News About the Last Games in PBA

ALASKA SEALS BEST-OF-7 DUEL WITH TNT
Big 4th quarter gives Aces 4-2 win over SLR
Monday, 26 January 2009
Alaska Milk, the elimination round top placer, dethroned Sta. Lucia Realty, 87-83, and earned a crack at going all the way to end up on top of the KFC PBA Philippine Cup.

The Aces overcame the Realtors in another gripping battle, winning their best-of-seven semifinal showdown in six games to the delight of their cheering crowd at the Astrodome Sunday night.

Coach Tim Cone and his chargers ended Sta. Lucia's reign as All-Filipino champion and set up a rematch of their 2007 Fiesta Conference title showdown with Talk n Text.
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TNT BEATS SMB IN GAME 6 OT THRILLER TO ADVANCE TO FINALS
League’s highest-scoring backcourt duo virtually do it all for Tropang Texters
Sunday, 25 January 2009

Talk ’N Text displayed tremendous endgame poise in overtime as it downed San Miguel Beer, 116-115, in Game 6 of their semifinals series to book a Finals seat in the KFC-PBA Philippine Cup Sunday night at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.
Mark Cardona led the Tropang Texters with a personal series-best 34 points, including the go-ahead three-pointer as his took a 116-115 lead with 1:41 left in the extra period.
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SAN MIGUEL LIVES TO FIGHT ANOTHER DAY
Pingris shines as Beermen halt TNT
Friday, 23 January 2009
Wildcard survivor San Miguel Beer hasn't stopped to amaze, going 4-0 in knockout games in the all-Filipino tourney.

The Beermen again lived to fight another game, stalling the Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters' own finals bid with a stirring 125-115 win in Game Five of their KFC PBA Philippine Cup best-of-seven semifinal showdown at the Astrodome Friday night.

Marc Pingris and Jay Washington both came through with a double-double game with five other Beermen putting in at least 10 points as they survived a fourth do-or-die setto dating back to the wildcard round.
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* DEFENDING CHAMPS STAY ALIVE
* ALASKA, TALK N TEXT GO FOR CLINCHER
* ALASKA IN COMMAND, 3-1

flowchart of semifinal

PBA GAMES UPDATE

ALASKA IN COMMAND, 3-1
Miller stars as Aces move on brink of Finals stint
Wednesday, 21 January 2009
The idea of Alaska coach Tim Cone was to use a short rotation to win a big game.

The gamble paid off with the nine men rotated by Cone overcoming a tough challenge, carrying Alaska to the threshold of the KFC PBA Philippine Cup finale at the Astrodome Wednesday.

The Aces erected a 26-point lead in the first half and held off a spirited chase by the Sta. Lucia Realtors for an 88-83 win and a three-game-to-one lead in their best-of-seven semifinal showdown.


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TALK ‘N TEXT A WIN AWAY FROM RETURNING TO ALL-PINOY FINALS
Dillinger, Alapag biggest thorns on SMB side in Game 4
Wednesday, 21 January 2009
AS quickly as they blew away a huge lead, the Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters were as fast in getting back their bearings and taking control.



Rookie Jared Dillinger scored a career-high 27 points and Jimmy Alapag and Mark Cardona picked up their offensive rhythm in the fourth quarter to spark Talk ‘N Text to a 106-103 victory Wednesday night in Game 4 the KFC-PBA Philippine Cup semifinal series.
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ACES, TROPANG TEXTERS TRY TO INCH CLOSER TO FINALS
But Realtors, Beermen primed to equalize
Tuesday, 20 January 2009

Neither Alaska's Tim Cone nor Talk N Text's Chot Reyes expected this series to be a picnic.

Now, the Aces and the Tropang Texters have an opportunity to take the Sta. Lucia Realtors and the San Miguel Beermen out of their path sooner than later.

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TALK ‘N TEXT TRIPS SMB FOR 2-1 EDGE
OMOLON, SLR DEFENSE FINALLY SHOW UP AS REALTORS TAKE GAME 3
ACES BEAT REALTORS ANEW, GO UP 2-0

Ginebra vs Alaska 12/13/08 Part1

PBA Games Update

ACES, TROPANG TEXTERS TRY TO INCH CLOSER TO FINALS But Realtors, Beermen primed to equalize Tuesday, 20 January 2009 Neither Alaska's Tim Cone nor Talk N Text's Chot Reyes expected this series to be a picnic. Now, the Aces and the Tropang Texters have an opportunity to take the Sta. Lucia Realtors and the San Miguel Beermen out of their path sooner than later. Read more...

TALK ‘N TEXT TRIPS SMB FOR 2-1 EDGE Tropang Texters spoil Hontiveros’ 39-pt explosion Sunday, 18 January 2009 Jimmy Alapag had three clutch hits at endgame, enough to scuttle Dondon Hontiveros' 39-point explosion as Talk n Text regained the upper hand over San Miguel Beer in their KFC PBA Philippine Cup Final Four showdown at the Araneta Coliseum Sunday. Alapag stole the show in the homestretch as the Tropang Texters survived Hontiveros' career-best showing, salvaging a 110-106 win and gaining the 2-1 lead over the Beermen in the best-of-seven series. "In the huddle, we're talking about our need to stop Dondon. He's all banged up but he's still making his shots. But we're also thinking, he's bound to miss somewhere. He missed some and, in the end, our players had their big plays," sighed Talk n Text coach Chot Reyes. Read more... OMOLON, SLR DEFENSE FINALLY SHOW UP AS REALTORS TAKE GAME 3 Defending champs cut Alaska series lead to 2-1 as Aces held to lowest output in conference Sunday, 18 January 2009 Sta. Lucia showed up with the kind of defense that won for itself last year’s Philippine Cup title, holding Alaska to a conference-low in scoring for a 76-65 win in Game 3 of the KFC PBA Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum Sunday night. Bitoy Omolon scored 25 points and cornered 11 rebounds as the Realtors avoided falling into a deep hole no team in league history has ever recovered from, cutting Alaska’s lead in their best-of-7 series to 2-1. Read more...

More... ACES BEAT REALTORS ANEW, GO UP 2-0 SMB-TNT SERIES BACK TO SQUARE ONE TALK ‘N TEXT, ALASKA EYE COMMANDING 2-0 LEADS

PBA Game Flowchart

Player Of The Week

ALMIGHTY MOUSE

Player of the Week January 12 to 18

REFUSING to lose is one attitude that every coach loves in a player. Talk ‘N Text's Jimmy Alapag has that indomitable spirit and usually displays it most during crunchtime, making him the unanimous choice as the KFC/Accel-PBA Press Corps' Player of the Week for the period January 12 to 18.

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Semifinal Round Updates

ESPINO TOWS STA. LUCIA TO FINAL 4 Realtors face Aces in race-t-4 affair Friday, 09 January 2009 Sta. Lucia Realty used a good finish to overcome a slow start and a mediocre shooting, disposing of Rain or Shine, 92-85, to become the first PBA All-Filipino reigning champion in the last four years to get a return stint in the Final Four. Kelly Williams, Dennis Espino and Paolo Mendoza picked up their game and played steady in the second half, leading the Realtors to a two-game sweep of the Elasto Painters for a ticket to the 2008-09 KFC PBA Philippine Cup semifinal round versus the Alaska Milk Aces. Read more...

GINEBRA TAKES GAME 2, FORGES SUDDEN-DEATH SUNDAY vs. SMB Tubid, Menk-led Kings survive career-high 35-point onslaught from Hontiveros to even series Friday, 09 January 2009 Injury-depleted, bruised and battered. Notwithstanding their terrible state of health, the Barangay Ginebra Kings aren't ready to wave the white flag and walk away silently. Ronald Tubid scored 19 points, including his team's last six markers as Barangay Ginebra recovered in time for 91-88 come-from-behind victory against San Miguel Beer in Game 2 of their KFC PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinal series Friday night at the Cuneta Astrodome. Read more...

Player of the Week

SMB ROOKIE DISPLAYING RARE TOUGHNESS AND MATURITY

Player of the Week December 29 – January 4

COMING along just fine. This was how San Miguel Beer coach Siot Tanquingcen assessed the steady progress being shown by rookie Bonifacio "Bonbon" Custodio, who was adjudged the KFC/Accel-PBA Press Corps Player of the Week for the period Dec. 29 to Jan. 4.

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The Final Chart of Teams In KFC_PBA Philippine Cup Championship

Semis Updates

NORWOOD SUSPENDED AS RAIN OR SHINE FIGHTS FOR DEAR LIFE SMB, SLR go for jugular, semis spots vs. Kings, Elasto Painters Thursday, 08 January 2009 GABE Norwood made a rookie mistake and it could cost Rain or Shine dearly. With their top rookie and main source of energy sitting it out, the Elasto Painters are hard-pressed to find another source of boost just to stay alive against defending champion Sta. Lucia Realty in their KFC PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinal series. Read more...

SAN MIGUEL WINS GAME 1 THRILLER OVER GINEBRA Beermen mentor thanks wildcard stint Wednesday, 07 January 2009 Coach Siot Tanquingcen is convinced their wildcard journey has been a blessing. San Miguel Beer rode the momentum of its wildcard stint, seizing control early and holding off a Barangay Ginebra challenge at the finish in pulling off a 78-77 thriller of a win in the opener of their 2008-09 KFC PBA Philippine Cup best-of-three quarterfinal showdown at the Araneta Coliseum Wednesday. Read more... DEFENDING CHAMPION REALTORS ROUT ELASTO PAINTERS IN GAME 1 Omolon, Yeo star for Sta. Lucia in physical, highly-emotional game Wednesday, 07 January 2009 Just in case the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters have forgotten it, the Sta. Lucia Realtors just reminded their challengers who they're up against. The defending champions delivered the message strongly in the form of a lopsided 101-84 victory in the opener of their KFC-PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinal series Wednesday night at the Araneta Coliseum. Read more...

More... SLR-RoS SERIES A TOSSUP; SMB FAVORED OVER GINEBRA TEAM PILIPINAS TRAINING SHIFTS TO HIGHER GEAR IN COMING WEEKS SMB SUBDUES AIR21, BOOKS QF SEAT

basketball games update

TEAM PILIPINAS TRAINING SHIFTS TO HIGHER GEAR IN COMING WEEKS SEABA tourney April 2 to 6 Tuesday, 06 January 2009 The easy, free-flowing training road to the FIBA-Asia Men's Championship will turn steep and arduous for the PBA-Philippine team three weeks from now. National coach Yeng Guiao announced during Monday's resumption of team practice at The Arena in San Juan that he will be calling two or three two-hour sessions beginning February – maybe even by the last week of January. "We're still in the familiarization stage," Guiao said. "We're trying to get as much in without bothering the teams playing in the quarterfinals. Read more...

SMB SUBDUES AIR21, BOOKS QF SEAT Beermen to face Kings in best-of-3 series Sunday, 04 January 2009 San Miguel Beer survived its wildcard journey and, with the relief, is starting from scratch versus Barangay Ginebra in the quarterfinal round. The Beermen outclassed the Air21 Express practically on all fronts, pulling off a 105-86 rout to gain entry into the KFC PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals at the Araneta Coliseum Sunday night. Picking up from where they left off in their game against the Coca-Cola Tigers last Dec. 28, the Beermen made it 3-0 over the Express in their head-on duels in the conference. Read more... DO-OR-DIE FOR SAN MIGUEL, AIR21 Winner to face Barangay Ginebra in quarters Saturday, 03 January 2009 One more time for San Miguel and Air21. With survival at stake, the Beermen and the Express collide at the Araneta Coliseum Sunday in the final wildcard playdate of the 2008-09 KFC PBA Philippine Cup. Read more...

More... GUIAO STEPS DOWN AS RED BULL CHIEF TACTICIAN CARDONA LEADS BEST PLAYER OF THE CONFERENCE DERBY NORWOOD, MERCADO LIVING UP TO EXPECTATIONS

Games Update

SMB SUBDUES AIR21, BOOKS QF SEAT Beermen to face Kings in best-of-3 series Sunday, 04 January 2009 San Miguel Beer survived its wildcard journey and, with the relief, is starting from scratch versus Barangay Ginebra in the quarterfinal round. The Beermen outclassed the Air21 Express practically on all fronts, pulling off a 105-86 rout to gain entry into the KFC PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals at the Araneta Coliseum Sunday night. Picking up from where they left off in their game against the Coca-Cola Tigers last Dec. 28, the Beermen made it 3-0 over the Express in their head-on duels in the conference. Read more...

DO-OR-DIE FOR SAN MIGUEL, AIR21 Winner to face Barangay Ginebra in quarters Saturday, 03 January 2009 One more time for San Miguel and Air21. With survival at stake, the Beermen and the Express collide at the Araneta Coliseum Sunday in the final wildcard playdate of the 2008-09 KFC PBA Philippine Cup. Read more... GUIAO STEPS DOWN AS RED BULL CHIEF TACTICIAN RP5 & Pampanga to keep him busy, but will consider coaching offers Saturday, 03 January 2009 Roseller "Yeng" Guiao, with a heavy heart, stepped down Friday as coach of Red Bull with the team having been reduced from perennial contender to spoiler. The team management was not available for comment on Guiao's resignation and on his replacement. Read more...

More... CARDONA LEADS BEST PLAYER OF THE CONFERENCE DERBY NORWOOD, MERCADO LIVING UP TO EXPECTATIONS EXPRESS SLAY GIANTS

Player of the Week

DE OCAMPO WELL WORTH THE TRADE

Player of the Week December 22 to 28

THE experience may have been bittersweet. But for Ranidel de Ocampo, it is all part of the job. That's how the KFC/Accel PBA Press Corps Player of the Week for the period Dec. 22 to 28 reasoned when asked about his game-winner over his former team, Air21, that helped shove his new Talk N Text crew into the Philippine Cup semifinals.

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