverage Masters - 11
Welcoat Dragons - 07
Both teams missing early shots.
Dorian Pena with the first 2 pts.
Danny Seigle w/ a 3-pt. play.
Dulay 3pts.
Arana layup, 2 pts.
Wilson with a yoyo shot - 2 pts.
Belasco post up with foul, free throw miss.
Danny Seigle free throw 2/2.
Danny Seigle slashes - 2 pts.
Danny Seigle with 7 pts. already.
