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
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Lordy Tugade Explodes, Seals Magnolia Victory
Lordy Tugade is one of the players I hate when he still used to don the Red Bull jersey.
Who wouldn't be? In games that the San Miguel Beermen were into winning a close game, Lordy Tugade would explode with a booming three coming off a greatly executed play of coach Yeng Guiao, giving a dagger to the Beermen fans who were expecting for a Beermen win.
Today, he can it do everytime he wants to as he is already part of the team. Witness how he did it all over again, this time against the Talk and Text Phone Pals.
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Visit the new
San Miguel Beermen website. Click here.
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Source: Philippine Star
Sunday, June 1, 2008
PUERTO PRINCESA – Lordy Tugade made the winning basket on a perfectly executed inbound play by Magnolia in the closing seconds as the Magnolia Beverage Masters nipped the Talk n Text Phone Pals, 84-82, in a Smart PBA Fiesta Conference out-of-town basketball game at the Puerto Princesa Coliseum here last night.
Tugade scored off Macmac Cardona after eluding Harvey Carey with a pick from Jameel Watkins then getting the timely baseline throw-in from Olsen Racela.
Talk n Text made an attempt to salvage the basketball game but Aaron McGhee missed a desperation three-point try at the buzzer.
Magnolia, thus, again hit the .500 mark with six wins against six losses while Talk n Text remained on a skid with its third straight loss and its sixth in 13 basketball games in all.
The Magnolia Beverage Masters showed great courage and character, winning this Hanes-sponsored road showcase minus injured key players Danny Seigle and Dondon Hontiveros. Among the VIPs in the sideline was Gov. Joel Reyes who’s pitching for the inclusion of the Puerto Princesa’s Tubataha Reef as one of the new wonders of the world.
Tugade poured in 21 of his basketball game-high 29 points in the second half and the Magnolia Beverage Masters completed a dramatic comeback from an 18-point deficit in the second period.
McGhee slammed home right in front of Watkins as the Pals erected that 18-point spread at 40-22 before settling for a 44-32 margin at the half.
McGhee and his teammates, however, floundered in the final 24 minutes of the basketball game, allowing the Magnolia Beverage Masters to duplicate their 91-86 victory in their previous tiff in this double-round eliminations.
Watkins threw his weight around in the third period as the Magnolia Beverage Masters made key runs to seize the lead at 62-61 at the end of the third period.
The former Georgetown Hoya finished with a huge double-double basketball game with 21 points and 23 rebounds to McGhee’s 10 points.
The Phone Pals waged a fight with Jimmy Alapag, Renren Ritualo, Donbel Belano and Cardona providing McGhee the needed help.
Belano fired 10 points and had a defensive gem paving the way for a McGhee basket that tied the count at 82-all with 4.8 seconds to go.
Magnolia, however, won’t be denied of the win enabling the team to catch up with Alaska Milk at sixth place.
Red Bull and Air21 seek to keep their share of second place as they take on separate opponents at the resumption of play at the Araneta Coliseum today.
The Bulls tackle the fast-charging Ginebra Kings at 4:30 p.m. while the Express meet the Sta. Lucia Realtors and their new import Jamar Brown at 6:50 p.m.
Friday, May 16, 2008
DANNY SEIGLE STARS AS MAGNOLIA GETS BACK AT PUREFOODS: Dynamite Danny back in action, scatters 27 markers to lead all scorers
Danny Seigle proved it once again that an injury would not hinder him from giving his best performance. Having been sidelined for several games already due to an injury, Danny Seigle dished out one of his best performance this conference.
That's the mark of a true champion - getting up after being down. Do you remember how he fought back after a career-threatening achilles tendon injury that took him out of the Busan Asian Games delegation?
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Visit the new
San Miguel Beermen website. Click here.
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Source: PBA.ph
Friday, 16 May 2008
Danny Seigle was among players who dished out a remarkable basketball game likely to impress foreign scouts up in the gallery.
Coming back from sickbay, Seigle came through with a personal conference high 27 points, and Magnolia got back at Purefoods, 88-81, in the 2008 Smart PBA Fiesta Conference elimination round at the Araneta Coliseum Friday night.
The Wagner U product, averaging only 17 points before the basketball game, outdid himself as he went 2-of-2 from the three-point area, 7-of-15 from two-point range and 7-of-9 from the stripe, dealing the Giants tremendous blows as the Magnolia Beverage Masters avenged their 125-127 loss in their previous tiff.
Jameel Watkins, Lordy Tugade and Dondon Hontiveros added at least 11 points apiece for Magnolia, which finished the first half of the preliminaries tied with Air21 at 5-4.
Nino Canaleta, with 29 points, starred for the Express as they clobbered the Coca-Cola Tigers, 104-86, in an earlier basketball game also watched by foreign coaches, including former Red Bull import Tony Lang.
Now an assistant coach for the Mitsubishi team in the Japanese League, Lang, a one-time PBA Best Import awardee, was particularly impressed with Canaleta.
A number of coaches from the Japanese and Korean leagues are now in the country, scouting the imports currently playing in the PBA.
Watkins and Reda Rhalimi both had mediocre showing in the contest taken over by Seigle.
Seigle scored practically from all angles and personally delivered the killer blow on the Giants with a three-pointer beating the shot-clock buzzer that made it 87-79 for Magnolia Beverage Masters entering the final minute of the contest.
Minus injured ace forward Kerby Raymundo, the Giants started flat but waged a fiery chase, putting pressure on the Magnolia Beverage Masters towards the end.
The Giants fell short on their comeback bid, though, suffering a fifth defeat against three wins.
"By no means, pangit ang pagka-panalo namin. Wala na nga si Kerby, nahirapan pa kaming manalo. But of course a win is a win," said Magnolia coach Siot Tanquingcen.
"A 5-4 record halfway through the elims is a pretty decent record. But we still have a lot of room to improve on. We have to become better if we’re to contend for at least the semifinals," Tanquingcen added.
Raymundo sat out the game due to an injured knee. Enrico Villanueva started in Raymundo's spot in his absence, and the former Ateneo Eagle paced the team with 18 points.
Seigle buckled down to work early, tossing in 12 points as Magnolia raced to a 31-11 lead at the end of the first period.
Tugade took over in the second period and, with support from Olsen Racela and Hontiveros, the Magnolia Beverage Masters stretched their spread to 24 twice towards the end of the second period.
The Magnolia Beverage Masters took full control right away while converting 63.6 percent of their field-goal shots in the first 24 minutes of play. The Giants, on the other hand, struggled with a 29.7 percent shooting in the same stretch. (NC)
The scores:
Magnolia 88 – Seigle 27, Watkins 15, Tugade 11, Hontiveros 11, Cortez 9, Bono 6, Racela 6, Pingris 3, Calaguio 0, Pena 0.
Purefoods 81 – Villanueva 18, Rhalimi 17, Salvador 14, Yap J. 13, Simon 11, Yap R. 4. Lanete 2, Yee 2, Sanz 0, Evangelista 0.
Quarterscores: 31-11, 53-29, 66-60, 88-81.
Magnolia Eyes Revenge vs. Deadly Purefoods TJ Giants
The Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants spoiled our team's debut game in a close game that went into double overtime if I'm not mistaken. Purefoods was backed by a monster game by Darius Rice that time.
With that, I guess it's time to show them that we can also beat them. The team has slowly found its rythm and is confident to avenge that close game against the Giants.
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Tigers Try to Get Back on the Groove
By: Zean Macamay
May 16, 2008
Games Today: (Araneta Coliseum)
4:50 p.m. – Air21 vs Coca-Cola
7:20 p.m. – Purefoods vs Magnolia
JUST the other night, Coca-Cola was trying to pull off one great comeback. Now, the Tigers will have to forget all about that failed attempt, and try to get back on their feet.
Deprived of a critical win Wednesday, Coca-Cola sees action for the second time in three days eyeing to post its seventh win when it clashes with Air21, even as Purefoods shoots for its first-ever back-to-back wins in the Smart PBA Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.
“The Tigers’ ability to get back from a defeat will be put to a test again,” said Coca-Cola coach Binky Favis. “This time, it’s going to be tougher since we only have one day to bounce back after a loss. We should put aside what happened in our last basketball game and focus on Air21.”
Doing so looks easy, but in reality, it may be difficult. The Tigers were on the brink of posting perhaps one of the PBA’s greatest comebacks when they wiped out a 30-point, 56-26 deficit against Alaska. They even led, 84-82 in the fourth quarter but lost steam against a team that’s always been known to play tough in the stretch.
In the end, Coca-Cola went down 99-91, its only third defeat in nine basketball games but still crucial since it denied the Tigers a share of the lead with Red Bull (7-2, win-loss) at the close of the first round eliminations.
The Tigers, however, will have the chance to get back on the winning track and break away from a tie with idle Talk ‘N Text. But they would have to do it against a ball club Favis is always wary off.
“We always struggle when we play Air21,” said Favis.
Favis has every reason to feel like that. The Express were one of only three ball clubs that have so far dealt them a defeat, a 102-95 win in the first round last April 13. Although in the upper half of the standings, Coca-Cola couldn’t afford to lose this one at a time when the race for two outright semifinals berths has fiercely began.
“Every win now counts,” said Favis.
With a 4-4 record, the Express are tied with Magnolia, which plays Purefoods in the main 7:20 p.m. basketball game. Like the Tigers, they are seeking to rebound from a defeat after absorbing a 113-100 loss to Philippine Cup champion Sta. Lucia Realty last May 11.
While it may be in the lower half of the standings, Purefoods has started to feel confident again after scoring a tough win over the defending champion Aces in Bohol last May 10.
Backstopped with a new import in 7-foot-1 Moroccan Reda Rhalimi, the Giants played like a team of old and beat the Aces 88-78, a victory coach Ryan Gregorio said was a sign of how their defense has improved a lot.
“We have regained our confidence. We have tremendously improved on our defense. Hopefully, we gain our first winning streak this conference,” said Gregorio.
In their last six basketball games prior to the outing against Alaska, the Giants have allowed opponents to score at an average of 106 points.
But Rhalimi’s entry changed all that. He wasn’t necessarily an explosive scorer the way Darius Rice was, but made up for that with defense. In the win against the Aces, he had 14 points and 12 rebounds, and blocked five shots.
Rhalimi could end up as the perfect fit for the Giants, who don’t really need an trigger-happy import since they have James Yap and Kerby Raymundo to take care of the scoring load.
“Rhalimi answered our problems in rebounding and interior defense,” said Gregorio.
This is the second time that the Giants will play the Beverage Masters, seeking a sweep after Rice led them to victory in the first round.
But Magnolia is aching to get back and move up to fifth spot in the leaderboard.
“Every basketball game is crucial at this stage,” said Magnolia coach Siot Tanquingcen. “Purefoods is a dangerous team, they can take the basketball game away from you at any point of the basketball game.”
Friday, May 9, 2008
Magnolia Beverage Masters Lose To Coca-Cola Tigers Sans Two Danny's
It's really hard to win without the proper materials and resources you need to put a good fight. That's what happened in this game where the Coca-cola Tigers pounded on the hapless Magnolia Beverage Masters that played without its two Danny's - Danny Seigle and Danny Ildefonso.
I was able to watch the game and witnessed the butchery that happened in the fourth quarter where the Tigers made full use of the team's lack of firepower in offense.
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GERVIN POWERS COCA-COLA TIGERS OVER MAGNOLIA BEVERAGE MASTERS: Tigers regain share of lead with Red Bull
Source: PBA.ph
Friday, 09 May 2008
Import George “Gee” Gervin Jr. scored a personal conference-high of 35 points to power Coca-Cola to a 106-92 win opposite Magnolia Beverage Masters in the Smart-PBA Fiesta Conference Friday night at the Araneta Coliseum.
With the Magnolia's defense focused on the Tigers’ other reinforcement Jason Dixon, Gervin, the son of former NBA great George “The Iceman” Gervin, was unstoppable most of the time.
The 6-foot-1 Gervin converted 13-of-26 from the field, including 6-of-10 from the three-point territory and went 3-of-4 from the foul line in 33 minutes of basketball play. He added five rebounds, four assists and a steal.
Asi Taulava, the 2003 Most Valuable Player (MVP), came through with double-double of 21 points and 15 rebounds, while rookie guard Ronjay Buenafe added 13 markers.
The win propelled Coke to top of the lead, tying Red Bull with identical 6-2 cards, while Magnolia dropped to sixth spot with 4-4 record.
“It was right from the opening tip that Magnolia had the mindset to take away Dixon out of his basketball game,” Coke mentor Bink Favis said. “But we came prepared for that. I’m glad that small guys delivered.”
The 6-foot-10 Dixon, who averaged 25.1 points in his first seven basketball games, was held to seven points, the lowest output by an import this conference.
Dixon, however, was a force at the middle of Coke’s interior defense as he grabbed a personal conference-best of 17 rebounds that best typified his team’s dominance at the boards, 59-51.
“I think defense was the key in this victory,” Favis added. “I’m glad that, I think for the first time, we won a little convincingly.”
“It gets more difficult by the day, it gets harder and harder. But we’ll just take it one basketball game at a time,” Favis, whose team will face defending champion Alaska on Wednesday and Air21 on Friday.
The 35-point output of Gervin eclipsed his previous high of 26 during his debut when Coke lost to Air21, 95-102, last April 13.
The Tigers used a 15-4 run to start the fourth period that turned a close 75-71 advantage after three quarters, to 90-75 with 5:52 left in the basketball game.
Coke had its biggest lead at 20 points, 100-80, on two free throws by Buenafe, the former Emilio Aguinaldo College (EAC) stalwart, off a Mike Cortez foul with 3:10 left in the basketball game.
The Tigers shot 37-of-86 or 43 percent from the field, while the Beverage Masters were held to a 31-of-86 shooting or 36 percent.
Magnolia got 23 points from Lordy Tugade, while import Jameel Watkins added 14 with 12 rebounds. Cortez also had 14. (WG)
The scores:
Coke 106 – Gervin 35, Taulava 21, Buenafe 13, Belasco 9, Cabagnot 8, Dixon 7, Telan 7, Macapagal 6, Catli 0, Dimaunahan 0.
Magnolia 92 – Tugade 23, Watkins 14, Cortez 14, Hontiveros 11, Pingris 7, Calaguio 6, Samigue 4, Racela 4, Villanueva 3, Gonzales 3, Tolomia 3, Pena 0.
Quarterscores: 22-26; 50-51; 75-71; 106-92.
Basketball Game Updates: Magnolia Beverage Masters vs. Coca-Cola Tigers (1st Round)
End of First Quarter:
MBM - 26
Coke - 22
Jameel Watkins - 8 points, 5 rebounds
End of Second Quarter:
MBM - 51
Coke - 50
* Coca-cola with ~7 3-pointers.
* Samigue Eman played, 4 points so far.
* Both teams playing a close basketball game.
* Nice jump shot by Samigue Eman as time expires.
* Lordy Tugade made an almost buzzer-beater but missed the clock.
* Watkins got his 3rd personal foul.
Half-Time Report
MBM
FG - 40%
Rebounds - 28
Coke
FG - 39%
Rebounds - 27
Leading Scorers:
MBM - Lordy Tugade - 13 points
Coke - Gee Gervin - 18 points
Third Quarter:
* Slam dunk by Jameel Watkins.
* Asi Taulava providing points for Coke.
MBM - 65
Coke - 63
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4:59
MBM - 67
Coke - 66
Pingris slams it home.
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End of Third Quarter:
MBM - 71
Coke - 75
Buenafe - 2
Cabagnot - 2
Tolomia - 3
Buenafe - 2
Dixon -2
* Watkins, 5th personal foul.
* Macapagal, 4th personal foul.
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Fourth Quarter:
9:14
MBM - 73
Coke - 82
Pingris - 2
Asi - 2/2 FT
Asi - 2
* MBM playing All-Filipino
* Coke pounding inside with Watkins sitting on the bench.
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5:00
MBM - 77
Coke - 90
Telan - 2
Gervin - 2
Tugade - 2/2
Gervin - 2
Telan - 2/2
Cortez - 2/2
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3:10
MBM - 80
Coke - 100
Hontiveros - 3
Gervin - 1/2
Telan - 2
Buenafe - 2/2
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1:23
MBM - 86
Coke - 102
Tugade - 3
Telan - 1/2
Gonzales - 3
Cabagnot - 1/2
Calaguio - 3
Cabagnot - 2/2
Calaguio - 3
Taulava - 2/2
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End of the Basketball Game:
MBM - 92
Coke - 106
Best Player of the Basketball Game:
Asi Taulava
21 points
15 rebounds
7/13 field goal
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Post Basketball Game Commentary
The abscense of Danny Seigle and Danny Ildefonso was very evident in this basketball game. The team encountered a scoring drought early in the fourth quarter and no Danny Seigle was there to provide the needed points.
The team needed an additional defensive player when Jameel Watkins was in foul trouble but then Danny Ildefonso was not there to provide it. As a result, the Coca-cola tigers pounded it inside the paint and dominated the boards.
It's an acceptable loss for the team. It's good that they were able to get the basketball game close at the half. The second half saw the team's lack of manpower. Coca-cola should be happy with the win. On our next basketball game, it will be a different story.
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)
Saturday, May 3, 2008
MAGNOLIA BEVERAGE MASTERS HALT RED BULL RUN ON THE ROAD: Tugade, Racela Shine Brightest Against Barakos
Without Danny Seigle to produce the needed points, Lordy Tugade and Olsen Racela took charge to stop Red Bull's run in an out-of-town basketball game.
It was a come-from-behind win with the Barakos controlling most of the ballgame until the late charge by the Beverage Masters. One major keys in winning this ballgame was the stoppage of Red Bull's main man Cyrus Baguio.
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MAGNOLIA BEVERAGE MASTERS HALT RED BULL RUN ON THE ROAD: Tugade, Racela Shine Brightest Against Barakos
Source: PBA.ph
Saturday, 03 May 2008
LIPA CITY. – Enough of the classic Red Bull endgame comebacks and giant-killing ways.
The Magnolia Beverage Masters never let the Barakos come close to pulling off another miracle rally in the stretch of a 102-95 win on the road Saturday night.
Lordy Tugade torched his former team for 22 points while Olsen Racela turned back the hands of clock to score 19 markers – on a 7-of-10 shooting from the field – for a Magnolia Beverage Masters team that secured the victory by forcing 11 Red Bull turnovers and holding its opponent scoreless in a big game-turning third period.
Until that crucial meltdown, the Barakos were in complete control of the exciting ballgame at the La Salle Centrum here.
Even without star forward Danny Seigle for the second straight ballgame, the Magnolia Beverage Masters continued their slow push on the upper half of the Smart-PBA Fiesta Conference standings, notching their fourth win in seven ballgames and somehow, easing the pain of their embarrassing 101-108 setback at the hands of the Welcoat Dragons Wednesday night.
Seigle again sat out the ballgame due to a foot injury.
The Barakos, whose last two ballgames were punctuated by thrilling comeback victories, meanwhile, fell to a share of the top spot with idle Coca-Cola, both with similar 5-2 (win-loss) cards.
Import Adam Parada led the team with 22 points and 24 rebounds but seemed too exhausted at the time the Beverage Masters were in the midst of their searing scoring run in the second half.
Red Bull thus failed in its bid to become the first team in the conference to win four in a row.
Trailing 60-68 with 5:52 to go in the third, Magnolia Beverage Masters began to make its move which Racela sparked with a booming trey that led to an 11-0 blast.
The 15-year veteran guard then capped the run with a lay-up that barely beat the buzzer, giving the Beverage Masters a 71-68 lead heading to the final 12 minutes.
Red Bull allowed the deficit to balloon to as many as 85-74, before it found its rhythm and tried to make a last ditch rally.
And they almost succeeded.
A three-pointer by Mick Pennisi had the Barakos outscoring the opposition, 15-8, in a four-minute span that cut Magnolia Beverage Masters lead to 89-93 with 1:46 left.
The Barakos were still in the ballgame, 97-92, when the scoring binge finally fizzled out, cut short by a dagger trey courtesy of Hontiveros that made it an 8-point Magnolia Beverage Masters lead.
Hontiveros also had 19 points for Magnolia Beverage Masters, while import Jameel Watkins and Mike Cortez likewise finished in double figures with 18 and 10, respectively.
Averaging 25.3 points in the Barakos’ 3-game winning run, Cyrus Baguio was held to just 17 this time. (GR)
The scores:
Magnolia Beverage Masters 102 – Tugade 22, Racela 19, Hontiveros 19, Watkins 18, Cortez 10, Pingris 6, Pena 4, Gonzales 2, Tolomia 2, Bono 0, Calaguio 0.
Red Bull Barako 95 – Parada 22, Baguio 17, Hrabak 14, Duncil 8, Cruz 8, Pennisi 6, Najorda 5, Sharma 4, Alvarez 4, Ybanez 0, Adriano 0.
Quarterscores: 28-26; 49-55; 71-68; 102-95.
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, April 21, 2008
Magnolia Beverage Masters Trounces Ginebra in a Come-From-Behind Win
Magnolia Beverage Masters Jameel Watkins proved too strong for the Barangay Ginebra Kings. Trailing by several points going into the crucial minutes of the basketball game, Watkins took over the team's offense by providing the necessary points in the shaded lane.
Barangay Ginebra's loss relegated them at the tail-end of the standings after the Welcoat Dragons won in a game earlier.
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Magnolia Beverage Masters Outsteadies Ginebra
Source: PBA.ph
April 21, 2008
The lonely place down the bottom of the chart is now solely belonged to Barangay Ginebra.
Magnolia Beverage Masters had the final say in a fierce and furious duel with Ginebra, scoring a 95-92 decision in the 2007-08 Smart PBA Fiesta Conference at the Araneta Coliseum Sunday night.
The Kings engaged the Beverage Masters in a battle but wavered at the finish, thus staying winless in five starts in the season-ending tourney.
Coach Jong Uichico and his boys were left alone in the cellar with the Welcoat Dragons ending their long losing spell earlier in the day.
"Ginebra's record at the moment doesn't show the real strength of the team. Nagkakapaan pa sila with their new recruits but eventually, I believe, they would be a top contender," said Magnolia Beverage Masters coach Siot Tanquingcen, who had two championships won with the Kings.
"But I have to give credit to my players. They hang in there and executed. They knew what to do. Hindi na nga ako nagde-decide doon sa mga plays namin," Tanquingcen also said, lauding his players for their sterling efforts resulting to the team's third straight victory.
Magnolia Beverage Masters, getting a big lift from import Jameel Watkins and old mainstays Danny Seigle and Dondon Hontiveros, caught up with Talk n Text at fourth place at 3-2.
Watkins scored eight of his 20 points in the last three minutes of play, starring in a run that keyed a big turnaround by Magnolia Beverage Masters in the homestretch.
"Jameel showed tonight why he fits well with the team," said Tanquingcen of his import who rallied the team from an 84-89 deficit.
Watkins himself shoved Magnolia Beverage Masters ahead to stay at 94-92 on two free throws off a foul by Alex Crisano with a minute left to play.
The Kings went without a field-goal basket in the last 3:46 of play with Junthy Valenzuela muffing two attempts after the Beverage Masters surged ahead at 94-92.
After Hontiveros made it 95-92 on a charity, the Kings still had a chance to force an overtime but Sunday Salvacion missed a hurried three-point attempt with seven seconds to go.
Mike Cortez grabbed the looseball and simply dribbled away the clock.
Watkins also produced 19 big rebounds, two steals and one block in 36 minutes of play. Seigle, Lordy Tugade, Cortez and Hontiveros each added at least 10.
Ernest Brown had his shining moment.
The former NBA player rattled in seven straight points to cap an 11-to-nothing run that gave Ginebra the 91-84 spread.
But Watkins showed up Brown at the finish.
Brown and Jayjay Helterbrand paced the Kings with 18 points apiece with Mark Caguioa adding 16 and Valenzuela 10. (NC)
The Scores:
Magnolia Beverage Masters 95 - Watkins 20, Seigle 15, Tugade 12, Cortez 10, Hontiveros 10, Racela 9, Ildefosno 9, Pingris 5, Pena 3, Villanueva 2, Tolomia 0, Calaguio 0.
Ginebra Gin Kings 92 - Brown 18, Helterbrand 18, Caguioa 16, Valenzuela 10, Tubid 9, Mamaril 9, Artadi 6, Crisano 6, Salvacion 0, Pablo 0.
Quarterscores: 20-17, 42-47, 68-70, 95-92
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It's a pulsating win by the Magnolia Beverage Masters. Down in the closing minutes of the basketballgame, we are able to erase the deficit and got the lead once again on the last 1 minute. Thanks to the production of Jameel Watkins. The good thing is, Ginebra was not able to capitalize on the opportunities given to them on the dying seconds to tie-up the ballgame.
The one thing I spotted are the turnovers midway into the game that enabled Ginebra to gain the lead on their furious fastbreak attacks. I think we should minimize these on our suceeding matchups with other teams to give us a higher chances of winning.
Continue reading...Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Dynamite Danny Seigle: Player of the Week April 6 - 13
Danny Seigle proved once again how a determination to play won't hinder a basketball player's ability to contribute despite playing hurt due to injury.
With his big heart and scoring prowess, he was able to help the struggling Magnolia Beverage Masters from a 0-2 start in the import-laden conference. Will he be able to sustain his momentum with this injury? That remains to be seen on the upcoming battles.
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San Miguel Beermen website. Click here.
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Even Recurring Pain Can't Slown Down Danny
Source: Malaya Online Edition
April 15, 2008
Danny Seigle is proving that even if he is not yet in full fighting shape, he is still a cut above the rest.
As a result, the Magnolia Beverage Masters forward, playing through pain, was adjudged as the Accel-Smart PBA Press Corps Player of the Week for April 6-13.
Despite a recurring foot injury, Seigle has been consistently racking up the numbers, propping the Magnolia Beverage Masters to back-to-back wins last week in the Fiesta Conference and an even 2-2 win-loss record overall.
As is his wont, Magnolia Beverage Masters coach Siot Tanquingcen refused to single out one player as the reason for his team's fight-back from a sorry start. But he could not help but beam with pleasure at his prized 6-foot-6 forward's continuing evolvement.
"We keep telling him not to force it, let the flow of the game come to him and be more patient," said Tanquingcen. "He's been trying to do that and we are all seeing his transformation into a well-rounded player."
Seemingly taking those pointers to heart, the 1999 Rookie of the Year has given up the ball more often, no longer forces his shots and has more decent percentages than what he's had in the past.
Consider the numbers Seigle put up in the Beverage Masters' wins over defending champion Alaska and Talk N Text, among the teams expected to go deep in the conference. In an 89-81 breakthrough triumph over the Aces last Friday, Seigle had 18 points, 14 in the second half. He shot 6-of-11 from the floor, added six rebounds and spiked it with three assists and a steal.
He followed that up with a team-high 18 points on 8-of-14 field shooting, 10 rebounds, two assists and as many steals in a 91-86 victory over the Phone Pals last Sunday.
Those points were enough to keep Seigle in the company of Barangay Ginebra's Mark Caguioa as the only locals to lead their respective teams in scoring in the import-flavored tournament. And to think he was not even supposed to see extended minutes on the floor, bothered as he is by a nagging Achilles tendon injury that needed minor surgery after the Philippine Cup.
Just imagine what Seigle can do for Magnolia Beverage Masters once he's completely healed.
Monday, April 14, 2008
MAGNOLIA BEVERAGE MASTERS CONTINUES RISE FROM CELLAR: 5 in Double Figures as Beverage Masters Win Over Former Mentor
After a woeful 0-2 start backed by heart-breaking defeats, the Magnolia Beverage Masters managed to snatch another win, this time against former basketball coach Chot Reyes-lead Talk and Text Phone Pals.
The win indicated improvements in the team's chemistry due to the addition of new players acquired from previous trades.
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MAGNOLIA BEVERAGE MASTERS CONTINUES RISE FROM CELLAR: 5 in Double Figures as Beverage Masters Win Over Former Mentor
Source: PBA.ph
Sunday, 13 April 2008
Coach Chot Reyes mocked the refs and was banished from the ballgame in raising a white handkerchief with a little over six minutes left to play.
Taking the cue, the Talk n Text Phone Pals waged an uprising, but the Magnolia Beverage Masters held on, winning their first meeting with their former coach.
The Beverage Masters made a decisive assault in the third quarter and kept the Pals at bay the rest of the way as they pulled off a 91-86 victory Sunday in the 2007-08 Smart PBA Fiesta Conference at the Araneta Coliseum.
"We’re now enjoying better chemistry. We’re getting used to each other," said coach Siot Tanquingcen as his troops nailed a second straight win following two successive defeats.
"It’s no secret that we played zone the whole night. We got a hand on their every shot. We controlled the tempo, not allowing them to play run-and-gun," Tanquingcen also said.
The Beverage Masters, tying the Pals and the Air21 Express at fifth on their identical 2-2 win-loss cards, worked on a methodical half-court ballgame as they opened two 17-point spreads in the third quarter.
The Pals narrowed the gap to 63-71 at the end of the quarter only to see the Beverage Masters reestablish control in the next period driving the TnT coach to an antic leading to his ejection from the ballgame.
But somehow, Reyes’ ouster fired up the Pals.
Jimmy Alapag, Renren Ritualo and Aaron McGhee hit clutch baskets as Talk n Text came within four at 83-87 with 1:10 left to play.
The team had a chance to get even closer but Ritualo, Jay Washington and Don Allado missed three successive field-goal shots.
Danny Seigle had another productive performance, pacing the Beverage Masters with 18 points and 10 rebounds.
Dondon Hontiveros starred in Magnolia Beverage Masters third-quarter attack with 11 of his 17 points. Jameel Watkins, Jonas Villanueva and Marc Pingris added at least 10 each.
Villanueva, the team’s third-string guard, provided the spark as the Magnolia Beverage Masters launched a searing second-quarter assault to take the half at 49-41. The former FEU mainstays produced five points, one rebound and one steal in the period.
Seigle carried the cudgels for Magnolia Beverage Masters while Aaron McGhee bore the brunt for Talk n Text as the two teams ended up tied at 24 in the opening canto. (NC)
The scores:
Magnolia Beverage Masters 91 – Seigle 18, Hontiveros 17, Watkins 14, Villanueva J. 11, Pingris 10, Cortez 7, Ildefonso 7, Racela 4, Pena 3, Tugade 0.
Talk n Text Phone Pals 86—McGhee 22, Allado 15, Washington 13, Cardona 10, Alapag 8, Ritualo 8, De Ocampo 5, Ferreria 2,Peek 2, Carey 1, Chia 0, Belano 0.
Quarterscores: 24-24, 49-41, 71-63, 91-86
Saturday, April 12, 2008
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
Friday, April 11, 2008
BallGame Updates: Magnolia Beverage Master vs. Alaska Aces (1st Round)
Starting Five:
MBM
Mike Cortez
Dondon Hontiveros
Danny Seigle
Marc Pingris
Jameel Watkins
Alaska
LA Tenorio
Willie Miller
Reynel Hugnatan
Randy Halcomb
Sonny Thoss
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First Quarter
7:12
MBM - 6
Alaska - 11
DH - 2
Hugnatan FT - 1/2
Tenorio - 2
Tenorio - 3
DH - 2
Pingris - 2
Pingris FT - 0/1
Tenorio - 3
Halcomb - 2
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End of First Quarter
MBM - 18
Alaska - 15
DH - 2
Watkins - 2
3 Blocks by Magnolia Beverage Masters
Hugnatan - 2
Cortez - 2
Halcomb - 2
Tugade - 3
DI - 2
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Second Quarter
6:22
MBM - 26
Alaska - 21
Quinahan - 2
Quinahan FT - 0/1
Racela - 2
Calaguio is injured will not play today.
Racela - 3
Tugade FT - 1/2
Tugade - 2
Ferriols FT - 2/2
Halcomb - 2
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2:54
MBM - 31
Alaska - 26
Miller - 2
DI - 2
Tenorio - 3
Watkins - 2
Watkins FT - 1/1
Magnolia Beverage Masters playing tough interior defense.
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(Apologies. Encountered connection problem.)
End of Second Quarter
MBM - 40
Alaska - 36
Cortez FB - 2
Back2back TO - Alaska
Cortez - 3
DS FT - 2/2
Miller - 2
Miller - 3
Miller - 3
Willer Miller with 8 straight points.
DS with a 2-handed dunk
Thoss put back - 2
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Half-Time Report:
MBM
FG - 43%
Rebounds - 25
Alaska
FG - 30%
Rebounds - 31
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Third Quarter
5:50
MBM - 49
Alaska - 46
Halcolmb - 2
DS - 2
DS FT - 1/2
Pingris - 3rd personal foul
Halcomb FT - 1/2
Watkins FT - 1/2
Miller - 2
DS FT - 0/2
Hugnatan FB - 2
DS - 2
DS - 3
Miller - 3
Halcomb blocked twice by Watkins and Pingris.
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End of Third Quarter
MBM - 62
Alaska - 53
Watkins - 2
DS FT - 2/2
DS FT - 1/2
Quinahan - 2
Halcomb FT - 1/2
Racela - 3
Cariaso FT - 2/2
DI - 2
DS 3rd personal foul.
Thoss FT - /2
Racela - 3
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Fourth Quarter
7:40
MBM - 73
Alaska - 62
Cariaso - 3
DI - 2
Ferriols - 2
Dela Cruz - 2
DS - 2
DS FT - 1/2
Cariaso FT - 2/2
Racela - 3
Tugade - 3
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5:10
MBM - 77
Alaska - 66
Halcomb FT - 2/2
Racela - 2
Tugade - 2
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2:27
MBM - 80
Alaska - 73
Halcomb - 2
Watkins - 2
Watkins FT - 1/1
Tugade - 4th Personal Foul
Miller FT - 2/2
Pingris - 4th Personal Foul
Halcomb FT - 2/2
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0:17
MBM - 89
Alaska - 81
Pingris - 2
Miller - 3
Pingris - 2
Pingris FT - 1/1
Pingris 5th Personal Foul
Halcomb FT - 1/2
Pingris FT - 2/2
Quinahan -2
Racela FT - 2/2
Cariaso - 2
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End of Fourth Quarter
MBM - 89
Alaska - 81
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Best Player of The Ballgame
Olsen Racela
18 Points
4 Assists
4/7 in the Three Point Distance
Magnolia Beverage Masters Snatched The First Win!
Thanks to their stingy defense.
MBM - 89
Alaska - 81
Magnolia Beverage Master Faces Alaska Aces For Win # 1
Mike Cortez and Ken Bono
vs.
L.A. Tenorio and Larry Fonacier
It will be an exciting ballgame!
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Hot Red Bull battles TNT; Magnolia Beverage Masters duel Alaska Aces
Source:
By: June Navarro
INQUIRER.NET
April 11, 2008
Red Bull, the surprise of the young Smart PBA Fiesta Cup, shoots for a third straight win and a share of the lead against Talk 'N Text on Friday at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
The Barako take on the Phone Pals at 4:50 p.m. with the spotlight on Red Bull's seven-foot import Adam Parada following two explosive performances against Ginebra and Air21.
Magnolia Beverage Masters tries to break into the winner's circle against the Alaska Aces in the mainer at 7:20 p.m.
The Magnolia Beverage Masters seek to bounce back after absorbing bitter setbacks from Purefoods TJ Giants and Sta. Lucia Realty even as the Alaska Aces seek a second victory in three gammes.
Parada, a seven-footer from Mexico, debuted with a 28-point, 21-rebound, 5-block performance in the Bulls' win over Ginebra, and then followed it up with another huge gamme of 28 points, 12 rebounds and 4 blocks against Air21.
On Friday, he will take on Aaron McGhee, the first import to arrive here who will try to steer the Phone Pals to back-to-back wins after a lopsided, 36-point (131-95) win over bottom-dweller Welcoat Friday last week.
Meantime, Barangay Ginebra may play all-Filipino when it faces Philippine Cup champion Sta. Lucia on Saturday in an out-of-town gamme in Tacloban City.
The Gin Kings are in the midst of replacing their import Rahshon Turner, who suffered a hamstring injury in their 89-102 loss to the Alaska Aces last Sunday.
The smallest reinforcement in the tournament also was not a factor in Ginebra's first two gammes, only scoring a combined 24 points.
At 0-2 (win-loss), Ginebra is in its worst start since the 2002 Governors' Cup.
YAP, PINGRIS LEAD ALL-STAR TEAMS STARTERS: Bacolod City Gets Ready For All-Star Festivities
Hometown boy James Yap's supporter definetely supported him well for the upcoming Bacolod All-Star as he leads the balloting.
The results of the voting indicates also his popularity among PBA fans who like to see their respective stars in the upcoming event. Other Magnolia Beverage Masters who are likely to play are Dondon Hontiveros and Marc Pingris.
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YAP, PINGRIS LEAD ALL-STAR TEAMS STARTERS: Bacolod City Gets Ready For All-Star Festivities
Source: PBA.ph
Thursday, 10 April 2008
Purefoods superstar James Yap underscored his soaring popularity in the just concluded balloting for starters of the North and South teams of this year's PBA All-Star Gamme.
The former MVP from Escalante, Negros Occidental received 50,763 votes – highest among candidates from both teams – and earned his fifth start in the league's annual spectacle.
Interestingly, Yap – an All-Star starter in each of the last four years dating back to his rookie year in 2004 – was the only player voted by fans, either through actual voting at the gamme venue, in the host city of Bacolod or the league's official website, http://www.pba.ph/., to breach the 50,000 mark.
Two other consistent starters – Coca-Cola big man Asi Taulava (36,312) and Talk N Text playmaker Jimmy Alapag (22,752) – join Yap in the South team that also includes Sta. Lucia's Kelly Williams (38,832) and Magnolia Beverage Masters Danny Seigle (38,448) in the frontcourt rotation.
Do-it-all Magnolia Beverage Masters forward Mark Pingris was the top vote getter among the North All-Stars with 35,578 votes.
With him in the team are Purefoods’ Kerby Raymundo (32,274), Magnolia Beverage Masters hotshot Lordy Tugade (19,374) and the Barangay Ginebra backcourt duo of Mark Caguioa (29,775) and Jayjay Helterbrand (26,244).
A starter in the All-Star Gamme for the first time in his 8-year career, Tugade earned the spot by taking over the slot of Purefoods' Romel Adducul (21,903). The former San Sebastian King Stag is out of commission after being diagnosed with the Big C.
Tugade finished fourth behind Adducul in the balloting.
The remaining slots in both teams will be filled by the votes of all 10 PBA coaches prior to the All-Star Weekend in Bacolod City from April 24-27.
Helterbrand and Alaska's Willie Miller sparked a big endgame comeback by the North All-Stars in Baguio City last year to prevail, 145-142. The two emerged co-MVPs of the annual spectacle.
Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia and West Negros University president Suzette Agustin are working hand in hand to make the 2008 Smart PBA All-Star Weekend in the ”City of Smiles” a smashing success. (DBC)
Monday, April 7, 2008
STA. LUCIA JOINS RED BULL, COKE ON TOP: Magnolia Beverage Masters tumbles to 0-2 on woeful FT shooting
It could have been a won ballgame...
...if not for the bricks that the team threw at the free-throw line.
Sta. Lucia Realty escaped with a two-point win against the Magnolia Beverage Masters who managed to keep the ballgame close but lost too many points with their misses in the 15-foot line.
Better spend more time shooting free throws during practice.
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STA. LUCIA JOINS RED BULL, COKE ON TOP: Magnolia Beverage Masters tumbles to 0-2 on woeful FT shooting
Source: PBA.ph
Sunday, 06 April 2008
ANTIPOLO City – The Magnolia Beverage Masters may have to devote more of their time practicing their free throw shooting.
Betrayed by their woeful stint from the foul line Sunday night, the Beverage Masters lost for the second straight time in the 2008 Smart-PBA Fiesta Cup, falling prey to the Sta. Lucia Realtors, 88-86, in a wild-and-wooly gamme at the Ynares Center here.
The Beverage Masters shot a woeful 45 percent from the 15-foot line (16-of-38) that made the big difference in a contest that wasn’t decided until the final buzzer.
Import Jameel Watkins and Danny Seigle finished with 20 and 19 points respectively, for Magnolia Beverage Masters but was a combined 9-of-25 from the free throw line.
The most crucial of those misses came in the last 16 seconds when Seigle bungled the back end of his two free throws and Magnolia Beverage Masters trailing, 86-87.
Coming at the heels of their 126-127 double overtime loss to Purefoods, the Beverage Masters are now 0-2, tied with Welcoat at the cellar.
The loss sent the Beverage Masters reeling down the cellar in a tie with Welcoat at 0-2, a stunning development early into the import-laden conference to a team sees by many as a major title threat.
In contrast, Sta. Lucia rolled off to its second straight win in as many gammes to join Red Bull and Coca-Cola at the top.
Counting their victory in the decisive Gamme 7 of the Finals, the Realtors have now won all of their last three matches.
Wesley Wilson was again a towering presence for Sta. Lucia in the middle with 20 points and was complemented by the team-high 20 of leading Most Valuable Player contender Kelly Williams.
Rookie Ryan Reyes added 14, including a free throw with 7 seconds left that proved to be the marginal basket, 88-87.
Magnolia Beverage Masters still has a chance to win the gamme, but Lordy Tugade’s three-pointer in the waning seconds missed its mark.
A tentative start had the Beverage Masters trailing by 17, 20-3, with seven minutes gone by in the gamme.
But soon after Seigle waxed hot, Magnolia Beverage Masters was back into the gamme, even grabbing a 29-28 lead early into the second quarter.
They wouldn’t take the upperhand again until middle of the payoff period, 74-73, plus free throws and balll possession following a flagrant foul committed by Nelbert Omolon on Seigle. Unfortunately, Seigle failed to capitalize as he missed his foul shots.
The scores
Sta. Lucia Realtors (88) – Williams 27, Wilson 20, Reyes 14, Aquino 8, Yeo 7, Miranda 3, Daa 2, Omolon 0, Espino 0, Gonzales 0.
Magnolia Beverage Masters (86) – Watkins 20, Seigle 19, Cortez 16, Pingris 8, Racela 6, Hontiveros 6, Ildefonso 5, Tugade 2, Pena 2, Calaguio 0.
Quarterscores: 28-24; 48-42; 68-67; 88-86
Sunday, April 6, 2008
BallGame Updates: Magnolia Beverage Masters vs. Sta. Lucia (1st Round)
Starting Five:
MBM
Mike Cortez
Chris Calaguio
Lordy Tugade
Danny Ildefonso
Jameel Watkins
SLR
Denok Miranda
Ryan Reyes
Marlou Aquino
Kelly Williams
Wesley Wilson
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First Quarter:
10:23
MBM - 1
SLR - 8
Reyes drive - 2
Watkins FT - 1/2
Wilson jump shot - 2
Williams jump shot -2
Reyes jump shot -2
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8:00
MBM - 3
SLR - 16
Watkins drive -2
Marlou hook - 2
Wilson jump shot -2
Wilson FT - 2/2
Wilson FB - 2
MBM in big hole.
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2:40
MBM - 17
SLR - 22
KW - 2
Marlou Jshot -2
Tugade FB -2
KW FT -1/2
Pingris drive - 2
Watkins hook - 2
Wilson FT - 1/2
DS drive, goal tending - 2
Cortez - 3
Cortez - 3
Magnolia Beverage Masters on a roll, Cortez hot on 3-point range
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End of first quarter
MBM - 24
SLR - 28
Watkin alley hoop - 2
Espino 3rd personal foul
Pingris FT - 1/2
DS jshot -2
KW alley hoop - 2
Reyes FT - 2/2
DS drive - 2
Daa buzzer beater- 2
Magnolia Beverage Masters are back in the ballgame after being down with 17 points.
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Second Quarter:
5:29
MBM - 34
SLR - 39
DH jshot -2
Pingris FT - 1/2
Racela FB -2
Aquino Jshot -2
Technical foul, coach ST
Mendoza FT - 1/1
KW - 3
DS - 2
KW alley hoop - 2
Watkins - 2
Mendoza - 3
Watkins FT - 0/2
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1:48
MBM - 40
SLR - 43
Yeo FT - 2/2
Watkins FT - 2/2
KW jshot -2
Watkins - 2
Cortez - 2
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End of second quarter
MBM - 42
SLR - 48
Reyes - 3
Cortez - 2
Wilson - 2
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Half-Time Report:
Half-time Score:
MBM - 42
SLR - 48
Magnolia Beverage Masters came back from a 17-point lead by SLR
lead by Mike Cortez who converts 2 consecutive threes.
Leading Scorer
MBM
Watkins - 12
Cortez - 10
Seigle - 8
SLR
KW -14
Wilson - 11
Reyes - 9
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Third Quarter:
6:04
MBM - 55
SLR - 60
DS - 2
KW FT - 2/2
Pingris -2
Miranda - 3
Cortez - 2
Watkins blocked Omolon
DS FT - 1/2
KW FT - 1/2
DH FT - 2/2
Wilson 3rd personal foul
Watkins FT - 2/2
KW - 3
Watkins - 2
Yeo -3
---------------------
3:25
MBM - 57
SLR - 64
Watkins FT - 0/2
Boyet Fernandez Technical Foul
DS Technical FT - 0/1
DH - 2
Wilson -2
Wilson -2
---------------------
2:05
MBM - 61
SLR - 66
DS - 2
Reyes - 2
DS - 2
---------------------
End of 3rd Quarter
MBM - 67
SLR - 68
Watkins FT - 0/2
Reyes FB - 2
Racela - 3
Racela - 3
Racela's back-to-back three point shots get Magnolia Beverage Masters closer to 1 point.
---------------------
Fourth Quarter:
7:59
MBM - 74
SLR - 73
Aquino -2
DI - 2
Mendoza - 3
DS - 2
DP - 2
Flagrant foul penalty 1, Omolon
DS Technical FT - 1/2
Omolon 6 fouls, fouled out of the ballgame, 0 points
Magnolia Beverage Masters got back the lead.
---------------------
4:22
MBM - 77
SLR - 78
DI FT - 0/2
DI FT - 1/2
KW - 2
Marlou got his 5th personal foul from the driving Watkins
Watkins FT - 0/2
Pingris - 4th personal foul
KW FT - 1/2
Cortez - 2/2
KW alley hoop (3rd) - 2
---------------------
1:24
MBM - 83
SLR - 87
KW FT - 2/2
Pingris - 2
Wilson FT - 1/2
Cortez - 2
Yeo - 2
Wilson FT - 2/2
Watkins slam - 2
Wilson FT - 1/2
Wilson FT - 1/2
---------------------
0:25
MBM - 85
SLR - 87
Watkins 3-point play
Watkins FT - 0/1
DH FT - 0/2
Magnolia Beverage Masters players missing badly in the free throw line.
---------------------
End of Fourth Quarter
MBM - 86
SLR - 88
DS FT - 1/2
Reyes - 1/2
Lordy Tugade missed a ballgame winning 3 point shot.
Magnolia Beverage Masters absorbed another close ballgame loss mainly because of their awful free throw shooting.
Best Player of the Ballgame
Kelly Williams:
27 Points
10 Rebounds
2 Steals
Magnolia Beverage Masters Test Sta. Lucia's Mettle
It's Magnolia Beverage Masters vs. All-Filipino Cup champions Sta. Lucia Realty.
The team will have its hands full as the realtors are backed by big and reliable import in Wesley Wilson. It will be an interesting matchup between Jameel Watkins and Wesley Wilson who will both man the post.
-------------------
Magnolia Beverage Masters Test Sta. Lucia's Mettle
Source: Manila Bulletin Online
By WAYLON GALVEZ
04/06/2008
Realtors Eye Second Win
Philippine Cup champion Sta. Lucia Realty guns for its second straight win today when it battles Magnolia Beverage Masters in the Smart-PBA Fiesta Cup at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo City.
The Realtors collide with the Magnolia Beverage Masters at 6:50 p.m., after the defending champion Alaska Aces and the Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings clash at 4:30 p.m.
Sta. Lucia, which captured the all-Filipino title last month, is fresh from a 93-86 win over Alaska which saw 6-foot-11 import Wesley Wilson collect 24 points, grab 13 rebounds aand swat six shots before finishing with 10 turnovers.
The Realtors will face a team eager to bounce back from a heartbreaking 126-127 double overtime loss to sister team Purefoods TJ Hotdogs.
Sta. Lucia coach Boyet Fernandez considers Magnolia Beverage Masters as one of the strong contenders this conference — with its deep roster and talented import in 6-foot-11 Jameel Watkins.
"Magnolia Beverage Masters is one of the teams to beat in this conference. They have a strong line-up and with Mike Cortez around, their point guard rotation is more stable in terms of experience," Fernandez, referring to Magnolia Beverage Masters midseason acquisition of Mike Cortez and Ken Bono from Alaska for LA Tenorio and Larry Fonacier, said.
"The last time we had a tune-up gamme versus Magnolia Beverage Masters we were blown out. So now we know what are our mistakes," he added.
However, as far as Magnolia Beverage Masters mentor Siot Tanquingcen is concerned, there’s no question that the Realtors are the tournament favorites.
"They (Realtor) are the all-Filipino champion and now they added another inside threat in Wilson. They are really tough and to beat them, we need to play tough as well and smart basketball in executing our gamme plan."
Except for the 10 turnovers, Wilson, who played for Shell in this same conference four years ago, did well in leading the Realtors together with Philippine Cup Best Player of the Conference winner Kelly Williams and Joseph Yeo.
Fernandez said that the former Georgetown University stalwart is adjusting to the system. Together with his mainstays, his team is getting into "gamme shape".
"Wesley and the local crew is slowly but surely getting in shape," the 36year-old Fernandez said.
The onetime PBA playmaker Fernandez is also excited to see the battle between Wilson and Watkins, who are former Hoyas teammates under revered coach John Thompson, saying: "It’s going to be an interesting match between ex-teammates."
Thursday, April 3, 2008
RICE LIFTS PUREFOODS PAST MAGNOLIA BEVERAGE MASTERS AFTER 2 OTs: Giants’ import hits winning basket, erupts for 56 big points
It was a battle of scoring prowess between the two teams but the one with a better firepower escaped with a one point lead.
Monster import Darius Rice single-handly gave Purefoods the win. It was a heart-breaking loss for the Magnolia Beverage Masters where it battled tooth-for-tooth against the giants but end up losing with a point in the end. No need to worry as this is a good start already even if we loose.
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RICE LIFTS PUREFOODS PAST MAGNOLIA BEVERAGE MASTERS AFTER 2 OTs: Giants’ import hits winning basket, erupts for 56 big points
Source: PBA
Wednesday, 02 April 2008
NOT even the collective effort of Magnolia Beverage Masters proved enough to negate the individual explosiveness of Purefoods import Darius Rice.
The nephew of foottball legend Jerry Rice knocked in 56 big points in his Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) debut, including a coast-to-coast drive to the basket that lifted the Giants to a pulsating 127-126 double OT victory over the Magnolia Beverage Masters in a thrilling 2008 Smart Fiesta Conference gamme Wednesday night at the Araneta Coliseum.
The 6-foot-10 former University of Miami stalwart went 6-of-17 from three-point range, the last of which was a step-back trey in the final 1:40 of regulation play that tied the gamme at 101 and set the stage for the exciting finish.
The 56-point output of the 25-year-old Rice is the biggest individual score registered in a gamme in the league since former Best Import Derek Brown finished with 57 points for Sta. Lucia in a 99-120 losing cause to San Miguel Beer on April 25, 2004 in the inaugural Fiesta Conference.
“Darius Rice is as good as advertised,” were the first words uttered by a beaming Ryan Gregorio, the Purefoods coach, after the gamme that took 58 minutes to complete. “I’ve seen some amazing shots tonight, including a three-pointer that I think was a low percentage shot, but thank God, it went in.”
Rice already showed portent of things to come when he finished with 27 points at the half, though the Giants trailed, 45-54.
“That’s all?,” asked the sensational import when asked if he was aware of his final output, the second all-time highest output in the Fiesta Conference since Brown's 57 and the highest output by a debuting import since Jerod Ward had 61 for Mobiline in a 93-87 win over Barangay Ginebra in his first gamme in the 2001 Commissioner's Cup.
“Honestly, I was not thinking about my score. I’m just playing in there and trying to help the team win,” added the second cousin of former NBA hotshot Glenn Rice.
Following the win, Purefoods finds itself in a four-way tie on top with Coca-Cola, Red Bull, Air21 and reigning all-Filipino champion Sta. Lucia.
James Yap added 20 points for the Giants, Enrico Villanueva added 16 and 11 rebounds in his first gamme with his new team while Kerby Raymundo had 11 markers, but missed a potential game-winning reverse layup with four seconds left in the first overtime and the score tied at 116-116.
The loss was a bitter pill to swallow for the Magnolia Beverage Masters, who led by as many as 14, 65-51, early in the third.
What cost Magnolia Beverage Masters the gamme, especially late in the overtime periods, were several turnovers, two of which Dondon Hontiveros committed in succession.
But the most damaging of them came in the final six seconds of the second extra period when Mike Cortez, acquired by Magnolia Beverage Masters in a blockbuster trade with Alaska, threw a weak pass which Rice anticipated. The Purefoods import then went all the way to the basket to peg the final count.
Hontiveros led the Magnolia Beverage Masters with 29 points while import Jameel Watkins contributed 23 points and 18 rebounds before fouling out with 1:22 in the second overtime. His putback off a Cortez miss in regulation sent the gamme into its first extension, 108-108.
Danny Seigle, unmindful of the Achilles injury he sustained in the conference break, added 19 and four other players were in double figures for Magnolia Beverage Masters, including Danny Ildefonso (10), who missed a potential game-tying basket at the buzzer that could have forged a third overtime. (GR)
BUZZER-BEATER: Rice's 56 was also the first 50-point output in the league since Asi Taulava had a career-high 51 in a 131-105 win over Purefoods on May 16, 2004 also during the inaugural Fiesta Conference... No player has scored at least 60 points in a gamme since Askia Jones had that exact output for Shell on Nov. 4, 2001 in a 111-88 rout of Sta. Lucia in the Governors Cup. (FM)
The scores:
Purefoods TJ Giants 127 – Rice 56, J Yap 20, Villanueva 16, Raymundo 11, Simon 10, Lanete 6, R. Yap 5, Salvador 2, Yee 1.
Magnolia Beverage Masters 126 – Hontiveros 29, Watkins 23, Seigle 19, Tugade 13, Pingris 12, Cortez 11, Ildefonso 10, Calaguio 5, Racela 2, Pena 2, Tolomia 0.
Quarterscores: 24-27; 45-54; 75-82; 108-108 (reg); 116-116 (1st OT); 127-126.
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It's a heart-breaking loss. MBM almost got the win if not for the costly turnovers in the extension period. It is very evident that it is caused by the lack of chemistry of the team (just for the second OT as this is the only portion that I have watched). Well, I think it is just fine as the newly acquired players have not yet fully jelled with the rest of the gang.
I am very confident that this current crop of players can produce better results than those in the All-FIlipino Cup. For all MBM fans, let's just be patient. It's good to know that we only lost by 1 point to a team that parades a monster of an import.
See you on Sunday. Ballgame is against All-Filipino Cup champion Sta. Lucia Realty. Ballgame updates will be available on that day. I expect you to check this website out for live gamme updates if you don't have TV access but wants to know what's happening on the gamme.
