Chris Pacana

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

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.

Credits: Vladimir Eduarte

We want Game 7!

Malinaw ang mensahe ng fans ng Ginebra sa Araneta Coliseum kagabi. Hindi sila binigo ng Kings na nabuhay sa kanilang tatak na never-say-die matapos maghabol mula sa pagkakabaon ng 16 puntos ay bumalikwas para itakas ang Game 6, 80-72.

Ibinato na lang ng maaaring ipukol, hindi pumayag ang Ginebra na magbagsakan na ang mga ubeng lobo ng Air21 Express.

Sa pangunguna ng PBA career-high na 37 points, 20 nang maghabol sila sa third quarter, ni import Chris Alexander na may hinablot pang 24 rebounds, hinatak ng Ginebra ang do-or-die Game 7 sa Miyerkules sa Big Dome rin para desis­yunan na ang maghahari sa 2007-08 SMART PBA Fiesta Conference.

Si Eric Menk lang ang naka-double figures sa Gin Kings sa kinamadang 10 points, pero sapat na para sa panalo.

Minarkahan ni Chris Alexander ng Barangay Ginebra San Miguel ang pangatlong panalo ng Kings matapos bulilyasuhin sa Game Six ang Air21 at tumabla sa Express sa 2008 Smart-PBA Fiesta Conference Finals sa Big Dome kagabi. (John Paulino)

“It was an epic game, we got back because of the spirit of Bgy. Ginebra, never-say-die, the energy and spirit,” ani coach Jong Uichico. “Walking wounded na kami but the heart is still there. That’s the main thing that’s keeping us in the series.”

Sa unang isa at kalaha­ting quarter, puro ungol ang 18,043 gate attendance ng Big Dome na nagbayad ng kabuuang P2.5-million dahil sa sunud-sunod na errors ng crowd-favorite team Bgy. Ginebra.

Nagsimula ang se­cond period na 0-of-6 ang Kings mula sa field kaya lumayo ng hanggang 33-17 ang Express. Pero biglang nabuhay ang crowd nang magpakawala ng 12-4 run ang Bgy. Ginebra sa hu­ling apat na minuto kaya papasok ng halftime ay nakadikit na sa 37-34.

Sa third, bahagyang lumayo ulit ang Air21 sa 55-48 pagkatapos ng back-to-back steals ni Wynne Arboleda na naging dahilan din para maging pang-18 player na nakasalikwat ng 500 steals.

Pero hindi pa sumusuko ang Kings, tinapos nila ang huling tatlong minuto ng third sa isang pasabog na 13-0 run kaya papasok ng fourth ay biglang abante na sa 61-55.
Lamang ang Gins sa 70-66, napilayan nang husto ang hukbo ni Express coach Bo Perasol nang makuha ni Steven Thomas ang pang-lima at pang-anim na foul sa loob lang ng halos isang minuto, pareho pang kay Eric Menk, kaya sa huling 4:53 ng laro ay all-Filipino na ang Air21.

Sa huling 1:50, bahagyang nakalayo ang Kings sa 74-69 nang pumasok ang dalawang foul shots ni Chris Alexander pagkatapos ng double-technical fouls kina Gary David at Junthy Valenzuela. Pinalabas ng court si Valenzuela dahil ikalawang technical na niya ang tawag.

Papasok ng huling minuto, nawala sa Gins ang bola pero agad din nila itong nabawi at nang maipasok ni Chris Pacana ang dalawang free throws ay lumayo na sila sa 78-71.

Lumapit sa anim ang Expres pagkatapos ng dalawang foul shots ni Egay Billones pero pasok din ang dalawang tira ni Mark Caguioa sa charity line 34.6 seconds na lang para sa 80-72 na tuluyang nagselyo sa laro.

“It’s going to be a battle on Wednesday,” paniniguro ni coach Jong.