Guiao Believes ROS Will make Phl Cup Finals

Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao is convinced his team has what it takes to beat Powerade in their PBA Philippine Cup best-of-seven semifinal showdown beginning Jan. 4 at the Cuneta Astrodome.

“I feel really good the way we’re playing. I think we can take on Powerade in a seven-game series,” said Guiao.

Guiao and his Elasto Painters have good reasons to be optimistic, on top of these was their swashbuckling ride spiked by their two-game sweep of the Barangay Ginebra Kings in their quarterfinals match-up.

The Elasto Painters are indeed upbeat and confident but will not throw caution in the air.

“You have to respect what Powerade has achieved. They’re peaking at the right time and we have to address their strength at the point guard and the wing positions,” said Guiao, not foolish to take the Tigers lightly.

The veteran bench chieftain stressed the Tigers can be very dangerous if not handled well.

He’s well aware of what Gary David can do. What makes him comfortable is having at his disposal defensive stoppers to throw at the Powerade hotshot.

“We have tall and quick players to match up with David,” said Guiao, referring to 6-foot-4 Gabe Norwood, 6-foot-1 guards Ryan Arana and Jireh Ibañez.

The RoS wing defenders did a good job on David, holding him down to 14 points as the Elasto Painters tamed the Tigers, 96-93, in their elimination-round meeting last Oct. 9.

Guiao believes his team can fare as well in the other match-ups.

Overall, Guiao is comfortable with the thought that the Elasto Painters have evolved to a fighting unit that can make the finals.

“It’s gratifying to see the team transform and acquire the toughness to perform at this level. The guys have settled down to embracing our system the same way the old Red Bull team embraced our system and team philosophy. Everyone is equal and there are no superstars,” said Guiao.

Rookie Paul Lee, Jeff Chan, JR Quinahan and Norwood are among the team’s lead lights, all four being in the top 24 in the league's stats race.

Chan leads the team in scoring with 15.5 points a game, Lee paces the squad in assists (4.5) and in steals (0.9), Quinahan is tops in rebounds (6.4) and in blocks (1.3) while Norwood has solid all-around norms of 7.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 0.9 steal and 0.4 block.

The team also boasts of the inside presence of Beau Belga, Larry Rodriguez and Jervy Cruz and the backcourt contribution of TY Tang.(pr)

PBA D-League Playoff Chase Resumes January 3

The chase for playoff berths in the season-opening Philippine Basketball Association D-League Aspirants' Cup resumes in earnest on January 3 with nine of the eleven competing teams still in contention for post-elims berths.

Three of the teams - pace-setting Cebuana Lhuillier (8-1), Freego Jeans (6-2) and Big Chill (6-3) are sure to make it while NLEX (5-1) is also practically there.

The Gems and Road Warriors, finalists in the inuagural D-League tournament earlier this year, collide on January 12 with possibly one outright semifinals berth on the line with the loser probably battling the Jeans Makers for the other outright spot if current form holds up.

The Superchargers hope to lock on to the second twice-to-beat quarterfinals edge but if Blackwater (3-3), RnW Pacific Pipes (4-3) or Boracay Rum (4-4) catch fire in January, Big Chill may have to go through a playoff to get that lofty placing.

PC Gilmore (2-5) and CafeFrance (2-5) both have an outside shot of making the Top Six but may need to win their remaining games. DUB Unlimited (1-7) and Cobra Energy Drink (1-8) are out of contention but could play the spoilers' role in the final six playdates.

Cebuana Lhuillier has been sizzling behind the heady performances of forward Vic Manuel and guards Terrence Romeo and ex-pro Jai Reyes and hope to get Kevin Alas back for the stretch run after the Letran guard spent several weeks in the US on a training trip.

NLEX has the core of the SEA Games gold medal winning team in its fold, with six members of the Sinag Pilipinas team in its fold as well as San Sebastian's frontline but the loss of sniper Roland Pascual (ACL) means Garvo Lanete and Chris Ellis have to step up their games alongside RR Garcia, Calvin Abueva and Clifford Hodge.

Freego Jeans also lost a vital cog when back-up guard Jer4ick Canada opted to turn pro overseas, leaving a huge gap behind star playmaker Lester Alvarez in the team's rotation though they finally have standout wingman Alex Nuyles healthy again to join Eric Camson, Janus Lozada and Bacon Austria.

Dark horse Big Chill needs consistent performances from Fil-Ams Alex Mallari, Keith Jensen and Elliot Tan as well as local workhorses Raffy Peyes, Jopher Custodio and Jessie Collado to go further in the tournament.(pr)

STI CdO bags PCCL Mindanao title

http://www.mindanaotimes.net/sti-cdo-bags-pccl-mindanao-title/

Brgy.Agdao Davao downs Brgy.Dumlog Cebu, 96-78

CEBU City – Davao City’s Barangay Agdao played a well-rounded game as they caught the unprepared Barangay Dumlog of Talisay City of Cebu to move to the championship round of the 2011 Handy Fix Super League – National Barangay Championship National Finals held at the Capitol Parish Gym.

It was the quick ball movement, sheer determination, aggressiveness and outside shooting of the Davaoeños that pushed them to the Finals after handing Talisay City an emphatic 96-78 victory.

Talisay obviously had the size and height advantage over Davao but the Davaoueños came in ready for battle while the Cebuanos were lost in the game as they played no defense and with less intensity in offense.

As of press time yesterday, another Cebuano squad, Barangay Pajo of Lapu-Lapu City was also facing a tall order as they played against Manila’s finest team Barangay Bagumbayan of Taguig City in the other knockout game.

Agdao’s determination was apparent at the start of the game as they played solid defense and let their star player work early in the event presented by Magna Prime Distribution Corp. and organized by Evangelista Aquatics & Sports Management, Inc. (EASMII).

Deadly shooter Rhandelle Colina was as explosive as to the regional finals as he scored 21 points including five triples that helped the Davao squad to erect a 29-21 lead after the first quarter.

Talisay crept back into the action with former USPF Panthers Jordan Bardillas scored eight straight to move Dumlog within 28-32 but its lack in intensity in defense and its individual game failed to make matter as Agdao kept their heads afloat to keep the lead.

Despite seeing former USJ-R Jaguar Jemar de la Peña and UV Lancer Arvie Cabañero combining efforts in the third period, Dumlog could only trim the margin to three points 60-63 before Davao pushed hard in the final canto with the former SWU Cobras forward Janno Nuñez and Colina displaying an inside-outside theatrical acts that lead to Davao’s entry to the finals.

Agdao-Davao (96) – Colina 31, Nuñez 18, Cullados 8, Buaton 8, Pularca 8, Cañete 6, de la Peña 5, Moreno 4, Abillero 3, Patulot 3, Melgaso 2. Dumlog-Talisay (78) – Cabañero 15, de la Peña 14, Bardillas 14, Obeso 9, Tabay 7, Racaza 6, Bibiera 5, Labati 4, Hernando 2. Quarters:  29-21; 52-41; 71-64; 96-78.(pr)

Player of the Week: Big Game James

About a month a half ago, new B-Meg head coach Tim Cone was quoted to have said that James Yap will flourish in the triangle offense that he has long been preaching. It may have taken a while but that certainly is what is already happening right now at the Llamados’ camp.

The two-time MVP lived up to his “Big Game James” monicker, coming up with huge games for B-Meg this past week as the Llamados stretched their winning streak to three in the 2011-12 PBA Philippine Cup.

As a result, the PBA Press Corps has named him its Accel Player of the Week for the period November 7 to 13.

James Yap first sizzled with 25 points, 11 right in the opening period, as B-Meg exacted revenge on Meralco and former head coach Ryan Gregorio last Friday 95-79 at the Cuneta Astrodome. James added four rebounds, two assists and one shotblock while going 2-of-4 from three-point range as the Llamados got back at the Bolts who won their first meeting 84-78 last Oct. 15.

After just a two-day rest, James Yap followed it up with a 24-point effort last Sunday as the Llamados beat Cone’s former team, Alaska, for the second time in the conference 92-89 in double overtime last Sunday.

James again provided the initial spark with 10 points in the opening period. Then just when everybody thought fatigue had caught up with him as he came with just a combined six points in the final three quarters and in the first overtime, James exploded four eight markers in the second extra period, going 4-for-4 from the field as B-Meg, which was playing minus an injured PJ Simon, finished off the Aces.

“James has that unique ability to put his whole team on his back and carry them to victory. He can score and make tough shots against great defense and that is demoralizing for the opposing team,” said Cone, adding he knows that by heart.

“I know because I use to be against him, and I’m just glad I’m on his side now,” a happy Cone explained.

For his part, James Yap is only too glad the Llamados, who have upped their record to 5-4 from a dismal 2-4 start, are finally clicking and thriving under the new system of Cone.

“Masaya siyempre dahil nagbubunga na yung mga paghihirap namin.  Sana magtuloy-tuloy na,” said James of the team’s current success.

On his winning Player of the Week honors, he said, “Kung ito yung pruweba na makakapag-adjust na nga hindi lang ako kundi ang buong team sa triangle offense ni coach Tim sana mas mag-improve pa kami lalo. Pasalamat talaga ako kay coach Tim sa tiyaga niya sa pagturo sa amin ng triangle.”

James Yap beat teammate Kerby Raymundo and Petron Blaze stalwarts Arwind Santos and Alex Cabagnot for Player of the Week honors.(pr)

UBL kicks off Nov.19

United Basketball League starts on Nov.19.

2nd Trip Ko Phoenix Basketball Cup opens on Nov. 12

The future stars of basketball will seek to make their mark as the second season of Trip Ko Phoenix Fuels Basketball Cup opens on Saturday, November 12 at the Davao City Recreation Center (formerly Almendras Gym).

The Phoenix Cup, presented and organized by Phoenix Petroleum Philippines, is the first and only non-school based tournament for the youth in Davao City. Players 13-15 years old will see action in the Cup. 

From 500 who tried out, only 90 made it to the final list. The six teams are led by professional coaches for Cyclomax Titan, Cyclomax 4T, Zoelo Extreme, Zoelo Diesel, Accelerate Vega, and Accelerate Supreme.

Games will be held for five Saturdays starting on November 12. Semi-finals will be on December 10 and 11, while the Finals will be on Dec. 18. Games will start at 8 am to 1 pm every Saturday.

The 1^st Trip Ko Phoenix Fuels Basketball Cup wrapped up last August during the Kadayawan festival.