Chris Pacana

The Singapore Slingers won this game at 100 -68. Looks like Chris Pacana don't get the chance to play though.


And I'm right. Here's the statistics of their game, Chris did not play. Probably he's still nursing his injuries.

For more information about the game, visit Singapore Slingers Website. Thanks to Jason Ho for the pictures.

Sasagupain ang TNT sa semis
Ni VLADI EDUARTE

Kumpleto na ang Final Four cast ng 2008-09 KFC PBA Philippine Cup, matapos maitakas ng San Miguel Beer ang kapana-panabik na come-from-behind 98-93 win laban sa sister team Barangay Ginebra sa sudden-death game sa Cuneta Astrodome kagabi.

Parang natulala ang Gin Kings mula sa kalagitnaan ng third period hanggang fourth nang walang magawang solusyon habang unti-unting naglalaho ang naipundar nilang 21-puntos na kalamangan.

Napatingala na lamang sina Beermen Anthony Washington at Dorian Peña habang kumakana ng one-handed jump shot si Chris Pacana ng Ginebra Kings sa tagpong ito sa game 3 ng PBA quarterfinals kagabi sa Cuneta Astrodome sa Pasay City. (John Paulino)

Nalubog sa 62-43 pero hindi nasiraan ng loob ang Beermen ni coach Siot Tanquingcen. Mula sa six-minute mark ng third, naglunsad ng 26-8 atake ang San Miguel na inangklahan ng tigalawang 3-pointers nina Dondon Hontiveros at Lordy Tugade para tapusin ang period na kumakatok na sa pintuan ng Kings, 70-67.

Nang makumpleto ni Hontiveros ang three-point play mula sa foul ni Sunday Salvacion, sa unang pagkakataon sa laro ay lumamang ang San Miguel 75-74 may 8:43 pa sa laro.
Pagkatapos ng apat na mintis at apat na offensive rebounds, nabasag ang pang-apat at huling deadlock nang pumasok ang pabitin na tira ni rookie Bonbon Custodio na naglagay sa SMB sa unahan, 87-85.

Napuwersa sa tatlong magkakasunod na turnovers ang Kings na sinamantala ng Beermen sa pag-arangkada ng 9-2 run para iguhit ang pinakamalaking bentahe nila sa laro, 96-87, 72 tikada na lang.

Dumikit pa ang Kings sa 96-93 sa tres ni Salvacion 11.5 seconds pa, pero nang sumablay ang ikalawang foul shot ni Hontiveros ay napulot naman ng kakampi nitong si Marc Pingris ang long rebound bago nagpasok ng isa pang free throw para sa pinal na iskor.

Tumapos si Hontiveros ng 34 points, kapos ng isa sa kanyang career-high na naitala noong Biyernes lang, sa likod ng 6-of-11 shooting mula sa 3-point arc, habang nag-ambag ng 13 points si Custodio at may 11 si Tugade. May tig-pitong boards sina Hontiveros at Custodio.
Hindi pa sigurado kung makakapaglaro si Olsen Racela sa unang game ng best-of-seven semis ng SMB kontra Talk N Text sa Miyerkules ng 7:30 pm sa Araneta Coliseum dahil natawagan ito ng flagrant foul two at na-eject tatlong minuto pagkatapos ng opening tipoff.
Sumingit ang paa ni Racela sa babagsakan ni Helterbrand na tumira mula sa rainbow arc kaya napalabas ng laro.

Sisiklab na rin ang hiwalay na serye ng No. 1 Alaska at Sta. Lucia Realtors na magtatagpo sa unang game ng 5 pm.

It was a do or die Sunday between the Barangay Ginebra Kings (BGK) and the San Miguel Beermen (SMB). Whoever wins the ballgame will advance to the Semis and battle with the Talk N' Text Tropang Texters (TNT).

All game long, BGK commands the ballgame. And it was all because of the beyond the arc shots. I then began to admire BGK more, with a depleted line up, it was really all the heart of a champion thay they are using to fight tonight's ballgame. JayJay Helterbrand, who is quoted as 'due for explosion' by Quinito Henson, really exploded, allowing the BGK to have a 21-point lead against the star-studded SMB.

It was not only Helterbrand's 3 points shots, Paul Artadi, JunJun Cabatu, and Sunday Salvacion also had their 3 pointers that made all things happen for the Kings. And while they had their 3 points shots, Chris Pacana, Billy Mamaril, and Junthy Valenzuela fearlessly drives their way to the basket to contribute.

All the while, it was all BGK. But DonDon Hontiveros become unstoppable from the 3 point arc as well. He hit back to back 3s together with Lordy Tugade and Mic Pennisi. They where able to catch up and trim the lead down to only 3 points at the end of the 3rd Quarter.

BGK and SMB had shown a great series of the Quarter Finals. Everybody's on their feet in the ending minutes of the pay off period. Less than a minute left, SMB leads by only 4 points. BGK still has the chance to regain the lead, if not, at least extend the regulation period. But, I really don't understand why BGK DO NOT defend the last play of the SMB, allowing SMB to have a 6-point lead with only 24 seconds remaining. My sister uttered, if it was in NBA, anything could still happen. And I uttered, if it was Purefoods TJ Giants (PF), an overtime will push through, as what they did against TNT last October 31, 2008.

Salvacion hit a 3 point to cut the lead down to 3. But, the seconds are too much in favor of SMB. It was a sorry loss for the Kings. When I thought they almost made it. But nonetheless, I still can proudly say, thay their hearts are bigger than SMB. And Ronald Tubid's heart is a lot bigger than Hontiveros'.

The Kings bid goodbye to the All Filipino Cup Conference (AFC). And so, I bid goodbye to PBA for now. I have no more reason to watch PBA, no PF, no BGK. See you next conference!


The scores:


San Miguel 98 -- Hontiveros 34, Custodio 13, Tugade 11, Seigle 9, Washington 8, Villanueva 7, Pennisi 5, Pena 4, Pingris 3, Baguion 2, racela 2, Gonzales 0.

Ginebra 93 -- Helterbrand 30, Salvacion 17, Menk 9, Mamaril 8, Tubid 7, Pacana 6, Artadi 6, Wilson 6, Valenzuela 4, Escalona 0, Cabatu 0.

Quarterscores: 14-22, 36-49, 67-70, 98-93

Again, I was not able to watch the Quarter Finals Game between the Barangay Ginebra Kings (BGK) and the San Miguel Beermen (SMB). Thus, I have no other recourse but to ask my friends to keep me posted. Nonetheless, I have the feeling that BGK will grab tonight's ballgame.

I felt kinda uncomfortable knowing that SMB leads in the first few minutes of the game. It was even more disappointing knowing the Chris Pacana had committed 3 personal fouls with so many time remaining in the 2nd Quarter. SMB continues to take charge of the driver's seat until Ronald Tubid hit a shot from downtown, making it at 30 all with 8minutes remaining in the 1st half. This 3 pointer had been succeeded by many other, letting BGK grab the lead at 37-36 with 5minutes remaining at the half. Sheer heart, that is, BGK ended the first half at 48-41.

At the 3rd Quarter, BGK continues to shine with their 3 pointers as Paul Artadi hits his own version of the arc, making the score at 54-41. It was as well complemented by a back to back steal by JayJay Helterbrand. Almost everyone contributed. Willie Wilson and Billy Mamaril made a field goal each to make it 58-41 in their favor. BGK's lead ballooned to 14 big points (68-52) forcing Coach Siot Tanquincen to commit a technical foul. BGK ended the 3rd Quarter with a commanding lead of 7 points (70-63).

But SMB showed BGK how important a deeper bench in this kind of series. They tied the ballgame at 70 all with less than 10minutes remaining in the pay off period. It has been a seesaw battle between the 2 sister companies. SMB, once again, grab the lead (85-82) in the last 2 minutes mark of the quarter. But, as what Tubid had said in their 2nd game of the eliminations, their hearts are much bigger, regaining the lead 90-88 with only 6.6 seconds remaining. It is indeed a pulsating ballgame. At the end, it was Tubid's heart that prevailed. BGK won 91-88. They forced SMB to play game 3 for a do or die game Sunday.

The scores:

Barangay Ginebra 91 - Tubid 19, Helterbrand 15, Menk 15, Salvacion 11, Valenzuela 9, Mamaril 8, Artadi 6, Wilson 5, Cabatu 3, Escalona 0, Pacana 0, Crisano 0.

San Miguel Beer 88 - Hontiveros 35, Seigle 12, Pena 10, Custodio 9, Tugade 9, Pingris 4, Washington 3, Gonzales 3, Racela 2, Pennisi 1.

Quarterscores: 22-26, 48-41, 70-63, 91-88.

I kinda miss PBA. I got frustrated last time when the Purefoods TJ Giants (PF) were eliminated in their wildcard game against the Air21 Express. I got a little more disappointed that time since Kerby 'The Kid' Raymundo was only able to gain most of his scores only from the free throw line. Anyway, it is the first game of the Quarter Finals Series between the Barangay Ginebra Kings (BGK), my favorite team, and the San Miguel Beermen (SMB).

I was not able to watch the game. Good that I have friends who willingly update me on the happenings as the game goes by. I was kinda sad that time when SMB lead ballooned to 10 big points at the end of the first half (42-32). To my mind, SMB is really an all-star cast. And there's BonBon Custodio (my bet for the Rookie of the Year, ha ha) who really plays so well. But, I still wanted to see BGK winning the game.

I was delighted when BGK come back because of their 3-pt shots. And it was more fascinating since one of the shots from the parking lot came from my favorite player, Chris Pacana. I really hoped that he would be given more playing time by Coach Jong Uichico.

It was a tight ball game in the ending minutes. While still on my way home, I hoped that I could still catch the game and see Pacana throwing the winning shot. Yes, I was able to catch the game. It was about 47 (Mark Caguioa? Where are you?) seconds left, 78-77 in favor of SMB, BGK's ball. Well, as expected, Pacana is no where to be found in the court. Pacana is used by Coach Uichico more on the defensive stop rather on offense. Anyway, what matter here now is to have a basket. But it was heartbreaking when Ronald Tubid failed to chip in his 3 point basket. Nonetheless, he was hailed as the game's 3-point King. Now, it was SMB's ball. They just melted the clock, and was not able to gain a basket. Only 4 seconds left, BGK had another chance of making a win from this one. But, JayJay Helterbrand's 3-point attempt does not even touch the rim. Well, it was a hard shot. He was not given any screen that time. He simply fished for a foul then against Custodio, but the referees were too lazy to call one. (It makes me miss PF, and all their buzzer beaters.)

Sorry loss for BGK. The game could have been for the them -- It Could Have Been For The Kings. But, it was not. Well, the series is a Best of 3, they will surely come back next game. It would be a do or die for them. And I'm sure, they'll do it.

The scores:

San Miguel 78 - Tugade 15, Hontiveros 14, Racela 11, Custodio 10, Seigle 10, Pingris 6, Pena 6, Washington 4, Pennisi 2, Calaguio 0.

Ginebra 77 - Mamaril 22, Tubid 14, Valenzuela 9, Helterbrand 8, Artadi 7, Salvacion 6, Menk 4, Pacana 3, Wilson 2, Crisano 2, Escalona 0, Cabatu 0.

Quarterscores: 21-16, 42-32, 61-54, 78-77.