PBA Semifinals 2018:

Alaska KOs Meralco, enters Finals anew

November 17, 2018 – Cuneta Astrodome

PBA Semifinals News 2018: Alaska Aces knocked out the Meralco Bolts, 99-92 to enter the Finals of the 2018 PBA Governors’ Cup this Saturday at the Cuneta Astrodome. Reinforcement Mike Harris starred for Alaska with his 27 buckets and 14 rebounds, while JVee Casio made 14 points.

Notes:

➤ It was an all-around team effort for the Aces as Vic Manuel, Jeron Teng, and Kevin Racal all made 10 buckets apiece. Alaska is poised to reenter the PBA Finals after missing the cut for two years straight.

➤ Import Allen Durham powered the Bolts with his 31 points and 14 rebounds but fell short of leading them to a third straight Governors’ Cup championship appearance. Veteran Reynel Hugnatan also added 13 markers for Meralco.

Alaska and Magnolia will battle for Game 1 of the best-of-seven PBA Finals series on December 5.

Game Scores:
Quarters: 21-28, 47-48, 68-60, 99-92.

alaska: 99

Harris 27, Casio 14, Manuel 10, Teng 10, Racal 10, Banchero 9, Enciso 7, Baclao 4, Thoss 4, Pascual 4, Potts 0, Exciminiano 0.

meralco: 92

Durham 31, Hugnatan 13, Newsome 12, Amer 10, Salva 10, Lanete 7, Caram 7, Hodge 2, Tolomia 0, Faundo 0, Canaleta 0, Dillinger 0.

Posted on November 17, 2018 - Cuneta Astrodome

Written by Rock Punzalan for Philippine Basketball News Team

PBA Semifinals 2018:

Magnolia boots out Ginebra, 112-108

November 16, 2018 – Ynares Center

PBA Semifinals News 2018: Magnolia Hotshots booted out Barangay Ginebra, 112-108 to book a Finals ticket in the 2018 PBA Governors’ Cup this Friday at the Ynares Center. Import Romeo Travis bucked a hamstring injury to lead the Hotshots with 50 points and 13 boards, while Ian Sangalang made 14 points and 6 rebounds.

Notes:

➤ With 10 ticks remaining in regulation, both Scottie Thompson and Joe Devance miffed their clutch trey attempts and failed to salvage Ginebra in crunch time. The Gin Kings were effectively eliminated from campaigning for a third straight title this season.

Justin Brownlee backstopped the losing Gin Kings with 32 points, 9 caroms and 7 dimes, while Japeth Aguilar chipped-in 25 buckets and 14 rebounds.

Magnolia will get a long rest as they await the other finalist between the Meralco Bolts and the Alaska Aces, who will battle in Game 4 of their semifinals series on Saturday, November 17, at the Cuneta Astrodome.

Game Scores:
Quarters: 20-27, 51-53, 81-79, 112-108.

magnolia: 112

Travis 50, Sangalang 14, Lee 11, Jalalon 9, Barroca 8, Herndon 8, Simon 6, Dela Rosa 4, Reavis 2, Brondial 0, Melton 0.

ginebra: 108

Brownlee 32, Aguilar 25, Tenorio 12, Thompson 12, Devance 11, Slaughter 7, Mercado 5, Mariano 2, Chan 2, Ferrer 0.

Posted on November 16, 2018 - Ynares Center

Written by Rock Punzalan for Philippine Basketball News Team

PBA Semifinals 2018:

Alaska stops Meralco, 104-102

PBA Semifinals 2018: Alaska stops Meralco, 104-102

November 15, 2018 – Cuneta Astrodome

PBA Semifinals 2018: Alaska Aces stopped Meralco Bolts, 104-102 to lead 2-1 in Game 3 of their Semifinals tiff in the 2018 PBA Governors’ Cup this Thursday at the Cuneta Astrodome. Import Mike Harris powered the Aces with his double-double of 31 markers, 24 boards, and 7 dimes. Simon Enciso and Chris Banchero also made waves by scoring 17 buckets each respectively.

Notes:

➤ The Aces survived the potential game-winners from import Allen Durham who missed an uncontested layup, and Reynel Hugnatan who botched a put-back with the Aces leading 103-102 before the end of regulation.

Alaska shot marginally better than Meralco from the trey territory, making 10 of 23 treys at 43%, against the Bolts 8 of 24 total (33%). Alaska also had better opportunities at the charity lane, converting 22 of 24 foul throws (91%), to Meralco’s 12 of 19 freebies at 63% free-throws total.

 Durham had a monstrous 37 points, 13 caroms, and 8 assists performance, but it was not enough as the Bolts have now lost twice in a row to the Aces. Meanwhile, power veteran Hugnatan also finished with 19 points and 5 rebounds.

➤ The Bolts and the Aces will resume battle for Game 4 of their Semis showdown on Saturday, November 16 at the Cuneta Astrodome.

Game Scores:
Quarters: 25-22, 47-53, 75-74, 104-102.

alaska: 104

Harris 31, Banchero 17, Enciso 17, Baclao 11, Manuel 8, Casio 7, Thoss 6, Cruz 4, Racal 3, Potts 0, Exciminiano 0.

meralco: 102

Durham 37, Hugnatan 19, Newsome 18, Amer 11, Faundo 4, Caram 4, Lanete 3, Salva 3, Dillinger 3, Tolomia 0, Canaleta 0.

Posted on November 16, 2018 - Cuneta Astrodome

Written by Rock Punzalan for Philippine Basketball News Team

PBA Semifinals 2018:

Ginebra stays alive, decks Magnolia, 107-103

November 14, 2018 – Araneta Coliseum

PBA Semifinals News 2018: Barangay Ginebra stayed alive, after defeating the Magnolia Hotshots, 107-103 in Game 3 of their 2018 PBA Governors’ Cup Semifinals tiff this Wednesday at the Araneta Coliseum. Star import Justin Brownlee wowed with career-high 46 points and 19 boards for Ginebra.

Notes:

LA Tenorio finished with 14 points and 5 rebounds. He also shot the clutch floater off Paul Lee’s turnover, with 14 seconds left to lift the Gin Kings, 105-103.

Scottie Thompson also added 15 buckets and 7 caroms, while Japeth Aguilar finished with 11 markers and 7 rebounds.

Ginebra bucked an 18 point Magnolia half-time lead and survived another day in their Semifinals series. Magnolia led the Gin Kings in most of the game stats, but Ginebra outpaced the Hotshots in charities, hitting 32 of 45 foul throws at 71 percent, compared to Magnolia’s 11 of 18 free-throw shots made at 61%. 11/18 (61%).

Mark Barroca led the Hotshots with 19 points and 5 rebounds, while Lee made 17 points. Import Romeo Travis was the missing link for Magnolia, who managed to register only 12 points and 12 boards total.

Magnolia is still leading the series at 2-1, and Barangay is in a must-win situation in their upcoming face-off this Friday, November 16 for Game 4 of their Semifinals showdown at the Ynares Center.

Game Scores:
Quarters: 23-22, 41-58, 79-81, 107-103.

ginebra: 107

Brownlee 46, Thompson 15, Tenorio 14, Aguilar 11, Devance 8, Chan 5, Slaughter 3, Mercado 3, Caperal 0, Ferrer 0.

magnolia: 103

Barroca 19, Lee 17, Sangalang 16, Travis 12, Brondial 10, Jalalon 10, Dela Rosa 8, Simon 5, Reavis 3, Melton 3, Herndon 0, Gamalinda 0.

Posted on November 15, 2018 - Araneta Coliseum

Written by Rock Punzalan for Philippine Basketball News Team

PBA Semifinals 2018:

Alaska freezes Meralco, 100-95

November 13 – Mall of Asia Arena

PBA Semifinals 2018: Alaska Aces froze the Meralco Bolts, 100-95 to level their Semifinals series to 1-1 in the 2018 PBA Governors’ Cup this Tuesday at the Mall of Asia Arena. Import Mike Harris posted monstrous numbers for the Aces with his double-double of 37 markers and 19 boards, while Simon Enciso uncorked 23 buckets with 15 coming from three-point bombs.

Notes:

➤ Ace guard Chris Banchero also registered 13 points, 11 caroms and 8 dimes while post-operators Vic Manuel and Noy Baclao contributed 7 and 6 points apiece.

➤ The Aces effectively halted the Meralco onslaught as the defeat was only the first loss of the Bolts for the month.

➤ Alaska had impeccable free-throw shooting, with 20 of 21 charities made (95%) compared to the Bolts 13 of 19 (68%). They also outrebounded Meralco, hauling 48 caroms compared to 35 total.

➤ Meanwhile, reinforcement Allen Durham powered the defeated Bolts with 24 baskets, 12 dishes and 9 boards while Nico Salva also added 20 points.

Alaska and Meralco will resume hostilities for Game 3 of their Best-of-Five series showdown this Thursday, November 14 at the Cuneta Astrodome.

Game Scores:
Quarters: 23-21, 47-40, 74-60, 100-95.

alaska: 100

Harris 37, Enciso 23, Banchero 13, Manuel 7, Baclao 6, Racal 5, Casio 4, Exciminiano 3, Teng 2, Thoss 0.

meralco: 95

Durham 24, Salva 20, Amer 14, Hugnatan 12, Tolomia 10, Newsome 6, Caram 4, Canaleta 3, Faundo 2, Ballesteros 0, Dillinger 0.

Posted on November 14 - Mall of Asia Arena

Written by Rock Punzalan for Philippine Basketball News Team

PBA Semifinals 2018:

Magnolia halts Ginebra, 101-97

November 12, 2018 – Araneta Coliseum

PBA Semifinals News 2018: Magnolia Hotshots halted Barangay Ginebra, 101-97 to surge ahead to a 2-0 lead of their Semifinals showdown in the 2018 PBA Governors’ Cup this Monday at the Araneta Coliseum. Reinforcement Romeo Travis led the Hotshots anew with his 25 buckets, 12 caroms, and 7 dimes, while Ian Sangalang added 17 markers.

Notes:

Paul Lee also contributed 14 points as well as Rome dela Rosa who made 11 buckets for Magnolia.

Magnolia had better command and defense of the court, making 26 assists total against 19 by Ginebra. They also stole the ball 10 times opposed to the Gin Kings 6 steals, resulting to 23 Ginebra turnovers total.

➤ Coach Tim Cone of Ginebra was ejected in the third quarter after incurring two technical fouls.

➤ Import Justin Brownlee made 31 buckets, 12 boards and 7 assists for the Gin Kings, while LA Tenorio and Japeth Aguilar chipped-in 15 markers apiece.

Ginebra will need to win their next face-off with Magnolia on Wednesday, November 14 at the Araneta Coliseum to keep their hopes alive in the Best-of-Five Semis series.

Game Scores:
Quarters: 21-18, 47-46, 75-68, 101-97.

NLEX: 101

Travis 25, Sangalang 17, Lee 14, Dela Rosa 11, Barroca 9, Jalalon 8, Reavis 6, Simon 5, Melton 5, Herndon 1.

ALASKA: 97

Brownlee 31, Aguilar 15, Tenorio 15, Slaughter 14, Mercado 7, Thompson 7, Mariano 4, Caguioa 2, Chan 2, Ferrer 0.

Posted on November 13, 2018 - Araneta Coliseum

Written by Rock Punzalan for Philippine Basketball News Team

PBA Semifinals 2018:

PBA Semifinals 2018: Magnolia frustrates Ginebra, 106-98

November 10, 2018 – Ynares Center

PBA Semifinals News 2018: Magnolia Hotshots frustrated Barangay Ginebra, 106-98 to win Game 1 of their 2018 PBA Governors’ Cup Semifinals showdown at the Ynares Center this Saturday. Import Romeo Travis waxed hot for the Hotshots with his 37 buckets and 16 boards, while star guard Paul Lee registered 27 markers.

Notes:

Magnolia manageably stayed ahead of Ginebra for most of the 2nd half, until the Gin Kings got to within two points, 93-91 with 1:57 seconds remaining. However, Lee showed his clutch arsenal as he dropped a trey and an ‘and-one’ in succession to push the Hotshots ahead 106-96, with 56 seconds left in the ballgame.

➤ Overall, the Hotshots shot better from the three-point territory with 10 of 28 treys total (35%), against Ginebra’s 7 of 25 three-point shots (28%).

➤ Import Justin Brownlee backstopped the defeated Barangay with 37 points, 14 caroms, and 8 dimes while high flyer Japeth Aguilar mustered 18 points and 6 boards.

➤ Ginebra and Magnolia will resume hostilities on Monday, November 12 at Araneta Coliseum for Game 2 of their Semis matchup.

Game Scores:
Quarters: 31-39, 63-55, 86-76, 106-98.

magnolia: 106

Travis 37, Lee 27, Melton 11, Sangalang 7, Dela Rosa 6, Barroca 6, Jalalon 5, Pascual 4, Herndon 3, Reavis 0, Brondial 0.

ginebra: 98

Brownlee 37, Aguilar 18, Tenorio 13, Slaughter 8, Thompson 7, Chan 5, Ferrer 4, Mariano 4, Mercado 2.

Posted on November 11, 2018 - Ynares Center

Written by Rock Punzalan for Philippine Basketball News Team

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