Stags spirit lives on in proud 25ers

Source: By Joey Villar (The Philippine Star)

MANILA, Philippines - Excelroof coach Ato Agustin said the same formula that won for San Sebastian College the 2009 NCAA championship also made the difference as the 25ers topped the Pharex B-Complex Maroons to claim the 2010 PBL PG Flex Erase Placenta Cup crown at The Arena in San Juan Saturday.

“Hard work, toughness and aggressiveness were traits we developed in our team to win the NCAA. I’m happy they also worked in our PBL campaign,” said Agustin.

“We know the PBL is a far different league than the NCAA. But we’re convinced it’s better to stick to our philosophy. We played hard, tough and didn’t give up,” Agustin added.

The 25ers, composed mostly of SSC Stags in the NCAA, beat the top-seeded Maroons two games in a row to complete their Cinderella ride in the tourney.

Excelroof whipped Pharex, 97-87, in overtime in Game One then repeated with a 97-92 win in Game Two to become the first team in a long, long while to emerge as champion in its first tourney in the PBL.

For one, the victory proved Agustin’s own Cinderella tale in the NCAA was no fluke.

“This championship meant a lot to me and I’m thankful to the people who helped us get there,” said Agustin citing the support of team owner Edwin Chua and manager Oliver Gianan.

Agustin mentioned Gianan’s “BEST” motivation and encouragement as the driving force in the 25ers quest for the crown.

“BEST stands for believe in oneself, encourage, share and trust,” said Gianan.

In Saturday’s game, the 25ers fell behind by 10 points several times but they just wouldn’t quit.

With his second unit rising to the occasion, the team methodically cut Pharex’s lead to just two points.

Needing one big salvo to finally turn things around, Agustin fielded back his starters Calvin Abueva, Ramboy Raymundo, Ian Sangalang and Jimbo Aquino in the last six minutes. And they turned things around for Excelroof.

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Boxing next for retired PBL chief

Source: By Joaquin Henson (The Philippine Star)

MANILA, Philippines - Fresh from retiring after a 10-year tenure as PBL commissioner, Chino Trinidad said yesterday while focused on a career as a broadcaster with the GMA network, he plans to be involved in boxing.

“I don’t think I’ll ever be dissociated from sports,” said the 42-year-old Trinidad. “As a broadcaster, my dream is to develop into a Mike Enriquez, a well-rounded commentator widely respected for his competence, work ethic, courage and energy. But while I hope to prove myself in fields outside of sports, I know what is closest to my heart. I realize somehow, I will continue to be in sports – boxing, in particular. And I’ve found in over six years of covering Manny Pacquiao’s fights in the US, a challenge to discover more Filipino world champions. I’ve seen how boxing has brought honor and glory to our country, how it has provided a way out of poverty for our fighters.”

Trinidad said his eyes were opened during his last close-up coverage of Pacquiao training for Joshua Clottey. “I spent 45 straight days in the US,” he went on. “I learned the ins and outs of boxing. With my exposure, I think I can play the role of a facilitator who can connect Filipino prospects with international trainers and promoters.”

Trinidad said his idea is to hold boxoffs in six weight divisions – lightflyweight, flyweight, bantamweight, featherweight, superfeatherweight and lightweight.

“We’ll hold tryouts in major boxing centers around the country and choose 10 fighters for every division then we’ll trim the list to four and finally, to one each,” said Trinidad. “With the support of the GMA network, I’m confident we can get this done. The reward is to give our fighters the chance to reach the top. The challenge is for the fighters to be like Manny, work like Manny and fight like Manny. Once we identify the six fighters, we’ll bring them to the US and contract a trainer willing to spend time with them.”

Former two-time world champion Gerry Peñalosa has agreed to join Trinidad in the project. “Our role won’t be to manage or promote any fighter,” said Trinidad. “We’ll just facilitate. I’m hoping that in the course of the careers of our six chosen fighters, the GMA network will follow their progress and document their climb to the top.”

Trinidad said working in the PBL was an experience he will always cherish.

“I’ve retired without leaving any baggage, with my reputation intact,” said Trinidad. “Because of my work with the GMA network, I felt it wasn’t right to hold on to my position in the PBL. I’m not the type to short-change anybody. After 10 years with the PBL, I thought it was time to move on.”

Trinidad said his tenure in the PBL was marked by several successes but qualified that he’s not claiming credit. “It wasn’t me but everyone cooperating to sustain the league,” said Trinidad. “I’m grateful to the owners of past and present teams for their trust and confidence. It was an honor for me to work with leaders of industry like Mr. Ramon Ang, Mr. Manny Pangilinan, Mr. Cecilio Pedro, Mr. Dioceldo Sy, Mr. Rey Oben, Mr. Terry Que, Mr. Raymund Yu, Mr. Mikee Romero and many, many more. Through the years, we’ve seen PBL teams become PBA teams and PBL players become PBA players. It’s a feeling of satisfaction that you get when you trace how far PBL players have gone in their careers, especially undrafted PBA players like Chad Alonzo, Dennis Daa, Chico Lanete, Josh Urbiztondo, Christian Coronel and Jerwin Gaco.”

Trinidad said when the PBL was formed in 1983, the intention was to provide a platform for amateur players to hone their skills and prepare them for the PBA. “Our objective was to develop amateur basketball,” he continued. “We never wanted to compete with the PBA. So when the GAB tried to call us a professional league in the 1990s, we objected. We eventually resolved the identity crisis and established the PBL’s amateur status as the GAB backed off.”

Trinidad said even as he has retired, his door will always be open to the PBL.

“Whenever I’m needed, I’m just a phone call away,” said Trinidad. “One of the things I recently worked on is for the PBL to go international. In Los Angeles, I got in touch with Gene Quicho who runs the 3G Basketball League in Baldwin Park. Gene’s network covers over 100 teams all over the US. The plan is to bring in an L. A. team as an honorary PBL member and send a PBL team to play in Gene’s league. This international connection is something the new commissioner may want to explore.”

Trinidad said during his PBL watch, he owed whatever was achieved to those who worked hand-in-hand with him – Beth Halili, Jun Espiritu, Agri Lomugdang, Butch Maniego, Tommy Ong, Joey Lim, Belle Marasigan, Joey Guanio, Levi Valenzuela and Jigs Mendoza.

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Excelroof subdues Pharex in overtime

Source: By Joey Villar (The Philippine Star)

MANILA, Philippines - Excelroof leaned on the exploits of its San Sebastian standouts anew as it rallied to beat Pharex B-Complex, 97-87, in overtime in the opener of their PBL PG Flex Placenta Cup best-of-three title showdown at The Arena in San Juan yesterday.

Jimbo Aquino, Gilbert Bulawan and Calvin Abueva, vital cogs in the Stags’ NCAA title conquest last year, combined for 71 points as the 25ers overcame an early 17-point deficit to move within a win of completing a Cinderella feat.

Coach Ato Agustin and his chargers go for the crown in Game Two in the same venue tomorrow.

Abueva stepped up his game in overtime, drawing the sixth fouls of Vic Manuel, Ford Arao and Arvie Braganza in succession.

“He played big for us,” said Agustin of Abueva who finished with 20 points.

“We expect them to bounce back in Game Two but we will do our best to make it two in a row,” Agustin added.

Aquino made 27 points and Bulawan added 21 for the 25ers who showed tremendous poise and confidence in outlasting the Maroons in their gripping battle.

“We were patient. Our championship experience also helped us in this win,” said Agustin.

Woody Co, who finished with 16 points, hit three straight triples to help the Maroons erect a huge 48-31 lead in the third quarter.

But the 25ers didn’t give up, working on a furious fourth-quarter counterattack to surge ahead at 83-81.

Former Far Eastern U standout Marlon Adolfo hit buzzer-beater to force overtime.

Then Abueva took from there.

“I asked the boys to play aggressive in OT and they did,” said Agustin.

Aquino also came through with seven rebounds and four assists on top of his sizzling scoring effort while Bulawan and Abueva combined for 28 boards, three blocks and the same number of assists.

Excelroof’s amazing recovery from a 17-point deficit was the biggest comeback in the league since Hapee Toothpaste, currently on leave, rallied from 18 points down to beat Harbour Centre, 74-73, in Game One of the 2008 second conference finals.

Vic Manuel, a rookie out of PSBA who is one of the leading candidates for the MVP award, struggled and finished with only 10 points.

The scores:

Excel Roof 97– Aquino 27, Bulawan 24, Abueva 20, Raymundo 8, Bagatsing 7, Sangalang 6, Pascual 3, del Rio 2, Delgado 0, Taylor 0, Celada 0

Pharex B 87 – Co 16, Adolfo 13, Lopez 10, Arao 10, Manuel 10, Braganza 8, Reyes 7, David 6, Tecson 5, Hipolito 2, Sison 0, E. Reyes 0

Quarterscores: 12-17; 31-39; 54-62; 97-87

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Chino retires; new commish faces big test

Source: By Abac Cordero (The Philippine Star)

MANILA, Philippines - After quietly stepping down as PBL commissioner, Chino Trinidad can only hope that his replacement can live up to the challenge and take the country’s premiere amateur league to new heights.

“There are a lot of people out there with brilliant minds, and if given the chance they can take the league to greater heights,” he said during yesterday’s PSA Forum at Shakey’s along United Nations Avenue.

“Whoever gets it will not find it difficult because the structure is already there, the programs are there. But it will be a challenge,” he said.

Trinidad, who served as PBL commissioner for 10 years, said he offered to resign but was asked by the board, headed by Jappy Pascual and Ding Camua of Pharex B, to retire instead.

He said the PBL should start entertaining those interested in the position and those whom the board feels has the capacity to lead the league, and help chart its course during these trying times.

Trinidad said it would be better if the board entertains as many candidates for the job.

“Let’s welcome anybody who’s interested. Don’t put a limit on the number of applicants because there may be others with brilliant ideas,” said Trinidad who would rather keep his hands off the selection process.

“It’s better left to the board. But whoever takes over must have a grasp of the situation, one who can handle concerns like the TV coverage and the participating teams,” said Trinidad, a sportscaster by profession.

He refused to mention the names of those being considered for the post although Noli Eala, Joe Lipa and Ato Badolato have been mentioned within the circle as the likely successor to Trinidad.

“Again, let’s welcome anybody who’s interested,” he said.

Now that he’s no longer PBL commissioner, Trinidad said he can explore new challenges, mostly related to his chosen profession as a news anchor, sportscaster and boxing commentator.

“But I will remain with the PBL in an unofficial capacity. If they need my help, then I will always help. I will continue to watch the games because I’ve developed a lot of friends in the PBL,” he said.

Trinidad wished the PBL the best, and said it’s about time he stepped down so the league can take in a new leader, a younger one if possible, who can infuse new ideas and bring in new energy.

Trinidad said a lot of calls have been made, including those from people who may be offering their services.

“Madami na daw inquiries. The board should take all of them in, then screen them. To make it faster, do away with the typical question and answer type of interview. Instead, let those interested to lay their programs on the table,” he said.

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Pharex gains final slot; Cobra loses sting

Source: (The Philippine Star)

MANILA, Philippines - Pharex B-Complex steadily pulled away in the second half en route to a 96-83 win over Cossack Blue and the first slot in the 2010 PBL PG Flex Erase Placenta Cup finals at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig yesterday.

Vic Manuel poured in 27 points while Marlon Adolfo tossed in 21 as the Maroons eased out the Spirits, gaining a crack at the championship either against the Excelroof 25ers or the Cobra Energy Drink Ironmen.

Excelroof outlasted Cobra in a gripping battle, pulling off an 89-81 decision to force a sudden death match in their semis duel.

The 25ers and the Ironmen meet in a do-or-die game Tuesday at the San Juan gym.

“We’re truly blessed. We hope we can sustain this run to win the coveted crown,” said Pharex coach Aboy Castro.

Manuel dished out a big game, scoring 11 points in the homestretch to personally write finis on Cossack’s bid.

“Same old story, Vic put on another huge game. Definitely, he (Manuel) is the best player in this conference. He is so hardworking,” said Castro of Manuel who also got away with 12 rebounds, four assists, one steal and one block in 26 minutes of action.

Adolfo, a former Far Eastern University star, also played a key role, drilling in clutch shots that helped Pharex B-Complex build a 65-55 lead after the third quarter.

The Spirits waged a comeback early in the final period, coming through with a 9-4 run to come to within five at 64-69.

They had a chance to come closer but JR Taganas lost his balance on an attack, ramming into Nestor David for an offensive foul.

Cossack coach Rena Baena wildly protested the call and incurred a technical infraction, and the team yielded the momentum.

Adolfo later converted two free throws that sparked a telling 14-4 run.

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Pharex, Cobra try to set up title duel

Source: (The Philippine Star)

MANILA, Philippines - Pharex B-Complex and Cobra Energy Drink hope to make full use of their twice-to-beat advantages as they go for the finals berths against Cossack Blue and Excelroof in the Final Four of the PBL PG Flex-Erase Placenta Cup at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.

The Pharex Fighting Maroons take on the Spirits at 1:45 p.m. while the Ironmen of UE coaches Lawrence Chongson and Mark Herrera battle the 25ers in the 3:45 p.m. encounter, needing just a victory to arrange a best-of-three showdown for this year’s championshio.

Pharex, which gained the top seeding by topping the eight-team, single-round elims with a 6-1 mark, is fancied over Cossack and is expected to use its deep bench and ride on its momentum to put away the challenge of the James Martines-led Cossack squad.

The Fighting Maroons, led by Vic Manuel and former Ateneo star Ford Arao, toppled the 25ers, 74-68, last Tuesday to post the longest win run at five in the league. Others expected to step up for Pharex are former Rookie of the Year Woody Co, Mark Lopez and veteran Marlon Adolfo.

Cobra and Excelroof finished tied for second wth 5-2 slates but the Ironmen took the No. 2 slot plus the semis incentive due to the winner-over-the-other rule.

With Patrick Cabahug delivering the goods in the dying seconds, the Ironmen nipped the 25ers, 66-65, last March 4.

The former UAAP scoring champion is again tipped to spearhead the Ironmen’s bid along with UE’s Paul Lee and Parri Llagas and former Ateneo guard Jai Reyes.

The 6-foot-2 Cabahug, who played for Adamson for three years, led Cobra for the third straight time when he tallied 25 points in the team’s semis-clinching 88-82 win over Fern-C last Thursday.

But coach Lawrence Chongson is not relying solely on Cabahug since Reyes, Llagas and especially Lee can score at any given time and situation.

Still, the Ironmen will have to go through the proverbial eye of the needle before dispatching the 25ers since the Ato Agustin-mentored squad is not only itching to get back at Cobra but also raring to get a shot at the crown.

“Our play still needs so much to be desired. I don’t know how but I’m trying to work on it,” said Chongson.

But for Excelroof to prevail, it has to bring the best out of NCAA Finals MVP Jimbo Aquino, who has been playing inconsistently of late.

Agustin must not just stick to his San Sebastian players like Aquino, Calvin Abueva, Pamboy Raymundo and Gilbert Bulawan since the other members of the squad, especially veteran Chester Taylor, can provide the needed firepower given extended playing time.

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Cobra, Cossack seal Final 4 cast

Source: (The Philippine Star)

MANILA, Philippines - Cobra Energy Drink fended off Fern-C’s rally in the final quarter as it hacked out an 88-82 victory to clinch the third semis berth and give sister team Cossack Blue a free ride to the Final Four in the PBL PG Flex-Erase Placenta Cup at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City yesterday.

The Ironmen rode on a big third quarter run to build a 15-point lead but sputtered in the fourth in the face of Fern-C’s spirited charge before hanging tough to pound out the victory.

Cobra thus finished the single round elims with a 5-2 record, securing the No. 2 spot behind Pharex B-Complex, which topped the field with a 6-1 card.

The Ironmen actually finished tied with the Excelroof 25ers but took the second spot and the other twice-to-beat incentive on a winner-over-the-other rule. Cobra nipped Excelroof, 66-65, last March 4.

Cobra’s victory also enabled Cossack to grab the fourth and last semis seat despite losing via rout, 53-88, to AddMix in the second game.

Pharex B-Complex will take on Cossack while Cobra battles Excelroof in the other semis pairing.

Cossack wound up with a 4-3 record, the same card of Ascof Lagundi. But the Spirits grabbed the last spot as they edged the Ascof side, 88-87, in their previous encounter.

For the third straight time, former UAAP top gun Patrick Cabahug led Cobra with 25 points and finished with seven rebounds while UE stars Paul Lee and Pari Llagas backed him up with 20 points each.

Llagas also pulled down 14 rebounds to complete another double-double performance.

“It was a struggle but somehow we got there. But our play still needs so much to be desired. I don’t know but I’m trying to work on it but then somehow we managed to survive against some of the top teams in the tournament,” said Cobra coach Lawrence Chongson, who is assisted by Mark Herrera.

Lee gave the Ironmen their biggest lead at 19 points, 67-48, with 29 seconds left in the third canto.

But the Ferntastics rallied behind former Ateneo guard Yuri Escueta and pulled within eight points, 61-69, with 7:06 remaining in the contest.

Cabahug, however, drained two triples and came up with a split as Cobra surged to another double-digit spread at 76-61 with five minutes to go in the contest.

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Pharex turns back Excelroof for No. 1

Source: (The Philippine Star)

MANILA, Philippines - Pharex B-Complex blew a 19-point lead in the second quarter but recovered in time to score a 74-68 victory over Excelroof and clinch the No. 1 spot in the Final Four in the PBL PG Flex-Erase Placenta Cup at The Arena in San Juan yesterday.

Woody Co came away with 14 points and seven rebounds while guard Mark Lopez finished with 12 points, six rebounds, three assists and three shot blocks for the Pharex Fighting Maroons who closed out the single-round eliminations with the best 6-1 record.

Pharex B thus gained a twice-to-beat advantage against the No. 4 team in the semis. The Excelroof 25ers finished with a 5-2 card.

“We’re No. 1 in the semis but we want to be No. 1 two weeks from now. This will be all nothing if we don’t win the championship,” said Pharex B coach Aboy Castro in Filipino.

Meantime, Ascof Lagundi, actually the main team of Pascual Laboratories, clobbered Ani-FCA, 78-65, to stay in the semis race.

The Natural Cough Busters finished the elims with a 4-3 record but will have to hope for both Cossack Blue and Cobra Energy Drink to drop their respective games tomorrow to force a three-way tie for third.

In case of a triple-tie, Ascof and Cossack will clinch the last two semis berths due to superior tiebreak scores.

Co and Lopez canned all but one of the team’s six foul shots in the last 90 seconds before Vic Manuel sealed the win with a slam at the buzzer.

The Fighting Maroons roared to a 23-4 lead behind 17 unanswered points which veteran Nestor David highlighted with a trey.

But the 25ers charged back behind Pamboy Raymundo, Jimbo Aquino and Adrian Celada and wrested the lead at 42-37 with three minutes to go in the third quarter.

The Maroons regrouped and fought back to draw level at 49 before Ian Sangalang scored on a power play to shove Excelroof to the lead.

Pharex B countered with a decisive 15-0 run to take a 64-51 lead but Excelroof refused to yield and struck back to within, 63-66, on Raymundo’s triple with 1:31 left in the contest.

The Maroons, however, went to their defense to break a series of Excelroof’s plays en route to the victory.

“Obviously, Excelroof is such a great team with championship experience but they just wouldn’t give us the game. Hats off to them, they played really well,” said Castro.

The scores:

First Game

Pharex 74 – Co 14, Lopez 12, Arao 11, Adolfo 10, Manuel 8, David 6, Braganza 5, Reyes E. 4, Tecson 4, Maniego 0, Reyes M. 0, Hipolito 0, Astorga 0.

Excelroof 68 – Raymundo 17, Aquino 16, Celada 14, Sangalang 8, Agustin 4, Bagatsing 2, Mendoza 2, Abueva 2, Taylor 2, Bulawan 2, Pascual 0, Delgado 0, Suguitan 0.

Quarterscores: 14-4; 29-24; 49-49; 74-68

Second Game

Ascof Lagundi 78 – Canlas 22, Gamalinda 15, Uyloan 9, Aguilar 8, Labagala 7, Gerilla 6, Mazo 3, Co 3, Bauzon 3, Leynes 2, Bustos 0, Lanete 0, Asoro 0.

Ani-FCA 65 – Ong 10, Custodio 10, Sena 10, Cagoco 10, Gelasque 8, Pascual J. 8, Acosta 3, Flores 2, Sevilla 2, Pascual N. Lee 0.

Quarterscores: 29-8; 42-33; 62-48; 78-65

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PBL surprised over Chino 'resignation'

Source: (The Philippine Star)

MANILA, Philippines - Majority of officials and representatives of the Philippine Basketball League (PBL) yesterday expressed disbelief over the reported resignation of commissioner Chino Trinidad.

“I don’t think Chino will do it, he might just be tired,” said Toyota Otis board representative Gil Angeles. “Unless I see him and he says it in front of me that he’s resigning then that’s the time I will believe.”

“Besides, the board has yet to receive a letter informing us about his supposed resignation. For now, we just have to wait for him to arrive before we can act on this matter,” said Angeles, noting Trinidad might be tired emotionally since he’s been away from his family for almost a month now.

Trinidad, who has been at the helm of the league since 2000, is in Los Angeles covering the training of boxing icon Manny Pacquiao for his fight against Joshua Clottey at the Cowboys Stadium in Dallas on Saturday (Sunday Manila time).

Even PBL chairman emeritus Raymund Yu of Welcoat Paints and last year’s chairman Mikee Romero of Harbour Centre franchise were also caught by surprise by Trinidad’s reported resignation.

Romero and Yu said they will try to talk to Trinidad when he returns from his coverage.

“If it is true then the league will lose a great leader. But no matter what happens next, the league must go on, the show must go on,” said Yu.

Romero, who owns a record seven straight championships but whose franchise took a leave of absence this conference, echoed Yu’s sentiments.

“I was surprised to read it in the papers. I know his passion for sports, especially for basketball. But I will still try to talk to him,” said Romero. “He spent 10 good years of his life in the PBL, so maybe we can still do about it.”

PBL executive director Butch Maniego, however, already had an inkling that Trinidad is just biding his time before stepping down.

“He already broached the idea of resigning when the opening of this tournament was postponed for the third time,” said Maniego. “But I had always hoped he would reconsider.”

Excelroof team manager Oliver Gianan was also surprised, saying: “We joined the league through the prodding of Mr. Trinidad because we have the same vision for basketball.”

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Pharex B holds off Fern-C 5

Source: (The Philippine Star)

MANILA, Philippines - Pharex B Complex withstood Fern-C’s tough challenge, carving out an 85-77 win in the 2010 PBL PG Flex-Erase Placenta Cup yesterday at The Arena in San Juan.

The Fighting Maroons took a 13-point lead early in the payoff period then held off the Ferntastics’ fiery chase at the finish to nail a second win in three starts.

Fern-C waged a rally behind John Wilson’s hot-shooting but went short in its bid, thus, suffering a third loss in a row.

Vic Manuel and Woody Co pumped in clutch shots, negating Wilson’s 32-point explosion.

Ascof Lagundi, Pharex B Complex’s sister team, barged into the win column by downing AddMix, 80-76, in the second game.

Sean Co played a key role for Ascof Lagundi, coming through with a crucial three-point play off Gio Ciriacruz with 37.2 seconds left to play.

Wilson, a former NCAA MVP awardee, was 11-of-21 from the field as he got away with a second straight 30-point performance. He also had seven rebounds, four assists and four steals in 33 minutes.

Former Far Eastern University standout Marlon Adolfo was the surprise topscorer for the Fighting Maroons with 15 points with Manuel adding 14 points and seven rebounds.

Co and Arvie Braganza were two other Pharex players who scored in double figures.

The scores:

First Game

Pharex B Complex 85 – Adolfo 15, Manuel 14, Co 12, Braganza 10, Reyes Ea. 8, Lopez 7, Sison 6, Tirona 5, Arao 5, Reyes Ma. 2, David 1, Maniego 0, Hipolito 0.

Fern-C 77 – Wilson 32, Dizon 13, Maconocido 8, Evangelista 8, Co 7, Escueta 4, Tanuan 3, Semira 2, Miranda 0, Walsham 0, Espiritu 0, Thiele 0.

Quarterscores: 18-14; 32-31; 55-46; 85-77

Second Game

Ascof Lagundi 80 – Gamalinda 20, Co 16, Gerilla 11, Asoro 11, Leynes 7, Labagala 6, Canlas 5, Aguilar 2, Bauzon 2, Mazo 0, Lanete 0, Cole 0.

AddMix 76 – Maliksi 22, Amparado 17, Colina 12, Nuyles 7, Ciriacruz 6, Alvarez 4, Cubo 3, Canada 2, Morial 2, Lozada 1, Galinato 0, Ynion 0, Guillermo 0.

Quarterscores: 17-16; 35-31; 61-52; 80-76

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Lee propels Cobra five over AddMix

Source: (The Philippine Star)

MANILA, Philippines - Paul Lee fired 18 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter as he powered fancied Cobra Energy Drink to a come-from-behind 81-77 victory over AddMix in the PBL PG Flex-Erase Placenta Cup at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig yesterday.

Lee, a mainstay of the Univ. of the East, came through with big baskets, from the long range and inside incursions, midway in the fourth as the Ironmen battled back from eight points down to fashion out the victory and tie opening day winners Excel Roof and Cossack Blue.

In the second game, Pharex B Complex drew solid games from unheralded Vic Manuel, Woody Co and San Beda standouts Chico Tirona and JR Tecson to beat Agrinurture (Ani-FCA), 82-62.

Manuel, who saw action with the PSBA Jaguars in the UCAA and NCRAA, led the Fighting Maroons with 17 points and nine rebounds in just 19 minutes while Co added 13. Tirona and Tecson chipped in 11 points each to join the early leaders.

Lee, who is also acting as the team’s assistant coach, made 8-of-14 shooting and finished with eight rebounds, five assists and two steals in 31 minutes of action.

Meanwhile, Jai Reyes, a vital cog in Ateneo’s back-to-back title romps in the UAAP, debuted for the Ironmen and scored four points and had three rebounds and two assists in 21 minutes.

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Excel, Cossack draw first blood

Source: By Joey Villar (The Philippine Star)

MANILA, Philippines - Newcomer Excel Roof came away with a stunning 82-73 victory over title-favorite Ascof Lagundi, making quite an impact right at the start of the PBL PG Flex-Erase Placenta Cup at The Arena in San Juan yesterday.

Bannered by members of the NCAA champion San Sebastian squad, the 25ers stymied the Cough Busters with a stifling defense then leaned on the troika of Jimbo Aquino, Calvin Abueva and Ronald Pascual in the clutch to fashion out the victory against a team that finished runner-up in the Unity Cup last year.

Aquino, the NCAA Finals MVP, paced Excel Roof with 17 points while Abueva and Pascual tossed in 13 and 11 points, respectively.

Two other 25ers churned out double digit outputs as Gilbert Bulawan also scored 11 points and John Raymundo finished with 10 to underscore the team’s balanced offensive sock.

In the other game, Cossack Blue leaned on the 13-point, 17-rebound effort of former San Beda standout Jay-R Taganas as it edged Fern-C, 81-77.

Excel Roof also used its quickness and played with a lot of spunk and hustle to dominate their rivals off the boards, 53-35, that set up a series of fastbreak plays for the 25ers.

Raymundo also pulled down 11 rebounds, becoming the first guard in the season-opening tournament to produce double-double game. He also made five assists in 21 minutes of action.

“The PBL is a totally different level than the NCAA and the collegiate leagues and it’s about speed and physical game,” said Excel Roof coach and SSC mentor Ato Agustin, who played for YCO and Swift in the then PABL in the 80s.

“So we came into this game ready to play tough defense,” he said.

Ex-FEU center JR Gerilla led Ascof with 13 points while former UST Growling Tiger Marc Canlas added 11 points on 5-of-11 shooting.

Ascof Lagundi fell back late in the second quarter as Abueva lead the 25ers’ charge en route to a 40-32 lead at the half.

Two consecutive fastbreaks by Gerilla tied the score at 45 with 7:20 in the third period but Aquino hit one of his two triples while Abueva scored inside off a foul by Richard Cole with 1:32 left for a 64-55 Excel Roof lead.

Pascual later put the 25ers in front by 10 points with a three-pointer for a 78-68 lead with 2:14 remaining in the final period while Abueva scored on a drive to post the team’s biggest lead at 80-69 with 90 seconds left in the contest.

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Focus on vets, college stars as PBL unwraps

Source: (The Philippine Star)

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Basketball League unwraps its new season today with a promise of high-powered action among the league veterans and the top collegiate stars in the PG Flex-Erase Placenta Cup at The Arena in San Juan.

Except for Ascof Lagundi of Pascual Laboratories, the three other teams seeing action in the season-opening tournament are made up of stars from various collegiate leagues, thus guaranteeing torrid action right from the opening buzzer.

“There are a lot of exciting players out there, even the rookies are expected to make an impression,” said PBL commissioner Chino Trinidad.

After a 20-minute opening ceremony, Ascof Lagundi (formerly Pharex), which lost to Oracle Residences (Harbour Centre franchise
) in last year’s Unity Cup title series, battles Excel Roof, a team built around the core of NCAA champion San Sebastian College.

Clashing in the second game at 4 p.m. are Fern-C and Cossack Blue, spearheaded by the University of the East Warriors. Games will be aired on Basketball TV starting at 3:30 p.m.

PBL chairman Ding Camua, deputy commissioner Tommy Ong and executive director Butch Maniego will grace the opener while San Juan Mayor JV Ejercito has been invited to do the ceremonial toss. He will be assisted by Camua, the board representative of Pascual Lab.

Cobra’s Paul Lee and Fern-C’s John Wilson will lead the Oath of Sportsmanship.

Aside from Ascof Lagundi, also tipped to contend for the crown is Cobra Energy Drink, led by last year’s top rookie Paul Lee and Parri Llagas, former UAAP scoring champion Patrick Cabahug and Ateneo star Jai Reyes.

Cobra will debut against AddMix on Thursday while Pharex-B, the second team of Pascual Laboratories in the league, battles the Ani-FCA Cultivators in the tournament backed by UK Derm, Spalding, Accel, Izod and Van Heusen, Burlington, Gold’s Gym, Fern-C, Gatorade, Extreme Magic Sing, The Filipino Channel, Business World and NU 107.

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