PBA Finals 2018:

Ginebra crowned Champions, blasts SMB, 93-77

August 8, 2018 – SM MOA Arena

PBA Finals News 2018: Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings were crowned PBA Champions as they blasted the Ssn Miguel Beermen, 93-77, in the 2018 PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals this Friday evening at the SM MOA Arena. Justin Brownlee lifted the Gin Kings to the podium with his monstrous 31 points, 19 rebounds, 7 assists, 4 blocks and 2 steals, while “Gregzilla” Greg Slaughter also contributed 13 markers and 9 boards.

Notes:

Scottie Thompson who was named the Finals MVP of the Commissioner’s Cup, dropped 12 buckets, 13 caroms and 5 assists.

Junemar Fajardo led the dispirited Beermen with with his 29 goals, while temperamental import Renaldo Balkman hoarded 24 points. Balkman also hurt his ankle before the half ended.

Barangay Ginebra ended the Grand Slam hopes of SMB who won the last two PBA championships.

➤ The Gin Kings finished the Finals series at 4-2 slate.

➤ 20,490 fans crowded the SM MOA Arena

➤ Coach Tim Cone won his 21st PBA title overall, and 3rd as Ginebra coach.

Game Scores:
Quarters: 14-17, 35-38, 62-46, 93-77.

ginebra: 93

Brownlee 31, Slaughter 13, Thompson 12, Tenorio 11, Chan 10, Mercado 6, Ferrer 5, Devance 4, J. Aguilar 1.

san miguel: 77

Fajardo 29, Balkman 24, Heruela 11, Cabagnot 6, Santos 5, Pessumal 2, Ross 0, Lassiter 0, Rosser 0, Vigil 0, Standhardinger 0.

Posted August 9, 2018 - SM MOA Arena Pasay

Written by Rock Punzalan for Philippine Basketball News Team

PBA 2018:

Alaska trades Abueva to Phoenix for Dehesa

August 7, 2018 – Manila

PBA News 2018: The Alaska Aces has decided to sever ties with “The Beast” Calvin Abueva after six years and one championship title in the PBA. Abueva was traded to the Phoenix Petroleum Masters in exchange for fiery guard Karl Dehesa and a 2019 PBA first round draft pick.

Notes:

Abueva won one BPC – Best Player of the Conference award with the Aces and two First Mythical Team. He also bagged six All-Star Team stints with the Milkmen.

➤ Abueva was indefinitely suspended by Alaska due to frequent absence in practices and in one game. He was also not fielded during the Semifinal battle of the Aces against San Miguel where Calvin’s presence could have been a deciding factor.

➤ Calvin missed half of the elimination round and the entire playoffs run of the Aces in the Commissioner’s Cup.

➤The Milkmen drafted Abueva 2nd in the PBA Draft back in 2012 where Junemar Fajardo was the first draftee.

Alaska coach Alex Compton stated, “We would like to thank Calvin for his six years of service with Alaska and the good memories”.

 

Posted August 7, 2018 - Manila

Written by Rock Punzalan for Philippine Basketball News Team

Pilipinas Basketball:

SBP opts to rejoin Asiad 2018 amid public clamor

August 5, 2018 – Manila

Pilipinas Basketball News 2018: SBP or Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas opted to rejoin the Asian Games 2018 Basketball amid public clamor. Initially deciding to forego the quadrennial event due to multiple factors such as regrouping after the FIBA suspension, player availability and miscommunication on PBA teams lending of players, SBP had a change of heart and decided to send a national team instead.

Notes:

➤ As initially agreed upon, the nucleus of the team will have core players from PBA team Rain or Shine with the addition of some choice cagers from Coach Yeng Guiao.

Gilas Pilipinas will have ROS players such as Maverick Ahinmisi, Raymund Almazan, Chris Tiu, Beau Belga, Gabe Norwood and James Yap.

➤ Other PBA players requested by Guiao include San Miguel’s Christian Stanhardinger, Magnolia’s Paul Lee, GlobalPort’s Stanley Pringle, TNT’s Don Trollano, NLEX’s Asi Taulava and BlackWater’s Poy Erram.

➤ Also for consideration were Gilas Cadet players Kobe Paras and Ricci Rivero.

➤ Only Ahinmisi, Erram, Trollano and Pringle are players who had not represented the national team as a Pro player. Pringle, however, was part of the recent FIBA 3 on 3 tournament.

➤ It will be a second national tour of duty for Chris Tiu who was a member of Rajko Toroman’s Smart Gilas in his amateur days. James Yap, meanwhile, will have another crack at an international cage tournament as he was also a member of Guiao’s 2009 FIBA Asia squad.
Guiao will also be hard-pressed to better his 2009 FIBA Asia coaching stint after then Pilipinas Basketball team ended-up with a dismal 8th place in Tianjin.

Posted August 6, 2018 - Manila

Written by Rock Punzalan for Philippine Basketball News Team

PBA FInals 2018:

Ginebra defies San Miguel, 87-83, seizes Game 5

August 5, 2018 – Araneta Coliseum

PBA Finals 2018 News: Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings defied the San Miguel Beermen, 87-83, and seized Game 5 in the 2018 PBA Commissioner’s Cup this Sunday evening at the Araneta Coliseum. Scottie Thompson led the Gin Kings to a 3-2 lead with his magnificent double-double of 20 points and 11 rebounds on 7 of 12 field-goal clip, while Justin Brownlee also contributed 18 markers, 9 boards and 4 assists.

Notes:

Thompson also scored 6 straight clutch points with 1:07 remaining to lift Ginebra into victory.

LA Tenorio also contributed 15 buckets and 5 assists, while Greg Slaughter had a double-double of 13 points and 13 rebounds.

➤ Temperamental reinforcement Renaldo Balkman fought for the losing SMB with his 34 buckets and 20 caroms, while Junemar Fajardo also added 23 points and 11 rebounds.

Barangay Ginebra had four players in double figures. The Gin Kings shot 34 of 79 (43%FG) from the field while SMB had 33 of 87 (37%FG).

Ginebra may seek to end the series or San Miguel may win anew to set-up a do-or-die, when they battle each other once more in Game 6 this Wednesday at the SM MOA Arena.

Game Scores:
Quarters: 24-26, 40-40, 66-66, 87-83.

ginebra: 87

Thompson 20, Brownlee 18, Tenorio 15, Slaughter 13, Devance 8, Aguilar 8, Chan 15, Mercado 0, Cruz 0, Ferrer 0.

san miguel: 83

Balkman 34, Fajardo 23, Lassiter 13, Cabagnot 5, Ross 3, Standhardinger 3, Santos 2, Nabong 0.

Posted August 5, 2018 - Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City

Written by Rock Punzalan for Philippine Basketball News Team

PBA Finals 2018:

San Miguel pulverizes Ginebra, evens series 1-1

July 29, 2018 – Araneta Coliseum

PBA Finals 2018 News: San Miguel Bermen pulverized Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings to even their series to 1-1, 134-109 in the 2018 PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals this Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum. Alex Cabagnot waxed hot for SMB and dropped 33 explosive points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals. Junemar Fajardo also added 25 markers and 8 boards.

Notes:

➤ Five Beermen scored 20 points and more with Marcio Lassiter, Renaldo Balkman and Christian Stanhardinger also scoring 20 points each.

Justin Brownlee again led Ginebra with 29 buckets, 6 rebounds and 5 assists, while Joe Devance and Scottie Thompson also contributed 16 points each respectively.

San Miguel effectively avenged their 28-point Game 1 loss to Barangay Ginebra and answered back with their own 25 points lopsided victory this time around.

➤15,000 fans were in attendance for the game.

Ginebra and San Miguel will meet again for Game 3 this Wednesday, August 1 at the Araneta Coliseum.

Game Scores:
Quarters: 34-23, 75-46, 99-79, 134-109.

san miguel: 134

Cabagnot 33, Fajardo 25, Lassiter 20, Balkman 20, Standhardinger 20, Santos 14, Mamaril 2, Ross 0, Lanete 0, Ganuelas-Rosser 0, Pessumal 0, Vigil 0.

ginebra: 109

Brownlee 29, Devance 16, Thompson 16, Slaughter 15, Tenorio 13, Mercado 11, Chan 4, R. Aguilar 2, Manuel 2, J. Aguilar 1, Ferrer 0, Caguioa 0, Cruz 0, Caperal 0, Mariano 0, Jamito 0.

July 29, 2018 - Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City

Written by Rock Punzalan for Philippine Basketball News Team

PBA Finals 2018:

Ginebra scores first blood, smites SMB, 127-99

July 27, 2018 – Araneta Coliseum

PBA Finals 2018 News: Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings scored first blood as it smote San Miguel Beermen, 127-99, in Game 1 of the 2018 PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals this rainy Friday at the Araneta Coliseum. Justin Brownlee donned his superman cape anew as he powered the Gin Kings with his 42 points, 9 assists and 7 rebounds, while Joe Devance also contributed 20 markers, 4 assists and 3 rebounds.

Notes:

➤ Brownlee also hauled 17 of 19 in field goals made.

Renaldo Balkman fought for the losing SMB with his 27 buckets, 13 boards and 2 blocks, while Christian Stanhardinger also added 26 points.

➤ Both gigantic centers of the rival teams nullified their presence as San Miguel’s Junemar Fajardo was limited to only 13 buckets and 12 boards, while Ginebra big man Greg Slaughter added 11 points

Barangay Ginebra had five players in double figures.

Ginebra netted 35 points in the first canto – courtesy of Brownlee’s 18 – to cushion by 15 at the beginning of the 2nd quarter. The start of the second half also saw the Gin Kings pummel SMB with a 19 point lead and they never looked back.

➤ The Gin Kings made 51 of 83 shots for a 61.4% field goal percentage, and dropped in 13 of 25 three-point bombs for a 52% clip. Meanwhile, the Beermen shot only 39% from the field.

Ginebra will again battle the San Miguel Beermen this Sunday, July 29 for Finals Game 2 at the same venue.

Game Scores:
Quarters: 35-20, 69-50, 94-75, 127-99.

ginebra: 127

Brownlee 42, Devance 20, Slaughter 11, Caguioa 11, Mercado 10, Tenorio 9, Thompson 7, Ferrer 7, Mariano 4, Chan 2, Cruz 2, J. Aguilar 2, Manuel 2.

san miguel: 99

Balkman 27, Standhardinger 26, Fajardo 13, Santos 8, Lassiter 6, Cabagnot 5, Nabong 5, Ross 4, Lanete 3, Ganuelas-Rosser 2, Pessumal 0.

July 27, 2018 - Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City

Written by Rock Punzalan for Philippine Basketball News Team

Pilipinas Basketball News:

Gilas Pilipinas to forego Asiad 2018

July 26, 2018 – Philippines

Pilipinas Basketball News 2018: Gilas Pilipinas will not participate in the upcoming 2018 Asian Games basketball as SBP – Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, opted late Thursday to shun the Asiad due to their pending appeal to the FIBA suspension and to refocus the national team’s priorities.

Notes:

➤ SBP Director Sonny Barrios confirmed via Twitter the SBP decision to forego the Asiad: “Prepare the process of appealing the FIBA Disciplinary Panel’s recent decision, and aim for sustainable success in future tournament…”

➤ Continuation of SBP statement: “However, to allow our National Team and our organization to regroup, prepare for the process of appealing the FIBA Disciplinary Panel’s recent Decision, and aim for sustainable success in future tournaments – including the upcoming FIBA World Cup Qualifiers and the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup—we have reached the conclusion that, with the forgoing considered and after consulting with the basketball community, the time and chance to participate in the 2018 Asian Games would not be optimal…”

➤ SBP’s decision coincides with the recent massive suspension of the Philippine Basketball Team by FIBA due to the infamous brawl at the Bulacan Arena in the last the Asian Qualifiers. FIBA suspended 3 Australian players and 10 Filipino cagers along with 2 Pinoy coaches. Both basketball federations were also fined heftily due to the forgettable melee.

➤ GIlas Pilipinas was supposed to tap the services of NLEX coach Yeng Guiao and acquire Rain or Shine players owned by Raymund Yu and Terry Que to don the national colors. Guiao was also vocal on recruiting other PBA stars such as Paul Lee, Jeff Chan, Marcio Lassiter, Stanley Pringle and even NBA player Jordan Clarkson.

Scheduling conflict with the PBA was also the likely factor as players like Chan and Lassiter are presently playing for rivals Ginebra and San Miguel Beer in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals which begins Friday.

July 26, 2018 - Philippines

Written by Rock Punzalan for Philippine Basketball News Team

PBA News:

Ginebra advances, stomps Rain or Shine, 96-94

July 23, 2018 – Araneta Coliseum

PBA News 2018: Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings advanced to the Finals as it stomped Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, 96-94, in the 2018 PBA Commissioner’s Cup this Monday at the Araneta Coliseum. Greg Slaughter powered the Gin Kings  with his 19 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists, while Joe Devance also contributed 19 markers, 6 assists and 3 steals.

Notes:

Justin Brownlee was limited to only 12 buckets,17 boards and 8 assists.

Reggie Johnson fought for the losing ROS with his 22 buckets, 16 boards and 5 assists, while Raymund Almazan also added 13 points and 6 rebounds.

Barangay Ginebra had four players in double figures.

Ginebra will next face in the PBA Finals the San Miguel Beermen this Friday, July 27 at the Araneta Coliseum.

Game Scores:
Quarters: 25-20, 47-40, 73-67, 96-94.

ginebra: 96

Slaughter 19, Devance 19, Tenorio 16, Brownlee 12, Chan 9, Thompson 6, J. Aguilar 6, Caguioa 4, Mercado 3, Ferrer 2, R. Aguilar 0, Mariano 0.

rain or shine: 94

Johnson 22, Almazan 13, Borboran 11, Washington 11, Yap 10, Norwood 8, Tiu 7, Ponferada 4, Nambatac 3, Daquioag 3, Belga 2, Ahanmisi 0.

July 23, 2018 - Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City

Written by Rock Punzalan for Philippine Basketball News Team

PBA News:

San Miguel enters finals, eliminates Alaska, 104-99

July 22, 2018 – Araneta Coliseum

PBA News 2018: San Miguel Beermen entered the Finals as it eliminated the Alaska Aces, 104-99, in the 2018 PBA Commissioner’s Cup this Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum. “The Kraken” Junemar Fajardo powered SMB with his 26 points, 12 rebounds and 2 blocks, while import Renaldo Balkman also chipped-in 23 buckets, 16 caroms and 5 assists. Meanwhile, Alex Cabagnot‘s trey shot with 34 seconds remaining sealed the game for the Beermen, 100-92.

Notes:

Cabagnot ended-up with 18 markers, 9 assists and 5 rebounds.

➤ Diamon Simpson led the losing Aces with 24 markers, 21 caroms and 4 dishes, while Vic Manuel also contributed 20 points and 4 steals.

Manuel is now out of the PBA BPC – Best Player of the Conference contention as they bowed out of the Semifinals. He is currently at second place with 37.58 statistical points, while Fajardo leads with 38.77 SPs.

➤ San Miguel will next face in the FInals the winner of the ongoing Semifinals war between Rain or Shine and Ginebra.

 

Game Scores:
Quarters: 20-23, 43-44, 76-69, 104-99.

san miguel: 104

Fajardo 26, Balkman 23, Cabagnot 18, Ross 17, Lassiter 8, Nabong 6, Santos 4, Standhardinger 2, Heruela 0.

alaska: 99

Simpson 24, Manuel 20, Enciso 19, Casio 15, Teng 6, Racal 4, Exciminiano 4, Magat 3, Thoss 2, Baclao 2, Galliguez 0.

July 22, 2018 - Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City

Written by Rock Punzalan for Philippine Basketball News Team

PBA News:

Brownlee’s 44 lifts Ginebra over ROS, 75-72

July 21, 2018 – SM MOA Arena

PBA News 2018: Justin Brownlee‘s 44 points lifted Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings over Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, 75-72, to lead 2-1 in their Semifinals face-off in the 2018 PBA Commissioner’s Cup this Saturday at the MOA Arena. Brownlee posted incredible numbers as he also crunched 15 rebounds, 6 assists and 5 steals, while “El Tinyente” LA Tenorio also contributed 13 markers, 4 rebounds and 3 assists.

Notes:

Reggie Johnson paced the losing Elasto Painters with 13 buckets and 22 boards, while beanpole Raymund Almazan added 12 points and 9 caroms.

Ginebra led by as much as 25 points beginning in the second quarter 43-18, courtesy of Brownlee’s 25 first half points.

➤ Game 4 will be Monday, July 23 at the Araneta Coliseum.

Game Scores:
Quarters: 24-10, 46-23, 61-41, 75-72.

ginebra: 75

Brownlee 44, Tenorio 13, Slaughter 8, Chan 3, Ferrer 3, Aguilar 2, Devance 2, Thompson 0, Caguioa 0, Mercado 0, Cruz 0.

rain or shine: 72

Johnson 13, Almazan 12, Daquioag 11, Yap 9, Nambatac 6, Belga 6, Tiu 6, Ahanmisi 5, Norwood 2, Washington 2, Borboran 0, Ponferada 0, Torres 0.

July 21, 2018 - SM MOA Arena, Pasay

Written by Rock Punzalan for Philippine Basketball News Team

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