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| Yahoo PH Sports - Manila, Philippines-Jared Dillinger of Meralco Bolts drives against Reil Cervantes of the Kia Sorento during the PBA Philippine Cup at Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City on 03 December 2014. (Czeasar Dancel/NPPA Images)
NLEX, even without breaking a sweat, achieved a big goal and the Road Warriors can thank their sister the Meralco Bolts.
Meralco blew a big 22-point lead but found their second wind in time to carve out a thrilling 99-93 victory over hard-fighting KIA on Wednesday night and eliminate the Sorento from playoff contention in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.
After a roaring start that gave them a lead of 22 points at 63-41 early in the third canto, the Bolts suddenly went cold in the face of the Sorento’s strong fightback and even stood on the brink of a monumental collapse when they fell behind by three midway through the payoff canto.
Good thing for the Bolts, veterans Jared Dillinger, Mark Macapagal and Cliff Hodge rose to the occasion as they took turns in their decisive push, fueling a 14-3 run in a critical four-minute stretch to send the Sorento packing along with fellow newcomer Blackwater Elite.
Dillinger led all scorers with 25 points, including 13 in their ferocious start, while the do-it-all Hodge filled up the void left by injured Reynel Hugnatan with a double-double outing of 17 markers and 10 rebounds as Meralco snapped a two-game losing skid.
More importantly, the Bolts improved their record to an even 5-5 card in a tie with idle GlobalPort Batang Pier in the middle pack while giving KIA the boot after the Sorento dropped their ninth straight game after its opening-day victory against Blackwater.
Benefiting the most from Meralco’s victory is NLEX, which completed the 10-team playoff cast while turning its final eliminations assignment against Kia on Dec. 7 into a no-bearing affair.
Although they failed to keep their hopes alive, the Sorento have nothing to be ashamed of, especially in giving the Bolts one big scare.
With playing coach Manny Pacquiao starting for KIA, Meralco uncorked a 15-4 start and even stretched its lead to 34-19 after the first 12 minutes, with Dillinger leading the way.
But the Sorento finally showed some signs of life in the second canto and had it on full display in third behind the exploits of Reil Cervantes, Eloy Poligrates and Hyram Bagatsing, who sparked a 28-8 counterattack that trimmed what once a 22-point deficit to just one, keeping them in the thick of the fight.
KIA continued its roll in the fourth as LA Revilla scored five straight points and Poligrates made another jumper for an 81-78 lead.
However, Meralco regained its bearings defensively and rediscovered its offensive groove as well by unloading 14 of the next 16 points, capped by Macapagal’s second triple for a 92-83 cushion with less than five minutes left.
But the Sorento refused to easily fold as they uncorked three straight triples, the last off Jopher Custodio at the top of the key, that enabled them to pull within 93-96 with 67 seconds remaining.
The Bolts, however, didn’t lose composure and closed it out.
In his first game since KIA's opening-day win over Blackwater, Pacquiao logged just over six minutes, all in the first quarter, and went scoreless. He grabbed two rebounds but committed one foul and one turnover. He took and missed two three-point attempts, with the second one rimming out.
The Main Man: Jared Dillinger delivered the goods anew with a game-best 25 points, even starring in the Bolts’ electrifying start.
Honorable Mentions: Also making their presence felt for Meralco were veterans Mark Macapagal and Cliff Hodge, who made necessary buckets in the stretch.
Game Turning Point: Staring at a 78-81 deficit, the Bolts turned up the heat on the defensive end then regained their offensive flow by uncorking a telling 14-2 run for an eight-point lead with five minutes left.
Stat of the Game: Even without the presence of hard-banging Reynel Hugnatan, the Bolts still lorded it over in the lane by scoring 14 more points over the Sorento in the shaded lane.
He Said It:
Meralco coach Norman Black: When they took lead in fourth, there's a possibility we might lose the game. It’s been a roller coaster ride so I’ll take the win. I'm happy with the win. Reynel Hugnatan will be back next game. In the last five minutes, I told players we have two options: Let this go or let’s keep our composure and regain control of the game.
Next Games:
Meralco versus GlobalPort on Dec. 9 at the Astrodome
Kia against NLEX on Dec. 7 at the Araneta Coliseum
The scores:
Meralco 99 – Dillinger 25, Hodge 17, Anthony 14, Wilson 11, David 10, Macapagal 8, Morrison 4, Cortez 3, Ferriols 3, Ildefonso 2, Sena 2, Buenafe 0, Guevarra 0.
Kia 93 – Cervantes 18, Poligrates 11, Revilla 10, Bagatsing 10, Thiele 9, Alvarez 8, Pascual 8, Dehesa 7, Custodio 6, Webb 4, Burtscher 3, Pacquiao 0, Buensuceso 0.
Quarterscores: 34-19; 60-39; 73-72; 99-93.
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Showing posts with label Basketball. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Basketball. Show all posts
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Philippines' Andray Blatche (left) vies for the ball with France's Joffrey Lauvergne during the friendly basketball match...When the FIBA World Cup of Basketball tips off tomorrow, the Philippines will feature one of the most unexpected participants in the whole tournament — Andray Blatche, current NBA free agent and erstwhile host of Lapdance Tuesdays. Although Blatche is fairly reformed from his worst days with the Washington Wizards, he is still not considered to be the picture of dependability and commitment. Yet the oddity goes much deeper, because the Philippines is a country with a basketball obsession that belies its relatively minor impact on the international game. How, exactly, would a player like Blatche fit in with this culture?Not surprisingly, the answer is that it's taking some time. In a new feature for Grantland, Rafe Bartholomew details Blatche's adjustment to his new team. Yet it's his teammates' own adjustment to playing with Blatche that could be the most interesting issue at play:A few days into training camp, point guard Castro had already begun adding wrinkles from Blatche’s game to his own. During a four-on-four shell drill, he caught the ball on the wing and then raised it in an exaggerated, one-handed shot fake before swooping it back down into a jab-step fake, and then drove to the basket. It was a move Blatche had been using all week. The thought of one’s players adopting moves from Blatche, a player who has never been known for his work ethic or offensive efficiency, might cause anxiety attacks in some coaches. For Reyes, however, it was a sign his longtime players and his new pickup were beginning to jell. It didn’t mean that he’d be coaching a team full of undersize Andray Blatche clones, but that they felt a “combination of respect and awe” for the big man’s game, and that playing with Blatche was giving his players “a lot of optimism [and] a lot of hope” about their chances to pull off an upset in Spain. [...]“Coming in, I had my doubts about Andray,” Reyes told me. “I thought he would be always away from us, but he’s actually thrown himself into the process. When people saw that he was a legitimate NBA player who was willing to be just one of the guys … there was a palpable sigh of relief. [...]That looming uncertainty is what made the Gilas players hesitant about the plan to hire Blatche as a replacement for previous naturalized big man [Marcus] Douthit. “There were mixed reactions because Marcus was still here,” said Alapag, the 36-year-old captain who has been playing for various iterations of the national team since 2002. “After going through those battles and you have success with someone who you consider a brother and not just a teammate, you’re kinda worried when coach comes in and says, ‘Hey, we’re gonna try somebody else.’” [...]So far, the transition from Douthit to Blatche had been smooth, with Douthit’s continued presence and public willingness to sacrifice his spot for the good of the Philippines. But in Miami, Alapag told me it’s up to Blatche to earn the honor he’s been given, to live up to the team’s puso mantra. “It’s important, not just for the guys on the team but also for the country, to see that Dray’s gonna go out there and fight,” Alapag said. “Just like everybody knows that we’re gonna go out and fight.”The article's consideration of Douthit is especially crucial to understanding Blatche, because the former had to prove himself to his new country in much the same way that the latter does now. The 34-year-old Providence product and Philippine Basketball Association star has competed for the Philippines since 2010, and it's clear that he's earned great respect from his teammates and even become a team leader. The fact that Blatche has replaced him has understandably created some awkwardness, even if everyone is trying to work past it.On the other hand, the mere fact that Douthit has been able to reach that level of comfort within the country and team suggests that Blatche can achieve the same. It will take time, and it might not happen until future tournaments, if it does at all. But Blache appears to be doing the work, and that in itself matters. The two sides are doing their best to integrate an outsider into this rich culture.Bartholomew's piece is much more involved than what I describe here — there's also information on what brought Blatche to the national team in the first place, plus a lot else. If you've ever wondered what goes into turning a player given citizenship specifically for basketball into a legitimate member of a national team and nation, this is the piece to read. |
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Yahoo PH Sports - Manila Philippines-Paul Lee of the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters drives against the Alaska Aces during the PBA SemiFInals of the Governors Cup at Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City,northeast…The shockwaves from Paul Lee’s announcement that he is seeking a trade have not completely settled down and yesterday the Rain or Shine star delivered another shocker. Reliable sources said Lee may consider playing in China after getting an offer from one of the teams in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA).“I think he has an offer to play in China, and Paul might try his luck there if he decides not to play for Rain or Shine next season,” said a source who requested not to be named.Lee’s management group headed by his agent Lawrence Chongson, his former coach at the University of the East, dropped a bombshell the other day when it announced that Lee has asked to be traded at the end of his contract which expires on Aug. 31.Rain or Shine officials said they will do everything to keep Lee in the team. Recently, they offered Lee a P15.12-million contract spread over three years, the maximum allowable under PBA rules.But Lee apparently turned down the offer and sought a trade, leaving Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao and team owners wondering why this is happening.Lee, nor his agent Chongson, was available for comment. Lee is with the Gilas Pilipinas team in Spain preparing for the FIBA World Cup which begins in a few days.A team insider said that Lee already contacted Guiao to inform his coach of his intention to be traded. There is still hope, though, for Rain or Shine to keep Lee as he agreed to talk to Guiao once he returns from Spain.Lee’s possible departure has greatly altered Rain or Shine’s rookie draft plans. The team is now looking at picking Kevin Alas in today’s draft just in case Lee’s bail out becomes real. |
Free agent forward Shawn Marion committed to joining the Cleveland Cavaliers this weekend, according to ESPN's Marc Stein. The 36-year-old forward will be expected to serve as a versatile defender alongside LeBron James in Cleveland.
Cavs can only offer minimum deal to Shawn Marion but sources say chance to play with LeBron and play for a title trumped all other offers
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) August 17, 2014
Marion is a 15-year NBA veteran who has spent his last five seasons in Dallas. The 10.4 points per game he averaged last season was the lowest mark his career since his rookie season. He's the second offseason pickup for the Cavs since James signed in July, joining shooter Mike Miller as a veteran addition.
Marion was the ninth overall pick by the Phoenix Suns in 1999 out of UNLV. He spent his first eight and a half seasons in Phoenix establishing himself as a two-way athletic terror. He's a four-time All-Star and was a key member of the Mavericks' 2011 NBA champion squad, often drawing the assignment of guarding James.
Always known for his all-around, stat-stuffing game, Marion is one of four players ever to amass 17,000 points, 9,000 rebounds, 1,500 steals and 1,000 blocks.
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