Petron Blaze Boosters takes 3-1 lead over semifinal duel against Talk N Text Tropang Texters

Petron Blaze Boosters is now one win away from dethroning the defending champion Talk N Text Tropang Texters. Thanks to a impressive performance from the former two time MVP Danny Ildefonso.

Danny played like the MVP he was years ago, leading the Booster's with 22 points, with most of the points coming from dagger mid range shot in the final quarter.

Petron Blaze Booster again made a miraculous comeback erasing double digit lead from the Tropang Texters to pull off a 85-82 win for a 3-1 lead in their best of seven semifinal series in the 2011-2012 Philippine Cup.

Booster's rookie Chris Lutz contributed with 13 points, including two crucial free throws that gave Petron an 85-82 lead with 9.3 seconds left in the 4th quarter.

The Tropang Texters have two chances to tie the game and send it to overtime but misses from Ranidel de Ocampo and Jimmy Alapag from the three point cost them the game.

Ryan Reyes led the Texters with 17 points but would likely miss game five as he injured his wrist.

Game five will be on Friday (January 13, 2012) with the Boosters and the Texters playing in the second game at 7:30 pm.

Smart Gilas Pilipinas Won Over Syria 75-52 in the 2nd Round of the 26th FIBA Asia Championship

It was a shacky start for Smart Gilas Philippines in the first half, having trailed Syria by 9 points 23-32 at halftime. Mainly due to the foul trouble of Douthit. Things were different in the second half, as the Philippines put on the pressure as it won 75-52 to end its 2nd round in the 26th FIBA Asia Championship.

With its win the Smart Gilas Pilipinas is 2nd in its bracket, the Philippines will now face Chinese Taipei in the quarterfinals.

In a way, it was good that Smart Gilas Pilipinas were not able to show their usual form and true strength against Syria, with the Taiwanese - in full fource in the scouting gallery.

"I deliberately not put in that much Jimmy Alapag and Kelly Williams in the first half as I calculated some things. We missed lot of shots and it was good we're able to turn things around in the second half," said Smart Gilas coach Rajko Toroman.

"And it's now the deciding games. We're looking forward to play Chinese Taipei in the quarterfinals. We know it's not going to be easy but we're optimistic," Toroman also said.

The knockout quarterfinals are set on Friday.

TNT's Jimmy Alapag is the 2011 PBA MVP

There was no doubt Jimmy will be the winner in this years MVP, his team TNT has already won two titles and needed only to win this conference to gain the rare grandslam feat. I always considered Alapag as the heart-and-soul of the Tropang Texters, Alapag played a key role in getting the telecommunication franchise to where it is at the moment – a title removed from completing a historic Grand Slam.

Jimmy Alapag is only the fifth point guard to win the MVP trophy, Alapag said he never once thought of bagging the award ever since he learned the rudiments of the sport.

“Ever since I’ve been playing basketball, I’ve never gone before the start of the season working hard to win an MVP," said the player known as the `Mighty Mouse’. “It’s always about winning championships. If I ever was blessed, it was a huge honor.

Alapag compiled 1,888 points to bag the league’s highest individual title, winning over Santos, the Best Player of the Governors Cup (1,687) and Caguioa (1,317)

Congratulations to Jimmy and I hope they will get the Grand Slam feat.

Talk and Text is the Champion for this years PBA Philippine Cup

Watching the game you can feel that the TNT would surely win it, the way they played last night you can just see, they were the more determined team, they were hungrier, their execution was great and above all they are just full of energy.

The Talk and Text won 4-2 with a 95-82 game 6 win. To be the new Philippine Cup. Ryan Reyes and Jimmy Alapag lead the way for TNT with 17 and 15 points respectively. Jay Washington top score for the Beermen with 29 points.

At the start of the finals everyone was saying both teams are equals, with both of them having all star lineups and deep bench. But the way I see it, TNT was of a clear advantage from the start, yes both of them have star studded line up but TNT lineup was more athletic and much more younger than SMB. But for now Congratulations to TNT for a job well done.

PBA will take a short break and will resume on Feb 18 with teams parading imports with 6'4" in height.

Talk N Text takes game 5 to lead 3-2 in All Filipino Cup Finals

Talk n Text is now 1 win away to win the All Filipino Cup Finals with a 99-75 win in game 5 over SMB. TNT was led by Jimmy Alapag who scored 16 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds as TNT took a 3-2 lead.

SMB got close to within four in the third 59-55, but TNT outscored them 21-9 for a 74-64 lead going in to the final quarter.

The onslaught continued in the fourth as Fonacier hit 3 straight triples for a 96-72 lead for TNT, with 5:30 left to play.

Game 6 is on Friday.

Talk N Text wins game 2 to take a 2-0 lead

Unlike in game 1 were the SMB just ran out of gas in the final quarter, they where in the thick of things in the 4th. But even that was not enough, and now Talk N Text is up 2-0 winning game 2 110-102.

Talk N Text was ahead 42-40 at the end of the half before Fonacier, Alapag and de Ocampo made a 10-0 run to take a 52-42 lead. It seems that game 1 would repeat itself again for the Beermen but this time SMB was up to the challenge as they rallied behind Alex Cabagnot in an 18-7 rally to get close, 59-58, TNT finished the 3rd period was a 73-69 lead.

But in the 4th quarter, Jason Castro together with Jared Dillinger took over,a s they built a 12 point lead 91-79. Dillinger who had 11 of his 20 points in the 4th quarter was forced to sit out after committing his 5th foul but a 3 point play by de Ocampo got TNT ahead 97-84.

Talk N Text will gun for a 3-0 lead this Friday, while the Beermen will try to do the impossible - win four of the next five games to steal the crown.