Coca Cola Tigers 91, Barako Bulls 89 (From PBA.ph)
The life support system that has kept Barako Bull alive for the latter part of its campaign in the 2009-10 KFC Philippine Cup was finally been removed by Coca-Cola Wednesday night.
Asi Taulava’s 12-foot jumper in the lane lifted the Tigers to a breathtaking 91-89 decision past the stubborn Energy Boosters at the Cuneta Astrodome.
Taulava’s shot that swished the net with 1.8 to play broke a tied game and took away Barako Bull’s slim chance to live another day.
The result secured Rain or Shine’s place in the wildcard and rendered its scheduled game against Alaska at the close of the elimination round on Thursday a no-bearing contest.
“It was just one of those shots. You have to live with those moments. I’m glad I delivered,” said the 6-10 veteran center, who tossed the game-winner over Barako center Alex Crisano and rookie Ogie Menor.
Taulava, who made 6 of 11 attempts from the field, also had five assists, one steal, one shot block and 11 rebounds for his seventh double-double this conference.
Gary David scored 16 points, Larry Rondriguez 15, RJ Rizada had 11 and rookie guard Chris Ross dished off seven assists for the Tigers, who wound up the elimination round with a 6-12 record.
With the game practically a no-bearing for them, the Tigers merely went through the motion and displayed none of the energy they exhibited the previous two games when they were scrambling to clinch a spot ion the wildcard.
But somehow they responded to their coach’s prodding.
“This is not the kind of ending we would have wanted. But I guess whatever I say, the guys wouldn’t give their best effort because there’s nothing at stake in this game,” said Bo Perasol, the Coca-Cola coach.
“Nevertheless, I told them that it is very important for us to win the game if only to have some momentum going into the wildcard. Because I really think we have to be sharp enough to survive that round,” he added.
The Tigers will be facing the Burger King Whoppers in the knockout wildcard.
It was a painful loss for Barako Bull.
The Energy Boosters who finished the elims with a 3-15 mark, went into the game needing a victory to stay alive and possibly force playoff for the last wildcard spot should Rain or Shine lose to Alaska Friday.
They almost pulled it off after charging back from 20-points down early in the fourth.
Trailing 79-82, Crisano, who led Barako Bull with a career-high-tying 19 points, including 5 of 7 from 3-point range, drained a three that sparked a 10-0 run.
Aris Dimaunahan (14 points) ended that run with another trey that tied the count at 89-89 with 5 seconds to play.
Coca-Cola sued for time and plotted their final offensive supposedly for Gary David. But RJ Rizada found Taulava open in the lane so he dumped the ball to their center, who made mincemeat of Crisano’s defense by hitting the fadeaway winner. (DBC)
The scores:
Coca-Cola 91 - Taulava 20, David 16, Rodriguez 15, Rizada 11, Macapagal 10, Gonzales 7, Ross 6, Espino 4, Calimag 2, Bono 0, Cruz 0, Enrile 0.
Barako Bull 89 - Crisano 19, Aljamal 14, Dimaunahan 14, Duncil 12, Najorda 9, Alonzo 8, Hubalde 4, Belano 3, Menor 2, Fernandez 2, Reyes 2, Faundo 0.
Quarterscores: 21-23, 44-39, 70-54, 91-89.
Burger King Whoppers 87, Alaska Aces 80 (From PBA.ph)
An outright semifinal berth has suddenly become elusive for Alaska Milk. Burger King foiled Alaska's second shot at an automatic semis passage as the Whoppers whipped the Aces, 87-80, in the penultimate playdate of the KFC PBA Philippine Cup elimination phase at the Cuneta Astrodome Wednesday night.
JR Quinahan put in a career-high 23 points with Ronjay Buenafe, Ronnie Matias and Wesley Gonzales also coming through with key numbers as Burger King checked a three-game slump and closed out their stint in the elims with a 6-12 win-loss card.
It was a no-bearing game for BK but the Whoppers still came out strong, playing heads-up game in preparation for their wild card duel with the Coca-Cola Tigers.
"It's a good way to close out our elims and it's also a big morale-booster for our wild card series. I'm still very hopeful of our chances. We're two wins away from the quarterfinals although we're also a loss away from a long vacation," said BK coach Yeng Guiao. "Wesley Gonzales and Alex Cabagnot are blending well with us. We're getting better with these two guys," Guiao also said.
Guiao made special mention of their two new acquisitions although it was Quinahan who stood out for the team against Alaska. The burly Cebuano center went 11-of-18 from the field for 23 points that went with 10 points, one assist and one block in 30 minutes of action. Quinahan's previous career high was 17.
Buenafe contributed 16 points, Matias chipped in 12 and Gonzales added 10 as the Whoppers frustrated the Aces, keeping them from an outright semis passage. The Aces, also topped by the Purefoods Giants in their previous game, take their last shot at an automatic semis entry versus the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters Friday.
Alaska will instead figure in a playoff if it loses to Rain or Shine. The Aces dictated the tempo in the first half but the Whoppers seized control in the third quarter then sustained the pace in the final period. Ramsey Williams, Carlo Sharma and Buenafe combined in a decisive 11-3 run giving the Whoppers a double-digit spread at 72-62 midway through the payoff period.
LA Tenorio and Willie Millers tried to get the Aces back in the game with clutch baskets coming off the bench but Buenafe and Gonzales answered back for BK.
Guiao insisted it's a performance that spoke well of their good chance in the wild card round. "The good thing about the format of this tournament is that as long as you're not eliminated, you have a good chance to go all the way," said Guiao. "The Burger King-Coke battle is very interesting. We got involved in a trade deal that have made both teams better. The game will involve a lot of pride," Guiao added.
BK and Coca-Cola finished the elims at joint seventh with identical 6-12 records. The Tigers have gone 5-2 since the return of main man Asi Taulava from a foot injury. (SB)
The scores:
Burger King 87 - Quinahan 23, Buenafe 16, Matias 12, Gonzales 10, R.Yee 8, Cabagnot 6, Williams 4, Belga 3, Billones 3, Sharma 2, M.Yee 0, Aban 0
Alaska 80 - Miller 19, Tenorio 13, De Vance 12, Dela Cruz 12, Thoss 8, Hugnatan 7, Cariaso 7, Fonacier 2, Borboran 0, Ferriols 0, Cablay 0.
Quarterscores: 13-18, 34-37, 61-56, 87-80
The life support system that has kept Barako Bull alive for the latter part of its campaign in the 2009-10 KFC Philippine Cup was finally been removed by Coca-Cola Wednesday night.
Asi Taulava’s 12-foot jumper in the lane lifted the Tigers to a breathtaking 91-89 decision past the stubborn Energy Boosters at the Cuneta Astrodome.
Taulava’s shot that swished the net with 1.8 to play broke a tied game and took away Barako Bull’s slim chance to live another day.
The result secured Rain or Shine’s place in the wildcard and rendered its scheduled game against Alaska at the close of the elimination round on Thursday a no-bearing contest.
“It was just one of those shots. You have to live with those moments. I’m glad I delivered,” said the 6-10 veteran center, who tossed the game-winner over Barako center Alex Crisano and rookie Ogie Menor.
Taulava, who made 6 of 11 attempts from the field, also had five assists, one steal, one shot block and 11 rebounds for his seventh double-double this conference.
Gary David scored 16 points, Larry Rondriguez 15, RJ Rizada had 11 and rookie guard Chris Ross dished off seven assists for the Tigers, who wound up the elimination round with a 6-12 record.
With the game practically a no-bearing for them, the Tigers merely went through the motion and displayed none of the energy they exhibited the previous two games when they were scrambling to clinch a spot ion the wildcard.
But somehow they responded to their coach’s prodding.
“This is not the kind of ending we would have wanted. But I guess whatever I say, the guys wouldn’t give their best effort because there’s nothing at stake in this game,” said Bo Perasol, the Coca-Cola coach.
“Nevertheless, I told them that it is very important for us to win the game if only to have some momentum going into the wildcard. Because I really think we have to be sharp enough to survive that round,” he added.
The Tigers will be facing the Burger King Whoppers in the knockout wildcard.
It was a painful loss for Barako Bull.
The Energy Boosters who finished the elims with a 3-15 mark, went into the game needing a victory to stay alive and possibly force playoff for the last wildcard spot should Rain or Shine lose to Alaska Friday.
They almost pulled it off after charging back from 20-points down early in the fourth.
Trailing 79-82, Crisano, who led Barako Bull with a career-high-tying 19 points, including 5 of 7 from 3-point range, drained a three that sparked a 10-0 run.
Aris Dimaunahan (14 points) ended that run with another trey that tied the count at 89-89 with 5 seconds to play.
Coca-Cola sued for time and plotted their final offensive supposedly for Gary David. But RJ Rizada found Taulava open in the lane so he dumped the ball to their center, who made mincemeat of Crisano’s defense by hitting the fadeaway winner. (DBC)
The scores:
Coca-Cola 91 - Taulava 20, David 16, Rodriguez 15, Rizada 11, Macapagal 10, Gonzales 7, Ross 6, Espino 4, Calimag 2, Bono 0, Cruz 0, Enrile 0.
Barako Bull 89 - Crisano 19, Aljamal 14, Dimaunahan 14, Duncil 12, Najorda 9, Alonzo 8, Hubalde 4, Belano 3, Menor 2, Fernandez 2, Reyes 2, Faundo 0.
Quarterscores: 21-23, 44-39, 70-54, 91-89.
Burger King Whoppers 87, Alaska Aces 80 (From PBA.ph)
An outright semifinal berth has suddenly become elusive for Alaska Milk. Burger King foiled Alaska's second shot at an automatic semis passage as the Whoppers whipped the Aces, 87-80, in the penultimate playdate of the KFC PBA Philippine Cup elimination phase at the Cuneta Astrodome Wednesday night.
JR Quinahan put in a career-high 23 points with Ronjay Buenafe, Ronnie Matias and Wesley Gonzales also coming through with key numbers as Burger King checked a three-game slump and closed out their stint in the elims with a 6-12 win-loss card.
It was a no-bearing game for BK but the Whoppers still came out strong, playing heads-up game in preparation for their wild card duel with the Coca-Cola Tigers.
"It's a good way to close out our elims and it's also a big morale-booster for our wild card series. I'm still very hopeful of our chances. We're two wins away from the quarterfinals although we're also a loss away from a long vacation," said BK coach Yeng Guiao. "Wesley Gonzales and Alex Cabagnot are blending well with us. We're getting better with these two guys," Guiao also said.
Guiao made special mention of their two new acquisitions although it was Quinahan who stood out for the team against Alaska. The burly Cebuano center went 11-of-18 from the field for 23 points that went with 10 points, one assist and one block in 30 minutes of action. Quinahan's previous career high was 17.
Buenafe contributed 16 points, Matias chipped in 12 and Gonzales added 10 as the Whoppers frustrated the Aces, keeping them from an outright semis passage. The Aces, also topped by the Purefoods Giants in their previous game, take their last shot at an automatic semis entry versus the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters Friday.
Alaska will instead figure in a playoff if it loses to Rain or Shine. The Aces dictated the tempo in the first half but the Whoppers seized control in the third quarter then sustained the pace in the final period. Ramsey Williams, Carlo Sharma and Buenafe combined in a decisive 11-3 run giving the Whoppers a double-digit spread at 72-62 midway through the payoff period.
LA Tenorio and Willie Millers tried to get the Aces back in the game with clutch baskets coming off the bench but Buenafe and Gonzales answered back for BK.
Guiao insisted it's a performance that spoke well of their good chance in the wild card round. "The good thing about the format of this tournament is that as long as you're not eliminated, you have a good chance to go all the way," said Guiao. "The Burger King-Coke battle is very interesting. We got involved in a trade deal that have made both teams better. The game will involve a lot of pride," Guiao added.
BK and Coca-Cola finished the elims at joint seventh with identical 6-12 records. The Tigers have gone 5-2 since the return of main man Asi Taulava from a foot injury. (SB)
The scores:
Burger King 87 - Quinahan 23, Buenafe 16, Matias 12, Gonzales 10, R.Yee 8, Cabagnot 6, Williams 4, Belga 3, Billones 3, Sharma 2, M.Yee 0, Aban 0
Alaska 80 - Miller 19, Tenorio 13, De Vance 12, Dela Cruz 12, Thoss 8, Hugnatan 7, Cariaso 7, Fonacier 2, Borboran 0, Ferriols 0, Cablay 0.
Quarterscores: 13-18, 34-37, 61-56, 87-80
Standings
| Team | W | L | PCT |
| San Miguel Beermen | 13 | 5 | 0.722 |
| Alaska Aces | 12 | 5 | 0.706 |
| Brgy Ginebra Kings | 12 | 6 | 0.667 |
| Purefoods TJ Giants | 11 | 6 | 0.647 |
| Talk N Text Tropang Texters | 11 | 7 | 0.611 |
| Sta. Lucia Realtors | 10 | 7 | 0.588 |
| Coca Cola Tigers | 6 | 12 | 0.333 |
| Burger King Whoppers | 6 | 12 | 0.333 |
| Rain or Shine Elasto Painters | 4 | 13 | 0.235 |
| Barako Bull Energy Boosters | 3 | 15 | 0.167 |
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