PBA Commissioner's Cup 2013 Finals: Alaska sweeps Ginebra to get title # 14

Photo Credit: www.interaksyon.com

 

Alaska Aces managed to retain composure in closing out their Best of 5 title series 104-80 against crowd-favorite Barangay Ginebra San Miguel in their Game 3 Sunday night (May 19).

 

This was Alaska's 14th championship, first post-Tim Cone era under long-time Tim Cone protege, Luigi Trillo. Robert Dozier lead the Aces with 27 points and 20 rebounds, an inspired game from his Bobby Parks Best Import Award which was awarded to him before Game 3.

 

Alaska Owner Wilfred Uytengsu spoke during their finals festivities that he always had faith with Trillo, who has encountered a lot of set-backs especially coming in after Joel Banal.

 

Their finals bonus? A trip to Disneyland in California, that is according to their team owner, who is planning to do so at the end of the month.

 

The scores:

ALASKA 104 - Dozier 27, Abueva 22, Casio 18, Thoss 13, Baguio 7, Jazul 6, Hontiveros 5, Reys 3, Espinas 2, Belasco 1, Ramos 0, Eman 0, Bugia 0, Laure 0, Dela Cruz 0.

GINEBRA 80 - Tenorio 18, Ellis 14, Macklin 12, Caguioa 12, Helterbrand 11, Baracael 5, Raymundo 4, Urbiztondo 2, Mamaril 2, Taha 0, Labagala 0, Espiritu 0, Hatfield 0.

Quarters: 23-20, 44-48, 71-72, 104-80

 

 

 

 



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Tenorio & Dozier are Commissioner's Cup Awardees

What can be more fitting for the PBA Commissioner's Cup Awardees than to have the Best Local Players and Best Imports competing for the Best Player of the Conference and the Bobby Parks Best Import Award.

LA Tenorio of the Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings finished with the highest statistical point total of 480 points, Calvin Abueva finished with an SP average of 28.5 points riding on the 150 points game winning bonus from his team who finished on top of the standings during the eliminations.

The rest of the candidates for the Best Player of the Conference awards are: GlobalPort’s Gary David came in third with 26.0 an outing, another Alaska player Jayvee Casio (25.4) and Philippine Cup BPC winner Jayson Castro of the Talk and Text Tropang Texters (25.2).

The Bobby Parks Best Import Award could only be won by Robert Dozier of the Alaska Aces and Vernon Macklin of Ginebra. Eric Dawson of the Meralco Bolts finished on top of the Best Import SPs at 53.9

If Tenorio is to win the BPC award, he will add it to his other titles: 2010 Most Improved Player award, 2010 Mythical First Team citation, 2010 Fiesta Conference Finals co-MVP honors and the 2010 Williams Jones Cup MVP trophy.

Abueva meanwhile will follow Eric Menk and Danny Seigle to be the rookie to win BPC honors.

Eric won the award in the Philippine Cup while Danny won the award in the Governors Cup, Danny went on to win the Rookie of the Year award at the end of the season.

The Tenorio-Abueva & Dozier-Macklin award showdown is just a part of tomorrow's Game 3 event: Will Alaska go for the sweep or will the never-say-die attitude of Ginebra prevail to fight another game.

 

UPDATE: LA Tenorio was awarded as the Best Player of the Conference and Robert Dozier was the Best Import.

Photo Credit: Nuki Sabio/PBA [pba.inquirer.net]

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PBA Friday Recap: Coffee Mixers, Aces tie Semifinals Series

James Yap had its personal high of 34 points to help the San Mig Coffee Mixers tie the series against the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters by beating them 106-82.

It was an off-shooting for almost everyone in the Elasto Painters bench, they were just led by Rodriguez and Quinahan with 12 points, which made Coach Yeng Guiao quipped that it seemed that his team talked about not playing well come Game 2.

The scores:
SAN MIG COFFEE 106 - Yap 34, Barroca 17, Devance 17, Simon 13, Pingris 9, Gonzales 6, Reavis 4, Ramos 3, De Ocampo 3, Pacana 0.
RAIN OR SHINE 82 – Rodriguez 12, Quinahan 12, Chan 10, Cruz 9, Belga 9, Lee 7, Matias 7, Ibanes 7, Arana 5, Norwood 2, Tang 2, Tiu 0.
Quarterscores: 18-27, 38-40, 75-62, 106-82

As of this writing, Alaska ties the series against Talk and Text 100-88 behind the monster game from the beast, Calvin Abueva. 

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PBA Wednesday: Best of Three Game 1 Results

Main Matchup between two hotshot rookies, Cliff Hodge (#4) and Calvin Abueva, a leading BPC candidate (#2)

Playoff Picture as it starts today (December 12)

Wednesday, December 12, 2012 is the start of the PBA Quarterfinal Round featuring the no. 3 seeded Rain or Shine Elasto Painters versus the no. 6 Barangay Ginebra San Miguel and the no. 4 seeded Meralco Bolts versus the no. 5 seeded Alaska Aces. Both games would be played in a Best-of-Three Series.

Expected to lead Rain or Shine is the comebacking Paul Lee together with the Extra Rice Inc. while Ginebra would be bannered by reigning MVP Mark Caguioa, the up and coming rookie Chris Ellis  and of course, the Barangay Big Dome (whenever Ginebra is playing).

The Meralco Bolts and Alaska Aces series is equally interesting as the first game as two hotshot rookies are expected to duel it out, Cliff Hodge of the Bolts would go along with Calvin Abueva of the Aces. Meralco is bannered by Solomon Mercado, Reynel Hugnatan, Mac Cardona and Ronjay Buenafe while Alaska's main guns are Jvee Casio, Cyrus Baguio and Sonny Thoss/

1st Game: Rain or Shine Elasto Painters vs. Barangay Ginebra San Miguel (No. 3 vs. No. 6) ROS takes Game 1 (82-65)

Despite a low performance from Jeff Chan, the Rain or Shine bench stepped up lead by Jervy Cruz with 14 points and limited the performance of reigning MVP Mark Caguioa and court general LA Tenorio.

The scores:

RAIN OR SHINE 82 - Cruz 14, Lee 11, Belga 11, Matias 9, Norwood 8, Rodriguez 8, Quinahan 8, Tiu 6, Tang 6, Chan 1, Uyloan 0, Jaime 0, Arana 0.

GINEBRA 65 - Caguioa 16, Jensen 13, Ellis 7, Tenorio 6, Hatfield 6, Maliksi 5, Espiritu 5, Helterbrand 3, Taha 2, Maierhofer 2, Labagala 0, Wilson 0, Mamaril 0, Wilson 0.

Quarters: 18-15, 39-29, 61-40, 82-65

2nd Game: Meralco Bolts vs. Alaska Aces (No. 4 vs. No. 5) Alaska takes Game 1 (90-84)

In a game where the Aces played lockdown defense, they have managed to caught the Bolts to just 33 points in the first half to take the 1st game of their best of three series, 90 - 84.

The scores:
ALASKA 90 – Baguio 26, Espinas 19, Dela Cruz 13, Thoss 10, Baracael 9, Abueva 6, Casio 5, Jazul 1, Hontiveros 1, Eman 0, Belasco 0.

MERALCO 84 – Mercado 22,Cardona 14, Reyes 13, Ross 9, Hodge 8, Buenafe 7, Hugnatan 5, Nabong 2, Bulawan 2, Sharma 2, Borboran 0, Salvacion 0.
Quarters: 18-20, 44-33, 74-58, 90-84


[Photo: PBA Infographic, PBA, AKTV]

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Did Rob Reyes get away with the penalty?

After meeting with the Commissioner, Rob Reyes was fined for P10,000 for hitting and taunting Alaska's top rookie Calvin Abueva.

Let the attached video speak for itself. No foul was called, but eventually PBA Commissioner Chito Salud upgraded the call to F1.

The sanction given to Reyes was for "trash-talking".

Earlier, The PBA office has already suspended Jimmy Mariano for missing the Reyes foul. Incidentally, Jimmy Mariano was a PBA Referee of the Year back in 2010-2011.

Be the judge, did Rob Reyes get away with a P10K penalty? Will this be a cause of concern for the Alaska franchise?

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A Review of the Philippine Cup Format

An inter-intra format clusters the Air21 Express, Meralco Bolts, Petron Blaze Boosters, Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings, and San Mig Coffee Mixers (formerly B-Meg) in Group A, and the Alaska Aces, Barako Bull Energy Cola, Global Port Batang Pier, Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, and the defending champion Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters in Group B.

Teams in each group will meet the other twice (10 games) and members of the other group once (4), completing the elimination phase. Fans will therefore be treated with the spectacle of crowd heavy Ginebra squaring off with Petron and San Mig Coffee twice while tangling with TNT, Alaska and Rain or Shine once and vice versa.

The top eight teams based on their cumulative win-loss records advance to the quarterfinals, while the 9th- and 10th-ranked teams get dropped from contention.

Rewarding the top two quarterfinalists with twice-to-beat advantage, QF1 has the No. 1 team battling No. 8 and No. 2 tangling with No. 7 in QF2.

A wringer awaits the four other qualifiers: No. 3 takes on No. 6 (QF3) and No. 4 faces No. 5 (QF4), both via best-of-three playoffs.

The four emerging playoff winners then move to the best-of-7 semifinal series under this matchup: QF1 winner vs. QF4 winner and QF2 winner vs. QF3 winner.

The championship series will also be a best-of-7 showdown.

Reposted: http://www.journal.com.ph/index.php/sports/38486-pba-unveils-format-for-philippine-cup

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Alaska Aces: Making everything fit

Alaska Aces Off-Season Moves proved wonders for them and they are now on a 5 game winning streak.

Alaska Aces is the hottest team in the ongoing PBA Philippine Cup, they ride 2nd in the team standings with 5 - 2 and are now on a  5 game winning streak. Their off-season acquisitions, as well as the improved play of their veterans are keys to what is now the reminiscent of the 1990's squad that we've all come to admired.

Some Off-Season Moves (and a Draft Pick) that has proven wonders for them:

Joseph Evans "JV" Casio

The former #1 pick of the 2011 PBA Draft has picked up his game just as he joined the Aces in a trade that sent their guard, LA Tenorio to the Ginebra San Miguel team. In Alaska's last 2 wins, JV was the Best Player of the Game and in their last game, he joins those notable players by scoring 10 pts in 58 seconds. I should note, I was at Araneta when Alaska Aces won over the streaking Talk and Text Tropang Texters 94-92 and the crowd was actually crazy everytime JV shoots the ball exuding

Calvin Abueva: The Rookie to Watch Out For

The former NCAA MVP Calvin Abueva has been showing his A game in his first few games as a part of the Aces. Before last game he was a double-double machine. I believe given more time he would be what Coach Luigi Trillo expects him to be. He's liable to make all those rookie mistakes, which would make him a better and a potent player.

(Though last night I was smiling seeing former Letran Coach Louie Alas instructing Abueva what to do)

Dondon Hontiveros

The Cebuano Hotshot may not score 20 points per outing all the time but his Veteran leadership definitely blended well with the Aces. When a team mate spots him for an open three, its deadly. :)

And now...

When you look back at how Luigi Trillo started with Alaska, there is definitely a lot of BASHING. However, when you look at today, fans are of all praises for Alaska's Head Coach Luigi Trillo. This blog recalls of giving Alaska a chance to improve, and it did. If there's a lesson you can definitely learn about basketball, you do not stop even if you fall. This is how Coach Trillo and the management had started their rebuilding phase. I believe success would be for this squad to happen.

Credits: Alaska Aces FB page and AKTV

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Calvin Abueva to rest for a week before joining the Aces

The Gatas Republic may have to wait for a week before seeing the reigning NCAA MVP in an Alaska Aces jersey despite his team being out for the NCAA Finals contention this year.

Calvin Abueva is going to take a week off to recharge after a grueling Final Four battle with the Letran Knights. He is expected to sign a 3 year contract (worth 8.7 million) which is the maximum pact for rookies.

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Calvin Abueva: Best NCAA College Player, Answer for Alaska?

He may be down to his last few games as a member of the San Sebastian Stags and he may be out for the running as MVP but Calvin Abueva is considered to be the best NCAA college player for this season.

After their win against San Beda. Calvin broke the record by leading the NCAA in points, rebounds and assists making Alaska fans think that Abueva is the solution to their problem.

Will Calvin be Alaska's answered prayer? Only time would tell.

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Remembering 0-28: Trillo gets first win as Alaska Coach against Barako

It was the 0-28 standing of Adamson Falcons that inspired Luigi Trillo the most.

As young as 22, Luigi Trillo was able to coach the Adamson Falcons (1999 to 2000) with a 0-28 showing, something that inspires him as he journeys as an Alaska Coach.

However, it didn't took him that long to get his first victory (Alaska won earlier against Barako)

Luigi Trillo maybe new to the pro league, but his experience as a UAAP, PBA D-League (he mentored Cebuana Lhullier where he was able to get great players) and as Tim Cone's assistant in Alaska helped his coaching strategies today.

And what can I say about Alaska? They are definitely under good guidance.

PBA Image: Nuki Sabio

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Luigi Trillo is Alaska's interim head coach

It all started with a rumor that Super Mario's partner would be the coach of a team that is ALA. Yes, it was formally announced Monday that Luigi Trillo is Alaska's interim head coach replacing Coach Joel Banal who left after the team has not made it to the Semifinals for the past 2 conferences.

Both Luigi Trillo and another Alaska deputy, Jojo Lastimosa were considered for this post.

Alaska Team Owner Wilfred Uytengsu went with Trillo, who had experienced coaching in PBA D-League and PBL. Meanwhile, Alaska Team Manager/Governor Joaqui Trillo inhibited from the final decision being Luigi's father.

Trillo would be reinstating the triangle offense. Alaska also announced the return of their import, Jason Forte for the third conference.

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4 Teams, 2 Games for the final leg of the Philippine Cup eliminations

Rain or Shine, Ginebra and Talk and Text have a chance to tightening up their hold in the team standings on the last elimination round play date of the 2011-2012 PBA Philippine Cup. 


At 4:15 pm, Rain or Shine takes on Alaska, though this is a no-bearing game for the Aces after being out for the QF, expect the wards of Alaska Head Coach Joel Banal to do their best to end their conference & 2011 with a bang. 


Rain or Shine would rely heavily on their prized rookie, Paul Lee, the "extra-rice" partners JR Quinahan and Beau Belga, Gabe Norwood and Ryan Arana. 


At 6:30 pm, crowd-favorites Barangay Ginebra battle the defending champions, Talk and Text Tropang Texters. With Ginebra locked at 4th, expect them to go all out against Chot Reyes' Tropa who already secured twice-to-beat advantage going to the Quarterfinals. Barangay Ginebra is lead by MC47, JC Intal, Billy Mamaril while Talk and Text would rely on Kelly Williams, Japeth Aguilar, Harvey Carey, Jimmy Alapag and their key reserves, after all, they are still the team to beat. 


Remember the 4 Scenarios? Let's see what would uphold as the day ends tomorrow. If you have the chance, do watch the games live at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum tomorrow, December 11 or at your TV sets (AKTV). 

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