Chris Pacana

Thanks to Par U. Paro for the pictures... Cheers...

A review of Coke's previous game performance (courtesy of Pacana's game)

Pacana- previous game's hero

First Quarter

Second Quarter

Arboleda and Pacan struggle for possession of the ball

Dominic Uy reads a fan mail about Chris changing shoes in the previous game, Digmaan ng mga Dragon at Tigre ... something like: "dapat bilihan ng Coke management ng isang dosenang sapatos na katulad ng pinagpalit na sapotos ni Chris dahil ma-swerte yung shoes na iyon". (Coke won in that game with Chris as 'Player na Walang Katulad'.

Chris responds to the fan mail, saying that there wasn't anything special with those shoes. He had to change because the first pair was a new pair and they weren't that comfortable to wear yet.

Game story: "Patay Kung Patay" - David vs. Pacana

Fourth Quarter

Pacana rallies for a win

Chris gets coach's instructions

Fourth Quarter

another 4th quarter photo

Pacana trying to save the team's fate

Pacana shoots, reducing Coke's deficit. Coke lost by 2 pts. (110-112)

Biggest reason for Realtors’ huge turnaround (From www.pba.com.ph)

Sta. Lucia’s Kelly Williams, the top overall pick in this year’s Draft, is looking to help his team make the biggest turnaround in the league in the last nine years.

The 6-foot-5 workhorse of the Realtors, who can play the 2-3-4-5 positions, is one of the big reasons for Sta. Lucia’s currently being at the top of the team standings of the Talk ‘N Text-PBA Philippine Cup with their 5-1 slate and typifies the new-found vigor and athleticism of the SLR franchise.

Williams, whose mother -- the former Andrea Castro – is from Cebu, is leading his team in scoring and rebounding with his 15.0 ppg and 11.8 rpg averages, one of only two players in the league to do so, the other being Talk ‘N Text Asi Taulava, whose 17.9 ppg and 12.4 rpg norms are best at the Phone Pals camp.

A product of Oakland University, Williams is the only rookie averaging in double figures in rebounding and is ranked third overall behind the 13.3rpg of Barangay Ginebra’s Rudy Hatfield and Taulava. He is also one of only seven players currently averaging a double-double and his 1.2 shotblocks per game is tied for sixth overall in the conference.

Williams made the loudest noise in the Realtors' last three games, two of which they've won against league giants Red Bull and Talk `N Text. He capped the team's 102-90 rout of the Phone Pals in San Fernando, Pampanga last week with a career-high 25 points and a solid 11-rebound performance.

No other previous No. 1 pick in recent years is creating such a big ripple since Marlou Aquino, ironically a teammate of Williams now at Sta. Lucia. Aquino created a huge impact during his rookie year with Ginebra in 1996 and was rewarded with Rookie of the Year honors at season’s end.

Ginebra recorded a franchise-worst 5-25 win-loss record in 1995 but went 35-29 – an astounding 30-win turnaround -- when the 6-foot-9 center arrived the following season, capping it with a runner-up finish to Alaska in the 1996 Governors Cup.

The 6-foot-9 Aquino averaged 9.0 rebounds and 2.8 block shots – both bests among locals – and a third-best 17.9 points per game in his freshman season.

The Sonny Jaworski-coached Ginebra squad reaped more dividends with Aquino during the 1997 season when it trounced Alaska to capture the '97 Commissioner's Cup and also finished second to Purefoods in the All-Filipino Cup.

Williams is also tops among rookies in average minutes played (37.0) and is second in scoring and shotblocks, next only to this year’s second overall pick, Arwind Santos. The versatile forward out of Far Eastern U is averaging 15.9 points, 1.8 shotblocks and 9.8 rebounds, which is ranked second to Williams among all freshmen and is ninth overall.

Welcoat's pair of big men in JunJun Cabatu and JayR Reyes are ranked third and fourth among rookies in the scoring department, with averages of 12.6 and 11.1, respectively, while No. 4 pick Lewis Alfred Tenorio of San Miguel Beer shows the way in the assists department (3.2) and in the assist-turnover ratio (2.7).

Another unheralded greenhorn named Chris Pacana of Coca-Cola is the best rookie as far as steals is concerned (1.2) while Sta. Lucia's Mark Isip tops the Class of `06 in field goal percentage (58.6%).

It's too early yet how far can Williams bring the Realtors or if he can follow in the footsteps of Aquino, but he still has the rest of the season to prove his worth.

Other current rookie leaders include Tenorio, best in 2-point field goal (68.2%), Cabatu in 3-point field goal (45.5%) and Purefoods' Boyet Bautista in free throw percentage (100%, 4-for-4). (DBC)

Credits: SunStar Cebu

THE Coca Cola Tigers outlasted the Welcoat Dragons, 92-86, in yesterday’s Talk N’ Text 2006 PBA Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Tigers, who played without Ali Peek, Will Antonio and Neil Raneses, clawed their way back into the game after falling behind by 11 points with a roaring endgame rally.

Allan Salangsang and Chris Pacana starred in the Tigers’ come-from-behind victory as their heroics in the last two minutes of the final quarter allowed Coca Cola to steal the glory from the Dragons.

Salangsang dished out a double-double performance as he tallied a game-high 21 points and 10 rebounds, while Pacana etched a career-high of 18 points in helping the Tigers secure the victory.

Rob Wainwright stretched the Dragons’ edge to five points, 80-75, after completing a three-point play but Pacana replied with a booming trey in the next play and teammate Joseph Yeo made a lay-up off a Dragons miss to level the count to 80-all in the last 2:12.

That turned out to be the turning point of the game as the Tigers made another five-to-nothing spurt courtesy of Pacana’s three-point bomb and Denok Miranda’s twinner in the last 1:15.

The Dragons refused to give up as Jojo Tangkay replied with a three-point conversion in the ensuing play, keeping his team in the thick of things as time dwindled down to 1:12 with Welcoat just behind by two, 83-85.

Endgame

Salangsang, who was five-of-eight in the three-point area, however, took charge in the endgame as he pulled another trey with only 54 ticks left seconds left to seal the win.

“With only nine men to shuffle, I just told the boys to cling together and work together. If we could do that, something good might happen,” said Coca-Cola coach Binky Favis, who worked the game without veteran center Ali Peek (injured knee) and shooters Antonio (groin injury) and Raneses (family problem).

“Sometimes when you work hard, you get lucky,” Favis added.

Their only third win in seven games was a breather for the Tigers who went into the game still reeling from a 75-102 blowout against Barangay Ginebra last Thursday and a 71-81 defeat against the Dragons last Oct.8.

Thanks to Salangsang, who made the big shots when they needed it, Coke was able to avenge that upset loss against Welcoat in their first meeting.

It was another frustrating game for Welcoat, which controlled the game throughout only to blow it in the closing minutes. The Dragons fell to a 2-5 (win-loss) card with their third straight loss.

Last Friday, The Dragons also went down in defeat against the Red Bull Barakos, 77-80, after leading by as many as 17 points.

Jojo Tangkay scored 25 points to show the way for the Dragons. (JAF with PBA Media Bureau)

By JOEL ORELLANA
The Manila Times Reporter

Chris Pacana is beginning to prove that he’s a bigtime player who belongs to the big-time league.

The 6-foot-1 Pacana came to the rescue for Coca-Cola in the pivotal fourth quarter and teamed up with Dennis Miranda and Allan Salangsang to lead their team to a come-from-behind 92-86 win over Welcoat Sunday night in the Talk ’N Text-Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.

The 24-year-old product of St. Francis of Assisi had 14 of his career-high 18 points in the fourth period including the last four that sealed the win for the Tigers and snapped a two-game losing streak to improve to 3-4.

Salangsang also netted a personal-best 21 markers including 5 booming triples that helped Coke to stay in the game as the Dragons, who absorbed their third straight loss, tried to pull away but to no avail.

"Playing with our three pieces missing, I told the players that it will be tough. It’ll call of holding their arms together, sticking with it and pitching in whatever they could. Sometimes when you play hard, you’ll be lucky," said Coke head coach Binky Favis.

"Chris showed up big tonight. But everybody played their roles to the hilt tonight including Manny [Ramos] and Mike [Gavino]. Denok [Miranda] was our leader defensively and Allan had a great shooting game," Favis added.

The Tigers, who now avenged their 75-85 loss in their first meeting, played minus Ali Peek (injured left knee), William Antonio (groin) and Neil Raneses (family concerns).

But the back-ups, particularly Pacana and Salangsang, were more than willing to carry the fight of the team which appeared on losing another match to the Dragons who led by as much as 11 points in the game at 57-46.

Coke quickly returned into the game by unloading a 14-4 run capped by Salangsang’s triple to close in at 58-61 and the former Barangay Ginebra shooter added a pair of treys at the start of the fourth to move even closer at 64-66.

Welcoat remained in control of the game with Jojo Tangkay, who registered a career-high 25 points, and Rob Wainwright doing most of the damage as the Dragons held an 80-75 lead with just 3:11 left in the game.

Then Pacana took charge the rest of the way, starting the uprising with a three-point play off Nino Gelig that sparked a 10-0 blast capped by Miranda’s banked shot for an 85-80 cushion, 1:15 remaining.

Tangkay buried a triple to put Welcoat back in the game, 83-85, but Salangsang answered with his own rainbow shot. After Tangkay sank three free throws on the foul of Miranda, Pacana hit a difficult lay-up over 6-foo-t8 Jay-R Reyes and sealed the win with two free throws.

It was indeed a painful loss for the Dragons who were in the same situation as in their previous game against Red Bull where they led by as much as 17 points in the third but bungled it and yielded an 80-77 decision.

Scores:

Coke 92—Salangsang 21, Pacana 18, Arigo 15, Ferreria 9, Miranda 8, Ramos 6, Misolas 6, Yeo 5, Gavino 4.

Welcoat 86—Tangkay 25, Wainwright 17, Cabatu 16, Ibanes 10, Lopez 7, Gelig 6, Reyes 4, Sta. Maria 1, Baguion 0, Lao 0, Mente 0.

Quarters: 13-19, 38-41, 58-61, 92-86.

john geoffrey dacanay October 27th, 2006

We're still almost halfway into the elimination round of the 2006-07 PBA Talk N Text Philippine Cup and already there are several notable rookies who are more making a strong case for the yearend Rookie of the Year Award.

Leading the pack of this year's exciting rookies are the 2006 PBA Draft's number 1 and 2 overall selections: Kelly Williams of Sta. Lucia Realty and Arwind Santos of the Air21 Express. Williams is leading all rookies in scoring (14.75 ppg) and rebounding (11 rpg) while ex-FEU stalwart Arwind Santos is the numero uno shotblocker among rookies with an astonishing two swats per contest. Santos also ranks 2nd among rookies in average points per game (14.4 ppg) and in steals (1.2 spg).

Second round pick Chris Pacana, who was drafted a lowly 15th overall by the Coca Cola Tigers, is making the other nine teams in the league regret he wasn't picked ahead by pacing all rookies in assists (4 apg) and steals (1.33 spg). The 6-0 Fil-Am guard from St. Francis of Assisi has been relegated to the sidelines in his team's first two games but responded beautifully when coach Bonky Favis thrusted him into the lineup in the team's October 13 game against Red Bull. The Tigers won that game courtesy of Pacana's superb quarterbacking skills (Stat lines: 13 points, 7 boards and 3 assists). Pacana has not looked back since.

The PBA Draft's third, fourth and fifth overall selections: Joseph Yeo, LA Tenorio and Gabby Espinas are also providing solid contributions for the Coca Cola Tigers and the San Miguel Beermen. The high-flying Joseph Yeo, nicknamed 'The Ninja' for his aerial forays and no fear attitude, is averaging 10ppg, 4.6 rpg and 1.2 apg in 26 minutes per contest relieving main star John Arigo. San Miguel's rookie pair Tenorio and Espinas have been a splendid job taking the cudgels from the Beermen's injured stars Danny Seigle and Danny Ildefonso. Tenorio ranks third in assists (2.8 apg) among rookies and could also score (11 ppg) if he wants to. Espinas is the 2nd leading rookie rebounder with an average of 9.4 rpg and provides the Beermen a tough defender in the post (one block per game).

Welcoat rookie center 6-7 Jay-R Reyes, the league's youngest player, is proving everyone that he is unfazed of the competition. In his first five games as a pro, Reyes has put together all-around averages of 13.2 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 1.0 bpg, 0.8 spg. The Dragons other rookie Junjun Cabatu is also performing creditably with 10 ppg, 6.8 rpg and 2.0 apg.

Letran's deadly duo Boyet Bautista (Purefoods) and Aaron Aban (Alaska) are not getting any substantial playing minutes due to their teams' superior depth at the point guard and small forward spots. Bautista (11.25 mpg) is playing behind the Chunkee Giants' Roger Yap and Paul Artadi while Aaron Aban (6.0 mpg) is competing with Tony de la Cruz, Jeffrey Cariaso, fellow rookie Christian Luanzon and Eddie Laure. But make no mistake about it. Both have great talent and upside to be a starter in the league. In his most memorable game so far, Boyet Bautista scored 11 points in just 15 minutes in an 67-86 blowout loss to the Brgy. Ginebra Gin Kings last October 7.

To rank the neophytes, we used an efficiency rating to determine who is making the most out of his given time on the playing court.

Click for a bigger view:

by john geoffrey dacanay

It was a night of upsets and career games. Ex-Ginebra forward Allan Salangsang scored all but two of his career-high 16 points in the fourth quarter to key the Coca Cola Tigers' breakaway over the defending All-Filipino champs Purefoods Chunkee Giants, 92-77, in the 2006 PBA-Talk N Text Philippine Cup eliminations at the Araneta Coliseum. Aside from Salangsang, the Tigers also drew some strong games from Jason Misolas (14 points and 10 boards) and rookie Joseph Yeo (13 points), both career-highs.

Chris Pacana had another brilliant game for the Tigers contributing 8 points and 5 assists as a backup to starter Denok Miranda. The Tigers have now won back-to-back games after losing their first two games of the season. The loss spoiled the career-high 18 points of Purefoods' mercurial point guard Paul Artadi. Artadi also grabbed 5 boards, dished off 5 assists and stole twice.

The Tigers led by as much as 14 points in the first half but couldn't pull away from its visibly out-of-sync opponent. The Chunkee Giants finally found its rhythm in the third quarter to pull even at 49-all but a blistering 13-4 run by the Tigers at the end of the third quarter took the starch out of the Giants.

Ali Peek paced the Tigers with 19 points, 8 of those in the fourth quarter to keep Purefoods at bay. Peek also grabbed 8 boards. John Arigo was not able to finish the game after suffering from cramps in the third quarter and wound up with only 8 points, the lowest in the tournament so far for the league's leading scorer (25.7 ppg).

Kerby Raymundo backstopped Artadi with 15 points. Peter June Simon had another great game, finishing with 14 points for the Giants who played without Jun Limpot and Jondan Salvador. 2006 PBA MVP James Yap struggled all game long and could only chip in 10 points. The loss was the Giants third in four games.

In the nightcap, the Air21 Express leaned on the career games of Ranidel de Ocampo, Gary David and Wynne Arboleda to deal the Talk N Text Phonepals its first loss of the season, 127-110, thereby arresting also its three-game losing skid.

Ranidel de Ocampo and Gary David exploded for a career-high 33 and 30 points, respectively, including a combined 24-point output in the fourth quarter to blow the game wide open. Express point guard Wynne Arboleda dished off a career-best 18 assists. Super rookie Arwind Santos only had 12 points but had two emphatic blocks on Asi Taulava. The Express continued to miss the high-flying Nino Canaleta who suffered a broken nose two games ago.

The Phonepals were led by Taulava's 21 points and Don Allado's 18 points. Fil-Am Anthony Washington couldn't get his game going and contributed only a listless 5 point-effort. The loss leaves the Sta. Lucia Realtors as the only unbeaten team in the tourney.

First Game:
Coca-Cola 92 = Peek 19, Salangsang 16, Misolas 14, Yeo 13, Pacana 8, Miranda 8, Arigo 8, Gavino 2, Caceres 2, Raneses 2, Ferreria 0, Antonio 0.
Purefoods 77 = Artadi 18, Raymundo 15, Simon 14, Yap J. 10, Pingris 7, Yee 4, Castillo 4, Bautista 3, Yap R. 2, Evangelista 0.
Quarterscores: 19-19, 41-38, 62-53, 92-77

Second Game:
Air21 127 = de Ocampo R. 33, David 30, de Ocampo Y. 13, Santos 12, Tubid 10, Telan 9, Arboleda 9, Avenido 7, Se 4, Sotto 0, Dimaunahan 0.
Talk n Text 110 = Taulava 21, Allado 18, Ritualo 15, Alapag 13, Carey 12, Cardona 8, Belano 8, Pablo 6, Washington 5, Andaya 4, Fran 0.
Quarterscores: 29-26, 60-all, 91-85, 127-110

by john geoffrey dacanay

The Coca Cola Tigers found two unlikely heroes in rookies Chris Pacana and Mike Gavino to shock the Red Bull Barakos and its faithfuls 105-86 in the 2006 PBA-Talk N Text Philippine Cup main header.

Pacana and Gavino took the cudgels from fellow rookies Ronjay Enrile and RJ Rizada to make a solid impression in their first official game as a professional. Pacana was able to orchestrate the Tigers' plays to perfection and scored timely hits to put the Barakos at bay. He scored 13 points, 7 rebounds and 3 assists in just 23 minutes of action. Gavino, on the other hand, managed just 6 points in 20 minutes but had 6 rebounds and held the Tigers' fort when Ali Peek was in foul trouble.

John Arigo had a monster offensive game with 27 points. Peek had a double-double game: 14 points and 13 rebounds. The Tigers also drew career games from Joseph Yeo and Neil Raneses. Both scored 12 points. Enrico Villanueva had a measly 14 points for the Barakos. Carlo Sharma came off the bench to provide an additional big body in the paint, scoring 9 points. In what was a close game in the opening quarter, the Tigers stepped on the breaks in the 2nd quarter, leading by double digits before settling for 54-45 halftime lead. In the second half, the Tigers answered every rally put up by the Barakos to win pulling away.

The win was the Tigers' first in three outings. The same W-L card by the Welcoat Dragons and the Alaska Aces. The loss was the Barakos' first in three outings, dropping the Red Bull team to the middle of the 10-team field.

In the first game, the Talk N Text Phonepals showed no mercy when they crushed, pounded and literally made mincemeat of the defenses of the Welcoat Dragons en route to a 115-99 victory. It was the third consecutive win for the Phonepals and gives them a piece of the lead with the Brgy Ginebra Gin Kings. The loss was the Dragons' second in three outings.

Harvey Carvey topscored for the Phonepals with a game-high 22 points on 11-12 shooting from the field. Shooter Renren Ritualo scored 20 points and 6-7 Anthony Washington had another double-double performance with 18 points and 11 boards. What's noticeable from the Phonepals is their new revved up up-tempo offense that the honed up in their workouts and preseason games abroad. Welcoat guard Denver Lopez had a career-defining game with 21 points backstopped by Rob Wainwright's 18 points. Rookie Jay-R Reyes had another solid game with 15 points.

First Game:
Talk N Text 115 = Carey 22, Ritualo 20, Washington 18, Taulava 16, Allado 12, Cardona 8, Alapag 7, Belano 7, Fran 3, Pablo 2, Andaya 0.
Welcoat 99 = Lopez 21, Wainwright 18, Reyes 15, Cabatu 13, Gelig 10, Tangkay 10, Sta. Maria 4, Lao 4, Ibanes 2, Baguion 2, Mente 0.
Quarterscores: 33-26, 60-38, 84-66, 115-99

Red Bull 86 = Villanueva 14, Valenzuela 11, Pennisi 10, Sharma 9, Baguio 9,Najorda 8, Fonacier 7, Robinson 7, Alvarez 6, Tugade 3, Cruz 2, Bugia 0.
Quarterscores: 25-24, 54-45, 79-67, 105-86

Source: John Arigo: d' Arsenal's Official FanSite

The Coca-Cola Tigers had their breakout game in the 2006-07 PBA campaign Friday, roaring back from a sorry upset the last time out with an upset of their own.

Little changes in their roster seemed to make a big difference for the Tigers who nailed their first win in the Talk n Text PBA Philippine Cup with a king-sized 105-86 reversal of the favored Red Bull side at the Cuneta Astrodome. Chris Pacana and Mike Gavino both made an impact in their debut in the pros, helping the Tigers redeem themselves from a 75-85 loss to the Welcoat Dragons Sunday.

The Tigers bowed to the Alaska Aces in their maiden game in the season last October 4.

Coca-Cola handled Red Bull so well that the Tigers led by as many as 20 points before eventually handing the Barakos their first loss in three starts.

"Mike Gavino helped us on the boards and Chris Pacana helped set control. But the real key was that everybody was willing to fight. Everybody was willing to give five minutes, six minutes or whatever minutes of hard work," said Coca-Cola coach Binky Favis.

"We also got lucky our shots fell. Part of the luck was that Red Bull was a bit off," Favis added.

Doing well with his current lineup is no guarantee though that Favis will play the rest of the tourney with the same group.

"We’re in the process of rotating our guys. We want to see how well everybody plays in certain situations. It’s part of our measurement how long they could stay," Favis explained.

Pacana and Gavino, who took over from fellow rookies Ronjay Enrile and RJ Rizada, acquitted themselves well with the Tigers in their first official game in the pros. Pacana contributed 13 points, seven rebounds and three assists in 23 minutes while Gavino chipped in six points and the same number of rebounds in 20 minutes.

John Arigo scattered 27 points while Ali Peek had a double-double game with 14 points and 13 rebounds for the Tigers, who drew career-high 12 points each from top rookie Joseph Yeo and sophomore Neil Raneses.

The Barakos were obviously frustrated with their performance with Junthy Valenzuela being banished from the game on a couple of flagrant fouls. Enrico Villanueva had his own flagrant infraction curiously committed against old rival Joseph Yeo.

Valenzuela will automatically serve a one-game suspension as a result of his ejection.

Drawing significant numbers from Pacana right at the start, Coca-Cola took command early and sat on a nine-point cushion, 54-45, at halftime.

The Tigers had earlier nine-point spreads but lost these as they ran into a maze of errors while being pressed by the Barakos midway through the second quarter.

The Barakos had to lean on defense to stay in the thick of the battle as they faltered on the other end of the court in the first 24 minutes of play.

Shock trooper Carlo Sharma paced Red Bull with eight points in the opening half where the whole team shot only 38.5 percent from the field. The Tigers, on the other hand, hit at a 42.5-percent clip.

The Tigers also did better in the battle off the boards, 33-27. (NC)

Source: pba.ph

By Jase S. Violeta
Sun.Star Staff Reporter

Ronnie Bughao might become the latest addition of Cebuano basketball talents in the Philippine Basketball Association after he impressed newly reassigned Barangay Ginebra head coach Jong Uichico in the first day of the 2006 PBA Rookie Camp at the Philsports Arena.

Bughao, an ex-San Beda Red Lions starter, logged a near triple-double of 12 points, nine assists and nine rebounds in the Red team’s 98-99 loss to the Yellow squad.

"He's the type of guy that we need. But we'll see," said Uichico of Bughao.

Good post up

Uichico also revealed that Mark Isip, the 24-year-old ex-FEU Tamaraws forward and Mythical First Team member in last year's UAAP season, will likely land in the first round of the Philippine Basketball Association Annual Rookie Draft.

"He’s got good post up moves and good footwork. Very impressive. He's definitely a first round material," said Uichico.

Isip scored 20 points to take team scoring honors, hauled down six rebounds and had two assists, helping his Yellow Team beat the Red Team, 99-98.

Selected

Even coach Al Chua of Sta. Lucia Realty and Alaska mentor Tim Cone agreed that Isip will be selected in the first round.

"I'll take him if he's got no takers. But I don't think he'll be available when our turn comes," Chua, whose team owns the first and sixth picks in the first round.

Chua has openly declared that they are set to exercise their No. 1 draft right on Isip's Far Eastern U teammate Arwind Santos.

Kelly Williams, the lone Fil-Am aspirant in the Aug. 20 Rookie Draft and another player expected to be selected among the Top 3, was also impressive.

He tallied 17 points but his offense was overshadowed by his defensive skills.

The 6-foot-7, 215-pound forward, who was given a lot of playing minutes by coach Art dela Cruz, highlighted his game with three steals, two shotblocks and nine rebounds.

Poor start

Magnum Membrere a former Ateneo Blue Eagle who played for the Yellow Team, had a poor start but picked up his rhythm in the second half, and went on to score 14 points including a 4-of-8 shooting from three-point range. He also had six assists and seven rebounds.

In the other game, former PSBA standout Manuel Caceres scored 15 points and hauled down nine rebounds while California-born and St. Francis of Assisi stalwart Chris Pacana added 14 as the Blue Team routed the Green Team, 100-59.

Seven of the 10 Blue players of coaches Mon Jose and Boybits Victoria actually scored in double figures. (With PBA Media Bureau)

SPORTING CHANCE By Joaquin M. Henson
The Philippine Star 07/27/2006

In sports lingo, a sleeper is a potential star, untested and a darkhorse in the race for recognition.

Chris Pacana, 24, fits the description like a glove. He’s one of 56 applicants for the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) draft at Market! Market! in The Fort on Aug. 20 and his agent Chris Tan swears the six-foot, 195-pound guard is for real.

Tan used to play in the PBA so he should know what he’s talking about. He’s also coach Norman Black’s stepson.

Last season, Tan got involved in the business of recruiting imports for PBA teams and brought in Omar Thomas, Omar Weaver, Damien Owens and Kwan Johnson. Now, he’s into representing local cagers as a full-fledged agent.

Yesterday, Pacana showed up for the two-hour morning open tryouts conducted by San Miguel Beer and Barangay Ginebra at the Green Meadows gym. He was among 30 players sized up by coaches Joseph Uichico, Siot Tanquingcen, Juno Sauler, Boybits Victoria and Kirk Collier.

Some of the rookie hopefuls were Christian Luanzon, R. J. Rizada and Don Dulay. Veterans Chris Calaguio, Kiko Adriano and Migs Noble also joined the 3-on-3 drills and 5-on-5 scrimmages.

"I think Chris did okay," said Tan who watched from the sidelines. "It’s really difficult to evaluate your skills in an open run because you don’t get a chance to show everything you can do. But I spoke with Kirk who mentioned Chris is fundamentally sound. Chris needs to work on his jumper but overall, he’s ready to play in the PBA."

Tan said the Ginebra coaches were particularly interested in checking out Pacana and Dulay. A Fil-Am guard, Dulay has played in the Philippine Basketball League and National Basketball Conference and is also ripe for the pros.

Tan likened Pacana’s style to Jay-Jay Helterbrand’s. "Chris plays one or two," said Tan. "He makes good decisions on the court, handles the ball well and is solid from medium range. One of the things he’s working on is his shooting from the PBA three-point line."

Pacana was born in the US to full-blooded Filipino parents from Manila. His father Ernani is from San Miguel and mother Elizabeth Mendoza from Sampaloc. An only child, he came to Manila three years ago to look for basketball opportunities after playing at Concordia College in the US Golden State Athletic Conference. Pacana’s father is unemployed and suffering from scoliosis. His mother works for a Honda dealership in West Covina and is the family breadwinner.

"Chris came here to get a job doing what he does best, playing basketball, so he can help out his father who’s in line to receive a pension but hasn’t gotten it yet," said Tan.

Pacana got a Filipino passport in 2003 and qualifies as a local player in the PBA.

In 2004, he went back to the US and played for Purefoods in the Fil-Am summer Dream League in Las Vegas. He compiled 34 points, nine rebounds and three assists for Purefoods in the Class AAA title game but the Bay Area Heads won, 63-57.

Back in Manila, Pacana was spotted playing in pick-up games by St. Francis of Assisi varsity coach Gabby Velasco who recruited him for the Doves. Pacana made it to the league mythical first team in his only year with the Doves last season.

"Coach Gabby would fetch Chris in his uncle’s house in Blue Ridge every morning to bring him to school," said Tan. "Then, Chris would commute going home. He lived on a P40 daily allowance and an athletic scholarship at St. Francis."

Pacana’s uncle, in whose house he stays, is a session guitarist who has worked occasionally in Regine Velasquez’ back-up band.

Tan said he guarantees that Pacana will work his butt off game in, game out because what motivates him to succeed in the pros is a promise to his parents. It’s a promise to give them a better life.

From Saturday, March 11, 2006 – THE MANILA TIMES

LEOMER LOSENTES and Filipino American hotshot Chris Pacana found the right moment to shine Friday as their timely baskets carried Saint Francis of Assisi College to their seventh crown in the 13th National Capital Region Athletic Association (NCRAA) men’s basketball championships at the San Andres gym in Manila.

The Doves pulled off a 76-72 victory over Arellano University in Game 3 of their best-of-three title showdown with the help of Losentes, who scored 21 points, including two free throws with 42 seconds left that handed the Doves a 10-point edge late in the game.

Christopher Concepcion banged in 15 points, including a free throw with 26 ticks to go, assuring Saint Francis the four-point victory over the Flaming Arrows.

Pacana, a prized recruit from Los Angeles , chalked up 13 points and sank two freebies off Alfie Martinez’s foul, allowing the Doves to move safely ahead at 75-70.

“I‘m proud of the guys. They were determined to get back the trophy, to get back the championship they lost last year,” said Doves coach Gabby Velasco.

The Doves won their sixth crown two years ago, but were not able to defend it when they missed the semifinals last season due to injuries to their key players.

They broke free from a 44-all deadlock after a drive and short jumper by Martin Ilagan. Losentes and Concepcion then strung up three treys, allowing the Doves to take a 61-53 spread at the end of the third period.

Michael Rabor’s jumper off Pacana’s pass with 5:57 left then saw the Doves zoom ahead by 10, 70-60.

Despite the big deficit, the Flaming Arrows refused to let the Doves have an easy time, coming to within three off a pair of triples from Orlando Daroya, before Pacana hit his two freebies to put the Doves to safer grounds anew at 75-70.

Daroya chipped in a game-high 22 points for the Flaming Arrows while Martinez sank 13.
“Experience-wise, they had the edge over us. It’s OK for us that we reached the championship on our second year. It’s a lesson for us to strive more next year,” said Flaming Arrows coach Leo Isaac.

The scores:
SAINT FRANCIS 76—Losentes 21, Concepcion 15, Pacana 13, Arroyo 6, Ilagan 6, Leynes 6, Rabor 4, Castanarez 3, Paez 2.
ARELLANO 72—Daroya 22, Martinez 15, Boliver 10, D. Martinez 9, Ciriacruz 8, Darjuan 5, Magcawas 3.
Halftime:38-34.

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Stopping the prolific shooters of the Saint Francis of Assisi Doves will be the main target of the Arellano University Flaming Arrows when they clash at 11 a.m. Friday in their winner-take-all Game 3 showdown for the 13th National Capital Region Athletic Association men's basketball crown at the San Andres Gym.

Crushed by the Doves in Game 1, the Flaming Arrows bounced back in Game 2 with an 81-76 victory Wednesday and gained a final chance to clinch their first-ever NCRAA plum.

With their title series tied at 1-all, the two squads meet in a no-tomorrow game at 11 a.m.

Coach Leo Isaac believes the key to winning the title is holding off Saint Francis' main men Leomer Losentes, Christopher Concepcion and Chris Pacana.

"We need some more adjustments. We have to limit the production of these three [players]," said Isaac, as the Flaming Arrows will try to keep the Doves from clinching their seventh title in 12 finals appearances.

Alfie Martinez showed the way for Arellano U in Game 2. His decisive layup with 15.7 seconds left gave the Flaming Arrows a seven-point cushion at 80-73 en route to the victory that frustrated the Doves' bid of nailing the title outright via a 2-0 sweep.

Orlando Daroya churned out 26 points for the Flaming Arrows, eight of them in the last period, including a charity with 11.3 seconds remaining.

In Game 1, the Doves used their vast experience to run down the Arrows, 74-61, Monday also at the San Andres gym.