Chris Pacana

Mark Caguioa had once promised, "We'll go to the championship". And
now, here we are at his promised series.

It was Game 1 of the Fiesta Conference Championship, Air21 Express vs the Philippines, I mean, vs the Barangay Ginebra Kings (BGK). It was Air21's first finals appearance. It was BGK's moment to extend their win streak to 13, JayJay Helterbrand's (the leagues' best point guard, 4th in MVP race) jersey number.

1st Quarter start was owned by Air21, they had 10-0 run against BGK. Arboleda and David had their 3 points each. Forcing Coach Jong Uichico to call a time out. Hmm.. Probably Air21 is really hungry for a championship, maybe BGK had been overconfident. After the time out, BGK renewed their energy and focus. Back to back points from Mamaril and a drive from Valenzuela. Enough to rattle Air21, making David called for an offensive foul against Artadi, make it two. Caguioa and Helterbrand is not at their best that Quarter. But, BGK is playing as a team. Valenzuela carried BGK on his shoulders, enough to close the game to 17-12 in favor of Air21. Not to forget Alexander 'The Greater'. He made the points, the rebounds, the dunks, and the blocks. The player that gives that boost of energy is Artadi. He is now confident making 3 point shots, and he made 1 this Quarter. He made a fastbreak layup from his own steal. Unluckily, he got injured, and he wasn't able to come back to the game. End of 1st Quarter, 25-19 in favor of BGK. It's as if Air21 is lacking enough energy to sustain their game.

2nd Quarter, Caguioa showed why he is leading the Best Player of the Conference (BPC) race. And the seem to be missing JayJay from the 3 point arc made himself visible in his drive through the basket. He definitely is 'The Fast v.2.0'. Arboleda just can't guard him. Every player contributed for BGK: Reavis, Pacana, and Salvacion. Would like to highlight Chris Pacana, he had 4 points on the 2nd Quarter. 2 points coming from Helterbrand's assist and 2 points coming from a tip in of Alexander's miss. He got his 6th point in the 3rd Quarter by making a fearless drive in the paint. The next big thing in PBA's point guards. :)

3rd Quarter, JayJay finally clutched in a 3 pointer, but, it was his last 3 pointer for the game. Although he seemed not to get baskets from his perimiter shots, he earned points from his layups by leaving his guard way behind. Many says it was Thomas who would grab the Best Import. Well, think again, if I'm not mistaken, it was 3 or 4 times that Alexander had blocked Thomas. Caguioa's one-on-one move against Santos reminds me of my blog entry, No One Can Stop Ginebra When There's Helterbrand And Caguioa. No one, not even Santos. He even boasted when he was fould by David, "utak lang 'yan" (in sign language).

4th Quarter, Air21 made their run. An attempt to win the game from behind. David and Santos launching and making their 3 point shots, Se, Billones, and De Ocampo earning points, making it 92-84, with less than 5 minutes remaining. They even have it as close as 96-90, with only last 2 minutes in the pay off period. But Alexander won't let things happen for Air21. He's an all around player, the 'Best Import'. It was fun ending the game 105-96, BGK extending their win streak to 13. Best Player of the Game is Caguioa with 22pts (7 in the 4th Q), 7 rebounds, and 4 assists.

But, what's nice about BGK is their deep bench players, and they really played as a team. When someone can't make the basket, someone would step up to keep the BGK alive. Tubid, injured in the last game of the eliminations, is a big lost to BGK's defense. But Pacana stepped up to fill Tubid's loss, and a lot more. When BGK's star players are having their 'off night', Artadi and Valenzuela willingly stepped up to win the game. The energy they induced enabled the 'off night' to turn into 'on night'. It was just "Barangay Ginebra Kings At Its Best, 13 Win Streak!".

by Waylon Galvez

Both coaches – Jong Uichico of Barangay Ginebra and Bo Perasol of Air21 – consider Game 1 of the Smart-PBA Fiesta Cup Finals as crucial, a gauge on how the best-of-seven series would develop.

The Kings and the Express, of course, are eyeing a strong start and action, as predicted, will be fast-paced with the two contending teams relying on their run-and-gun attack.

How they would start depend on their respective starting units.

During the elimination phase, Ginebra and Air21 experimented with their starting fives, and during the course of their campaigns until the semifinal round both teams found the right formula.

A strong start–more or less–translates to a win and draw first blood in this championship showdown that is why having a solid "starters" is very important for Uichico and Perasol.

Here is a close look on the possible starting units of both teams and who will come off the bench:

Point Guard

Chris Pacana (Ginebra)

Elimination: 10.1 mins, 1.3 pts, 2.1 rbs, 0.9 assts, 0.5 stls, 0.0 blks

Semifinals: 16.3 mins, 3.8 pts, 2.8 rbs, 1.5 assts, 0.0 stls, 0.0 blks

Wynne Arboleda (Air21)

Elimination: 32.8 mins, 10.6 pts, 4.1 rbs, 4.3 assts, 1.6 stls, 0.2 blks

Semifinals: 35.8 mins, 9.3 pts, 3.8 rbs, 5.7 assts, 1.7 stls, 0.0 blks

This match up, man-for-man, is actually a no-contest. Arboleda is in his eighth year in the league while Pacana is only a sophomore. But putting Pacana as starter helped Uichico with his backcourt rotation. Paul Artadi comes off the bench to give the Kings the spark. The third man on this rotation is rookie Macky Escalona. Helterbrand can actually play point during crucial times when he plays alongside Mark Caguioa and Valenzuela. Arboleda, of course, has been Perasol’s top playmaker with the likes of rookie Marvin Cruz and veteran Egay Billones playing back-up roles. This position has been the strength of Ginebra in its 12-game winning streak.

Advantage: Ginebra

Shooting Guard

Jayjay Helterbrand (Ginebra)

Elimination: 37.2 mins, 19.0 pts, 4.1 rbs, 6.1 assts, 1.0 stls, 0.0 blks

Semifinals: 33.0 mins, 18.3 pts, 3.8 rbs, 8.0 assts, 0.3 stls, 0.0 blks

Gary David (Air21)

Elimination: 24.8 mins, 14.1 pts, 1.9 rbs, 1.3 assts, 0.4 stls, 0.0 blks

Semifinals: 34.2 mins, 20.7 pts, 3.3 rbs, 1.8 assts, 0.5 stls, 0.0 blks

It’s a battle between a multi-faceted guard in Helterbrand against one of the rising sharpshooters in the league in David. Helterbrand, of course, has the experience playing in big stage like this, but David has shown during the course of Air21’s campaign this conference that he has the ability to compete against the best. Helterbrand share minutes with Caguioa, or jump to the point guard spot and allow his buddy to stay in the game and terrorize the offense with his scoring ability. Valenzuela is another player who can play the position. As for the Express, they enjoy the height advantage in this spot with players like Arwind Santos, an MVP contender, Nino Canaleta and rookie JC Intal providing support to counter the Kings’ quickness.

Advantage: Even

Small Forward

Junthy Valenzuela (Ginebra)

Elimination: 29.7 mins, 8.7 pts, 3.4 rbs, 3.1 assts, 0.7 stls, 0.3 blks

Semifinals: 28.0 mins, 9.3 pts, 6.0 rbs, 1.0 assts, 1.8 stls, 0.3 blks

Ranidel de Ocampo (Air21)

Elimination: 32.9 mins, 10.8 pts, 5.4 rbs, 2.8 assts, 0.4 stls, 0.2 blks

Semifinals: 34.2 mins, 13.2 pts, 7.8 rbs, 1.7 assts, 0.5 stls, 0.5 blks

It’s actually a mismatch between the 6-foot-2 Valenzuela against the 6-foot-6 De Ocampo. But an eighth-year veteran like Valenzuela knows how to work his way around the perimeter even during his days with Red Bull. Traded to the Kings early in the conference, his addition gave Uichico’s wingman rotation versatility with Sunday Salvacion. Ronald Tubid could have been another contributor but he’s still recovering from an ankle injury. Again for the Express, from big, they can play small with this position but still keep pace with the Kings by tapping off the bench Santos, Canaleta, Intal and Gaby Espinas.

Advantage: Air21

Power Forward

Billy Mamaril (Ginebra)

Elimination: 21.8 mins, 4.6 pts, 4.0 rbs, 0.6 assts, 0.3 stls, 0.7 blks

Semifinals: 11.3 mins, 2.3 pts, 2.5 rbs, 0.8 assts, 0.5 stls, 0.3 blks

Homer Se (Air21)

Elimination: 21.8 mins, 8.1 pts, 6.8 rbs, 1.1 assts, 0.6 stls, 0.6 blks

Semifinals: 27.3 mins, 13.8 pts, 6.8 rbs, 1.3 assts, 0.3 stls, 0.5 blks

Se has proved his detractors this conference about his basketball skills. Although there were times he was labeled as a troublemaker, Perasol has been successful in developing the one-time San Sebastian stalwart as one of his team’s assets. However, Se, and those who will come off the bench like Earvin Sotto and Espinas, will have to deal with players who have championship experience like Billy Mamaril, one-time MVP Eric Menk, Rafi Reavis and Alex Crisano.

Advantage: Ginebra

Center

Chris Alexander (Ginebra)

Elimination: 42.3 mins, 20.5 pts, 22.5 rbs, 2.2 assts, 0.5 stls, 3.0 blks

Semifinals: 40.5 mins, 15.5 pts, 17.5 rbs, 2.3 assts, 0.3 stls, 4.0 blks

Steven Thomas (Air21)

Elimination: 41.6 mins, 23.4 pts, 16.6 rbs, 3.9 assts, 0.8 stls, 1.6 blks

Semifinals: 40.8 mins, 13.0 pts, 15.0 rbs, 3.2 assts, 1.6 stls, 2.0 blks

Since Alexander’s arrival, Ginebra has improved to 16-3 highlighted by a franchise-best 12-game winning streak. He has 20-20 outputs during the elimination round with 20.5 points and a league-best 22.5 rebound. Alexander also owns the league-best 3.0 shot blocks per game average. Although his numbers dipped a bit in the semifinals, he was able to contain fellow 7-footer Aam Parada of Red Bull. Now Alexander will face a smaller but hardworking Air21 import in 6-foot-8 Steven Thomas. It’s going to be a test for both players, particularly for Thomas as he is expected to limit the production of Alexander. The fact that both imports have been successful is leading their respective teams to the Finals that it’s going to be an exciting battle between two reinforcements contending for the Best Import award.

Advantage: Ginebra

Source: http://www.mb.com.ph/SPRT20080806131747.html

Sta Lucia Realtors vs Brgy Ginebra Kings
Ynares Center
Final Score: 85 - 113

Brgy Ginebra Kings vs Alaska Aces
Cuneta Astrodome
Final Score: 97 - 90

Brgy Ginebra Kings vs Purefoods TJ Giants
Araneta Coliseum
Final Score: 89 - 81

Credits: PBA Online

Ronjay Buenafe of Coca-Cola scored a game-high 25 points and added 5 rebounds and 5 steals leading the Rookies past the Sophomores 101-97 and was named the MVP(Most Valuble Player) in the Blitz Game of the 2008 Smart PBA All-Star Week at the West Negros University Gym here.

The win is the Rookies' 2nd straight over the Sophomores.

"Malaking bagay ito dahil naka-back-to-back na ang rookies tapos nakatabla pa," said Buenafe, referring to the head-on duel of both teams since the event began in Laoag City in 2004.

"Magagaling lahat ng teammates ko. Hindi ko siguro nakuha ito kung hindi dahil sa suporta nila kaya gusto ko din siyempreng i-share ito sa kanila.," said Buenafe, who had four other teammates scoring in double figures led by the 17 of Chico Lanete. The Purefoods guard added seven rebounds, four assists and three steals.

Chico Lanete of Purefoods had 17 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals while Air21's Marvin Cruz added 14points, 6 assists and 4 boards for the Rookies.

"Ang taas ng kumpiyansa ng mga bata na mananalo kami at makaka-back-to-back sa Sophomores. Wala akong masabi kasi napaka-coachable din nila," said Rookies coach Adonis Tierra, whose team trailed by as much as 14 points in the first half.

LA Tenorio of Alaska led the Sophomores with 19 points. Brgy. Ginebra's Chris Pacana added 14 points and 10 assists, Jay-R Reyes of Welcoat 13 points, 13 rebounds and 5 assists.

Scores:

Rookies 101 - Buenafe 25, Lanete 17, Cruz 14, Devance 14, Bono 10, Aljamal 8, Kramer 7, Eman 6.

Sophomores 97 - Tenorio 19, Pacana 14, Reyes 13, Ibanes 12, Andaya 12, Membrere 11, Cabatu 10, Isip 6.

Quarterscores: 20-27, 46-54, 77-75, 101-97

Credits: Ginebraonline News Team

With only about two weeks going into the 2008 Fiesta Conference, Brgy. Ginebra Kings signed up Chris Pacana, formerly with the Coca Cola Tigers, to beef up its frontline. Pacana will have to work hard though to prove himself as his contract will last for only 4 months, or until July 15, 2008, depending on how far he can impress the team management by then.

Alex Crisano on the other hand appears to be a sure shoo-in for the team as well, to fill up the spot of injured Mike Holper, but his papers remain his problem as of date. The rest of the Kings though are healthy and ready to play, except that Johnny Abarrientos is reportedly still in the States to participate in an all-star match that include former PBA superstar and team manager Allan Caidic.

Meanwhile, the Kings' import is reported to arrive today.