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

NCAA Finals 2018:

San Beda razes Lyceum, cops Season 94 title

November 12, 2018 – Mall of Asia Arena

NCAA Finals 2018: San Beda Red Lions razed the Lyceum Pirates, to cop the NCAA Season 94 Basketball Finals title this Monday at the Mall of Asia Arena. This season’s Finals MVP Javee Mocon starred for San Beda with his 16 points, 11 boards and 5 blocks, while import David Tankoua added 13 points and 16 rebounds.

Notes:

➤ Star player Robert Bolick also made 4 points and 12 dimes for San Beda.

➤ This is the last NCAA season for the graduating Bolick and Mocon. The duo formed the San Beda big three with Tankuoa, a historic Red Lions grandslam team.

➤ Coach Boyet Fernandez is also now a five-time NCAA champion as San Beda’s chief mentor.

CJ Perez, who was suspended in Game 1, led the losing Pirates with his 19 points and 6 rebounds for Game 2, while Jaycee Marcelino had 13 markers.

Posted on November 13, 2018 - 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

PBA 2018:

Alaska strikes down San Miguel, enters Semis

November 7, 2018 – Cuneta Astrodome

PBA News 2018: Alaska Aces struck down the San Miguel Beermen, 96-85 to enter the Semifinal round of the 2018 PBA Governors’ Cup this Wednesday at the Cuneta Astrodome. Reinforcement Mike Harris starred for the Aces with a monstrous 25 buckets and 17 boards output, while Simon Enciso added 15 markers.

Notes:

Alaska exacted revenge on the Beermen who eliminated them during the last conference, the 2018 PBA Commissioner’s Cup playoffs.

➤ The Aces showed better offensive arsenal against SMB, converting 40 of 88 shots for a 45% field goal percentage, to San Miguel’s 32 of 86 (37%). Alaska also hauled more rebounds, securing 57 caroms to the Beermen’s 52 total.

➤ Import Kevin Murphy backstopped the eliminated Beermen with 19 markers, 8 caroms, and 5 dimes.

➤ Meanwhile. a minor scuffle happened between Chris Ross and Vic Manuel, with both earning technical fouls for the infraction.

➤ The Aces will next face the winner of the quarterfinals knockout match between Phoenix and Meralco this Friday, November 9.

Posted on November 8, 2018 - Cuneta Astrodome

Written by Rock Punzalan for Philippine Basketball News Team

PBA 2018:

Meralco forces deathmatch, blasts Phoenix, 90-74

November 7, 2018 – Cuneta Astrodome

PBA News 2018: Meralco Bolts forced a quarterfinals deathmatch, as it blasted the Phoenix Fuel Masters, 90-74 in the 2018 PBA Governors’ Cup this Wednesday at Cuneta Astrodome. Import Allen Durham paced the Bolts with his double-double of 26 buckets and 16 boards while Chris Newsome also finished with 16 markers.

Notes:

➤ Former San Beda star guard Baser Amer also added 14 points and drained two clutch threes for the Bolts in crunch time.

Meralco showed their offensive firepower as they shot better on all cylinders against Phoenix, firing 34 of 86 shots for a 39% field goal percentage against Phoenix’s 28 of 93 (30%). The Bolts also connected well from way beyond the arc by making 7 of 23 treys to the Fuel Masters’ 2 of 26 threes made.

➤ Reinforcement Eric Phelps led the losing Phoenix with his own double-double of 27 points and 15 caroms. Meanwhile, temperamental forward Calvin Abueva also chipped-in 18 markers for the Fuel Masters.

Phoenix and Meralco will resume hostilities once more this Friday, November 9 for a do-or-die rubber match and fight for the remaining Semis spot against the Alaska Aces.

Game Scores:
Quarters: 15-17, 33-35, 66-55, 90-74.

meralco: 90

Durham 26, Newsome 16, Amer 14, Canaleta 9, Tolomia 9, Hugnatan 7, Salva 5, Faundo 2, Dillinger 2, Ballesteros 0, Caram 0, Hodge 0, Jamito 0.

phoenix: 74

Phelps 27, Abueva 18, Perkins 9, Wright 8, Chua 6, Intal 4, Jazul 2, Revilla 0, Wilson 0, Kramer 0, Mendoza 0.

Posted on November 8, 2018 - Cuneta Astrodome

Written by Rock Punzalan for Philippine Basketball News Team

PBA 2018:

Magnolia enters Semis, KOs Blackwater, 103-99

November 6, 2018 – Araneta Coliseum

PBA News 2018: Magnolia Hotshots entered the Semifinals, as they knocked out the Blackwater Elite, 103-99 in the 2018 PBA Governors’ Cup quarterfinals this Tuesday at the Araneta Coliseum. “Angas ng Tondo” Paul Lee backstopped the Hotshots with his double-double of 22 buckets and 12 boards, while import Romeo Travis and post operator Ian Sangalang 18 each respectively.

Notes:

Magnolia outrebounded and outpaced the Elite with 59 rebounds against 50, and registering better ball movement with 29 assists to 16. The Hotshots also shot better with 37 of 90 field goal shots (41%) to Elite’s 34 of 83 (40%).

➤ Reinforcement Henry Walker led the eliminated Blackwater with 18 points, as Poy Erram also contributed 15 buckets.

➤ Magnolia will next battle with league-leader Barangay Ginebra, the defending champion, who also gained the Semis berth after routing earlier the NLEX Road Warriors, 111-75.

Game Scores:
Quarters: 32-22, 55-47, 76-78, 103-99.

magnolia: 103

Lee 22, Travis 18, Sangalang 18, Simon 16, Barroca 9, Melton 8, Brondial 4, Dela Rosa 3, Reavis 3, Jalalon 2.

blackwater: 99

Walker 18, Erram 15, Zamar 13, Maliksi 12, Belo 11, Digregorio 8, Sumang 7, Pinto 7, Javier 4, Al-Hussaini 4, Jose 0.

Posted on November 7, 2018 - Araneta Coliseum

Written by Rock Punzalan for Philippine Basketball News Team

PBA 2018:

Ginebra train unstoppable, flattens NLEX, 111-75

November 6, 2018 – Araneta Coliseum

PBA News 2018: The Barangay Ginebra train looked unstoppable, as it flattened the NLEX Road Warriors, 111-75 to enter the Semifinal round of the 2018 PBA Governors’ Cup this Tuesday at the Araneta Coliseum. Japeth Aguilar starred for the Gin Kings with his 18 buckets and 10 boards while Greg Slaughter added in 16 markers.

Notes:

Ginebra led in the majority of the game numbers as they shot better from the trey territory with 13 of 29 (44%) three points total against NLEX‘s 9 of 37 (24%). The Kings also hauled 57 boards to the Road Warriors 40 rebounds.

➤ Import Aaron Fuller was the only bright spot for the Road Warriors as he finished with a double-double of 25 points and 12 caroms.

➤ The Gin Kings are on a head-on Semis collision against the winner of the quarterfinal standoff between the Blackwater Elite and Magnolia Hotshots.

Game Scores:
Quarters: 26-20, 50-36, 76-62, 111-75.

ginebra: 111

J. Aguilar 18, Slaughter 16, Mercado 14, Brownlee 13, Chan 12, Mariano 8, Ferrer 7, Tenorio 7, Thompson 6, Caperal 5, R. Aguilar 3, Manuel 2.

nlex: 75

Fuller 25, Quinahan 9, Paniamogan 9, Galanza 7, Ighalo 6, Fonacier 5, Rios 4, Mallari 4, Miranda 3, Monfort 3, Baguio 0, Tiongson 0, Taulava 0, Tallo 0.

Posted on November 7, 2018 - Araneta Coliseum

Written by Rock Punzalan for Philippine Basketball News Team

PBA 2018:

Ginebra bags No. 1, demolishes Talk 'N Text, 112-93

November 4, 2018 – Araneta Coliseum

PBA News 2018: Barangay Ginebra bagged the No. 1 ranking, as it demolished the Talk ‘N Text KaTropa, 112-93 to begin their quarterfinals campaign in the 2018 PBA Governors’ Cup this Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum. Import Justin Brownlee blasted TNT with his triple-double of 31 buckets, 16 boards, and 11 assists, while big man Greg Slaughter finished with 25 points and 4 caroms.

Notes:

➤ Flashy guard Scottie Thompson also submitted 11 points and 8 rebounds for the Gin Kings.

➤ Barangay moved the ball better overall with 34 assists compared to TNT’s 24 total dimes and shot better with 38 of 66 shots made in field goals (57%) opposed to KaTropa’s 36 of 97 (37%).

Ginebra is now the leader of the Governors’ Cup pack as they registered a 9-2 win-loss slate and are assured of a twice-to-beat advantage once the playoffs commence. The Gin Kings will battle 8th placer NLEX in the quarters.

➤ Import Marqus Blakely paced the defeated TNT with 23 points and 15 rebounds, while RR Pogoy chipped-in 22 points. Ace guard Jayson Castro also added 12 points and 12 dimes.

➤ TNT missed the services of star player Terrence Romeo who was out due to sickness. The KaTropa are now effectively out of contention in the Governors’ Cup after losing their third straight and dropping to a 4-7 win-loss slate.

Game Scores:
Quarters: 24-22, 54-45, 82-69, 112-93.

ginebra: 112

Brownlee 31, Slaughter 25, Thompson 11, J. Aguilar 10, Ferrer 9, Mariano 9, Tenorio 7, Mercado 4, Chan 3, Dela Cruz 3, R. Aguilar 0, Caperal 0, Manuel 0, Caguioa 0.

talk 'n text: 93

Blakely 23, Pogoy 22, Castro 12, Rosario 11, Reyes 8, Cruz 7, Trollano 4, Williams 2, Carey 2, Tamsi 2, Garcia 0, Golla 0, Paredes 0, Taha 0.

Posted on November 5, 2018 - Araneta Coliseum

Written by Rock Punzalan for Philippine Basketball News Team

PBA 2018:

Phoenix gains twice-to-beat, defeats Blackwater, 97-91

November 4, 2018 – Araneta Coliseum

PBA News 2018: Phoenix Fuel Masters gained the twice-to-beat edge, by defeating the Blackwater Elite, 97-91 to barge into 2018 PBA Governors’s Cup quarterfinals this Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum. “The Beast” Calvin Abueva showed his mettle by dropping 25 big points and 8 boards for Phoenix while sniper Matthew Wright contributed 23 buckets and 7 caroms.

Notes:

➤ Reinforcement Eugene Phelps also added 16 markers and 6 dimes for the Fuel Masters.

➤ The Fuel Masters outrebounded the Elite, 64 against 50 boards total.

➤ Import Henry Walker led the losing Elite with 21 buckets and 12 rebounds while Nard Pinto registered 17 points and 10 dimes.

Blackwater lost the chance to gain the twice-to-beat advantage and will face a dangerous Magnolia squad in the quarterfinals.

➤ On the other hand, Phoenix ended the eliminations with an 8-3 slate and secured the 2nd place in the quarterfinals behind league leader Ginebra. They are bound to campaign in the playoffs against a yet to be determined 7th place team.

Game Scores:
Quarters: 21-18, 44-48, 72-69, 97-91.

phoenix: 97

Abueva 25, Wright 23, Phelps 16, Revilla 11, Perkins 9, Chua 4, Jazul 4, Intal 3, Alolino 1, Wilson 1, Kramer 0.

blackwater: 91

Walker 21, Pinto 17, Zamar 12, Belo 10, Maliksi 9, Erram 9, Digregorio 7, Al-Hussaini 4, Jose 0, Sumang 0, Javier 2, Cortez 0.

Posted on November 5, 2018 - Araneta Coliseum

Written by Rock Punzalan for Philippine Basketball News Team

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