The Kings Bid Goodbye to the All Filipino Cup Conference

It was a do or die Sunday between the Barangay Ginebra Kings (BGK) and the San Miguel Beermen (SMB). Whoever wins the ballgame will advance to the Semis and battle with the Talk N' Text Tropang Texters (TNT).

All game long, BGK commands the ballgame. And it was all because of the beyond the arc shots. I then began to admire BGK more, with a depleted line up, it was really all the heart of a champion thay they are using to fight tonight's ballgame. JayJay Helterbrand, who is quoted as 'due for explosion' by Quinito Henson, really exploded, allowing the BGK to have a 21-point lead against the star-studded SMB.

It was not only Helterbrand's 3 points shots, Paul Artadi, JunJun Cabatu, and Sunday Salvacion also had their 3 pointers that made all things happen for the Kings. And while they had their 3 points shots, Chris Pacana, Billy Mamaril, and Junthy Valenzuela fearlessly drives their way to the basket to contribute.

All the while, it was all BGK. But DonDon Hontiveros become unstoppable from the 3 point arc as well. He hit back to back 3s together with Lordy Tugade and Mic Pennisi. They where able to catch up and trim the lead down to only 3 points at the end of the 3rd Quarter.

BGK and SMB had shown a great series of the Quarter Finals. Everybody's on their feet in the ending minutes of the pay off period. Less than a minute left, SMB leads by only 4 points. BGK still has the chance to regain the lead, if not, at least extend the regulation period. But, I really don't understand why BGK DO NOT defend the last play of the SMB, allowing SMB to have a 6-point lead with only 24 seconds remaining. My sister uttered, if it was in NBA, anything could still happen. And I uttered, if it was Purefoods TJ Giants (PF), an overtime will push through, as what they did against TNT last October 31, 2008.

Salvacion hit a 3 point to cut the lead down to 3. But, the seconds are too much in favor of SMB. It was a sorry loss for the Kings. When I thought they almost made it. But nonetheless, I still can proudly say, thay their hearts are bigger than SMB. And Ronald Tubid's heart is a lot bigger than Hontiveros'.

The Kings bid goodbye to the All Filipino Cup Conference (AFC). And so, I bid goodbye to PBA for now. I have no more reason to watch PBA, no PF, no BGK. See you next conference!


The scores:


San Miguel 98 -- Hontiveros 34, Custodio 13, Tugade 11, Seigle 9, Washington 8, Villanueva 7, Pennisi 5, Pena 4, Pingris 3, Baguion 2, racela 2, Gonzales 0.

Ginebra 93 -- Helterbrand 30, Salvacion 17, Menk 9, Mamaril 8, Tubid 7, Pacana 6, Artadi 6, Wilson 6, Valenzuela 4, Escalona 0, Cabatu 0.

Quarterscores: 14-22, 36-49, 67-70, 98-93

History Repeats Itself for the Barangay Ginebra Kings

My memory is still clear of the last games of the eliminations last conference. Game 1 then was between the Red Bull Barakos (RB) and the Sta. Lucia Realtors (SLR). Before that game began, Barangay Ginebra Kings (BGK) still has the chance to make it to the outright semis spot. But, SLR was tooooooo lazy to catch for their win. They could have won the game, tsk tsk tsk. Then there's karma, ha ha ha. I bet you know what happened to SLR last conference. The following match was BGK against the Alaska Aces. The winner of the game would clinch the Quarter Finals berth while the other team would have to make it to the wild card phase. And yes, BGK won! They landed the 3rd spot after the double round eliminations.

It was dejavu! History repeats itself. Game 1 was between Talk N' Text Tropang Texters (TNT) and Air21 Express. The 2nd slot for the outright semis is still open. Not until TNT grabbed the win with just a hairstrand. Come Game 2, BGK vs Rain or Shine Elasto Painters (RoS), a BGK win would let them grab the quarter finals berth. And a loss for them would mean a chance for RoS to battle TNT for the outright semis berth. But, as what others are mentioning, BGK might have a depleted line up, but BGK has the biggest heart of all. It is very evident how the crowd can make things happen, most especially if it is a crucial game. Thus, just like last conference, BGK landed the 3rd spot after the double round eliminatinos.

What's more amazing for BGK was, they repeated not only landing the 3rd spot, but they repeated starting at the cellar, ha ha. Yes, probably, most of the non-BGK fans are laughing their hearts out at the start of the conference, since BGK find it real hard to make it to the upper half of the standings. They even mentioned that there'll be no more Chris Alexander to help the team have the 13 win streak. But hey, BGK fans are now laughing their hearts out, ha ha. There might be no Alexander this time, but we have Billy Mamaril (slamming against Arwind Santos' face), Jun Jun Cabatu (raining 3s), Raffy Reavis (blocking Santos), Macky Escalona (shooter), Junthy Valenzuela (the moves), JayJay Helterbrand (raining 3s as well), Paul Artadi (energy inducer), Chris Pacana (intelligent defender), Willie Wilson (Dennis Rodman, Philippine version), Eric Menk (the MVP), Alex Crisano (the crowd favorite), Ronald Tubid (defense & offense guy), and Sunday Salvacion (the 3-pt warrior). Feels great to be a BGK fanatic.

Everything's said:

History Repeats Itself for the Barangay Ginebra Kings

JayJay and His 3s ... Once More

It's been a while that I had not written much about JayJay Helterbrand raining 3 point shots. He had been injured. And a lot of other players had stepped up. But this game against the San Miguel Beermen (SMB) at Batangas City reminds me of how great JayJay can shoot from the rainbow country.

Well, I got a little irritated of the calls of the officials. Funny that they don't call for a foul against Dorian Peña as he pushed Billy Mamaril, when, in return, they called for an offensive foul against Chris Pacana from the best actor Froilan Baguion. I never thought that SMB is a team that plays a little dirty. But with Jay Washington and Mick Pennisi in their line up, there's nothing much to be surprised.

A lot of fouls has been called. Washington maybe great with the game. But I can't really like him. You see how he trash talk against JunJun Cabatu when all the while Cabatu just don't care, as if he never hears Washington. But Washington just kept on talking and talking, ha ha. But what makes me wonder is why Cabatu was called for a technical that time. C'mon, he do nothing, no second motion as well. It should be Washington alone. I don't know what's on the mind of Washington, but he never stopped. Probably he really wanted to be called for another technical to have a rest earlier than the other, ha ha. And, his strategy clicked. He had been ejected from the game.

Another one is Peña, he had been using dirty tactics against Mamaril. But Mamaril is intelligent, he just answered back with great defense and offense. Pennisi on the other end almost always got his fouls from their offensive end - illegal pick.

It was DonDon Hontiveros' off night. He just can't gain a basket. But Olsen Racela is there to fill in his place. Racela, the oldest player in the PBA today, had his baskets from the 3 point arc and from the paint.

But no matter how good Racela plays, Helterbrand answered back with his good jumpers and brilliant 3 points shots. When SMB got the rhythm, and when Hontiveros is back in shape, Helterbrand erases all the hopes they had with his baskets. It was raining 3's for the Barangay Ginebra Kings (BGK). 8 from JayJay, 3 from Ronald Tubid, 2 from Cabatu, and a piece from Junthy Valenzuela and Sunday Salvacion.

SMB is a star-studded team. But as what Tubid had said in halftime "mas malaki nga sila, pero mas malaki naman ang puso namin". This time, BGK proved that height doesn't matter, ha ha.

This is the 3rd out of town game of BGK. First was at Lucena against Coke, second was at Cagayan De Oro against Aces. And they won all those 3. Well, whenever BGK had an out of town game, you should always expect that most of the crowd would be cheering for them. And the feeling was so great when BGK won. As what JayJay said at the end of the game "the fans are the reason why we won". Why not, JayJay just had his career high of 35 points. He also mentioned "I hope we could have a lot of out of town games for us to win".

The scores:

Barangay Ginebra 87 -- Helterbrand 35, Tubid 18, Cabatu 8, Valenzuela 7, Salvacion 5, Wilson 4, Mamaril 4, Menk 4, Artadi 2, Pacana 0, Escalona 0

San Miguel Beer 82 -- Racela 18, Pena 18, Washington, Hontiveros 12, Pennisi 9, Washington 7, Pingris 6, Tugade 5, Seigle 4, Villanueva 3, Baguion 0, Gonzales 0

Quarterscores: 22-13, 41-38, 66-54, 87-82

No MC This AFC?

It is not that surprising when Barangay Ginebra Kings (BGK) started the All Filipino Cup (AFC) without Mark Caguioa (MC). His knees, both knees, are injured and over used last conference where they won the championship.

But despite playing without MC, and whole lot more of the key players, the BGK managed to have won 3 out of its 9 games in the first round of the eliminations. Someone always step up in every game. The seem to be problem is that they doesn't have a deep bench to sustain the gas that they need in the pay off period.

In their 5 straight loses, almost everyone was wishing for the comeback of MC, or Junthy Valenzuela. So that an offensive player may be seen on the court. In these 5 games, it was always JayJay Helterbrand and Paul Artadi who seem to be the go-to guy of BGK. But, it seem not to be enough. In their game against Alaska Aces, they have all the chance to win. Their chance was even extended for 5 more minutes in the overtime period. But during that OT, JayJay nor Paul earn a basket. Coach Jong Uichico could have tapped someone else to supply the necessary energy, or spark, to win the game. But he opted to make JayJay and Paul stay, the result, BGK had their sorry loss.

Come last game of the first round of the eliminations, everyone where still hoping for MC's comeback, until Anthony Suntay mentioned last game that MC won't be coming back this AFC. The moment I hear this, well, bad news, a lot of things pops into my mind. I bet a lot would definitely miss MC, and his moves. But, I think that would be the cost of using MC last finals series even with knees hurting.

Well, MC is MC, and NO ONE CAN EVER REPLACE MC. But now that the BGK management just don't want to rush things on MC nursing his knees, we just have to face the reality of facing AFC without MC, hu hu hu.

As for me, a lot of players can help contribute in offense, Coach Jong just have to give them the license to shoot. JunJun Cabatu proven his talent beyond the arc in Game 2. Macky Escalona shown he has the perimeter shooting everytime he would be given the playing time. Chris Pacana showed that he does not only have the good defense, he as well can drive through the basket no matter how big the defense was. Well, Willie Wilson is proving how he can handle the leather and wisely gain a goal from the field. The rest of the BGK roster already proved their worth in offense. So, I guess, that would be it. Never Say Die. Play with a heart. And have the license to shoot.

I know, MC would have wanted his fans to stay cheering for BGK even he won't be playing, for this conference at least. So, let's just continue supporting our ever beloved BGK. Who knows, MC might have his surprise, and promise us once again, the CHAMPIONSHIP CROWN. Ü

Barangay Ginebra Kings Felt Tubid's Loss

My cousin was really encouraging me to watch tonight's ball game. He would even treat me with court side ticket (generous, huh?), just for me to come. But, I don't know, I said 'NO'.

Barangay Ginebra Kings (BGK) battled with the Red Bull (RB) Barakos, still, with a depleted line up. I was not able to watch the first few minutes of the game. Thanks to my ever-loving friends who updated me of what's happening while I was still on my way home. They've told me how JayJay Helterbrand sink in two 3 pointers. And I said, wow, it would be raining 3's again for BGK. But, a bad news had been sent to me, Ronald Tubid was called for a flagrant foul penalty 1. I really can't give comments since I was not able to see the play. All I know was it was against Rich Alvarez.

Luckily, I got home before the 1st Quarter was over. It was a seasaw battle for the 2 teams, until Tubid was ejected, being called for foul for second motion (sorry, poor memory, I can't remember if it was a technical foul or flagrant foul). Mark Caguioa, Raffy Reavis, and Billy Mamaril were not present. And now, Tubid was ejected. *sigh* How can BGK possibly win this one?

I really hate RB. From the coach to the players. For me, they had their dirty reputation, ha ha. I could have like Cyrus Baguio, only if he is not from RB. I simply hate the way they play. From Celino Cruz to Jojo Duncil to Gabby Espinas. Sorry to their fans, I just don't like the way RB plays. I have watched the 2nd Quarter, and who's that guy again? Paulo Hubalde? Oh, i'm sorry, I don't really know him. Is he a rookie? Well, I really don't care. He was just so, so bad. He has his back to back fouls, ha ha. He was about to stop JayJay's fastbreak in the dirty way. Oh it could have injured JayJay badly. Then, the following play had made the officials call for an offensive foul against him. His looks shows his attitude, bad! Ooops forgot to include dirty!

I can see the frustration in JayJay. It was his off night. I remember he had fired a 3 pointer that doesn't even reach the basket. Almost all of them, actually, had their off night. Sunday Salvacion's open 3 point shots just don't chip in. He only made 2 out of 6 attempts. Same with JunJun Cabatu, last game's hero, who has 2/7 3pt FG. Alex Crisano, Paul Artadi, Junthy Valenzuela, and Eric Menk were all having hard time in easy and open baskets.

But RB doesn't get away with the win easily. BGK is well known for their never say die attitude. And this attitude was exhibited by Willie Wilson. He had 10 big points, 3/3 FG and 4/4 FT. Perfect! Tubid was ejected, which, in turn gave Chris Pacana more playing minutes. I simply love the way he played. In every game, he would always dive for the lose ball. I am really cheering each time he would earn a basket, either from the field or from the free throw line. He never let me give up in the dying minutes with his excellent defense. He totaled 5 steals and 9 rebounds. I just said to myself, he could have been the Best Player of the Game if BGK won. But then again, BGK lost. Never the less, it just feels great. He shows what he can do for BGK. He had 18 big points. Hope to see more of those kind in the next games.

The scores:

Red Bull 100 -- Espinas 18, Baguio 15, Sharma 14, Hubalde 12, Alvarez 12, Rodriguez 8, Chan 7, Cruz 6, Duncil 5, Membrere 3, Najorda 0, Hrabak 0.

Ginebra 94 -- Helterbrand 22, Pacana 18, Salvacion 12, Wilson 10, Cabatu 8, Crisano 8, Artadi 6, Menk 6, Tubid 4, Escalona 0, Holper 0, Valenzuela 0.

Quarterscores: 30-22, 51-39, 70-62, 100-94

Game 8 of the Championship?

My cousin had been encouraging me to watch PBA live at the Araneta Coliseum yesterday. He said that it would be a championship-like battle between Barangay Ginebra Kings (BGK) and Air21 Express since they were the teams that fought for the crown last Fiesta Conference. But due to personal reasons, I was not able to join them. I just watched the game on TV, CS9, with poor reception and boring commentators (one of 'em called Gary David as Bal David twice), haha.

It was really a championship-like ballgame. BGK, like last fiestacon, had a depleted line-up. Mark Caguioa, Eric Menk, Rafi Reavis, and Billy Mamaril are missing in action. Air21, on the other hand, had a complete line-up. Arwind Santos and Homer Se are now back after being suspended due to their game against Rain or Shine Elasto (ROSE) Painters last October 5.

As usual, BGK had a poor start. But, JayJay Helterbrand's three 3-pointer in the 1st quarter keeps the Big Dome rocking. It was a close fight. A lot of lead changes. But the game was fun. It was raining 3 point shots for the BGK. JunJun Cabatu has 4/7, Helterbrand 5/11, Junthy Valenzuela 1/2, Ronald Tubid 3/7, and Paul Artadi 1/4. Summing it up, they scored 42 points just from their 3 point shots.

The game was a revelation for Cabatu. I thought it was just mere luck when he hit a 3 point shot last game against Sta. Lucia Realtors (SLR). But his 4 three-pointers last night means he is hot from the arc. He was hailed as the Best Player of the Game (BPG) with a career-high of 23 points, with 6 rebounds and 5 assits.

It feels like an extension of the 2007-2008 Smart PBA Fiesta Conference Championship. And BGK fought again with pure HEART. I wonder how strong BGK line-up would be if Mark Caguioa is back in shape. Smells like back-to-back championship huh? I wish.

Scores:

Ginebra 101 - Cabatu 23, Helterbrand 21, Valenzuela 14, Tubid 13, Artadi 11, Wilson 6, Crisano 6, Pacana 4, Holper 2, Escalona 1, Salvacion 0.

Air21 92 - Santos 19, De Ocampo 15, Arboleda 12, David 11, Se 10, Quinahan 8, Billones 7, Intal 4, Cruz 3, Canaleta 3, Kramer 0.

Quarterscores: 22-20, 41-46, 76-77, 101-92

PBA JAM Kick Off Party

Last night, October 1, was PBA's Kick Off Party. Luckily, I was able to attend the said event. It's fun. A lot of players are present, except for Air 21 Express, I suppose. However, since I knew only a few of them, I failed to recognize most of the players, haha. Here are some pictures of the event.

Jondan Salvador and Billy Mamaril

JunJun Cabatu, new recruit of Barangay Ginebra Kings

Olsen Racela

Marc Pingris

Chris Pacana

Sunday Salvacion

Paulo Hubalde (now in Red Bull), Mark Macapagal, JayJay Helterbrand, and Mike Holper

Kerby Raymundo

Alex Crisano

Chris Pacana and Ronald Tubid