Chris Pacana

It could have been hard for us fans not to see Chris Pacana on the hardcourt for the longest time now. If it saddens us, I believe it is breaking Chris' heart. But with Chris' perseverance coupled with our prayers, our Lord blessed him another shot at the hardcourt.

Yes, Chris will be suiting up as a Kuala Lumpur Dragons in the Asian Basketball League. Here's an article about the GOOD NEWS:

Source: In The Zone

Kuala Lumpur Dragons' Ariel Vanguardia's US scouting trip
By: RICK OLIVARES

What’s in the life of a Filipino coaching abroad? For Ariel Vanguardia who was head coach for the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers and an assistant in Talk ‘N Text and Barako Bull, it’s an opportunity to get around and go up.

Now he does get around as coach for the Kuala Lumpur Dragons for they play in the domestic league, in tournaments in Indonesia, as well as the Asean Basketball League.
In an effort to beef up the Dragons for the coming ABL tournament, Vanguardia went to the United States recently to scout some American basketball players to augment his squad. He also convinced former PBA player Nic Belasco to give it one more go alongside Chris Pacana who last played for Meralco in the local pro league.

Vanguardia was also able to attend a coaches’ clinic conducted by Kentucky Wildcats head coach John Calipari. He was also one of three coaches allowed to watch a closed door practice and a scrimmage by the Wildcats. Vanguardia also went to Stanford, where he was welcomed by former Duke Blue Devil and Philadelphia 76er Johnny Dawkins who is now coach of the Cardinals. His last two coaching stops were at Cal Berkley where he was a guest of coach Jeff Montgomery, the son of Golden State Warriors coach Mike Montgomery and in Fordham.

I met up with coach, who became a friend while I covered the Heavy Bombers first in the PCCL and after that in the NCAA, last Sunday night while watching the PBA. Vanguardia says that the trip was an enriching one and he hopes that it his recruits and his learnings will help him in his craft and pursuit to deliver a title to the Dragons.

Oh well, could this be enough proof that Chris does have reputable basketball history? Aside from being an MVP he had played and worked with a number of well-known basketball personalities. One of which is a reigning NBA Champion from the Dallas Mavericks, Tyson Chandler. Hey Chris, if you have a picture playing with or against him, care to share?

Last August 4, 2011, he had been reunited after ten (10) years with now Miami Heat Assistant Coach Chad Kammerer.

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Photo Credits: Istib Lopez

By the way, don't forget to include him in your prayers. Let us all hope that he could land a next season. How about BMEG? *wink*

Source : In The Zone
Date : November 14, 2010
By: Rick Olivares

Cardona scored 23 points including seven big ones in the final 90 seconds of play to outlast hardluck Air21 Express 95-93. The former La Salle Green Archer hit a triple from the top of the arc that gave Meralco the lead for good 92-91 with 1:04 left. He followed that with a fade away jumper over the outstretched arms of Ronjay Buenafe 81 seconds later to give his squad some breathing room at 94-91.

Buenafe atoned for a missed three-point attempt by picking Cardona’s pocket for a lay-up with 15 seconds left. Rookie Hans Thiele added the marginal point as Air21 was unable to get a good shot off with Buenafe well guarded from the three-point line.

The win gave the Bolts their first-ever two-game win streak in league history (they beat Alaska 83-71 in Victorias City, Negros Occidental last November 6) and a 4-5 record to move from out of the bottom into the middle of the pack.

“That’s how big that win was,” said victorious coach Ryan Gregorio. “One win and you’re in the middle of the pack. One loss and you’re in the cellar. That’s how competitive it is this Philippine Cup.”

It wasn’t only the return of Cardona that boosted Meralco. Gregorio also attributes the acquisition of forward Thiele from Barako Bull as a big pick up for them for the former University of the East Red Warrior’s ability to hit the outside shot and his penchant for hauling down those rebounds. “That’s something we need since we don’t have Asi Taulava (who is at the moment with Smart Gilas in the ongoing Asian Games in Guangzhou, China).”

The two-game win streak also coincides with the addition of Thiele and the call up of Chris Pacana who was on the reserve list. Thiele added 16 points in Meralco’s winning cause over Air21 on top of six boards. Since his arrival, the 6’5” forward has averaged 14.0 points and 7.0 rebounds for Gregorio.

Pacana has added some backcourt depth to Meralco and scoring sock. The former St. Francis of Assisi Dove who was born in California, USA, tallied eight points, two rebounds, and four assists.

“I think our defense is getting better.” explained Gregorio. “It’s a part of our growth as a team.”

Cardona seemed a little tuckered at certain points of the game but he was just glad to be able to contribute. “Okay naman makapag-contribute ng ganito na kababalik lang. Makakatulong yan sa confidence ko.” Entering the match, Cardona was the sixth leading scorer in the Philippine Cup with a 16.8-point average.

Air21 rookie Rabeh Al-Hussaini kept his team in the game with 20 points and seven rebounds. His missed shot preceded Cardona’s triple that gave Meralco the lead.


Boxscores:

Meralco 95 – Cardona 23, Thiele 16, Gamalinda 9, Ross 9, Espinas 9, Pacana 8, Aquino 8, Weinstein 5, Omolon 4, Menor 2, Belga 2

Air21 93 – Al-Hussaini 20, Buenafe 17, Quiñahan 15, Matias 11, Urbiztondo 7, Baclao 6, Najorda 6, Gonzales 2, Sharma 3, Arboleda 2, Guevarra 0, Arellano 0, Rodriguez 0

Source: Manila Bulletin Newspaper | Find Articles at BNET

This is a three year old video courtesy of Rafi Reavis. This is dated June 9, 2008 wherein Mike Holper, Jay Jay Helterbrand, Rafi Reavis, Chris Pacana, Alex Cabagnot, and Sherwin is having a blast (lunch) at Robinson's Galleria!

The conversation is not that clear, but you can still understand most of it.

I started following Chris Pacana's PBA career when he was still with the Barangay Ginebra Kings (BGK). Well, August of 2008, BGK were hailed as the 2008 Fiesta Conference Champions. Jay Jay Helterbrand's injury at that time had been a blessing in disguise for Chris and Paul Artadi. They've been given quality time in the hard court to prove themselves and show off their basketball IQ.


The following conference is not that great. He had been sidelined at the bench. Then, the next thing I know, a year after the championship, he had been traded to Sta. Lucia Realtors (SLR). Watching basketball games is not that hype for me anymore. But yes, I still follow his PBA career and would like to know the results, on how he performed and the like. Sadly, he is not given enough minutes.


I become occupied with running and other things that I had been not into PBA that much. SLR become Meralco Bolts to be headed by Coach Ryan Gregorio. With that changes, Chris had been put in the reserved list. And Coach Ryan had been struggling to get a 'W'. But when he reactivated Chris from the reserved list, he immediately get that victory that he longed hoped for.


But I guess it is not yet time for Chris for he is, again, put on the reserve list. And what can you expect? Meralco is at the bottom three of the PBA's current conference. Well Chris, like what Coach Taylor told David in the movie, Facing the Giants,

So it's official, Chris Pacana is in the reserve list of Meralco Bolts. *sigh*


I can't believe it. Coach Ryan Gregorio might have done something real bad in his decision-making. What more can I expect, they are in the bottom in the team standing of this conference. He failed to remember that the time he activated Chris last conference, Bolts win one game after the other.


Alright, enough of sour-graping. Let me just share you a picture of Chris the last time I saw him wearing a Meralco Bolts-related uniform.


This picture was taken by a dear friend at SM North EDSA Annex last November 19, 2010. You can also share photos of Chris in his official Facebook Fanpage. *spread the word*

I'm sorry guys for keeping you waiting for a new post here in Chris Pacana's blog. I've been uber busy for the past months. My apologies.