Alaska, TNT Took Over 2-1 Series Lead at PBA 2013 Commissioner's Cup Semis

Alaska Aces (89) def. San Mig Coffee Mixers (82)

After dropping the first game of the series, Alaska Aces is just one win away from its first finals stint in the PBA post-Tim Cone. The ironic thing is that it could happen against the team that their former coach is now handling - the San Mig Coffee Mixers. Youngsters Calvin Abueva and RJ Jazul combined to do some damage in the game 3 of their series in the PBA 2013 Commissioner's Cup Semis. The Aces managed to pull off an OT victory against the Mixers during the opening game of Wednesday's action via an 89-82 game.

The Aces can wrap up the series when the two teams meet again on Saturday, but coach Luigi Trillo does not want to get too excited at the prospect. Instead, he wanted to instill in his players' minds that "it's just another game". He then adds, "we can't get too excited."

He should know well enough as he's coached this team under former head coach Tim Cone's wing. Trillo is right to think so as Cone is confident that this series ain't over yet. He quips, "We've been here before, we've handled this situation before." Ironically, Cone wanted the Game 4 to take place soon because he was hoping for his team to "carry the emotion into the next one."

Rookie Calvin Abueva came off the bench during Game 3 but still ended up with 24 points and 10 rebounds. Meanwhile, RJ Jazul, who also came off the bench, contributed 6 points during overtime to spark the Aces to its win.

The performance over at San Mig Coffee Mixers isn't paltry, though. Denzel Bowles chipped in 19 points and 15 rebounds while Marc Pingris and Mark Barroca each had 15 points under their names. By the relentless charge from the Aces staved them off, despite holding a 16-point lead at one point in the game. They also nearly lost during the remaining seconds of regulation, but extended the game when Bowles converted his free throw with the game time shy of 5 seconds. They, however, had 5 turnovers at the overtime period on top of a poor 1-of-5 shooting percentage.

Aside from Abueva, four other Aces players scored in double figures namely Cyrus Baguio, JV Casio, Sonny Thoss, and Rob Dozier.

Talk N Text (85) def. Brgy. Ginebra (79)

The story for the other series in the PBA 2013 Commissioner's Cup semis is a case of deja vu. Talk N Text dropped the first game of the semis but won the succeeding two, even with a new import in tow after they let go of 7-footer Jerome Jordan. Talk N Text took a gamble by replacing their import and it paid off, such that they are now at the threshold of the finals. Tony Mitchell was former Rookie of the Year at the NBA Developmental League and he staged an impressive showing that lived up to his reputation. He helped the Texters gain a 2-1 lead in the series via an 85-79 win versus the Brgy. Ginebra squad.

The 6-foot-5 import exhibited tremendous flair on the court and agility. Talk N Text head coach noted how they're "in a very interesting situation". He reveals that they did not have any expectations coming into Game 3 of the Semis series but he is happy with how Mitchell played.

If Black has learned anything in the PBA, though, he knows that you can't be overconfident. "The series is far from over," he notes. "They had not seen Tony before and had no idea how to prepare against him. But they've seen him once and they will surely be ready in the next game."

Black also did not forget to acknowledge his locals, whom he felt stepped up given the fact that Jared Dillinger and Jimmy Alapag did not suit up for Game 3. Mitchell scored 29 points overall, but Fonacier contributed 20, Jayson Castro and Ranidel de Ocampo both had 15 points. The rest showed even scoring and he got contributions from nearly anyone he brought to the court.

On Ginebra's end, import Vernon Macklin led them in scoring with 17 points along with Kerby Raymundo. But no other player, aside from Tenorio, scored in double figures.

Images courtesy of www.pba.inquirer.net

PBA 2013 Commissioner's Cup Game Schedule: April 8-17, 2013

During Sunday night's games at the ongoing PBA 2013 Commissioner's Cup, both the Brgy. Ginebra San Miguel and Petron Blaze Boosters had sealed their fate for the next round of competition after beating Meralco Bolts and Barako Bull Energy Cola, respectively. At the first match of Sunday Superball at the PBA, the Blaze Boosters spoiled former NBA player DJ Mbenga's debut as they beat the Barako Bull via an 88-77 match. The game was close for the first three quarters until Petron pulled away during the early goings of the fourth quarter until Barako Bull could not recover any longer. Mbenga's lack of conditioning also played a key factor as he was looking rusty and slow at times, leaving the more agile Henry Sims opportunity to exploit the paint.

Meanwhile, the Brgy. Ginebra San Miguel team barely clinched the win with a shot by their import Vernon Macklin with 12.9 seconds left in the game. Previous to Macklin's heroic shot that ended up sealing the win for Brgy. Ginebra, Sunday Salvacion sunk a three-point shot from the corner despite Mac Baracael's contention, which pushed Meralco Bolts to the lead at 89-88. But with 1.2 seconds remaining in the game, Eric Dawson could not sink his high-looping shot against Vernon Macklin, thus giving Brgy. Ginebra their 7th win and guaranteeing that they move to the next round. Meanwhile, Meralco Bolts drop to 6-6 and is on a three-way tie with Talk N Text and San Mig Coffee Mixers.

To continue watching the action at the PBA 2013 Commissioner's Cup, make sure to take note of the schedule for the succeeding games. Here is the list of games for the coming week:

Disclaimer: Image courtesy of pba.inquirer.net

PBA 2013 Commissioner's Cup: The Week That Was

Double Lane Violation Fiasco in Aces-Coffee Mixers Game

The PBA officiating team has been in the spotlight yet again after a double lane violation call was protested during the match between Alaska Aces and San Mig Coffee Mixers last Saturday, March 23. Aces coach Luigi Trillo protested the violation call noting how it cost them a shot at winning the game.

An official statement was made by the PBA via Media Bureau Chief Willie Marcial saying, "Whether the shot is made or not, once there's a lane violation, a jump ball will be called and the shot will be waved off."

The incident took place during Aces' Calvin Abueva's stint at the free throw line with 12.1 seconds left in the game. He had the opportunity to tie up the game if he converted the second free throw, but since Jazul and Baguio of the Aces and Simon and Barroca of the Mixers came into the lane before the shot was released, the free throw was nullified.

Coach Luigi Trillo claimed that "[that] call took it from us."

Due to his protest, however, the PBA fined Aces head coach Luigi Trillo P40,000 due to his complaints. According to the PBA's statement, the first P20,000 fine was for "repeatedly issuing statements to the press that tend to undermine the public confidence in the game's outcome...and confuse the public as to the correctness of the call made by the game officials." The other P20,000 fine was supposedly for "violating the rule prohibiting any member of a team from approaching or confronting the game officials before, during or after a game."

Barako Bull Continues Its Losing Woes

The Barako Bull Energy Cola had a promising start in the PBA 2013 Commissioner's Cup after winning their first two outings. But since clinching their third win, it has been a downward spiral for them. Last Sunday, they eventually lost their sixth game in a row against a Caguiao-less Barangay Ginebra squad.

This has prompted consultant Rajko Toroman to look at other possibilities in order to restore the franchise's performance in the conference. The team's current standing of 3-7 puts them second to last in the league standings. Hence, the coach and management staff at Barako Bull is sensing some desperation with news that there might be a possibility of replacing their import Evan Brock. When asked to comment regarding this bit of news, Toroman said, "All things are being considered."

Rain or Shine Ends Losing Streak vs TNT

Since Rain or Shine was swept by the Talk N Text Tropang Texters during the PBA Philippine Cup, they had not been able to get one against their opponent. So when these two teams met last Sunday, March 24, at the SMART Araneta Coliseum, all eyes were on coach Yeng Guiao's squad if they would be able to end their losing skid against Talk N Text.

And they were able to finally snap that losing streak, and at a very convincing manner at that, with a 31-point lead against the Texters via a 116-85 rout. The Elasto Painters had a strong start to the game, which eventually carried on for the remainder of the game.

Talk N Text forward Ranidel de Ocampo cited how the Elasto Painters played an inspired ball game. Meanwhile, the loss brings Talk N Text down to number four in the team standings, which means they are now in a tie with San Mig Coffee Mixers, Barangay Ginebra and Air 21 at 5-5.

Barako Bull on an Energized Start for PBA 2012-13 Commissioner's Cup

Image: PBA on AKTV Official Facebook Fan Page

The PBA 2012-13 Commissioner's Cup has kicked off last Friday, February 8, 2013, and in a span of three game days, fans were treated to a lot of surprises. The commissioner recently indicated that the new multi-player trades that transpired before the onset of the new conference signaled a more competitive league with most teams now having an equal fighting chance at the crown.

Barako Bull Energy Cola is one of those teams that had surprised fans, to the delight of the loyal Barako Brigade. Even before the conference started, the new acquisitions and a new head coaching staff had provided Seigle with a positive outlook about his team. The PBA veteran believes that the team is a serious contender at the Commissioner's Cup. According to the 9-time All Star, "We have a very good system now. It's very active and I always get good looks (at the basket)."

Seigle also notes that the addition of coach Rajko Toroman as part of the team's coaching staff gave a major boost to the team. "It's great that we have him now in the team. We got to learn a lot of things, new ideas and better approach," says Seigle.

If it were any proof of that, Barako Bull currently leads the league in standings with a 2-0 start to the Commisssioner's Cup. As of February 12, 2013, they are at the top of the pack. Meanwhile, Alaska, Air21 and Meralco are tied for number two with a 1-0 standing. GlobalPort Batang Pier is third at 1-1 after Barako Bull defeated them 98-88 at overtime last Sunday, February 10, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Mark Macapagal hit the crucial three point shot from the corner that sent the game into overtime, wherein GlobalPort scored only 2 points to Barako Bull's 12.

For a complete list of the game results since the opening day, check them below:

February 8, Friday

Global Port def. Petron Blaze - 94-92
Barako Bull def. San Mig Coffee Mixers - 79-75

February 9, Saturday

Alaska Aces def. Rain or Shine - 83-81
Meralco Bolts def. Talk N Text - 99-92

February 10, Sunday

Barako Bull def. GlobalPort - 98-88 (OT)
Air21 def. Brgy. Ginebra - 74-70

To see the rest of the schedule for February, you can check it here.