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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A Basketball Standpoint: What has Rain or Shine been doing right this conference?

There is a saying that the early bird catches the worm and ROS, amongst the other teams left for contention in the finals has their faith in their hands having 2 more games left as of this writing. There is no surprise to what they had pull through this conference, what have they done right?

JAMELLE CORNLEY coming in early
The ROS Import has been with them since early May, enough to gain enough familiarity with the team in the short tournament like the Governors Cup. Probably the #1 contender for the Best Player of the Conference Award, Jamelle is here to steer ROS to it's first finals appearance or probably, their first championship.

ANGAS ng TONDO Paul Lee and his Rookie of the Year -like Performance
The Season Awards may not be in but for me, Paul Lee is the perfect fit for Rookie of the Year. He blended well with his ROS counterparts who are seasoned veterans in the league as well as the players had treated Paul not just as a rookie but a veteran by trusting him in making plays and becoming the floor general of the team.

Extra-Rice Brothers of Destruction improved 3-pt shooting.
Rain or Shine's Extra-Rice Brothers of Destruction Beau Belga and J.R. Quinahan has definitely improved their three-point shooting and when they start catching fire, they shoot lights out so beware of the two.

Yeng Guiao's vast coaching experience
Early preparation allowed ROS Coach Yeng Guiao to prepare his wards for the Governors Cup, coming off a dismal Commissioner's Cup with a 3-6 standing, he has continuously molded the game of his players by letting them know their roles off the court.

Players letting one another SHINE
There is no constant game hero for ROS, some games it can be Norwood, Arana, Lee or even the likes of Belga who had been shooting lights out. They know who is hot when they see it and since the team is a mixture of veteran, young guns, role players and stars, they give each other an opportunity to shine.

How far can the Elasto Painters go this 2012 Governors Cup? It is us to wait and see ;)

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3rd Member of the Semifinals named: Rain or Shine beats Ginebra

Rain or Shine Elasto Painters gives their Head Coach Yeng Guiao a Christmas gift by winning the game today (December 21) by beating Ginebra Gin Kings, 106-91 to arrange a Semifinals meet with the Powerade Tigers. 

Jeff Chan led the Elasto Painters with 22 points, while Ginebra Kings was lead by Mike Cortez with 17.

With Ginebra's early elimination, the biggest question is will Jayjay Helterbrand retire? It was recalled that "The Fast" only signed 1 conference contract with the Gin Kings and as of this writing, We don't know if he's still going to come back next conference. 

THE SCORES: 

RAIN OR SHINE 106 - Chan 22, Buenafe 13, Matias 12, Belga 12, Arana 11, Norwood 9, Quinahan 9, Lee 8, Rodriguez 6, Cruz 4, Tang 0.

GINEBRA 91 - Cortez 17, Canaleta 13, Intal 12, Caguioa 11, Mamaril 10, Labagala 8, Villanueva 8, W. Wilson 6, Helterbrand 6, Tubid 0.

Quarters: 41-24, 58-37, 78-61, 106-91

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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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