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.

James Yap: ‘Hindi pa tapos yung series’

Rey Joble, InterAKTV · Thursday, December 27, 2012 · 10:14 pm

AKTV file photo/Paul Ryan Tan

The San Mig Coffee Mixers are staring at a 3-1 whole in their best-of-seven Philippine Cup semifinals series against the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters.
And with Rain or Shine’s depth and rhythm, the odds are stacked highly against San Mig Coffee.
Just don’t tell that to James Yap.
“Laban lang nang laban. Hindi pa tapos yung series,” said Yap.
The San Mig Coffee superstar put up a yeoman’s effort in the Mixers’ Game Four loss, playing 40 minutes as they tried to claw back from an 18-point hole. He rebounded from a subpar output last game by leading all scorers with 20 points.
But had to bleed for every basket against the tough Rain or Shine defense, which rotated four men — Jireh Ibañes, Ryan Araña, Gabe Norwood, and Ronnie Matias — on him, limiting him to just 7-of-17 shooting.
Yap said he doesn’t mind the heavy exposure, even though he is still suffering the effects of nagging injuries.
“Balewala yung pagod at sakit. Hindi ko na iniisip yang mga yan,” said Yap. “Nagpakahirap at nagpakapagod kami makarating rito, kaya balewala na lahat yan.”
He expects more adjustments for San Mig Coffee for Game Five, where the Mixers will try to extend the series.
“Maganda yung screens na ibinibigay sa akin kaya medyo maganda laro ko kumpara last time. Pero hindi pa rin enough,” he said.

Down 3-1 again to Rain or Shine, Tim Cone sees harder climb for San Mig Coffee

Rey Joble, InterAKTV · Thursday, December 27, 2012 · 9:58 pm

AKTV file/Paolo Papa

Last season, Tim Cone and his squad were trailing 3-1 to Rain or Shine in a best-of-seven series. The team then known as the B-MEG Llamados came back to force a seventh game, where they yielded the Governors’ Cup to the Elasto Painters.
One conference later, Cone and the San Mig Coffee Mixers are in a similar hole against the same team, this time in the Philippine Cup semifinals.
“It will be harder this time,” said Cone, who seemed in no mood to speak discuss in detail his team’s 83-74 loss Thursday.
Rain or Shine dominated San Mig Coffee for the second straight game, leading by 18 points in the third quarter before a late charge by the Mixers cut the lead down.
But the Elasto Painters preserved the victory using hustle and hard work, personified by the game’s best player Ronnie Matias. The 6-foot-3 forward scored just eight points, but six of those came in the fourth quarter when the Mixers were making their rally.
He also had five rebounds, all on the offensive end, usually keeping the ball alive for Rain or Shine to take the air out of San Mig Coffee’s comeback attempt.
Before the series, Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao was concerned about the rebounding battle against the Mixers. In Game Four, the Elasto Painters won the boards, 49-44. They also had 14 steals to San Mig Coffee’s seven.

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.”

Rain or Shine repulses late San Mig Coffee rally, moves one win away from finals

InterAKTV · Thursday, December 27, 2012 · 8:59 pm

PBA/Nuki Sabio

The Rain or Shine Elasto Painters turned back a late charge by the San Mig Coffee Mixers to pull out an 83-74 victory over the San Mig Coffee Mixers Thursday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Game Four of their Philippine Cup semifinals series.
The win gave the Elasto Painters a 3-1 series lead, just one victory away from their first Philippine Cup finals appearance in franchise history.
There were many heroes for Rain or Shine, including Ronnie Matias, who got key baskets and offensive rebounds late in the game to help preserve the win.
“Ronnie Matias just hustled his way to become the best player of the game,” said Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao about Matias, who finished with eight points and five rebounds. Six of those points came in the fourth quarter, when San Mig Coffee charged back from an 18-point deficit to cut the lead to just three points.
“Si Coach Yeng, sabi sa ‘min unahin muna namin yung depensa kesa sa opensa. Mananalo talaga kami sa depensa,” said Matias.
Guiao said he chewed out Matias in the locker room at halftime after several lapses in the first half while defending against San Mig Coffee superstar James Yap, who led all scorers with 20 points.
“Nakawala si James nang dalawang beses sa kanya. When he came back, he more than made up for mistakes,” said Guiao.
Rain or Shine won despite a sub-par game from Paul Lee, who scored just two points.
“Paul Lee played horribly but other guys stepped up,” said Guiao, who had five players scoring at least eight points. Gabe Norwood led Rain or Shine with 15 points, including a gorgeous reverse alley-oop slam in the second quarter off a pass by Chris Tiu.
“Any time others are not able to contribute, then others will contribute.”
Rain or Shine looked like it had the game in the bag, taking a 54-36 third quarter lead. But the Mixers came roaring back in the fourth quarter behind Yap, Peter June Simon, and Joe Devance. A three-pointer by Simon cut the lead to 77-74 with under a minute remaining in the game, but timely defensive stops allowed the Elasto Painters to score the final six points of the match, all from Tiu.
“It’s a big win for us because now we get three chances to make the finals,” said Guiao, whose team will have a chance to finish the series Saturday.
The scores:
Rain or Shine 83 — Norwood 14, Arana 13, Chan 12, Tiu 10, Matias 8, Cruz 6, Belga 6, Rodriguez 4, Quinahan 3, Ibanes 3, Lee 2, Tang 2.
San Mig Coffee 74 — Yap 20, Simon 15, Devance 14, Pingris 7, Ramos 5, Reavis 4, De Ocampo 4, Barroca 3, Gaco 2, Villanueva 0.
Quarters: 18-10, 40-32, 62-52, 83-74

Yeng Guiao wants Rain or Shine to finish series with San Mig Coffee on Saturday

InterAKTV · Thursday, December 27, 2012 · 9:21 pm

AKTV/Paolo Papa

After taking a 3-1 series lead against the San Mig Coffee Mixers in the Philippine Cup semifinals, the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters have three chances to book a finals ticket.
But if it were up to coach Yeng Guiao, Rain or Shine would use just one game to eliminate the Mixers.
“Our plan is to finish it off on Saturday,” Guiao said shortly after his team’s 93-84 victory over San Mig Coffee Thursday.
“Kung kaya namin tapusin, tatapusin na namin. Habang tumatagal, mas delikado.”
The Elasto Painters were in a similar situation last season, when it faced the same team in the Governors’ Cup finals. The team then known as the B-MEG Llamados forced a Game Seven against Rain or Shine after falling behind 3-1 in the series. The Elasto Painters prevailed in the final match to take the title.
Guiao hopes there would be no such complications this time around.
“That can very well happen if we become complacent,” said Guiao. “We will make sure that we are ready mentally in the next game.”
The coach noted that Rain or Shine’s edge in depth has been wearing down San Mig Coffee.
“They’re just forced to play their key players many minutes. James Yap was forced to play 42 minutes. Peter June Simon played 34 minutes, Marc Pingris played 34 minutes,” said Guiao.
In contrast, Gabe Norwood topped Rain or Shine at just 32 minutes.
“We’re fresher, we’re sharper,” said Guiao.
The Elasto Painters won despite getting just two points from star guard Paul Lee, who shot just 1-of-7 from the field. Five players scored at least eight points for Rain or Shine to fill the void.
Guiao said the mental part is the biggest issue for the Elasto Painters, who could close out the series in Game Five on Saturday.
“Pwede pa rin mag-iba kung pababayaan, pero ‘di na namin pababayaan to,” he said.

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

Top Rain or Shine defender Jireh Ibañes expects James Yap to bounce back

Rey Joble, InterAKTV · Wednesday, December 26, 2012 · 4:46 pm

AKTV/Paul Ryan Tan

San Mig Coffee superstar James Yap and Rain or Shine defensive specialist have had many heated battles on the hardcourt.
Despite their history, Ibañes maintains a healthy respect for Yap — even after the Mixers’ gunner’s woeful 1-of-11 shooting performance in Game Three of their Philippine Cup semifinals series.
“Alam naman natin kung gaano siya kagaling,” said Ibañes. “I think he was just having an off night.”
Ibañes said he expects Yap to bounce back in Game Four.
“Asahan na natin yan. He’s such a good player he will get his points anytime he wants. You can’t stop him, but you can limit him,” said Ibañes.
With San Mig Coffee trailing the series, 2-1, Ibañes knows Yap will try to have a monster game to help his team even the series. Yap already did it once, scoring 34 points in Game Two to lift San Mig Coffee to a 106-82 win.
“Tingin ko kasi mas dapat paghandaan natin siya sa ganitong situation. He will do everything to get his team the win,” said Ibañes.
Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao echoed his player’s sentiments.
“Kung masama laro niya nung Game Three, I expect James to play a lot better in Game Four,” said Guiao. “James will always get his points.”

Source:InterAKTV

Off-Game James: Rain or Shine effort, smarts, luck add up to Yap’s miserable performance

Rey Joble, InterAKTV · Wednesday, December 26, 2012 · 4:28 pm

AKTV/Paul Ryan Tan

It took effort and intelligence combined with a little bit of luck.
That was how Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao explained how his team was able to hold the deadly James Yap to just six points on 1-of-11 shooting on Christmas Day, allowing the Elasto Painters to cruise to a 98-72 victory in Game Three of their Philippine Cup semifinals series.
“Jireh Ibañes, Gabe Norwood and Ryan Araña really committed themselves to playing defense against James. Wala namang special formula except that these guys are intelligent enough and knows how to defend James properly. They just showed extra effort on defense in Game Three, especially after James erupted in Game Two,” said Guiao.
“We defended well. On the other hand, he was having an off night as well. Maybe the law of averages caught up with him because it’s hard to follow up a game where you played fantastic.”
Yap’s miserable performance came just a game after he sizzled for 34 points in Game Two, which the Mixers won, 106-82.
After the woeful outing, Guiao said he remains wary of Yap’s capacity to explode.
“You can’t just put anybody who’s quick enough to defend him. You need intelligent defenders to defend against an intelligent player like James Yap,” said Guiao.
“Si James, matalino siya because he knows how to use the screens properly and he has the special ability to catch off guard his defenders.”
Guiao expects Yap to continue to be a key to the series.
“San Mig Coffee knows that its best chance of winning is for James to score more, while our chances of winning is to try and stop him from producing more points.”


Source:InterAKTV

Yeng Guiao sees Rain or Shine depth wearing out San Mig Coffee

InterAKTV · Tuesday, December 25, 2012 · 8:17 pm

AKTV/Paolo Papa

Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao acknowledges that San Mig Coffee may have more superstar talent, but he believes his deeper bench will end up making the different in their best-of-seven Philippine Cup semifinals series.
“The longer the series goes, we’re fresher than they are,” Guiao said shortly after his team’s masterful 98-72 victory over the Mixers at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on Christmas Day.
“We have more stoppers than they have scorers.”
This seemed especially true in the case of San Mig Coffee superstar James Yap, who was held to just six points on miserable 1-of-11 shooting from the field. The Elasto Painters rotated a physical cast of defenders composed of Jireh Ibañes, Gabe Norwood, and Ryan Araña on the Mixers’ two-time Most Valuable Player, who was coming off a 34-point explosion in Game Two.
Guiao noted that San Mig Coffee’s top four players — James Yap, Peter June Simon, Marc Pingris, and Joe Devance — usually play heavy minutes, giving the Elasto Painters’ depth more value as the games pile up.
“We’re able to run more, we’re able to pressure more,” said Guiao.
The coach sees Game Four of the series, set Thursday at the same venue, as a huge key.
“Game Four should be the biggest game in the series,” he said. “I think if we can go up 3-1, we’ll have one foot in the door [of the finals].”
Guiao said he doesn’t plan to make major adjustments for the next match.
“The burden of adjustments shift to San Mig Coffee,” he said.

http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/yeng-guiao-sees-rain-or-shine-depth-wearing-out-san-mig-coffee

Christmas Day Massacre: Rain or Shine destroys San Mig Coffee in Game Three

InterAKTV · Tuesday, December 25, 2012 · 7:58 pm

AKTV file/Paul Ryan Tan

On Christmas Day, it is better to give than to receive… especially when it comes to lopsided beatings.
The Rain or Shine Elasto Painters rebounded from its worst loss of the tournament with a 98-72 rout of the San Mig Coffee Mixers on Christmas Day at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
“Before the game, I just told them, ‘Let’s give ourselves a nice Christmas gift,’” said Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao.
“It’s also a way to redeem ourselves from our embarrassing loss last time.”
The Elasto Painters were coming off a 106-82 defeat at the hands of the Mixers in Game Two last week. The four-day break seemed to do wonders for Rain or Shine, which a tight 18-17 match in the first quarter into a 51-32 contest at the half.
Rain or Shine was never seriously threatened in the second half, leading by no less than 15 points the rest of the way. Seven players scored at least eight points for the Elasto Painters, led by Paul Lee who had 15 points, including nine in the third quarter to break the spirits of the rallying Mixers.
The Elasto Painters also got huge contributions beyond the box scores. Jireh Ibañes, who scored just four points, teamed with Gabe Norwood and Ryan Araña hounded San Mig Coffee superstar James Yap to just six points on 1-of-11 shooting.
Peter June Simon carried the fight with 22 points for San Mig Coffee, which shot just 38 percent from the field.
The victory gave the Elasto Painters a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.
“This game is a nice gift for all the people who believed in us, said Guiao.
The scores:
RAIN OR SHINE 98 – Lee 15, Cruz 14, Chan 13, Rodriguez 12, Tiu 11, Norwood 9, Arana 8, Belga 6, Ibanes 4, Matias 3, Quinahan 3.
SAN MIG COFFEE 72 – Simon 22, Barroca 11, Pingris 10, Devance 9, Yap 6, De Ocampo 6, Reavis 4, Gaco 2, Pacana 2, Ramos 0, Ponferada 0, intal 0, Villanueva 0, Gonzales 0.
Quarters: 18-17, 51-32, 74-56, 98-72


http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/christmas-day-massacre-rain-or-shine-destroys-san-mig-coffee-in-game-three

Christmas Day Collision: San Mig Coffee, Rain or Shine clash in pivotal Game Three

InterAKTV · Monday, December 24, 2012 · 3:23 pm

AKTV/Paul Ryan Tan

San Mig Coffee and Rain or Shine clash in a pivotal Game Three of the 2013 PBA Philippine Cup semifinal round on Christmas Day at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The Mixers and the Elasto Painters meet in the lone game at 5:15 p.m. with the winner taking a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.
San Mig Coffee tied the series with a resounding 106-82 victory in Game Two that pruned down the showdown to a best-of-five affair.
Mixers coach Tim Cone expects the Elasto Painters to come out strong.
“Although neither team will actually win or lose the series in tomorrow’s game, I do feel it is the pivotal game of the series and both teams are not going to take prisoners,” said Cone.
“We’re really looking to follow up our last game and put us in a position to start dictating the series.”
James Yap exploded for a personal conference-high of 34 points in Game Two despite playing with an injured right knee.
Despite losing badly, Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao is confident that his wards can bounce back in Game Three but he hopes there will be better officiating on Tuesday.
“We’ll correct some things, but we cannot correct the referees. It’s the league’s job to correct the officiating. Hindi namin trabaho ‘yun,” said Guiao, who was ejected late in the third period of Game Two.
“They’re a great offensive team. Tabla lang naman ngayon. We’ll get set on Christmas Day game.”
Meanwhile, the PBA will be giving away Molten basketballs, toys to the first 100 kids and raffle off My Phones starting today up to December 30 as part of the league’s “Isang Linggong Pamaskong Handog ng PBA” to its fans.

http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/christmas-day-collision-san-mig-coffee-rain-or-shine-clash-in-pivotal-game-three

Douthit, Canaleta, Slaughter lead SMART-Gilas lineup for Dubai tuneup

InterAKTV · Tuesday, December 25, 2012 · 1:15 pm

InterAKTV/Roy Afable

SMART-Gilas Pilipinas coach Chot Reyes announced his 12-man roster for the annual Dubai Invitational basketball tournament slated next month.
Naturalized player Marcus Douthit will spearhead the country’s campaign in the competition, in which the Nationals finished second two years ago.
Beefing up the Philippine five are PBA veterans Jay-R Reyes and Ronjay Buenafe of Meralco and Air 21 forward Nino Canaleta.
Reyes and Canaleta took the frontline spots of Petron Blaze’s Arwind Santos and June Mar Fajardo, who failed to get the go-signal from team management to join the national pool, while Buenafe is filling in for GlobalPort’s Gary David.
David, along with LA Tenorio of Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, had wanted to join the team in Dubai but opted to rest their respective injuries.
Taking the spot of Tenorio in the squad is Filipino-American guard Justin Melton, a 5-foot-11 playmaker out of Mount Olive College.
Reyes rounds up his lineup with top amateurs led by Greg Slaughter along with NLEX teammates Matthew Rosser, Garvo Lanete, RR Garcia, Ronald Pascual, Kevin Alas, and Jake Pascual.
Reyes said Kiefer Ravena decided not to join the team because of his studies with Ateneo.
The team is reserving the remaining two slots for Japeth Aguilar and Fil-Am Isaac Holstein, a 6-foot-9 forward from West Virginia State University. Aguilar is still in the United States after trying out for a spot the NBA D-League. He was drafted by the Santa Cruz Warriors but was cut from the final roster.
Aside from SMART-Gilas, the other participating teams are the United Arab Emirates national squad, Al Ahli from Dubai, Kazakhstan and Lebanon, which will be sending three clubs for the tournament.
Reyes has said the competition is part of the team’s buildup for the 2013 FIBA Asia Championship, which serves as the qualifier for the 2014 FIBA World Cup.


http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/douthit-canaleta-slaughter-lead-smart-gilas-lineup-for-dubai-tuneup