Barangay Ginebra Kings, 2-2 on October 22

I was so lucky that I have my BGK Jamships. With them, I can now often watch PBA live, hihi. Last night, I was there at the Big Dome to witness the game between Barangay Ginebra Kings (BGK) and San Miguel Beermen (SMB).

We arrived before the end of 3rd Quarter of the First Game (Coca Cola Tigers vs Sta. Lucia Realtors). I cheered for Coke, since I don't like SLR. It was a close ball game. Even at the last seconds of the 4th Quarter, it was still everybody's ball game. It was 83-82 in favor of SLR, Coke's ball with less than 30 seconds left. They had the chance to win the game with just a 2 pointer. However, the shot of Nick Belasco, if I remembered it right, didn't go in. Luckily, Coke got the rebound, they had at least 4 chances to win the game. I even cheered for Ronjay Buenafe who is great from the 3 point arc, as well as Mark Macapagal. But, they just can't get the basket. A sorry loss for them. I remember they lost the same 1 point deficit against Talk N' Text.

Now, the long wait is over. The crowd started cheering as the players of BGK entered the hardcourt, and I do to, as I saw my favorite PBA player. Me and my friend started taking pictures of 'em. Lot's of pictures. I felt touched when I saw JayJay Helterbrand hugged Coach Siot Tanquinsen. Honestly, even with a depleted line up, I hoped that BGK would win the game. I just said to myself, it's 22 today, Chris' jersey is 22, his performance last game was excellent, I hope this time, he would be hailed as the Best Player of the Game.

BGK had a poor start against the star-studded SMB. But my hopes are still high. BGK almost always have their opponent lead at around 10-15 points at the 1st half, only to break their hearts in the end game.

Funny, but, I just cheered for Chris Pacana, Ü I clearly remember how he passes the ball to Willie Wilson. It was the KFC Delivery Assist of the Quarter (1st Quarter). It was simply magnificent. Oh, I really saw how selfless he is of the leather. To shoot the ball was not always an option when he knew there were 'shooters' inside the hardcourt. Makes me admire him more each game. *wink wink*

Ha ha, I remember my cellphone slipped away from me when he scored his first 2 points. Then I uttered, "oh, it's my cellphone" (laugh). He had a back-to-back basket at that time, courtesy of his steal. Know what? He was now the league leader in steals together with SLR's Ryan Reyes. See? That's how intelligent defender Chris is.

In my Chris Pacana entitled post, I mentioned that I never knew a point guard who can really block. Well, he did it again this time. And you can hear the crowd saying 'wooooooooooo', and I'm one of 'em. Ü

However, no matter how BGK played the game, every basket was answered by SMB with 3 point shots; and, every turn over was answered as well by field goals. The result, 118-89. I thought CP22 would be the BPG since it's October 22; but, BGK standings became 2-2 instead. However, eventhough BGK lost, I don't feel sad at all. Anyway, it was too early to mourn right? At the same time, Mark Caguioa ain't around yet. But behind all these, I was just glad that Chris' game kept on improving. My prayers are answered, and my sacrifices for his career are worth it. Go Chris, no matter what, I would still be cheering for you. God Bless your career. Ü

Leather Ejected, James Yap Runs Away Like A Kid

Last night, it was a do or die game for SLR vs Alaska (Game 1) and TNT vs Purefoods (Game 2). I failed to watch the first game for it started 4:40PM, I was still at the office by that time. Game 1's winner was SLR, a come from behind, having Joseph Yeo as the Best Player of the Game.

Luckily, I was able to watch Game 2 from the very first minutes of the first quarter. Kerby Raymundo was playing good that time. Unlike from what I've read from comments at pba-online, 'The Kid' was now showing his real play, my thought at that moment. If I'm not mistaken, he scored 6 out of the 8 points of the team. It was 14-2 in favor of Purefoods when suddenly, after the time-out called by coach Chot Reyes, the TNT have a 16-1 run. All of a sudden, it was 18-15 in favor of the Phone Pals.

(Sigh!) I really wanted Purefoods to win. I wanted them to be the team that could surpass the Wildcard Phase and eventually meet Ginebra in the Quarters. But, on the way that they are playing, I doubt they could win the game. There's just something wrong. They hadn't figured it out all conference-long.

Come second and third quarter, offense and defense of TNT was just so perfect. Bringing them 21 point lead at the end of the 3rd. 12 minutes left, I've got 12 minutes hope that James Yap, who was featured on half time, could show his million moves to come back from that big big deficit. 12 minutes for him to prove that he really is the 'Big Game' James.

Entering the 4th quarter, a 3 point play was engineered by the injured Reda Rhalimi. Feels like the momentum is now at Purefoods. I was still hopeful. At the 9-minute mark, the game was "A MESS". Jondan Salvador is having a physical move against the more physical defense of Terrence Leather who was called for a foul at the third strong bump with each other. And then, the Terrence Leather I saw during their match vs Ginebra, was the same Terrence Leather I am seeing now. It's as if he would throw a fist on Jondan, the latter step back and the referee stops the commosion. But, Leather is unstoppable, he even throwed the ball with a bang on Jondan's face. Ouch!!! The attitude of Leather made him ejected of the game, having called for a 2 technical foul. The same reason why he was out of the playing court vs Ginebra.

On the lighter side, for a laugh, here comes James Yap. While Ali Peek tries to stop Leather, King James sneeked a knee on Leather's leg. Making Leather run after him. And like a kid, literally, a kid, he ran away from Leather. The number of times the brawl was replayed, that's the number of times me and my brother laughed. Then, the next thing you saw, everyone's on the court. Oh well, for you to picture out what I've been trying to draw here, I've attached the video of the Royal Rumble, I mean, the PBA game. :)

As a result, 2 Technical Fouls was called against Leather, and 1 each for Peek, Salvador, J. Yap, Villanueva, and Sanz. Aside from the personal foul that lit up the rumble. Raining Technical Fouls. Earlier in the first half, Coach Ryan Gregorio was called for a technical foul as well.

I just thought that with Leather ejected, the TJ Giants would gain the momentum, and finish the quarter with a win. But I was so, so, so disappointed. The giants are not playing as a team, they are playing individually. A couple of offensive fouls were even called against them, PJ Simon having 2, if I remembered it right.

Less than 2 minutes left, I was hoping that a T-Mac hands would come in the hands of J. Yap. That with a double digit deficit, a back-to-back 3s could still bring them for the win. But, it's impossible. (sad)

Final score was 98-83, with Cardona as the Best Player of the Game.