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.
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
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.
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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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.
