Barako Bull Energy won over Alaska Aces 103-90 for game 1 win

Even if their import finished the game scoreless, the Barako Bull went on to win 103-90 over the Alaska Aces to take game 1 of their best of three quarterfinals match.

With their import still adjusting, the veterans of the Barako Bull took charge, especially new acquisition Ronald Tubid which led the team with 24 points.

"He is not yet acclimatized to the system of play in the PBA," said Baculi of their Nigerian import.

"Making it harder for him is that these are the playoffs and playoffs in the PBA are tough. If you're not cut out for these you will not survive," added Baculi, baring they are still trying to bring back Rodney White, who averaged a conference leading 29.8 points, 13.2 rebounds, 5.8 assists in the five games he played here before being forced to attend to his ailing father back home.

Alaska played well on the first quarter which had them leading 27-17 but in the second quarter the Barako Bull veterans stepped to eventually grab a 1 point lead 48-47 leading the the halftime.

Danny Seigle who has been sidelined to injuries this conference, came off the bench to score 21 points and became the 34th and latest member of the 2,000 defensive rebounds club with six boards.

Alaska was led by Cyrus Baguio with 20 points and LA Tenorio with 19 points. But clearly needed the help of their import which only managed to score 11 points.

Barako Bull will go for the series win this Wednesday.

Alaska Has no Plans of Trading LA Tenorio

Rumors have been circulating around the net that Alaska is planning to trade star point guard LA Tenorio.

But the Alaska management is quick to react that LA Tenorio isn't going anywhere.

Alaska team manager Joaqui Trillo said the team's prized point guard is not on the trading block.

"He's very happy with us and we have no plans of trading him," said Trillo.

"Talks about Tenorio being put on a trading block are all rumors," added Trillo. "In fact, I've talked to La in one of our practices and joked with him that if ever he wants to be traded, isama niya ako"

Alaska so far has one minor addition to its roster and that is Nino Gelig. Gelig began his career with Talk N Text Tropang Texters from 2004 to 2006 and last played for the Welcoat Dragons from 2006 to 2008.

Time Cone Is Now The New B-MEG Llamados Head Coach

It's been a while since I updated this blog, and my last post was about Tim Cone retiring. Although there were rumors circulating in the net that Cone will end up coaching a SMC team preferably B-MEG the rumors fizzled out when Del Rosario was named acting head coach. Days passed and a new rumor came out again. This time Tim Cone will be back but not as a coach but as a consultant for B-MEG then after 1 conference he will assume the Head coach position from Del Rosario.

Then came the big surprise, I think B-MEG can't wait to have Tim Cone handle the Llamados as Tim Cone is now officially the new Head coach of the Llamados. Along with Tim Cone is his former players Johnny Abbarientos and Jeff Cariaso. Now its clear that the Llamados would use the triangle offense with Tim and his former players around not to mention Devance is also in the Llamados lineup.

Things look brighter now in the B-MEG's camp, with the Llamados almost having all of their injured players back, except for Jonas Villanueva and maybe Barroca if he will still be in the Gilas lineup.

Time Cone Retires: Joel Banal is Aces New Head Coach

Whoaaa, when I first saw PBA, Jawo was still playing, Ginebra was for me the Bad Boys of the PBA, I think purefoods at that time look like the glamour boys of basketball - as for Alaska, I always say to my self the team with the American coach, who always wear sleeves and ties.

There were many coaching change during those year's and Tim Cone remained as an Alaska coach for so long, and now HE'S RETIRING OR PLANNING TO RETIRE?

I first saw this in a newspaper. Tim Cone will no longer be the head coach of the Alaska Aces as he will retire soon. His retirement will be announced by Mr. Fred Uytengsu, the President of the Alaska Milk Corporation. The possible replacement of Cone will be coach Joel Banal who steered the Ateneo Blue Eagles to a championship in 2002.

Some of the Alaska fans doesn't want coach Tim to leave. They are saying that Alaska could no longer give the salary that Cone wants that's why he's leaving the team. But apparently, they are all wrong because Mr. Uytengsu said that it's about coaching fatigue. Here's what he said:

"Coaching fatigue. He wanted to do something different. Tim's assistant, Joel Banal, will replace him"

FATIGUE? All I know is if you loved your job, you wont even feel fatigue. But hey, that's just me.

B-Megs Derby Ace Kerby Raymundo will suit up against Alaska

A good news for B-Megs fans out there B-Megs captain is back!! Kerby Raymundo who has been sidelined by hip injury will be playing for B-Meg Derby Ace when they face up against Alaska.

"The doctors have given me the green light to play. I will definitely play on Sunday against Alaska," said Kerby Raymundo .

With injuries to Rico Maierhofer, Raffi Reavis and Don Allado. Kerby would really be a big help for the injury plague Llamados.

Alaska's LA Tenorio is PBA Player of the Week

With LA's performance in the past week, and giving Alaska a 2-0 start, earned him the honor's of Accel-PBA Press Corps Player of the Week. LA is the first to receive the award in this years Commissioner's Cup.

With his crucial play against the Gin Kings last week where in he had a triple, a steal, all in the final 4 seconds to help Alaska seal the win over Ginebra was more than enough to prove his the player of the week. Aside from averaging 18 points.

Cone must be really proud of his starting point guard.

AIR 21 PICKS BACLAO NO.1 IN THE PBA 2010 DRAFT

Well it came to a surprise for me last Sunday with Air 21 picking Nonoy Baclao as the top overall pick over Rabeh Al-Hussaini. Which in turn led to some report that because of that Rabeh was a little hurt. But I think it doesn't matter if you get to be the first pick or the last pick, as long as you get selected and get to play. Air 21 also get to pick on no 3 and selected Rey Guevarra.

The list of players drafted:

1. AIR 21 - Nonoy Baclao
2. AIR 21 - Rabeh Al-Hussaini
3. AIR 21 - Rey Guevarra
4. ALASKA ACES - Elmer Espiritu
5. RAIN OR SHINE - Josh Valmandingham
6. AIR 21 - Sean Michael Anthony
7. GINEBRA - John Wilson
8. GINEBRA - Jimbo Aquino
9. B-MEG - Narciso Llagas
10. MERALCO - Shawn Weinstein
11. MERALCO - Riego Gamalinda
12. GINEBRA - Robert Labagala
13. B-MEG - Val Acuna
14. MERALCO - Claiford Arao
15. RAIN OR SHINE - RJ Jazul
16. MERALCO - Khasim Mirza
17. BARAKO - John Hermida
18. POWERADE - Jose Reyes
19. POWERADE - PASSED
20. AIR 21 -PASSED
21. ALASKA - Marvin Hayes

IT'S ALASKA AGAINST THE BEERMEN FOR THE FIESTA CONFERENCE FINALS

Whoaaaa, my wish come true heheheh, I have posted before that I really wanted an Alaska SMB finals match, and bot it came true. I just see Alaska as the much better team to face a powerhouse SMB Beermen. After defeating a star studded TNT team last Wednesday 90-81 winning their series 4-3. They will go up this Friday against another star studded team the Beermen, the defending champion for the Fiesta Conference.

Diamon Sompson led the Aces with 21 points, 9 rebounds and 3 blocks. Which will be a good match against last year best import Gabe Freeman.

Can't wait this Friday for their match.....

San Miguel Beermen are back in the Fiesta Cup Finals

The Beermen are the first to enter the Fiesta Cup Finals and are set to defend their title, as they defeated the B-MEG Derby Ace 91-83. The Beermen also got their revenge against the Llamados who defeated the Beermen last on the All Filipino conference. The Beermen now will have to wait for their opponent as the Aces and Texters are all tied 3 games a piece and will battle it out this Wednesday.

Gabe Freeman had another monster game as usual, the reigning best import had 26 points and 22 rebounds. The Llamados were led by Tony Washam with 30 points and 12 rebounds.

Watching the game last night, I really wanted the Llamados to win not that I'm their fan but so that i can watch more basketball games this Wednesday hahaha. But I expect the Beermen to win this one, mainly because of their import Freeman and also the Llamados are without Kerby Raymundo, without Kerby the Llamados don't have an inside threat, that can draw double teams away from perimeter players such as James Yap and Washam. Don't feel bad Llamados fans, there is always the next season. As for the Beermen I hope they would go up against Alaska, Why???? I just don't like the Texter's especially last conference where they walk out of the game, what kind of player and coach gives up on the game, the HELL if the referees are blind as the bat or the call is not going their way. They just have to fight it out. So for me I would really prefer an Alaska vs SMB duel hehehehhehe.

PUREFOODS A WIN AWAY FROM WINNING THE TITLE

Purefoods can finish off the Alaska Aces this Wednesday and claim the All Filipino Title. Purefoods is showing us that defense is the key to winning games as it limit Alaska to an average of 81 points per games, Alaska only scored 78 in Sundays loss to the Giants 79-78. James Yap lead Purefoods again with 14 points while Willie Miller pace Alaska with 20 points. But the play that caught my attention was KG Canaleta's dunk in the baseline. Its been long since I saw Canaleta explode like that, ever since winning the past slam dunk title (which makes up for his bad decision in the late seconds where in he fired a long three with much time to consume).

History is against Alaska now as no team in the PBA has climb back from a 3-0 deficit in a best of seven battle to win the series.

PUREFOODS LEADS ALASKA 2-0 ON THE PBA FINALS

Just finish watching the game tonight and it was a thriller right to the end, with Purefoods winning 85-86. I don't have the exact statistic of the game this evening but ill try to inform you of what I can remember as of this moment. Purefoods came out strong early in the 1st quarter to take a 10 point lead 18-28 and sustained the lead at the end of the 1st half 39-48. At the start of the 3rd quarter Alaska started to pick things up, especially Willie Miller who took charge and scored most of his points in the 3rd quarter to overtake Purefoods 62-57. At the 4th quarter it looks like Alaska would tie the series as it stretched its lead to as high as 11 points but Purefoods main man James Yap just won't quit as he keeps Purefoods within striking distance. I think it was about on the last 1 minute or less that Purefoods took the lead courtesy of a James Yap free throw to make it 84-85 Purefoods. With seconds remaining and Alaska with the possession Joe De Vance drove of Rafi Reavis at the right baseline but failed to convert only to grab the rebound again and was fouled by Reavis with 5.7 seconds remaining i think. Joe De Vance miss his first free throw and sank the second one to tie the ball game at 85 all. Purefoods took the time out and in bounded the ball at the right side of their court. With 5.7 seconds Kerby Raymundo took the ball dribbled near the center of the 3 point line advance a little then took a fake shot sending Joe De Vance to the air then shoot over Joe De Vance but failing to hit the rim. But to the surprise to the Alaska, the referee called a foul on De Vance sending Raymundo to the line with 1.7 seconds remaining I think( im really not sure of the time). Raymundo sank the first one and purposely miss the second one with the ball being tapped by a Purefoods player (not sure who it was) out of bounds the time expired with Purefoods winning it by 1.

I hope i had informed you with the correct detail of the game. But after the game Alaska coach Tim Cone was furious about the last second call. Well its the break of the game and the referee made a judgment call on that one. Leading Purefoods in scoring was James Yap with 32 points going 4-6 beyond the arc and sinking 8-9 free throws. Tenorio leads Alaska with 19 points on 5-6 from the 3 point area. Good night everyone.

PUREFOODS TAKES GAME 1 OF PBA FINALS

I just got homes from work, turn on the TV and i made it just in time for the tip off for game 1 of the beast of 7 series between Alaska and Purefoods. And the game was indeed a battle of who can play better defense than the other, with Purefoods winning game 1 with a 81-77 score. Purefoods is the number team in defense while Alaska is number 2, which only shows that defense can win championship. I think the key to Purefoods winning last night was disrupting the offense of the Aces particularly with LA Tenorio, he only scored 8 points and dish out 4 assists and was in foul trouble and had to even exert more effort defensively guarding a much bigger James Yap, its just asking too much of you're best point guard. Alaska's big man Sonny Thoss was also held down to 9 points. As being the best in the league in defense Purefoods made the Aces shoot a low 36.1% shooting, Purefoods on the other hand hit a 45.7% clip.

Leading for Purefoods in scoring was James Yap with 24 points while Alaska was led by Willie Miller with 23 points. Game 2 will be on Friday February 26 at 7pm.

ALASKA ACES ARE IN THE FINALS

Alaska Milk is in the All Filipino finals. Well i didn't expect this to happen, well the 4-0 standing of their best of seven against Ginebra King. Although i knew that Alaska will win that series, because alaska have been a consistent team through out the elimination except for those couple of games on the end of the elimination round. I was expecting it to be 4-1 or 4-2 cause i know the kings are also that a strong team together with their sixth man the fans. But i think injuries to Menk and with Helterbrand and Caguioa coming off injuries, the Aces are just too much for the Kings.

Alaska won last night over Ginebra 102-95 . La Tenorio led the team with 20 points 10 assists and 2 steals while Ginebra was led by last year MVP Jayjay Helterbrand with 20 points 6 assists and 2 steals.

Alaska awaits the winner between the San Miguel Beer and Purefoods which is currently tied with 2 games apiece.

ALASKA MILK SIGN SAMIGUE EMAN

This was no surprise, Samigue Eman can't improve himself just by being a bench warmer, in San Miguel he simply can get enough playing time since the Beermen are loaded with plenty of superstar, in his position alone he will have to fight it out with the likes of Danny Ildefonso, Danny Seigle, Dorian Peña, Mick Pinissi, Jay Washington. So i think going to alaska might benefit him.

Alaska Milk signed Eman to a 3 year contract worth 11 million pesos, which gives the Aces a potent triple tower combination, with Joe Devance, and Sonny Thoss. (looks familiar? much like the dreaded triple tower of the Lakers Gasol, Bynum and Odom).

I just hope Eman will have more playing time with Alaska although its impossible for him to play in this conference which is already in the semis phase, but maybe in the next conference. And wish he can improve in his game. I saw him play before when he was still in college at Davao, at he was a sore to watch, people sometimes would laugh cause here is a 6 foot 9 guy, who gets push around by other schools centers who are way smaller than him. But i know that he only lacks a good trainer and a coach that will guide him. Good Luck to you Eman hope you can make us Davaoeños proud.