GINEBRA has some very valid reasons why it is taking its sweet time looking for a reinforcement for the PBA Commissioner’s Cup that starts on Feb. 10.
The mid-season tourney’s short format, coupled with the Kings’ need for another scoring option, compels them to take extra care in coming up with their choice from a narrowed-down list of possible import.
"We start practicing Jan. 11, so our import should be here by then," coach Siot Tanquingcen told Malaya Business Insight yesterday.
Rain or Shine showed the “never-say-die” spirit that Barangay Ginebra is known for.
The Elasto Painters clawed back from a 17-point deficit and banked on the heroics of rookie Paul Lee, Jeff Chan and Beau Belga to shock the Gin Kings, 112-105, in overtime and steal Game One of their best-of-three quarterfinal series Friday at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum.
After trailing by 13 points entering the fourth quarter, Rain or Shine exploded for 43 points in the final 12 minutes and made the shots that mattered in the extra period to grab a 1-0 lead in the series.
Despite having the same win-loss record, Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao believes his team is the underdog when it begins its best-of-three quarterfinals battle against Barangay Ginebra on Friday.
“They have everything,” Guiao told InterAKTV. “They have the experience, the crowd and even the referees. A borderline call could always work in their favor.”
“These simply make our team an underdog. While Ginebra has been in the playoffs many times, we as a team has just started over.”
Barangay Ginebra waxed hot in the final period and pulled off an impressive 96-82 demolition of defending champion Talk ‘N Text in the final game of the eliminations of the 2011-12 PBA Philippine Cup Sunday night at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum.
The Kings outscored the Tropang Texters in the final 12 minutes, 32-17, to pull away from a tight contest and end the initial phase of the tournament with a five-game winning streak for a 9-5 win-loss record.
Rain or Shine set up an interesting date with Barangay Ginebra in the next round after beating the ousted Alaska squad, 91-85, Sunday at the end of the elimination phase of the 2011-12 PBA Philippine Cup at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum
Even without head coach Yeng Guiao and top rookie Paul Lee, the Elasto Painters just had enough tools to thwart the upset-conscious Aces and end their elimination stage campaign in back-to-back wins for a 9-5 record.
Beau Belga and Ronjay Buenafe each had 14 points for Rain or Shine to lead the team’s balanced scoring.
Barangay Ginebra scored a shaky 88-83 win over Barako Bull to secure a spot in the best-of-three quarterfinal round of the 2011 PBA Philippine Cup Thursday night at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum.
Missed free throws by Mike Cortez and Willy Wilson in the closing seconds gave the Kings a scare, but the Energy could not complete the comeback and were relegated to the No. 7 spot after finishing their elimination round with a 7-7 slate.
It was Ginebra’s fourth straight win to improve their mark to 8-5 and will face defending champion Talk ‘N Text on Sunday in the final day of the eliminations.
Published on December 2, 2011
Mark Caguioa teamed up with Willy Wilson for the winning play in the closing seconds as Barangay Ginebra edged Petron Blaze, 91-89, to formalize its entry into the PBA Philippine Cup playoffs at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Friday.
“We wanted set screens for Mark (Caguioa) but he was smart enough to find an open teammate (Wilson),” said Ginebra coach Siot Tanquingcen.
A defensive breakdown by the Boosters left Wilson open to make the winning basket with 5.5 ticks left to play.
Barangay Ginebra labored its way into the quarterfinal round after snapping Petron Blaze’s six-game winning streak with a pulsating 91-89 win in the 2011-12 PBA Philippine Cup Friday night at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum.
Mark Caguioa rebounded from poor performances in the past three games with 22 points and a crucial assist to Willy Wilson in the closing seconds for the go-ahead basket.
The Kings then forced Danny Ildefonso into a desperation heave that failed to hit the mark, as the Boosters fell to second place in the standings with a 9-4 win-loss slate.
MANILA, Philippines - NBA Hall of Famer Alex English will be in town for only a week to observe the Petron Blaze Boosters, particularly big men Rabeh Al-Hussaini, Carlo Sharma and Noy Baclao whom he will train for two months next year.
“We believe a two-month period of training is enough. Alex English doesn’t need to be here year round,” said SMC basketball operations chief Robert Non.
Petron tapped the former eight-time NBA All-Star player as skills coach following the transfer of Alton Lister to Meralco. Lister is a 17-year NBA veteran with stints with the Milwaukee Bucks, Seattle Super Sonics, Golden State Warriors, Boston Celtics and the Portland Trail Blazers.
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