Talk ‘N Text looks to extend series lead while Alaska aims for equalizer in Game Four

InterAKTV · Thursday, December 27, 2012 · 11:40 pm

AKTV/Paul Ryan Tan

Talk ‘N Text shoots for a 3-1 lead and move closer to a third straight Philippine Cup finals with a win against Alaska in Game Four of their semifinal series on Friday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
The Tropang Texters seek the huge advantage in their 6:45 p.m. clash as the Aces seek an equalizer and make it a best-of-three series.
The defending back-to-back All-Filipino champion grabbed the lead in the series with a 93-79 win in a highly physical Game Three last Wednesday.
“It has been competitive and very physical and we just have to be ready for it,” said Talk ‘N Text coach Norman Black, who drew 23 markers from Kelly Williams and 21 from Larry Fonacier in the victory.
Aces Calvin Abueva and Cyrus Baguio were ejected in that game because of their flagrant fouls on Jayson Castro, who had to be rushed to Makati Medical Center shortly after the game to undergo a CT scan.
“Jayson (Castro) took a pretty good hit on that break but that’s part of basketball. No team will back down. Hopefully, we just stay focused and concentrate on basketball,” Black added.
Alaska mentor Luigi Trillo hopes the referees will do a better job in the pivotal Game Four but also asks his players to focus on the match.
“I hope the refs do their homework see the holding and grabbing is part of the game but is a clear foul when it impedes Sonny’s (Thoss) movement,” said Trillo.
“But we need to adjust. We also cannot get carried away with the disappointing calls against us and we have to play through it. We need to play basketball and focus on that instead,” he added.
After combining for 42 points in their 100-88 win in Game Three, Abueva and JVee Casio were held down to just 11 combined and Trillo needs better production from them to stand a better chance of tying the series.

Caption This: Calvin Abueva tries to box out Harvey Carey

Alaska star rookie Calvin Abueva is caught in an, uhm, awkward position as he falls to the floor while trying to box out Talk ‘N Text forward Harvey Carey.

 http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/caption-this-calvin-abueva-tries-to-box-out-harvey-carey

Cyrus Baguio escapes suspension for foul on Jayson Castro

News5 · Thursday, December 27, 2012 · 1:35 pm

AKTV file/Paul Ryan Tan

Alaska high-flyer Cyrus Baguio will not be suspended for his hit on Talk ‘N Text guard Jayson Castro in Game Three of their Philippine Cup semifinals series.
Baguio, who was ejected for the infraction that was called a flagrant foul penalty two, confirmed the news in an interview with News5 Thursday.
No official decision has been handed down by the league, but the player met with PBA commissioner Chito Salud Thursday morning. There will likely be a fine on Baguio, which the league has not finalized yet.
Talk ‘N Text earlier pushed for a review of the play and sought suspension for Baguio.
“The league’s primary concern is to protect the players,” said Tropang Texters team manager Aboy Castro.
Alaska coach Luigi Trillo had batted for the league not to suspend his player.
“Cyrus has never had a background at that,” said Trillo. “It was a duty foul. I would be shocked if the Commissioner took out Cyrus.”

PBA rains down fines on Baguio, Alaska, Talk ‘N Text players after heated Game Three

InterAKTV · Thursday, December 27, 2012 · 4:55 pm

AKTV file/Paul Ryan Tan

Alaska’s Cyrus Baguio escaped suspension for his flagrant foul penalty two on Talk ‘N Text guard Jayson Castro in Game Three of their Philippine Cup semifinals series, but he received a hefty P30,000 fine for his infraction.
PBA commissioner Chito Salud upheld the foul after reviewing the play and meeting with Baguio Thursday.
“No suspension is being meted out after taking into consideration Baguio’s explanation that he was indeed going to give Jayson Castro a hard foul but realized at the last instant that he no longer had the chance to play for the ball,” Salud said in a statement.
“He tried to check himself but it was already too late to avoid the resulting contact. A close look at the replay confirmed Baguio’s narration. A close look at the replay confirmed Baguio’s narration. There was no blatant follow through of Baguio’s arm as it hit Castro’s face. It was decidedly sheer momentum on his part that largely caused the hard contact on Castro. ”
Several other players from both teams received penalties from the league. Alaska’s Calvin Abueva was fined P7,400 for his technical foul and flagrant foul penalty one, while Gabby Espinas was docked P5,000 for a flagrant foul penalty one.
Alaska’s Sonny Thoss and Talk ‘N Text’s Kelly Williams and Jared Dillinger were fined P1,000 apiece for technical fouls.

Alaska coach Luigi Trillo ‘surprised’ by hefty P30k fine on Cyrus Baguio

InterAKTV · Thursday, December 27, 2012 · 5:08 pm

AKTV/Paolo Papa

Alaska coach Luigi Trillo was not surprised on the decision of PBA commissioner Chito Salud to spare Cyrus Baguio from suspension.
But he was in disbelief about the P30,000 fine meted on his player for a flagrant foul penalty two on Talk ‘N Text’s Jayson Castro in Game Three of their best-of-seven semifinal showdown.
“Commissioner (Salud) has allowed guys like James Yap, Rob Reyes, Beau Belga to play on so he’s being consistent with that,” Trillo said, referring to players who committed the same infractions but escaped suspension.
“I am surprised by Cyrus’ fine. Si (Aaron) Aban nga hindi natin alam kung magkano fine.”
Trillo was pointing to Aban’s hit on the face Calvin Abueva in Game Two where the Aces prevailed, 100-88.
Aban’s hard foul on Abueva did not escape the attention of Talk ‘N Text coach Norman Black.
“When Aaron Aban gave up a hard foul on Calvin Abueva in Game Two, I called him up and told him that we want to play tough defense, but we don’t intend to hurt anybody. We don’t need that in basketball because that’s the players’ livelihood,” Black said in an earlier interview by InterAKTV.
Baguio’s P30,000 fine was the biggest that Salud handed out on Thursday as his punishment to the erring players in the Alaska-Talk ‘N Text semifinal series.
Abueva was fined a total of P7,400 for his flagrant foul penalty one on Castro and technical foul for second motion. His teammates Gabby Espinas (P5,000) and Sonny Thoss (P1,000) were also fined.
Tropang Texters Jared Dillinger, Jared Dillinger and Kelly Williams were handed out a P1,000 fine each for their technical fouls in Game Three which they won, 93-79.

Foul on Jayson Castro wasn’t intentional, says Cyrus Baguio

News5 · Thursday, December 27, 2012 · 2:09 pm

AKTV file/Paul Ryan Tan

Cyrus Baguio didn’t intend to hurt Talk ‘N Text’s Jayson Castro, and the PBA’s decision not to suspend him after a review of the play bears out this position.
“Nakita naman namin na hindi talaga sadya, at alam ko talaga sa sarili ko na ‘di ko ginawa yun,” Baguio told News5.
“I was looking for a hard foul for Jayson Castro para walang continuation sa play. Eh biglang bumaba si Jayson tsaka ang bilis niya.”
Baguio was called for a flagrant foul penalty two for the hit, leading to his ejection in Alaska’s Game Three loss.
Talk ‘N Text had earlier sought suspension for Baguio over the play.
Baguio noted that he actually said sorry to Castro immediately after the incident, showing he meant no malice during the incident.
“Nagulat din ako dahil nandun nga, nakita ko sa replay, nilapitan ko pa siya. Nag-apologize na rin ako kay Jayson.”

With physicality escalating, Talk ‘N Text wants Cyrus Baguio suspended

Rey Joble, InterAKTV · Wednesday, December 26, 2012 · 10:10 pm

AKTV/Paul Ryan Tan

The Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters have asked the PBA to review Cyrus Baguio’s hard foul on Jayson Castro in the fourth quarter of their win over the Alaska Aces Wednesday.
Talk ‘N Text team manager Aboy Castro said the squad is seeking a ban on Baguio, who was thrown out of the match after the hit, which was deemed a flagrant foul penalty two. The infraction carries an automatic ejection, but not a suspension for the next match.
“The league’s primary concern is to protect the players,” said the team manager.
Talk ‘N Text coach Norman Black said he isn’t happy with the way the league has allowed physicality to escalate, even acknowledging that some of his players had a hand in it.
“When Aaron Aban gave up a hard foul on Calvin Abueva in Game Two, I called him up and told him that we want to play tough defense, but we don’t intend to hurt anybody. We don’t need that in basketball because that’s the players’ livelihood,” Black told InterAKTV.
“But after what happened tonight when Cyrus Baguio gave up a hard foul and hurt Jayson Castro, I don’t know what the PBA is thinking right now. One player certainly wants to take away another player.”
Castro was brought to the Makati Medical Center for a CT scan as a precautionary measure.

Baguio shouldn’t be suspended for hard foul on Castro, says Alaska coach Luigi Trillo

Rey Joble, InterAKTV · Wednesday, December 26, 2012 · 9:55 pm

AKTV file/Paul Ryan Tan

Alaska guard Cyrus Baguio’s hard foul on Talk ‘N Text’s Jayson Castro late in the Tropang Texters’ Game Three victory over the Aces Wednesday does not merit suspension, according to Luigi Trillo.
“Cyrus has never had a background at that,” said the Alaska coach. “It was a duty foul. I would be shocked if the Commissioner took out Cyrus.”
Baguio was called for a flagrant foul penalty two on the play, leading to an automatic ejection. The infraction is subject to review by PBA commissiner Chito Salud, who has power to decide whether a player should be suspended.
Trillo cited previous instances where players involved in similar incidents escaped suspension.
“James Yap hammered Ibañes with an open palm,” said Trillo, who added that Baguio had no intention to hurt Castro, who was taken out of the game after hitting his free throws after the foul. He was later taken to the hospital for a checkup.
“It was a duty foul, it wasn’t a closed fist.”
Trillo challenged the league to apply the same rules to Baguio as it has to other players.
“The officials of the league said to put premium on protecting the players. Calvin [Abueva] has been hit left and right and no one was suspended,” said Trillo.

Baguio’s hit on Castro ‘part of basketball’, says Talk ‘N Text coach Norman Black

InterAKTV · Wednesday, December 26, 2012 · 9:36 pm

AKTV file/Paolo Papa

Talk ‘N Text star guard Jayson Castro was sprawled on the floor after a hard hit by Alaska’s Cyrus Baguio late in Game Three of their Philippine Cup semifinals series between the two teams Wednesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
After converting two free throws off Baguio’s flagrant foul penalty two — the Aces’ stalwart was ejected for the play — the visibly-shaken Castro was subbed out and did not return for Talk ‘N Text’s victory.
“Jayson took a pretty good hit and we just have to find out how serious it is,” said Talk ‘N Text coach Norman Black. Castro was reportedly on his way to the hospital for medical checkup as a safety precaution.
The coach, however, said that Baguio’s foul was nothing out of the usual.
“That’s part of basketball and that’s part of the series,” said Black, even as the best-of-seven series between the two teams has gradually heated up.
Prior to Baguio’s ejection, a scuffle broke out in the third quarter involving Jared Dillinger, Sonny Thoss, and Gabby Espinas. The referees earlier called for an ejection on Espinas for taking a fighting stance, but later changed the call to a flagrant foul allowing the Alaska forward to return to the playing court.
Aces star rookie Calvin Abueva was also ejected. He was called for a flagrant foul penalty one by referees, allegedly for tripping Ryan Reyes, as well as a technical foul on a loose ball play against Castro.
Alaska coach Luigi Trillo, however, contended that Abueva should not have been called for the latter infraction.
“Jayson flopped, he flopped that first time,” said Trillo.
Black, meanwhile, said he expects the action to escalate further.
“I expect them to continue to be more physical and we just have to be ready for them,” said Black.
“Hopefully, we could focus and just concentrate on basketball.”

Talk ‘N Text spills Alaska in heated Game Three

InterAKTV · Wednesday, December 26, 2012 · 9:18 pm

AKTV file/Paul Ryan Tan

A day after Christmas, the Yuletide spirit was nowhere to be found in Wednesday’s Philippine Cup semifinals match between Talk ‘N Text and Alaska.
The Tropang Texters fashioned out a 93-79 victory over the Aces in a heated affair at the SM Mall of Asia to take a 2-1 lead in their best-of-seven series.
Kelly Williams had 23 points and nine rebounds, while Larry Fonacier scored 21 points to lead Talk ‘N Text, which had to survive a highly-physical contest that saw a couple of ejections and hard fouls.
“I thought our defense was much better today,” said Tropang Texters coach Norman Black. “I thought my guys executed well, both offensively and defensively.”
Black deflected questions about the game’s officiating, which drew numerous boos from the pro-Alaska crowd. In one sequence, the referees called a technical foul to eject Gabby Espinas, before changing the call to a flagrant foul penalty one.
Alaska coach Luigi Trillo gave credit to Talk ‘N Text after the game. “They outhustled us. Give them credit,” he said.
But he still had issues with the calls during the game, as his squad seemed to get the short end of the stick when it came to ejections. Calvin Abueva was thrown out after a flagrant foul penalty one and a technical foul, while Cyrus Baguio was ejected after a flagrant foul penalty two on Jayson Castro.
“You look for consistency,” said Trillo about the referees. “You hear the fans and you hear the crowd [booing].”
Alaska’s Game Two heroes, Abueva and JVee Casio, both struggled from the field. Casio scored just seven points on 2-of-9 shooting, while Abueva was held to four points, making just 1-of-7 shots. Sonny Thoss led the charge for the Aces with 17 points and 14 rebounds.
The scores:
TALK N’ TEXT 93 – Williams 23, Fonacier 21, De Ocampo 12, Carey 7, Dillinger 6, Castro 6, Reyes 5, Alapag 4, Peek 4, Raymundo 3, Aban 2, Gamalinda 0, Alvarez 0.
ALASKA 79 – Thoss 17, Baguio 13, Jazul 11, Baracael 11, Casio 7, Espinas 6, Abueva 4, Reyes 4, Dela Cruz 2, Hontiveros 2, Belasco 2, Eman 0.
Quarters: 14-19, 39-34, 69-57, 93-79

‘TNT killer’ JVee Casio shines for Alaska despite tough matchup against Castro-Alapag duo

Rey Joble, InterAKTV · Friday, December 21, 2012 · 10:33 pm

AKTV file photo/Paul Ryan Tan

Talk ‘N Text’s Jimmy Alapag and Jayson Castro arguably form the best point guard rotation in the PBA.
But second-year guard JVee Casio has been more than able to hold his own, and the Alaska Aces have reaped the benefits, fashioning out a 100-88 victory Friday to tie their Philippine Cup semifinals series.
Casio has had some of the most memorable moments of his career against Talk ‘N Text. In the Philippine Cup finals last season, he hit a buzzer-beating three-pointer in Game Three for Powerade against the Tropang Texters to force overtime. Earlier this season, he had 10 points in a 58-second span to lift Alaska to an elimination round victory over Talk ‘N Text. He also hit the game-winning layup.
The former La Salle sentinel added to his legend against Talk ‘N Text in Friday’s win, scoring 22 points on five three-pointers to lead his team.
The top overall pick last season said he hadsthe highest respect for Alapag and Castro, but said he didn’t want to be overshadowed when they step on the court.
“Whenever I play, hindi ko iniisip yung battle of personalities,” Casio told InterAKTV. “It’s always been my team against their team. It’s five-on-five. It’s about which team plays better. So I’m trying to help my team win.”http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/tnt-killer-jvee-casio-shines-for-alaska-despite-tough-matchup-against-castro-alapag-duo