PBA 2013 Governor's Cup Game Schedule: September 16 to 22, 2013

This past week was action-filled in the PBA as the games continue and fans got to see the return of Marc Pingris and Kelly Nabong in their respective teams' recent games after each being slapped with 2-game suspensions (on top of PhP 60,000 fine) for figuring in a brawl. The big story, however, is Petron's sweep of its games since losing their first outing to secure the top spot in the team standings at the end of their elimination round campaign at the expense of GlobalPort. This was a highly anticipated matchup with Jay Washington facing his former team for the first time since being traded at the end of last conference.

Image: gmanetwork.com

Despite the acquisition of two new veterans in Joseph Yeo and Asi Taulava, Air 21 Express could not fight its way out of the cellar as they are in the brink of elimination with a 2-6 record. Meanwhile, the San Mig Coffee Mixers is the hottest team right now with a four-game winning streak despite a sluggish start. The team is now at second place and secured Quarterfinals slot with a 5-3 standing.


With only a few more games left before the elimination round wraps up, every game from here on out is going to be crucial for each teams as they fight not only for a shot at making it to the quarterfinals, but also for the top 4 standings to earn the twice-to-beat advantage going into the next round.

September 18, 2013, Wednesday (Cuneta Astrodome)

Alaska Aces vs Barako Bull Energy Cola - 5:15PM

Talk N Text vs Rain or Shine Elasto Painters - 7:30PM

September 20, 2013, Friday (Smart Araneta Coliseum)

San Mig Coffee Mixers vs Meralco Bolts - 5:15 PM

GlobalPort Batang Pier vs Brgy. Ginebra San Miguel - 7:30PM

September 22, 2013, Sunday (Mall of Asia Arena)

Air 21 Express vs Alaska Aces - 4:15PM

Brgy. Ginebra San Miguel vs Talk N Text - 6:30PM

Make sure to take note of these game schedules in the 2013 PBA Governor's Cup so you won't miss the action!

PBA 2013 Governor's Cup News Round Up

Image: slamonlineph.com

Taulava and Yeo Boost Air 21's Governor's Cup Campaign

Air 21 Express might be last in the team standings at the PBA 2013 Governor's Cup but they are not going down without a fight, especially now that their lineup had been given a major boost with two major acquisitions in Joseph Yeo and Asi Taulava courtesy of trade agreements with Meralco Bolts and Petron Blaze Boosters. The lift from these two veteran newbies in their lineup also comes timely as they are set to face Talk N Text, another team that is desperate for a win after a paltry performance so far in the conference.

Air 21 Express has lost four consecutive games to become the bottom-dwellers in the PBA's team standings. Asi Taulava returns to the PBA after his stint at the Asian Basketball League wherein he played for the San Miguel Beermen and also won the Most Valuable Player award. Meanwhile, Yeo is from the current league-leader Petron with whom he got traded with big man Isip.

Air 21 head coach Franz Pumaren, however, admits that acquiring these two players this late in the conference also has its setbacks. One of them is the limited preparation involving these players, as well as the fact that Asi had taken a break from basketball in the past three months so he might not be in the best shape right now.

In the case of Joseph Yeo, however, he welcomes this new change in his career especially as he is reunited with his college coach. Both teams are set to meet on Friday at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.

Tubid Slapped with Fine over "Cheap Shot" on TNT's Castro

Ronald Tubid, guard for the Petron Blaze Boosters, has had a reputation for being a rugged player. But when he hit a "cheap shot" on Talk N Text's guard Jason Castro, he claimed that it was unintentional. Even then, he did not get away with a fine even though he escaped suspension from the PBA office.

Tubid was asked to appear before the PBA Commissioner's office early today following the events of Wednesday's game (wherein Petron won big against TNT, 122-88) after he hit Castro in the midsection so that he could explain his side of the story. He also noted that they were leading by as much as 40 points at that time, so he sees no use for attempting to hurt players from the opposing team.

He did not get away from the Commissioner's office without hearing a piece of Comm. Salud's mind, wherein the PBA officials are serious about punishing players that were involved in physical plays following a scuffle during last week's game between GlobalPort and San Mig Coffee that saw players throwing punches. The amount fined against Ronald Tubid wasn't disclosed, however.

Rookie Calvin Abueva Cleared to Play

Alaska Aces rookie sensation Calvin Abueva has been confirmed to play today against Petron Blaze Boosters at the PhilSports Arena despite suffering an injury during their last game. The 6' 1" Abueva returned to practice last Thursday despite the team's physical therapist fearing that he might have suffered from a bone contusion on his back causing him to drop down to the floor as his back suddenly stiffened. The team and its fans can heave a sigh of relief knowing that the injury wasn't as bad as it was initially assessed.

Aces head coach Luigi Trillo, though, is concerned about the health of Abueva coming into this game, noting "I don't know if he's 100 percent but knowing Calvin, even if he could play with one leg, he would."

Abueva admits to experiencing some pain on his back but he has affirmed that he will be willing to play through the pain. Indeed, Abueva will be a huge boost to the Aces' campaign to hand Petron their second defeat this conference as he is averaging 7.8 points and 10 rebounds a game.

PBA 2013 Governor's Cup: Games Schedule for Sept 10-15, 2013

Mike Singletary of Barako Bull Energy powers his team past GlobalPort on Sunday's game

PBA Sunday was an exciting one with the Barako Bull Energy Colas staging a huge comeback to go up 4-2 in the standings while GlobalPort lost their third in a row, joining Brgy. Ginebra at 2-4 for the second to the last spot. Speaking of Brgy. Ginebra, the remake of Manila Clasico matchup end up with a win for San Mig Coffee Mixers' despite two of their big guys (Joe Devance and Marc Pingris) suspended by the PBA Commissioner's office following a fight-marred game last Wednesday.

If you're pumped up by the packed previous week in the PBA, be sure to take note of the schedule of games this coming week:

September 10, Tuesday (Smart Araneta Coliseum)

Rain or Shine Elasto Painters vs Barako Bull Energy - 5:15PM

Alaska Aces vs San Mig Coffee Mixers - 7:30PM

September 11, Wednesday(Smart Araneta Coliseum)

GlobalPort Batang Pier vs Meralco Bolts - 5:15PM

Talk N Text Tropang Texters vs Petron Blaze Boosters - 7:30PM

September 13, Friday (Philsports Arena)

Air21 Express vs Talk N Text Tropang Texters - 5:15PM

Alaska Aces vs Petron Blaze Boosters - 7:30PM

September 14, Saturday (Smart Araneta Coliseum)

Barako Bull Energy Cola vs San Mig Coffee Mixers - 3:45PM

Brgy. Ginebra San Miguel vs Rain or Shine Elasto Painters - 6:00PM

September 15, Sunday (Cuneta Astrodome)

Meralco Bolts vs Air21 Express - 4:15PM

Petron Blaze Boosters vs GlobalPort Batang Pier - 6:30PM

Which of these matchups are you looking forward to most?

PBA Releases Sanctions for Players Involved in San Mig Coffee-GlobalPort Brawl

Image: www.philstar.com

Yesterday, PBA Commissioner Chito Salud met with the board members of the PBA and the five players involved in a fight-marred game between San Mig Coffee Mixers and GlobalPort Batang Pier to discuss the sanctions to be meted on the concerned players. The players in question are Joe Devance, Marqus Blakely and Marc Pingris of San Mig Coffee Mixers and Kelly Nabong and import Marvin Hayes of GlobalPort Batang Pier.

This morning, the PBA has officially released the sanctions to be imposed on the players who went on a melee during a highly physical game. The sanctions are as follows:

Marvin Hayes

- Fined PhP 20,000 for unsportsmanlike conduct equivalent to a flagrant foul penalty 2 when he elbowed and kneed San Mig Coffee Mixers import Marqus Blakely after a foul has been whistled

Joe Devance

- Fined PhP 30,000 and will be meted a one-game suspension for triggering the commotion that caused the fist fight between Marc Pingris and Kelly Nabong

Kelly Nabong

- Fined PhP 60,000 and will be meted two-game suspension for attacking San Mig Coffee Mixers import Marqus Blakely and exchanging blows with Marc Pingris

Marc Pingris

- Fined PhP 60,000 for fighting and engaging in an exchange of blows with Kelly Nabong of GlobalPort Batang Pier, also meted a two-game suspension

According to the PBA officials, the league will not condone fighting regardless of the players' justification for such actions. The league officials and the commissioner has also reiterated that they place high importance on this policy and have a reminder for those who attempt to engage in such behavior in the future because they will be dealt with accordingly.

"It should be clear to everyone that instigators, hotheads and troublemakers have no place in the PBA and will be dealt with severely," notes the official league statement on the matter.

PBA Refs Blamed Amidst the Brawl at Wednesday's Game

Image: www.philstar.com

In less than 24 hours since the brawl in Wednesday's action in the PBA, the referees are once again in hot water and at the front and center of the controversy. Earlier this week, Mark Caguio got slapped with a PhP 20,000 fine for tweeting about the lapses in the officiating during their Sunday match versus Alaska Aces. But with the heated game between San Mig Coffee Mixers and GlobalPort Batang Pier, which eventually ended up to several players blowing off steam and punches being thrown, they [PBA referees] are once again being blamed for why the series of events ended up being as bad as it did.

According to San Mig Coffee Mixers head coach Tim Cone, who was amongst those who physically restrained GlobalPort's Kelly Nabong, he felt that the referees are at fault because "they didn't make calls three or four times that Marvin (Hayes) and Marqus (Blakely) fell to the floor." He further added, "[they] lost control of the game there".

Tim Cone also noted how physical the game was and there were a lot of contacts that were let go. Eventually, it was a matter of time until tempers flare and the scuffle between Marvin Hayes and Marqus Blakely at the 3:11 mark of the third quarter was only the tipping point.

Five players (Marc Pingris, Joe Devance, and Marqus Blakely of San Mig Coffee Mixers and Kelly Nabong and Marvin Hayes of GlobalPort Batang Pier) were required to show up at the Commissioner's Office today wherein the PBA officials will discuss the events of Wednesday night's game, as well as give the players an opportunity to explain their side during the incident. However, PBA Commissioner Salud had already promised that there will be heavy sanctions to be meted on the players involved. The announcement of the officials sanctions on the concerned parties will be revealed within the day when the PBA board officials are done with their meeting.

For Kelly Nabong's side, however, GlobalPort team owner Romero has his support. In fact, he promised to pay for Nabong's fine and even commended the rookie's action during the game noting that he will not allow his team to be "bullied". Romero, however, did not expound on who he thinks should be blamed for the fracas.

Going back to Tim Cone's side of things, he believed that the end is still far. His team will face the consequences of what is to come from Pingris' actions during the game, wherein he anticipates suspensions being slapped on some of his key players. With the Governor's Cup being a short conference, he knows that they need all the manpower they can get to help his team's campaign.

Be sure to check us back for updates on the sanctions on the concerned players.

Mark Caguioa Fined for Controversial Tweets

This is not a new tale. Several players and coaches had aired out their sentiments using the famous social media site, Twitter. But Mark Caguioa is one of those few that had captured the PBA officials' attention enough to warrant a fine.

On Sunday, Brgy. Ginebra lost to Alaska Aces despite leading most of the ball game. The Aces staged a run during the latter half of the third quarter and eventually took the lead for the first time in the said game on the fourth quarter. Brgy. Ginebra ended up bowing to the Aces, which means that they are now at 1-3 or second to the last at the team standings.

Following the lost, Mark Caguioa took to Twitter to express his thoughts about the officiating in the game. Here are the tweets he posted and the ones believed to have earned him a PhP20,000 fine.

In the statement issued by the PBA (via its official Twitter account), the fine on Mark Caguioa was for "tweeting and issuing statements to media critical of officiating and considered inimical to the interest of the PBA". In addition, PBA officials noted that Caguioa "should have ventilated his issues to the league office directly" instead of his social media account.

Did you think that the fine was just and called for?

PBA Governor's Cup 2013: Schedule for September 1 to 8, 2013

Image: www.pba.inquirer.net

We are on the third week of 2013 PBA Governor's Cup wherein Petron Blaze Boosters and Barako Bull are leading the pack with their respective 4-1 and 3-1 standings thus far. However, both teams will go head-to-head this week wherein the leaders separate ways and one of them will take solo reign. Who will win? Do you think that San Mig Coffee Mixers and Air 21 Express can get out of the bottom soon?

This week's schedule is going to change things up a bit in the team standings (or not!).

Make sure you don't miss a single game. You can check the schedule below:

September 1, Sunday

Talk N Text vs GlobalPort - 4:15PM (Mall of Asia Arena)

Brgy. Ginebra vs Alaska Aces - 6:30PM (Mall of Asia Arena)

September 4, Wednesday

Petron Blaze vs Barako Bull - 5:15PM (Mall of Asia Arena)

Meralco Bolts vs Rain or Shine - 7:30PM (Mall of Asia Arena)

September 6, Friday

Brgy. Ginebra vs Air 21 Express - 5:15PM (Mall of Asia Arena)

Alaska Aces vs San Mig Coffee - 7:30PM (Mall of Asia Arena)

September 7, Saturday

Barako Bull vs GlobalPort - 3:45 PM (Mall of Asia Arena)

Talk N Text vs Petron Blaze Boosters - 6:00 PM (Mall of Asia Arena)

September 8, Sunday

Meralco Bolts vs Alaska Aces - 4:15 PM (Smart Araneta Coliseum)

San Mig Coffee Mixers vs Brgy. Ginebra - 6:30PM (Smart Araneta Coliseum)

Which matchup are you excited to witness this week in the PBA 2013 Governor's Cup?