Chris Pacana

I won't cover-up for the joy that I felt back when Purefoods TJ Giants [now Derby Ace Llamados] earned the All Filipino Cup Trophy. It is exactly the same feeling I had when the Barangay Ginebra Kings won the Fiesta Conference back in the Chris Alexander days. Championship victory is indeed the sweetest.

All this reminiscing is brought about by my search for new articles having "Chris Pacana" in it. I had found this interesting statement from Mico Halili:

"Chris Pacana, with no team at the start of the conference, and here he is a few moments away...." - Mico Halili after Pacana sinked 2 free throws that sealed game7, and the championship, for Ginebra!

I believe, for players, victory will become sweeter when you had become a part of it. I just miss how Chris contribute largely in the victory of his team. Hope to witness one soon.

I failed to watch Sta. Lucia Realtors (SLR) stand up against the Purefoods TJ Giants (PF) last Saturday for we had a family affair. My heart is divided with the result of the game. I am rooting for the PF team and I am cheering for Chris Pacana.

I am feeling guilty that I have been failing to watch SLR games lately. I am busy with my running career and different family getaways. But my fanatic instinct calls me to browse through PBA.ph's gallery of the SLR vs PF's game, and I found out this picture that stand out among the rest.

Already realized why? Can you spot Chris Pacana from the picture? Click on it to enlarge and see for yourself.

My Hate Day of the Month had always been a blessing in disguise for me, at least, when it deals with me watching Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). I could have, once more, missed Chris Pacana's game if not for it.

Well, I guess I have to learn to like Sta. Lucia Realtors (SLR) now that Pacana is in their line-up. I can still clearly remember my post about Sta. Lucia and Their Dirty Defense about their game against my well-loved team, the Purefoods TJ Giants. But I gotta have a change of heart. Likewise, I should temporarily forget the ninja moves of Joseph Yeo against James Yap.

I am happy for Kelly Williams now that he's back in shape. He's not that bad anyway. He is nice in my encounter with him in Hoop for Life. And I'll be now cheering for his dunks, for as long as Pacana is his teammate, he he.

The game versus Rain or Shine Elasto Painters (RoS) was a very close fight. In fact, they were the first game that had to be decided in an Over Time (OT). But let me just voice out that I really don't like Ryan Araña. He is not that good for me. I will always remember his moves that had hurt Pacana and J.Yap. See the thing he had done against Marlou Aquino? That is very likely him.

Dean Quinito Henson mentioned that SLR is the second best defensive team in the last season (I wonder who's the first). With that, I realized that Pacana had landed on the team that he is suitable at. Simply because, he is a great defensive player. I am equally happy for him as with Wiliams for he had been given quality minutes by Coach Boyet Fernandez. I got even glad when he had been called in for the inbound in the 4th quarter, a very crucial inbound that could make or break them.

Hoping to see more of him this season.

There had been a lot of trades here and there lately. Paul Artadi had his homecoming with the Purefoods TJ Giants (PF) in exchange of Celino Cruz. On the other hand, I don't find it an itelligent move for PF to trade Enrico Villanueva and Rich Alvarez for Raffy Reavis. Rico is a giant in the paint while Rich can make threes. Nonetheless, the trade is done. Macky Escalona and Jun Jun Cabatu had been released by the Barangay Ginebra Kings (BGK) management even before the Fiesta Cup Conference began (If I remember it right).

So, while all these trades and free agents crowd the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), I sit back since I heard no news about Chris Pacana. Well, I heard and received email that Chris, together with Macky and Jun Jun, is now a free agent. I don't believe it since PBA Online have not mentioned Chris being involved in such release. Then, another PBA friend asked me if Chris is really trying out with Sta. Lucia Realtors (SLR).

That question made me shocked for a while. So, I have to confirm the "rumor" from the Pacanas. And unfortunately, disappointingly, sadly, or whaterver lonely feeling I can relate to it, the "rumor" is not a "rumor" but a "fact".

YES, BGK (Jhong Uichico) did not renew Chris' contract, making him a free agent. And since Chris' passion is basketball, he is not giving up.
He is currently trying out with SLR.

Now, to all Chris' supporters out there, please say a li'l prayer for him, for his career. And to Chris, like what I always tell you, "May God Bless your career!"

Last night was the battle between two teams of same winning streaks. Only one could continue that streak, while the other would be stopped. Barangay Ginebra Kings (BGK) continued their luck, while Purefoods (PF) TJ Giants have to do something to gain back the momentum.

Though BGK won, I still can't rejoice. Why? Simply because Chris Pacana is not part of that victory. He haven't been given playing minutes for several games now. Makes me feel lax in cheering for his team. Well, yes, I cheered for Chico Lanete who had been consuming the minutes Pacana should be playing. But I would rather have Lanete back at PF. It's his home, I believe.

So here, Pacana could only be seen shooting on practice, but not on the hard court. *sigh*

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.

November 23 is my birthday. One month and one day shy of Chris' birthday. Yes, we're born on same year, year of the Rooster. A month before my birthday, I had planned everything. Fate's on my side that time.

The Plan
Me and my online friends will be watching PBA game at the Araneta Coliseum on November 21. The scheduled game were Game 1: Coca-Cola Tigers vs Purefoods TJ Giants and Game 2: Barangay Ginebra Kings vs Sta. Lucia Realtors. It was perfect, for me at least. Two of my favorite teams would be playing, PF and BGK. Months ago, it was planned. Me, Thania, AM, and Hanna would be watching the game live. It would be special to have Hanna seated beside me. We have lot of things in common. We both love PF and BGK.

My Wish
As a fan, I had this wonderful wish, that Chris Pacana be hailed as the game's Best Player of the Game that night, that he may have double-double figures, 22 big points, 10 big rebounds, 5 steals, 3 assists, and 1 block shot. There, that'll be great. And it would be greater if Kerby Raymundo will be the BPG of Game 1. And definitely, after the game, I won't let the moment to pass me by without having a picture with Chris, with me wearing a shirt with his jersey number on.

The Reality
Too good to be true. Aside from the initial friends that would be beside me watching the game, Mark, Gwen, and Josephine will also be around. As early as Tuesday, we bought tickets, seven (7) tickets. But to my dismay, PBA just changed schedule. BGK's game was move on November 22 to be held at San Juan Arena. *sigh* I hate PBA. So we had to return the tickets and exchange it for November 22 game instead. Goodbye watching PF live. Well, it was not really a bad news since it allowed me to take a rest from my 8AM-8AM (Thursday - Friday) work. November 22. The date was nice. It was Chris' jersey number. But something went wrong. Hanna and Josephine won't be coming. I felt so sad. I even mentioned to Hanna that it won't be the same without her. And a sudden idea come to me, a worse one -- Chris, nursing an injury, might not show at all tonight's ballgame. And now I can be a fortune teller, there was really no CP#22 on November 22. It's not the usual me. The game was intense, someone from the SLR had been out of the playing court for a flagrant and a technical foul called on him. But I remained silent. I just can't cheer. All I can say was 'Nasaan si Chris?'. Everyone's cheering their hearts out. I had witnessed two (2) buzzer beaters. One was on the 2nd Quarter where JayJay Helterbrand chipped in a 3 pointer at the nick of time. The other one was Willie Wilson's basket, beating the buzzer on the 3rd Quarter. And yes, it was Sunday Salvacion's night. His 3 pointers kept the lead of BGK. SLR just can't get things right. The rebound always ends up to the hands of Billy Mamaril, Eric Menk, or Wilson. The team's great. Never say die attitude, that is. But am I happy? As the seconds are winding down on the pay-off period, I was still hoping that Chris might be there somewhere watching the game. But, no, there won't be CP#22 that night. Oh, sad birthday for me. Well, at least I got the consolation from Chris' teammates, ha ha. They won the ballgame.

The scores:

Ginebra 93 – Salvacion 22, Artadi 18, Tubid 17, Helterbrand 13, Wilson 8, Cabatu 7, Menk 4, Mamaril 2, Crisano 2, Escalona 0, Holper 0, Valenzuela 0.

Sta. Lucia 81 – Espino 19, Miranda 10, Yeo 9, Omolon 9, Williams 8, Gonzales 8, Aquino 7, Gregorio 5, Coronel 3, Mendoza 3.

Quarterscores: 24-15, 56-39, 74-65, 93-81

Whether you like it or you like it, Chris Pacana would still be wearing jersey number 22 for the Barangay Ginebra Kings (BGK).

Just in time, the poll of this blog is closed for the question, "Would You Like Chris To Stay In BGK?" And it is quite overwhelming that almost all of those who voted had chosen 'YES' as an answer.

Honestly, though in my previous post I really wanted him to stay in BGK, I'm one of the four (4) who voted for 'UNCERTAIN'. As every BGK fan would know, he had only been utilized last conference since most of the star players had been injured. But now that JayJay Helterbrand and Paul Artadi are back in shape, I wonder if Coach Jong Uichico would still give more playing minutes to Chris Pacana. I really hope so. I had viewed the current depth chart of BGK from the web, and here's what it shows.

*sigh* He belonged to the reserved list for the SG position. The chart keeps me wondering, if ever I would be watching BGK live, would I be able to see him play in the court? The moment I heard that Purefoods TJ Giants (PF) acquired Topex Robinson, I had the thought that probably, if PF had acquired Chris Pacana instead, he might have more playing time? *just wondering*

Oh well, I won't be hoping that someone from the starter or the bench list be injured for him to have the playing time. I would just be praying that he may be given the chance to show his talent this conference. And I would still be definitely cheering for Chris Pacana whether he's in BGK or not.