It's now the start of the semifinals that will be fought between sister teams Magnolia Beverage Masters and Barangay Ginebra Against Air21 Express and Red Bull Barako. The two teams being #3 and #4 respectively after the quarterfinals suddenly became the favorites to win the first battle as their rivals encountered some sort of misfortunes.
Air21 Express will be playing without its prolific import in Steven Thomas. Thomas begged to attend a bootcamp in US but will only be arriving tomorrow. Red Bull on the other hand, losses Carlo Sharma due to a freak accident at home.
The first encounter is always vital for a team who wants to get a quick edge in a best-of-seven series. Without Thomas, I expect the Magnolia Beverage Masters to have a feast inside the shaded lane in terms of inside points and rebounding category. However, Air21 Express should not be taken lightly as it is a capable of staging an upset if you don't respect them.
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Quest for Fiesta finals berths on
Source: Manila Bulletin Online
By Waylon Galvez
July 20, 2008
Will the long layoff be a problem for outright semifinalists Air21 and Red Bull? Can Magnolia Beverage Masters and Barangay Ginebra sustain the momentum from their respective quarterfinal wins?
How will the Express – with an all-Filipino lineup – fare against the Magnolia Beverage Masters? Who’s better between two 7-footers, the Kings’ Chris Alexander or the Bulls’ Adam Parada?
Answers to these questions will be known in part today as the best-of-seven semifinals showdowns pitting Air21 against Magnolia Beverage Masters and Red Bull versus Ginebra in the Smart-PBA Fiesta Cup unwrap at the Astrodome in Pasay City.
The Express and the Magnolia Beverage Masters clash at 4:30 p.m., while the Bulls and the Kings collide at 6:50.
Air21 (12-6) and Red Bull (11-7) finished the elimination round with the best two records to earn automatic semifinals seats, but are coming off long layoffs -- the Express almost three weeks and the Bulls two weeks.
This is why "rustiness" is an issue for both teams although coaches Bo Perasol of Air21 and Yeng Guiao of Red Bull expressed confidence that their respective teams are ready to play.
"It can go either way," Perasol, whose team earned a first automatic Final Four slot since joining the PBA in 2002, said. "We are well rested pero di naman kami nagpabaya sa conditioning namin."
"We’ll see (in Gamme 1) if rustiness will have an effect on us," Guiao said.
Magnolia Beverage Masters and Barangay Ginebra, on the other hand, clinched their berths after coming out victorious in their respective quarterfinals series, with the former beating Coca-Cola in three basketball games and the latter sweeping Philippine Cup champion Sta. Lucia Realty in their separate best-of-three playoffs.
One thing going for both Air21 and Red Bull is that they beat their semis rivals twice in the eliminations.
The Express edged the Magnolia Beverage Masters in their first meeting (96-90).
At that time, Magnolia Beverage Masters was with import Jameel Watkins, and although it changed its import in NBA veteran Amal McCaskill, Air21 repeated last June 25 (90-88) on Steven Thomas’ basketball game-winning jumper.
However, Air21 will play minus Thomas, who will return only tomorrow after attending a three-day training camp in La Vegas intended for imports wishing to play as reinforcement in the Korean Basketball League (KBL) this October.
"Offensively and defensively we need to step up," Perasol said. "We’re ready mentally and physically even without Thomas. The locals committed and accepted the challenge to win (Gamme 1)."
It should have been Thomas, who averaged 23.4 points and 16.6 rebounds in the elimination round, defending McCaskill but now Perasol will rotate bigmen Homer Se, Enrvin Sotto and Doug Kamer to defend the 7-foot import.
Magnolia Beverage Masters coach Siot Tanquingcen said that Air21’s youthful lineup is also a concern, with its running basketball game anchored by Arwind Santos and Nino Cañaleta.
"They have fresh legs and they can run, so we have to fins ways to limit their scoring," Tanquingcen said, adding that Danny Seigle is day-to-day after he did not play in the quarters due to strained leg muscle.
Aside from McCaskill’s inside basketball game, the Magnolia Beverage Masters will also rely on the perimeter shooting of Dondon Hontiveros, Lordy Tugade and Mike Cortez.
The Bulls also downed he Kings twice in the elimination last March 30 (89-83) and June 1 (86-82).
That was the last time Ginebra dropped a basketball game as it won its last eight, six in the elimination and two in the quarters opposite SLR.
"They’re really playing well right now," Guiao said. "We have to match their intensity on both ends. Playing solid defense is also important as we try to limit their import and locals."
The Kings’ Alexander (20.5 points, league best 22.5 rebounds and 3.0 shot blocks) and the Bulls’ Mexican reinforcement Parada (21.7 points and 15.6 rebounds) will be the focal point of their teams’ defense and offense.
Aside from the imports, also expected to contribute are the locals.
While Ginebra will lean on Mark Caguioa, Jayjay Helterbrand Eric Menk, Rafi Reavis, Sunday Salvacion and Paul Artadi, Red Bull will rely on Cyrus Baguio, Mic Pennisi, Mike Hrabak, Celino Cruz and Rich Alvarez.
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Magnolia Beverage Masters and Barangay Ginebra Faces Separate Rivals To Start Semis
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
Friday, July 18, 2008
Magnolia Beverage Masters Battles Coke on Knockout Friday
With the season on the line, Magnolia should not forget how they were able to win against the opposition in the past, that is playing excellent defense. I do hope Danny Seigle is healthy enough to contribute to the team's offense. Lordy Tugade was a marked man last Wednesday and was not able to contribute much in scoring.
Will Magnolia Beverage Masters advance to the semis is a question that will be answered tonight. Glue to your TV screen as this might be our last battle this season or the start of a good beginning.
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SEMIS OR BUST FOR COCA-COLA, MAGNOLIA
Winner to take on Air21 in semis starting Sunday
Source: Philippine Basketball Association
Thursday, 17 July 2008
After staving off elimination and forcing sudden death playoff, coach Binky Favis believes his Coca-Cola Tigers have a little more juice left in their system to complete a sensational comeback.
With their season on the brink, the Tigers gave their all Wednesday and pulled the rug from under the Magnolia Beverage Masters in a nerve-wracking shootout to pull off a scintillating 91-90 decision in the Gamme Two of their quarterfinal series.
Coke's thrilling victory essayed with the help of rookie Ronjay Buenafe's 15-foot jumper with 7.2 seconds remaining provided some rays of hope to an already troubled semifinal bid.
"All we asked for is a new lease on life. With the basketball gamme now tied and just one gamme left to decide it all, I think we have a good shot," said Favis.
The Coca-Cola mentor said he has strong reason to believe that they are going to clinch the deciding match.
He said his troops have displayed their resiliency time and again. They also seem to generate so much energy and intensity whenever death is staring at them in the face.
"Not to take anything away from Magnolia Beverage Masters but I like our chances in Gamme 3. I am very confident my players will rise to the occasion. They have this tendency to always play their best whenever our backs are against the wall," Favis said.
On Wednesday day, Favis played his veterans namely Alex Cabagnot, Asi Taulava, Mark Macapagal and Nic Belasco on extended minutes.
He is expected to dwell on the same pattern knowing too well that experience will be vital in Gamme 3.
The Coca-Cola-Magnolia Beverage Masters showdown is set at 7 p.m. Friday at the Ynares Center.
The winner will face eliminations topnotcher Air21 in a best-of-seven series. The other series will be contested by Red Bull and Barangay Ginebra. (DBC)
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Ronjay Buenafe Rifles in Marginal Basket to Keep Tigers’ Hopes Alive
Coca-Cola Tigers rookie Ronjay Buenafe saved their basketball team from elimination as has he sanked a clutch basket in the dying seconds. The Magnolia Beverage Masters got a chance to win it but Dondon Hontiveros' desperation three point shot did not hit the mark.
The Magnolia Beverage Masters were not able to finish off the Coca-Cola Tigers on Wednesday but I do hope they get the job done on Friday. If not, it's vacation time once again for us. I'm sure coach Siot Tanquincen will make the necessary adjustments on knockout Friday.
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COCA-COLA TRIPS MAGNOLIA, FORCES RUBBER MATCH
Buenafe rifles in marginal basket to keep Tigers’ hopes alive
Source: Philippine Basketball Association
Wednesday, 16 July 2008
ANTIPOLO -- Ronjay Buenafe banged in what’s easily the biggest basket of his basketball pro career thus far, keeping the Coca-Cola Tigers in the hunt for the 2008 Smart PBA Fiesta Conference basketball championship.
Buenafe drained the winning basket with 7.2 seconds left as Coca-Cola forced a sudden death with Magnolia Beverage Masters in their best-of-three quarterfinal basketball showdown with a 91-90 thriller of a win Wednesday night at the Ynares Center here.
The Magnolia Beverage Masters actually had a chance to finish off the Tigers but Dondon Hontiveros missed a three-point attempt at the buzzer.
"I didn’t say much before the battle, forgetting the Xs and Os. I just told the boys to just do their best, and they rose to the challenge," said Coca-Cola basketball coach Binky Favis.
"Same thing on Friday. For as long as we’re alive, we’ll be there fighting. We’ll maximize the one day rest to be ready for another basketball tough grind," Favis added.
The two teams figured in a fierce fourth-quarter basketball battle that wasn’t decided till the final buzzer.
The Tigers squandered double-digit spreads in the third quarter and flirted with disaster as they fell behind at 89-90 on a five-point binge by Amal McCaskill and Wesley Gonzales.
But the Magnolia Beverage Masters won’t complete the job with Buenafe saving the day for the Tigers on a tough jumper after faking off two defenders.
Hontiveros had a decent attempt in their final offensive thrust but his shot went a little strong, sending the Coca-Cola bench and the Tigers’ supporters to a frenzied celebration.
The Tigers lived to fight another day despite another mediocre showing from new basketball import Brandon Dean.
"I know Brandon has something to show, but he’s in a tough situation playing a knockout basketball battle right away," said Favis of Dean, who was good for only six points, four assists and two rebounds.
For the second straight basketball gamme, McCaskill showed up Jason Dixon only to see his efforts go to naught.
McCaskill churned out another double-double basketball gamme highlighted by a crucial sky hook, then a steal setting up Gonzales for the trey that made it 90-89 for the Magnolia Beverage Masters.
Three-pointers came aplenty in the payoff period with Alex Cabagnot firing away three, the last giving the Tigers an 89-85 cushion with 1:07 left.
Gonzales delivered big plays coming off the bench in the fourth quarter, counting a short stab and a charity in an 11-4 opening run in the fourth quarter that pushed Magnolia Beverage Masters ahead at 79-74. (NC)
The scores:
Coca-Cola 91 – Cabagnot 17, Dixon 16, Taulava 12, Belasco 11, Buenafe 9, Macapagal 9, Dimaunahan 7, Dean 6, Telan 4, Catli 0.
Magnolia 90 – McCaskill 19, Hontiveros 18, Ildefonso 13, Tugade 10, Cortez 9, Gonzales 6, Racela 5, Pena 5, Villanueva 3, Pingris 2.
Quarterscores: 23-22, 46-41, 70-68, 91-90.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Barangay Ginebra and Magnolia Beverage Masters Seek Semis Seats
It's time to go for the jugular this evening. Magnolia Beverage Masters should treat this gamme as do-or-die if battle it wants to advance to the semifinals. No more Gamme 3 period.
The team who dominates on defense will win this one. Another factor if the team wants to win is to minimize the turnover. It's been the team's achilles heel all conference long. Lessen this one to avoid giving easy points after a turnover to the opposition.
To all Magnolia Beverage Masters fans out there, please do support the team on this crucial part of the conference. As I am always saying, we have a good chance of getting another championship. Do you share my opinion? Just leave a comment and thank you for dropping by.
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Source: Philippine Star
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Kings, Masters seek semis seats
The Sta. Lucia Realtors, who survived two knockout gammes, are confident of rising up to the challenge again, this time against the Barangay Ginebra Kings for a crack at a possible season sweep.
The All-Filipino champions play a third do-or-die gamme in eight days when they tangle with the Kings tonight at the Ynares Center, looking to force a rubber match in their best-of-three Smart PBA Fiesta Conference quarterfinals showdown.
The Realtors overcame the dethroned Alaska Milk Aces and the Talk n Text Phone Pals in two previous knockout tussles.
Joseph Yeo came through with career-high numbers on both gammes and became the recipient of the Smart-Accel Player of the Week honors for the period July 9-13.
But Ginebra sent Sta. Lucia on the brink of elimination again with a come-from-behind 92-90 win at the start of their quarterfinal round duel Sunday at the Astrodome.
Magnolia Beverage Masters also moved within a win of a semis stint as the Beverage Masters whipped the Coca-Cola Tigers, 108-96, in the opener of their own quarterfinal showdown.
Coaches Jong Uichico of Ginebra and Siot Tanquingcen of Magnolia Beverage Masters said they would need to work doubly hard to finish off their respective rivals today.
“Sta. Lucia is a great defensive team that we need to match their intensity. They dominated Gamme One and we just turned things around in the fourth quarter. We have to come out and do a better job if we want the series over Wednesday,” said Uichico.
“In a best-of-three series, winning Gamme One is a big advantage. But it will mean nothing if you’re not able to finish the job. For sure, it won’t be easy,” said Tanquingcen.
Sta. Lucia has proved it’s a team that thrives under pressure, having survived a total of four do-or-die gammes already in the season, counting Gamme Seven in the semifinals and finals of the recent Philippine Cup.
“No one can question the character of the boys. They show the stuff they’re made of when their backs are against the wall,” said Sta. Lucia top official Buddy Encarnado.
Ginebra rode high on clutch plays by Junthy Valenzuela to seize control in the fourth quarter and eventually steal the gamme from Sta. Lucia Sunday. Curiously, Valenzuela struggled early on, going scoreless in the first three quarters.
“He’s a veteran and he’s been there before. We know we can count on him to do things even as he struggles in the early part of a gamme,” said Uichico in lauding Valenzuela after the contest.
Valenzuela and Mark Caguioa have to play extended minutes with Ronald Tubid sustaining a dislocated ankle in the team’s last gamme in the elimination round.
Monday, July 14, 2008
LORDY TUGADE-LED MAGNOLIA BEVERAGE MASTERS PUTS COKE ON THE BRINK
It's another good basketball gamme of Magnolia Beverage Masters that I missed watching. The good thing is that the team won. I don't have much comments on this so I will just give some insights for the remaining battle(s) of the series.
It's playoffs time, probably the best time that you can see the experience of the team show up against an unexperience team like the Coca-Cola Tigers. The battle will always be defense against defense as what these two teams would normally engage on.
I expect Magnolia to go for the clincher this Wednesday as letting the Tigers recover will be a big mistake. The Tigers will make the necessary adjustments and the two imports will show more aggresiveness. Danny Seigle's injury is not that serious so I expect him to contribute to the team on Wednesday.
The team is on the right track towards getting another championship. Dispatching Coke would setup a semis duel with Air21 Express, which I think we have a good fighting chance.
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Source: Philippine Basketball Association
Sunday, 13 July 2008
TUGADE-LED MAGNOLIA PUTS COKE ON THE BRINK
'Dynamite'-less Beverage Masters a win away from 2nd straight Fiesta Final 4 stint
Magnolia Beverage Masters moved a win away from clinching a semifinal berth in the 2008 Smart PBA Fiesta Conference as it downed Coca-Cola, 108-96, in Gamme 1 of their best-of-three quarterfinal series Sunday night at the Astrodome in Pasay City.
Wingman Lordy Tugade scored 20 points and grabbed a career-best 15 rebounds to lead the Magnolia Beverage Masters against the Tigers, who got sub-par performances from their two imports.
Magnolia Beverage Masters, which lost to eventual champion Alaska in the Final Four of last season’s Fiesta Conference, can arrange a showdown against Air21 in the best-of-seven semifinals with another win in Gamme 2 on Wednesday in Antipolo City.
“In a short series it’s good. But it does not mean anything because we need one more win. We feel good tonight but we have to go back to work tomorrow (in practice),” Magnolia Beverage Masters coach Siot Tanquingcen said.
Protecting a 76-72 lead after three quarters, Magnolia Beverage Masters used a 17-6 run capped by a three-pointer by Tugade for a 93-78 advantage with 6:05 to play. Mike Cortez’ three put the Magnolia Beverage Masters ahead for good, 99-82, 4:37 left.
Tugade started the gamme at the wing spot with Danny Seigle sitting out the gamme because of a mild strain on his quadriceps. He shot 6-of-11 from the field, including 2-of-5 from the three-point area, and made 6-of-10 free throws.
Import Amal McCaskill also had a double-double performance of 20 points and 11 boards. The 7-foot McCaskill also helped in limiting Coke’s import Jason Dixon, who was held to a personal conference-low six points with seven boards. The 6-foot-10 Dixon averaged 22.6 points and 11.7 rebounds in the elimination.
“We tried our best to contain him (Dixon). It’s hard to stop him. But somehow, we played good defense on him and at the same time we caught him on a bad night,” Tanquingcen said.
The Tigers mew second reinforcement Brandon Dean, their fourth after Calvin Cage, Gee Gervin and Donald Copeland, also struggled with eight points on 3-of-11 shooting.
But Tanquingcen expects the one-time Arkansas stalwart to play better in Gamme 2. “May advantage and disadvantage bringing in a new import. Nangangapa pa sa system. Pero at the same time kasi coming in to this gamme, hindi rin kilala. I think may ibibigay pa because of his quickness and toughness,” he said.
Cortez came off the bench to contribute 18 points for Magnolia Beverage Masters, while Dondon Hontiveros and Danny Ildefonso added 13 points apiece. Asi Taulava led Coke with 20 points and 12 boards, while Nic Belasco added 17. (WG)
The scores:
Magnolia 108 – McCaskill 20, Tugade 20, Cortez 18, Hontiveros 13, Ildefonso 13, Pingris 8, Bono 7, Pena 6, Racela 3, Villanueva 0, Gonzales 0.
Coca-Cola 96 – Taulava 20, Belasco 17, Buenafe 15, Cabagnot 12, Macapagal 9, Catli 9, Dean 8, Dixon 6, Dimaunahan 0, Misolas 0.
Quarterscores: 30-18; 51-41; 76-72; 108-96
Sunday, June 29, 2008
MIKE CORTEZ FREE THROW AGAINST FORMER TEAM WINS IT FOR MAGNOLIA: Beverage Masters’ win hands Air21 Express first outright semis berth
It was a close game right from the start with Magnolia controlling the basketball game most of the time. It was a down-the-wire win for the team with Mike Cortez missing the first free throw that could eventually seal out the victory by deliverately missing the second one to melt the 0.3 seconds of the clock. He sanked out the second one, gave a one-point lead, but gave back a catch and shoot possession for the Alaska Aces.
The basketball game was not decided until Larry Fonacier missed his hail mary three point shot.
The win gave the team a slim shot at the automatic semifinals playoff and gave Air21 Express a free ride to the semifinals. Our fate rests on Red Bull losing two of its remaining games and hope that they have a higher quotient with other teams who will possibly tie them at 10-8 standings.
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Source: Philippine Basketball Association
Sunday, 29 June 2008
Mike Cortez made 1-of-2 two foul shots with three-tenths of a second remaining as Magnolia Beverage Masters won against his former team and defending champion Alaska, 80-79, to end its elimination round with a 10-8 card in the season-ending Smart-PBA Fiesta Conference Sunday night at the Araneta Coliseum.
With the score tied at 79-all, Cortez got the ball from import Amal McCaskill inside the shaded lane and went for a lay-up. A foul, however, was called on the Aces import Randy Holcomb, his sixth, which put Cortez on the line. He missed the first attempt, but calmly sank the second for the marginal basket.
Alaska called a 30-second timeout after Cortez missed his first free throw shot and a full timeout after the second.
But Larry Fonacier’s jumper at the left corner with 0.3 second fell short.
The Beverage Masters’ win gave them a chance to contend for a playoff berth for the last outright semifinal spot.
The Aces fell to 9-8, tied with the Coca-Cola Tigers for fourth place.
But the Alaska loss handed the league-leading Air21 (11-6) the first automatic seat in the best-of-7 Final Four series.
However, the chance for Alaska, Magnolia, Coke, Talk ’N Text (8-8) and Barangay Ginebra (7-8), both of which were playing at presstime, to get a playoff depends on Red Bull, which carries a 10-6 card and is one win away from earning the last automatic semis slot.
“Everything is out of our hands,” Magnolia Beverage Masters mentor Siot Tanquingcen said. “I hope that that’s good enough to get us to the playoff for outright semifinals. But it’s out of our hands.
“With 10 wins though, I guess that got us to the quarters (outright),” added Tanquingcen.
Cortez led the Beverage Masters with 18 points, while McCaskill had a double-double of 15 and 17 rebounds. Dondon Hontiveros and Danny Seigle contributed 11 points apiece.
Jonas Villanueva’s lay-up put Magnolia up by five, 76-62, with nine minutes to play, but Alaska battled back and a foul shot by Willie Miller tied the score at 71-all with 5:11 left.
The Aces leveled the score at 79-all after Holcomb, who had 15 points, 15 rebounds, scored on a reverse lay-up with 11.8 seconds before he was called with a foul by referee Raymund Maurillo on Cortez.
The reigning league MVP, Miller had nine points after missing the Aces’ basketball game against the Realtors last Friday due to chicken pox. He was given the green-light after he got clearance by league physician Ben Salud to play.
“He was fit to play after he met with the league doctor,” PBA Commissioner Sonny Barrios said.
It was determined that the 5-foot-10 guard had the viral infection a day after Alaska lost to Philippine Cup champion Sta. Lucia Realty (75-95) last June 18. He was good to go, however, despite the normal practice of two-week incubation period. (WG)
The scores:
Magnolia 80 - Cortez 18, McCaskill 15, Hontiveros 11, Seigle 11, Ildefonso 9, Tugade 8, Pingris 3, Racela 3, Villanueva 2, Pena 0.
Alaska 79 - Dela Cruz 19, Tenorio 15, Holcomb 15, Miller 9, Ferriols 7, Thoss 6, Hugnatan 4, Cariaso 4, Fonacier 0.
Quarterscores: 18-16; 35-33; 58-56; 80-79.
Alaska Aces Eye 10th Win vs. Magnolia
The team's loss to the Air21 Express blow away our high chances of making it to the semi-finals outright. There's a slim chance but it all boils down to Red Bull losing its last two gammes.
With that, it would be better to just focus first on winning this game to prevent complications going into the quarterfinals round.
The Alaska Aces is a team not to be taken lightly. It has won its gamme against the Coca-Cola Tigers even without reigning MVP Willie Miller at the hem.
I'm confident that Magnolia can win this basketball gamme provided that they play good ballgame tonight in 48 minutes of action.
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Source: Manila Bulletin Online
By WAYLON GALVEZ
Rampaging Alaska Milk continues its drive for one of the two automatic semifinals berths of the Smart PBA Fiesta Cup without ace gunner Willie Miller today.
With the two-time MVP Miller still out due to a viral infection, the defending champions Alaska Aces meet the dangerous Magnolia Beverage Masters at 4:30 p.m. at the Araneta Coliseum.
In the 6:30 main match, Talk ’N Text battles Barangay Ginebra.
So far, Air21, with its league-best 11-6 record, has earned at least a playoff ticket for one of two outright Final Four berths given to the top two finishers after the elimination phase.
The third to fifth teams will get automatic quarterfinal seats while the sixth to seventh teams will play in the wild card for the last quarters’ spot.
The third-running Alaska Aces, with their 9-7 card , are just a basketball gamme behind secondplaced Red Bull and 1 ½ games behind the Express while Magnolia and Coca-Cola, with similar 9-8 cards, and TNT, which sports an 8-8 record, have slim chances for a playoff.
However, it is not entirely in the hands of the Magnolia Beverage Masters, the Tigers and the Phone Pals to get a playoff as a win by the Bulls in their last two basketball games – either against TNT on Friday or Philippine Cup champion Sta. Lucia Realty on July 6 – will end their bids.
A setback by Magnolia and Talk ’N Text will also relegate them in the fight for outright quarters with Ginebra (7-8) and Purefoods TJ Hotdogs (8-9).
Meanwhile, the PBA is set to honor Alaska Milk Corporation president and chief executive officer Wilfred Steven Uytengsu Jr. for his recent achievements at halftime of the Alaska-Magnolia duel.
Uytengsu, the former two-time PBA chairman, was recently named the Philippines’ Ernst & Young 2007 Entrepreneur of the Year and represented the Philippines at the Ernst and Young World Entrepreneur of the Year Awards, an event honoring more than 40 entrepreneurs around the world in Monte Carlo, Monaco last May 31, 2008.
He was also conferred the "Masters Entrepreneur" for exemplifying sound management practices in the areas of finance, shareholder value, corporate governance, marketing, human resources and sales as well as fostering strong relationship with his employees, customers and suppliers.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
STEVE THOMAS LIFTS AIR21 PAST MAGNOLIA: Express a breath away from 1st-ever outright semis spot
Siot Tanquincen let the Air21 Express do what they want to do in the dying seconds of the basketball game. That is to go to their main man during clutch time - Steve Thomas. I can't blame him if he has full confidence that McCaskill could defend him well. But as it turns out, Steve Thomas proved once again that he is one of the main reason why the Air21 Express are on a blazing run this conference with a fade-away shot that went in.
It's clear that the team didn't play god basketball in the fourth quarter. Thus, enabling the Express to establish a double-digit lead. There's simply too many turnovers that got the Express' fastbreak game running.
With the loss, the team's efforts to gain an outright semifinals ticket virtually vanished in the air. There's still a chance but we have little control over what happens to other teams gunning for the same spot.
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Source: Philippine Basketball Association
Wednesday, 25 June 2008
Air21 is now a win away from a franchise first-ever automatic entry into the semifinals.
Steve Thomas scored on a turnaround jumper off Amal McCaskill with 2.9 seconds left, and Air21 Express fended off Magnolia Beverage Masters’ endgame chase, pulling off a 90-88 squeaker that assured the team of a playoff for an outright semis seat in the Smart PBA Fiesta Conference at the Araneta Coliseum Wednesday night.
With no more timeout left, Magnolia Beverage Masters couldn’t organize a decent play, leaving Danny Ildefonso with no other option but to throw a long desperation shot that went way off the mark at the buzzer.
The Express thus completed the thriller of a victory that guaranteed the team of at least a tie for second place at the end of the double-round elimination phase.
"There are still a lot of complications. To be sure that we make it to the semis outright, we might as well do our best to beat Purefoods in our last basketball gamme," said Air21 coach Bo Perasol.
"The team’s morale is so high that I guess the boys’ mindset is that we can beat any team we face right now," Perasol added.
The Express kept their hold of the solo lead at 11-6 while relegating the Magnolia Beverage Masters to fourth place at 9-8.
Earlier in the day, Red Bull clobbered Welcoat, 103-90, to also close in on an outright semis passage. The Barakos jacked up their record to 10-6, now a full basketball gamme in front of the third-running Coca-Cola Tigers at 9-7.
"Tingin ko kahit 11-6 baka mag-outright semis na rin kami dahil maglalaban-laban pa ang mga humahabol sa amin," said Perasol whose troops are now on the verge of making a franchise record.
The Express opened up a 14-point lead, 85-71, on a swashbuckling 17-2 run to start the final quarter.
The Magnolia Beverage Masters, however, waged a fierce comeback with a booming triple by Lordy Tugade coming off the bench forging an 88-all deadlock with 26 seconds left to play.
But Air21 won’t be denied.
Perfectly executing the play mapped by their coach, Egay Billones played the clock before going to Thomas who attacked McCaskill’s defense in the dying seconds.
"Iyun ang usapan namin -- manalo o tabla kami with the ball on Thomas’ hands in the closing seconds," said Perasol.
Showing great poise and confidence, Thomas coolly sank his crucial shot off McCaskill sending the Air21 bench and its supporters in a frenzied celebration.
Thomas finished with another double-double basketball gamme with 22 points and 17 rebounds with Gary David, Wynne Arboleda and Arwind Santos adding at least 11 points each. (NC)
The scores:
Air21 90 – Thomas 22, David 14, Arboleda 13, Santos 11, Se 8, Cruz 7, De Ocampo 7, Canaleta 6, Espinas 2, Kramer 0, Billones 0.
Magnolia 88 – McCaskill 20, Pingris 15, Tugade 11, Ildefonso 10, Racela 9, Seigle 8, Hontiveros 6, Cortez 5, Pena 4.
Quarterscores: 25-22, 44-48, 68-69, 90-88
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Magnolia Beverage Masters Face Air21 Express As Race For Automatic Semis Spots Heats Up
Getting back with round 1 tormentors has been the pattern lately for the Magnolia Beverage Masters. And true enough, it has been successful winning four of its late five games.
Today's basketball game will have more at stake - a chance to get one of the two coveted top spots that will enable a team to automatically advance to the semifinals.
Air21 is always a tough team to beat but if the Magnolia Beverage Masters continue its winning ways as of late, I will not be surprise if we beat them.
Don't miss tonight's basketball game. As each team promised, it will be a playoff-like game. Who knows, this might be a dream match for the Fiesta Cup finals.
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RACE FOR AUTOMATIC SEMIS SPOTS HEATS UP
Top contenders Air21, Red Bull battle separate opponents
Source: PBA.ph
Tuesday, 24 June 2008
Lito Alvarez, team manager and Air21's representative to the PBA Board of Governors, was visibly ecstatic after the Express survived a late charge by the Welcoat Dragons for a 91-87 victory Wednesday last week.
"This is historic for us and the franchise," Air21coach Bo Perasol told sportswriters moments later during a post-game interview.
Their 10th win in 16 basketball games in the elimination round propelled the Express to the top of the standings of the 2008 Smart PBA Fiesta Conference and presented encouraging possibilities to their playoff campaign.
As things stand, the Express should easily land among the top 5 teams and advance to the playoffs.
But Perasol confessed their mindset at this point is to clinch the top seed or finish No.2 at the least.
The top two seeds earn outright passage to the semifinals plus the luxury of a two-week respite.
So with two basketball games remaining in their schedule, Perasol is pushing his troops to their limit – if that's what it takes – to get the job done.
Certainly, it won't be easy.
Standing in the way of the Express are no less than the Magnolia Beverage Masters – a team aching for vengeance and also aspiring to make the Final Four via the short route.
The Air21 – Magnolia Beverage Masters rematch is set at 7:20 p.m. Wednesday at the Araneta Coliseum. It follows the 4:50 p.m. encounter between Red Bull (9-6) and Welcoat (4-12).
Air21 and Magnolia Beverage Masters faced each other for the first time last May 21 with the Express walking away victorious at the end of the fiercely fought match, 97-90.
Magnolia Beverage Masters coach Siot Tanquingcen expects their rematch to be played under a playoff atmosphere.
"It's going to be great playing in a playoff atmosphere. The standings are too close for comfort so every possession really counts," Tanquingcen said.
Magnolia Beverage Masters has been playing impressive ball lately. It has won four of its last five basketball games, including tough wins against Sta. Lucia and Coca-Cola. Another win will get the Beverage Masters into a tie with the Express at 10-7.
"We have to find a way to minimize their wingmen. If we can do that, we have a good chance. Obviously, the offensive involvement of Steven Thomas would also help us a lot," Perasol said.
A Magnolia Beverage Masters victory coupled by a Red Bull win, however, will shove the Barakos to the top of the 10-team pack.
In their first encounter this conference played May 14, Red Bull walloped Welcoat 109-88. But the Dragons are not about to give the Barakos another easy night. Already out of the running, coach Caloy Garcia and his charges are geared to bow out of the season on a high note by winning their last two basketball games. (DBC)
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
GUNNERS LORDY TUGADE & REN-REN RITUALO THRIVE AT CRUNCH TIME: Players of the Week June 16 – 22
In recognition to his contribution in the team's recent win, Lordy Tugade has been named as co-Players of the Week for the period of June 16-22 together with Talk and Text Phone Pals long range bomber Ren-Ren Ritualo.
I guess Lordy Tugade has accepted his role in the team as a reliever to Danny Seigle. However, when called to provide the big lift, he will not hesitate to carry the team on his shoulders.
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Visit the new
San Miguel Beermen website. Click here.
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Source: PBA.ph
Monday, 23 June 2008
Having ace gunners come in as relievers is a luxury few teams in the Smart PBA Fiesta Conference can boast of.
And when those players come through with clutch points when needed most, then the fruits of the gambit are made much sweeter.
Such were the identical cases for Magnolia Beverage Masters and Talk N Text Phone Pals, which respectively had Lordy Tugade and Ren-Ren Ritualo churning out the much-needed baskets at the crunch and enabling them to fashion morale-boosting wins in the week that was.
Those feats also earned for the players the Smart/Accel- PBA Press Corps’ Co-Players of the Week citations for the period June 16-22.
“He came up big for us at crunch time,” said Magnolia Beverage Masters coach Siot Tanquingcen of Tugade, who was very instrumental in Magnolia Beverage Masters’ 81-77 win over the Coca-Cola Tigers last Friday.
“Yung drives niya to the basket and offensive rebounds show he’s a complete package,” Tanquingcen added of the 6-foot-3 forward, who finished with a team-high 14 points, adding three rebounds and an assist in 20 minutes of off-the-bench action.
The Alaminos, Pangasinan native scored nine of his points in the fourth quarter and all but one of Magnolia Beverage Masters' last seven points, including a tip-in off a Danny Ildefonso miss that pushed them ahead to stay at 78-76.
Equally impressive was Ritualo in TNT’s 102-101 squeaker over Purefoods that snapped the Phone Pals out of a distressing five-game skid.
The Three-point King in the recent All-Star Weekend in Bacolod buried the Giants, not with a triple but with a double-pump jumper from the top of the key in the last 6.4 seconds that turned out to be the deciding basket.
“He’s been working hard on adding more to his basketball game than just the three-point shot and his work paid off,” said TNT coach Chot Reyes. “Good for us.”
In all, the 6-foot shooter scattered 16 points, one rebound, two assists and as many steals in a 23-minute relief job as the Phone Pals moved up to the .500 mark with an 8-8 win-loss record. They also solidified their bid for an outright berth in the playoffs.
Magnolia Beverage Masters, meanwhile, enhanced its bid for an outright semifinals berth as it caught up with Coca-Cola at third place with their similar 9-7 cards, lying behind Air21’s league-leading 10-6 and Red Bull’s 9-6.
Both Tanquingcen and Reyes know more tough work lies ahead.
“This is a good win for us, but we still have yet to achieve anything,” said Tanquingcen, inadvertently echoing Reyes’ sentiments.
With aces like Tugade and Ritualo up their sleeves, both coaches also know their goals are very realizable. (NCo)
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Lordy Tugade Shines Anew As Magnolia Beverage Masters Exacts Revenge Against Coca-Cola Tigers
As I predicted yesterday, the Magnolia Beverage Masters got it's a sweet revenge against the Coca-Cola Tigers. Guess how they were able to do it. The same way the Boston Celtics was able to win the 2008 NBA Championship - by playing tough defense!
The playoffs is getting near and there's no right time for the team to reach its peak but now. It's winning time folks! A few more wins and we will get a chance to grab an outright semifinals berth.
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Visit the new
San Miguel Beermen website. Click here.
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MAGNOLIA BEVERAGE MASTERS DOWNS COCA-COLA, MOVES INTO A TIE FOR 3RD
Tugade in big finish as McCaskill concentrates on defense
Source: PBA.ph
Friday, 20 June 2008
The Magnolia Beverage Masters have agreed on taking the homestretch of the elimination round not a basketball game, but a play at a time.
They had their reward as they gutted it out from start to finish against the Coca-Cola Tigers.
Magnolia Beverage Masters beat out Coca-Cola in a defensive battle, pulling off an 81-77 victory that enhanced its bid for an outright semifinal entry in the 2008 Smart PBA Fiesta Conference at the Cuneta Astrodome Friday night.
The Beverage Masters held the Tigers scoreless in the final 1:15 of play and went to Marc Pingris and Lordy Tugade for the insurance free throws as they caught up with Coca-Cola at third place with similar 9-7 win-loss cards.
"As I expected, defense turned out to be the key. We choked them with our defense," said Magnolia Beverage Masters coach Siot Tanquingcen.
"This is a good win for us but we still have yet to achieve anything. We’re up next against Air21 and we’re not looking beyond that basketball game. We’re taking it one play at a time. Mahirap madapa, everyone’s bunched together in the standings," Tanquingcen added.
With Amal McCaskill focusing on his defensive job against Coca-Cola counterpart Jason Dixon, the Magnolia Beverage Masters locals took charge offensively with Lordy Tugade leading the way, firing nine of his 14 points in the fourth quarter.
Tugade scored all but one of San Miguel’s last seven points, including a tip-in off a Danny Ildefonso miss that pushed Magnolia Beverage Masters ahead to stay at 78-76.
Dixon, who endured a busted nose suffered early in the third quarter, canned in a charity with 1:15 left and the Tigers went scoreless the rest of the way.
The final minute saw McCaskill block a shot by Dixon, Asi Taulava commit a passing error and Ronjay Buenafe and Alex Cabagnot miss a three-point shot each.
Tugade settled the outcome of the basketball game with two charities making it 81-77 with time down to 8.1 seconds.
The two teams put tremendous defensive pressure from the beginning, limiting each other’s shooting below 40 percent in the first half.
Magnolia Beverage Masters held Coca-Cola to eight points in the second quarter and took the turn at 32-27.
Though Dixon sat out a few minutes in the third quarter, the Tigers engaged the Beverage Masters in a nip-and-tuck battle, hitting heavily from afar.
Cesar Catli converted four of five three-point attempts with Donald Copeland, Alex Cabagnot and Nic Belasco adding a triple each in the period. (NC)
The scores:
Magnolia 81 – Tugade 14, Pena 13, McCaskill 12, Ildefonso 11, Pingris 10, Seigle 9, Racela 5, Cortez 2, Villanueva 0.
Coca-Cola 77 – Catli 17, Dixon 15, Taulava 15, Cabagnot 12, Copeland 9, Buenafe 6, Belasco 3, Calimag 0, Arigo 0, Telan 0.
Quarterscores: 17-19, 32-27, 59-58, 81-77
Friday, June 20, 2008
Magnolia Beverage Masters Seeks Revenge Against Slumping Coca-Cola Tigers
It's payback time for Magnolia Beverage Masters against its first round tormentor Coca-Cola Tigers!
Playing with a renewed strength with its new import in Amal McCaskill and comebacking stars in Danny Seigle and Dondon Hontiveros, the team is expected to go strong against the Tigers in its hope to shore up its outright semifinals berth.
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ON-AND-OFF COCA-COLA TAKES ON MAGNOLIA BEVERAGE MASTERS FOR PIECE OF LEAD: Purefoods faces skidding Talk n Text
Source: PBA.ph
Thursday, 19 June 2008
The Coca-Cola Tigers are showing signs of slowing down lately and apparently it did not escape the attention of coach Binky Favis.
The Tigers' behavior of late obviously worries their coach as Coca-Cola resumes its campaign in the 2008 Smart PBA Fiesta Conference Friday night with a basketball game that Favis considers "very important for us."
Coke (9-6) shares second and third spots with Red Bull, half a basketball game behind surprise leader Air21 (10-6) and a strong contender to make it to the Top 5 and clinch an outright spot in the playoffs.
But just as other teams aspire for, Favis wants his team to land either at No.1 or No. 2 to secure their place in the Final Four.
"Obviously this is an important basketball game for us. But winning is directly proportional on how much we focus and teamwork we put on the basketball game," said Favis, short of saying that his troops are not in their sharpest form over the past few basketball games.
But he expects the Tigers be highly energized and strongly motivated in their scheduled 7:20 p.m. encounter at the Cuneta Astrodome against the Magnolia Beverage Masters, a team scrambling to make the playoffs.
Coke dominated Magnolia Beverage Masters, 106-92, in their first meeting last May 9. But during their last three basketball games the Tigers weren’t as sharp. They went 1-2 in that stretch, losing 84-91 to the Barangay Ginebra Kings.
In contrast, Magnolia Beverage Masters has won three of its last four basketball games and appears formidable with Danny Seigle and Dondon Hontiveros rejoining the team.
Favis concedes that it’s always tough to play Magnolia Beverage Masters (8-7) because the Beverage Masters present a lot of match-up problems.
Nevertheless, he remains optimistic the Tigers will deliver when it counts the most. "I think (repeating over Magnolia Beverage Masters) is ‘doable’ but it's a tall order."
The 4:50 p.m. appetizer between the Purefoods TJ Giants and the Talk N Text Phone Pals also promises to be a battle royale.
The two teams are tied with Sta. Lucia and Ginebra from sixth to ninth places although both remain in contention for an outright passage in the playoffs.
The Giants, losing finalist to the Sta. Lucia Realtors in the Philippine Cup, are still struggling for form, losing three of their last five basketball games.
It's even worse for the Phone Pals, who are on a five-game skid.
There's no need to ask coach Chot Reyes. The spate of setbacks is surely driving him crazy.
"I hope the real Purefoods team shows up," offered Purefoods coach Ryan Gregorio, admitting that consistency is still their biggest obstacle.
In high spirits after 93-91 victory over Red Bull last Sunday, Gregorio said the Giants are determined to tie "our longest winning streak this conference which is 2."
He said Talk N Text might be on a downswing but it definitely remains a solid team. "They are capable of winning against anybody in the league," Gregorio said. (DBC)
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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Visit the new
San Miguel Beermen website. Click here.
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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.
Monday, June 9, 2008
Red Bull Subdues Magnolia Beverage Masters
I was not able to watch this game as I attended a wedding of a former officemate. Too bad, we lost to Red Bull as we are already starting to climb the standings ladder.
I got feedback from forums and the team's performance really look bad ranging from low energy, unhealthy players to committing many turnovers by our reinforcement Jameel Watkins. I'm really worried how our team performs. We need to change somethings if we want to end up in a better position come playoffs time.
How the Barakos crushed our team follows after the jump.
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Source: PBA.ph
June 9, 2008
Red Bull is again on the run, not cooling down despite a weeklong rest.
The Barakos picked up from where they left off against the Barangay Ginebra Kings seven days ago, stopping the Magnolia Beverage Masters charge with an 84-75 win Sunday in the 2008 Smart PBA Fiesta Conference at the Araneta Coliseum.
Making a two-game run after a three-game skid, the Barakos stayed abreast with the Coca-Cola Tigers atop the heap with identical 9-5 win-loss cards.
Magnolia Beverage Masters slid to fifth place at 7-7 after suffering its first loss in its last three basketball games.
Curiously, the Beverage Masters went on a two-game romp in the absence of key players Dondon Hontiveros and Danny Seigle.
Falling behind by 13, 52-65, at the close of the third quarter, coach Siot Tanquingcen was forced to field in Seigle in the final period to no avail.
The Barakos cut loose from a tight basketball game in the third period and simply sustained the momentum in the final canto in avenging a 95-102 loss to the Beverage Masters in their previous tiff.
"We had a weeklong rest and I think we're able to make good use of it. We had a good preparation which we showed in the basketball game," said Red Bull coach Yeng Guiao.
"We're happy with the way we played defense. We limited them to 75 and I think it's a feat against a powerhouse team like Magnolia Beverage Masters," Guiao added.
"Offensively, we played as a team. We didn't want to put so much responsibility on our import and Cyrus Baguio. We wanted to spread our offense and we're able to do that." Baguio turned to be the basketball game's highest scorer already with only 16.
All but two of the 11 other players fielded in by Guiao had their offensive contributions.
Parada cancelled out Jameel Watkins' basketball game with the Red Bull import logging 13 points and 14 rebounds as against the Magnolia Beverage Masters reinforcement's 13 markers and 17 boards.
The 7-foot-1 Mexican behemoth had his share as the Barakos made a decisive move in the third period, breaking the basketball game open at 65-52.
The Barakos hit heavily from afar early on with Baguio, Celino Cruz, Mike Hrabak and Mick Pennisi firing two triples each as the Bulls took a 42-40 edge at halftime.
The Beverage Masters trailed at the turn though enjoying a better field-goal shooting.
They hit at a 50-percent clip as against the Bulls' 33.3-percent marksmanship.
Magnolia Beverage Masters shooting simmered down in the final half and that in part helped Red Bull seize control in the low-scoring contest.
Rookie Jojo Duncil, Leo Najorda and Parada hit clutch shots giving the Bulls their biggest spread in the contest at 73-54 early in the fourth quarter. (NC)
The Scores:
Red Bull 84 - Baguio 16, Cruz 15, Pennisi 14, Parada 13, Hrabak 8, Duncil 7, Robinson 4, Alvarez 3, Najorda 2, Sharma 2, Ybanez 0, Adriano 0.
Magnolia 75 - Watkins 13, Racela 13, Villanueva 11, Cortez 7, Tugade 7, Tolomia 7, Ildefonso 6, Seigle 4, Pingris 3, Gonzales 2, Pena 2.
Quarterscores: 23-19, 42-40, 65-52, 84-75
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
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.
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.
