Chris Pacana

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.

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 was so lucky that I have my BGK Jamships. With them, I can now often watch PBA live, hihi. Last night, I was there at the Big Dome to witness the game between Barangay Ginebra Kings (BGK) and San Miguel Beermen (SMB).

We arrived before the end of 3rd Quarter of the First Game (Coca Cola Tigers vs Sta. Lucia Realtors). I cheered for Coke, since I don't like SLR. It was a close ball game. Even at the last seconds of the 4th Quarter, it was still everybody's ball game. It was 83-82 in favor of SLR, Coke's ball with less than 30 seconds left. They had the chance to win the game with just a 2 pointer. However, the shot of Nick Belasco, if I remembered it right, didn't go in. Luckily, Coke got the rebound, they had at least 4 chances to win the game. I even cheered for Ronjay Buenafe who is great from the 3 point arc, as well as Mark Macapagal. But, they just can't get the basket. A sorry loss for them. I remember they lost the same 1 point deficit against Talk N' Text.

Now, the long wait is over. The crowd started cheering as the players of BGK entered the hardcourt, and I do to, as I saw my favorite PBA player. Me and my friend started taking pictures of 'em. Lot's of pictures. I felt touched when I saw JayJay Helterbrand hugged Coach Siot Tanquinsen. Honestly, even with a depleted line up, I hoped that BGK would win the game. I just said to myself, it's 22 today, Chris' jersey is 22, his performance last game was excellent, I hope this time, he would be hailed as the Best Player of the Game.

BGK had a poor start against the star-studded SMB. But my hopes are still high. BGK almost always have their opponent lead at around 10-15 points at the 1st half, only to break their hearts in the end game.

Funny, but, I just cheered for Chris Pacana, Ü I clearly remember how he passes the ball to Willie Wilson. It was the KFC Delivery Assist of the Quarter (1st Quarter). It was simply magnificent. Oh, I really saw how selfless he is of the leather. To shoot the ball was not always an option when he knew there were 'shooters' inside the hardcourt. Makes me admire him more each game. *wink wink*

Ha ha, I remember my cellphone slipped away from me when he scored his first 2 points. Then I uttered, "oh, it's my cellphone" (laugh). He had a back-to-back basket at that time, courtesy of his steal. Know what? He was now the league leader in steals together with SLR's Ryan Reyes. See? That's how intelligent defender Chris is.

In my Chris Pacana entitled post, I mentioned that I never knew a point guard who can really block. Well, he did it again this time. And you can hear the crowd saying 'wooooooooooo', and I'm one of 'em. Ü

However, no matter how BGK played the game, every basket was answered by SMB with 3 point shots; and, every turn over was answered as well by field goals. The result, 118-89. I thought CP22 would be the BPG since it's October 22; but, BGK standings became 2-2 instead. However, eventhough BGK lost, I don't feel sad at all. Anyway, it was too early to mourn right? At the same time, Mark Caguioa ain't around yet. But behind all these, I was just glad that Chris' game kept on improving. My prayers are answered, and my sacrifices for his career are worth it. Go Chris, no matter what, I would still be cheering for you. God Bless your career. Ü