PBA Welcomes Applications for 2010 Draft

(From ABS-CBN)

The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) has announced the eligibility rules and documentary requirements for cagers who want to join the 2010 PBA Annual Draft.

According to the PBA, the Commissioner’s Office has received numerous calls from interested players, parents, agents and school officials.

The PBA Draft will be held on August 22.

The applicant must be either aged 23 by the day of the Draft, a college graduate or a high school graduate (or would have graduated from high school in the school year 4 years immediately preceding the draft year).

He must also submit a National Statistics Office (NSO) Birth Certificate, 2x2 ID pictures and his college or high school diploma if he is not 23 yet.

A Filipino-foreign applicant has to turn in additional requirements such as the Bureau of Immigration (BI) Certificate of Recognition, Department of Justice (DOJ) Affirmation, authenticated birth certificate issued by the NSO, authenticated birth certificate or naturalization papers of his Filipino parent, marriage certificate of his parents, and duly notarized affidavits of at least 3 people living in the Philippines attesting to his claim of citizenship.

In addition, the applicant must have played in at least 15 games in any of the following leagues: Philippine Basketball League (PBL), University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP), National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), National Basketball Conference (NBC), United Regional Basketball League (URBL), Cebu Basketball Federation (CBF) and Liga Pilipinas.

For more information on the 2010 PBA Annual Draft, visit http://pba.ph.

Elasto Painters Hold Off Kings For 2nd Win In Row

Team	W	L	PCT
San Miguel	11	2	0.846
Talk N Text	10	2	0.833
Ginebra	8	5	0.615
Derby Ace	7	5	0.583
Alaska	7	5	0.583
Rain or Shine	6	5	0.545
Coca-Cola	5	8	0.385
Sta. Lucia	4	8	0.333
Barako Energy Coffee	2	11	0.154
Air21	2	11	0.154

(From PBA)

Rain or Shine is back in strong contention for the Top Five following crucial back-to-back wins over Barako Energy Coffee and Barangay Ginebra.

The Elasto Painters wavered offensively at endgame but made key defensive stops to salvage an 84-83 decision over the Kings in the 2010 PBA Fiesta Conference at the Araneta Coliseum Sunday night.

“We’re lucky to escape with the win. Good job on the boards and communication on defense helped us through,” said coach Caloy Garcia as his Elasto Painters held off the Kings for their sixth win against five losses.

“I keep on reminding the players if we want to go far, we have to beat teams right in front of us. I believe this win will help us big time. Malaki maitutulong nito sa paghabol namin pataas,” Garcia added.

The Elasto Painters are still outside the Top Five but they’re only half-game behind joint fourth placers the Alaska Aces (7-5) and the B-MEG Derby Ace Llamados (7-5) and a game adrift the third-running Ginebra Kings (8-5).

The Kings had a chance to steal the game but Willie Miller missed a three-point attempt at the buzzer. They suffered their first loss in their last five games.

The Elasto Painters took control most of the way before faltering at endgame, allowing the Kings to creep into the contest.

Down by one, 83-84, the Kings actually had three tries at going ahead. Mildon Ambres misfired two three-point attempts before Miller missed the team’s final offensive thrust.

“It helped that they missed the services of Eric Menk. Without Menk, we’re able to control the posts. It’s a big factor,” said Garcia.

Menk, Ginebra’s starting center who averages 11.1 points and 6.7 rebounds, sat out the game due to a recurring calf muscle injury.

The Elasto Painters did take advantage of Menk’s absence to dominate the first three quarters of play.

Already without Menk, the Kings later became depleted all the more with Ronald Tubid being thrown out of the game due to a flagrant infraction on Jireh Ibanes with 9:50 left to play.

Ibanes provided the Elasto Painters tremendous energy coming off the bench, and the former UP Maroon also helped the team get through in the end.

The 6-foot-11 forward finished with 15 points, his best output in the last two seasons.

Sol Mercado also put in 15 points despite playing hurt.

Jai Lewis piled up 18 rebounds and 12 points while Gabe Norwood got 13 points. (SB)

The scores:

Rain or Shine 84 - Ibanes 15, Mercado 15, Norwood 13, Lewis 12, Arana 9, Tang 6, Chan 6, Reyes 5, Laure 3, Cruz 0, Hrabak 0, Telan 0.

Ginebra 83 - Caguioa 28, Ambres 20, Tubid 12, Miller 10, Wilson 3, Hatfield 3, De Ocampo 3, Mamaril 2, Helterbrand 2, Villanueva 0.

Quarters: 25-18, 49-40, 69-63, 84-83

Coke Beats Barako Coffee in OT To End Losing Streak

(From PBA)

It took a long time coming, but Coca-Cola and Rashad Bell finally rang one up Sunday evening.

The Tigers needed to scramble back from several 11-point deficits before fully getting their acts together in the last minute of overtime before hurdling Barako Energy Coffee, 105-100 in the PBA Fiesta Conference at the Araneta Coliseum.

Bell was at the forefront of it all, redeeming himself from what could have been a costly miscue in the dying seconds of regulation by scoring six of his game-high 33 points and pulling off a crucial block in the extension that gave Coke the needed boost to snap out of its rut.

“We needed this kind of a win because we fought back from a deficit,” said Coke coach Bo Perasol, whose team has lost seven in a row since winning last on April 14.

“Also, we accomplished a lot in our mindset with this win,” added Perasol. “It was a tough seven-game skid and I myself have been losing confidence in coaching this team. We needed this kind of a win to show we still know how to win.”

For Bell, who replaced James Penny three games into the slide, the win should help them in their quest to go deep in the season-ending tourney.

“I’m just really ecstatic we won this. I’m happy for the guys we were able to get this and we hope to build on this momentum in our remaining games,” said the man who went 10-of-12 from the stripe and also had 11 rebounds.

It was the fifth win in 13 games for the Tigers, moving them into solo seventh-running spot.

The loss was Barako’s 11th in 13 outings, dropping it to a tie for last spot with idle Air21.

The Energy Coffee Masters fought back from 31 points down before narrowly losing a 98-99 decision to the Express last Wednesday and coach Junel Baculi states Sunday’s game compares to that heartbreaking loss.

“This is really bad, considering we led all the way up to the last minute (of regulation),” he said. “Unfortunately, the players made bad decisions in the end, like instead of passing, shooting the ball and instead of shooting, they’re passing. Hopefully we would learn from this and in our last few games apply it.”

Sammy Monroe led Barako with 27 points and 11 boards, but he went scoreless in overtime.

In his first game as a starter, Leo Najorda finished with 24 points, with relievers Reed Juntilla and Mark Isip adding 14 and 11 points, respectively.

Gary David, the conference’s leading local scorer, ably backstopped Bell with 25 points, while Asi Taulava added 12 and a game-high 14 rebounds and Mark Macapagal chipping in 10.

David’s triple capped Coke’s comeback from several 11-point deficits and gave the Tigers a 93-91 edge in the last 38 seconds of regulation.

Monroe’s lean-in floater knotted the count 12 seconds later and overtime was forged when Bell dribbled off his thigh in the last 6.8 seconds and Monroe was way right on his long triple try before the final buzzer.

Juntilla’s back-to-back jumpers gave Barako the upper hand in overtime, but that did not last long as Bell’s short stab and followup sandwiched Taulava’s three-point play off a Bell block on Juntilla that made it a 100-97 game.

Najorda’s triple tied the count for the last time at 100, before a David twinner and charities by Macapagal and Bell off a hoary three-point miss by Rob Wainwright and Al Vergara’s offensive foul sealed the count. (NC)

The scores:

Coca-Cola 105 - Bell 33, David 25, Taulava 12, Macapagal 10, Cruz 8, Espino 6, Allera 3, Gonzales 3, Mendoza 3, Rizada 2, Calimag 0.

Barako Coffee 100 - Monroe 27, Najorda 24, Juntilla 14, Isip 11, Vergara 9, Wainwright 8, Reyes 4, Dimaunahan 3, Duncil 0, Hubalde 0.

Quarterscores: 24-27, 37-48, 62-71, 93-93, 105-100

NBA Playoffs

vs(From the Associated Press)  -  Kobe Bryant is again showing the world what postseason greatness can be.

Bryant and his Los Angeles Lakers are in the NBA finals for the third straight season after he wrapped up a magnificent Western Conference finals with a 37-point performance in a series-clinching 111-103 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Saturday night.

“Kobe’s so good, ” teammate Lamar Odom said, “he makes incredible normal for us.”

Ron Artest added 25 points as the Lakers held off a late Phoenix rally to win the series 4-2.

The Lakers and Celtics, the NBA’s premier teams for much of the league’s history, will meet in the finals for the 12th time with Game 1 Thursday night in Los Angeles. They are the NBA champions each of the last two years—Boston beat the Lakers two years ago, and Los Angeles topped Orlando last season.

“We’ll see how much we matured,” Bryant said. “They challenged us extremely well in the finals a couple years ago. Now is a chance to see how much we’ve grown.”

Bryant scored nine points in the final 2 minutes, including what looked like an impossible 23-footer with Grant Hill in his face and 34 seconds to play. The basket put Los Angeles up 107-100 and the scrappy Suns were finished.

“Those aren’t shooters shots, they’re scorers shots,” Phoenix’s Steve Nash said. “Those are best-player-in-the-game type shots.”

Bryant will be in his seventh NBA finals in search of his fifth championship — five more than regular season MVP LeBron James, who can only sit and watch.

Amare Stoudemire, in what may have been his last game with the Suns, scored 27 points but struggled to a 7-of-20 shooting night. He can opt out of the final year of his contract and has said chances are “50-50” that he will play elsewhere next season.

“I’m not sure what the future holds right now,” he said, “so I’m just going to take a couple of days, enjoy the family and enjoy the rest and start figuring out the next move.”

Nash, who had promised his team would win Game 6 after its near-miss in Game 5, added 21 points and nine assists in his 118th playoff game, the most for anyone who has never reached the finals. The 36-year-old point guard praised his team, which at the season’s start was expected to be fortunate to even make the playoffs.

“You might say we overachieved,” he said, “but we’re a good team.”

Bryant, with his 10th 30-point performance in his last 11 postseason games, moved ahead of Jerry West and into a tie with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for second-most 30-point playoff games at 75. He has a ways to go for the record of 109 held by Michael Jordan.

Bryant also extended his NBA record to eight straight 30-point closeout games on the road.

“I always thought he was the best player in basketball,” Phoenix coach Alvin Gentry said.

Lakers coach Phil Jackson will be in search of his 11th NBA championship, fifth with the Lakers.

“Kobe was the man tonight,” he said.

Channing Frye had 12 points and 13 rebounds for the Suns, who have reached the finals only twice in their history and never have won a championship. Goran Dragic scored 10 of his 12 points in a fourth-quarter rally that got Phoenix within three points.

The Lakers led by as many as 18 late in the second quarter and were up by 17 entering the fourth. But four Suns reserves plus Stoudemire got the Suns back into it after Los Angeles took a 91-74 lead into the fourth quarter.

“With a 3-point shooting team like Phoenix,” Jackson said, “you know that any lead is not impossible.”

With Bryant on the bench for a brief rest, Dragic scored the first eight points of the fourth quarter to slice Los Angeles’ lead to 91-82 with 10:27 left.

The Lakers’ Sasha Vujacic drew a flagrant foul for an elbow to the face of his fellow Slovenian with 11:18 to play. Dragic made both free throws, then blew by Vujacic for a layup to cut it to 91-80 with 11:12 left. Dragic drove for another layup the next time as Bryant made a hasty return to the court.

Gentry stayed with the lineup, and the run reached 16-4 on Stoudemire’s layup after a slick pass from Dragic under the basket to cut it to 95-90 with 6:09.

Nash and Jason Richardson finally re-entered the game with 3:26 to play and Los Angeles leading 99-92. Stoudemire made two free throws, then Nash cut it to 99-96 on a layup with 2:19 left.

Bryant sank a 21-footer, Odom stole Nash’s pass and Bryant made two free throws to stretch it to 103-96 with 1:43 to go. Four straight points by Stoudemire cut it to 100-95 with 53.1 seconds left, but Bryant responded with his dagger over Hill and the surprising playoff run of the undersized, overmatched Suns was over.

“I just got a little separation,” Bryant said, smiling.

Los Angeles outscored the Suns 23-10 over the last eight minutes of the second half to lead 65-53 at the break. After Nash threw up an air ball in the half’s waning seconds, Bryant sank a 3-pointer with 12.9 seconds left to give the Lakers the 12-point lead, their largest of the half, to the cheers of the surprisingly large and loud contingent of Los Angeles fans in the otherwise all-orange crowd.

Phoenix cut the lead to single digits only once in the third quarter, 74-65 on Stoudemire’s two free throws with 5:38 left. The Lakers responded with an 11-2 run, Artest’s layup in traffic making it 85-67 with 2 1/2 minutes remaining in the quarter.

Los Angeles led 91-74 entering the fourth.

NBA Playoffs

vs(From the Associated Press)  -  The Celtics were supposed to be too old, too hurt, too inconsistent.

Boston coach Doc Rivers knew better.

The team that muddled through its last 54 regular-season games with a 27-27 record is headed to the NBA finals after winning Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals over the Orlando Magic 96-84 Friday night.

“The first thing we said when we got in the locker room is this is where we thought we would be,” Rivers said. “So don’t be surprised. This is what we talked about before the season started.”

An 86-77 win at Orlando on Christmas Day gave the Celtics a 23-5 record. Then injuries to Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce took their toll and the Celtics were content to give them and others time to heal even if it meant risking losing games late in the season.

The strategy paid off and now Boston will play Los Angeles or Phoenix with a chance for its second championship in three years and 18th overall, an NBA record.

“That stretch the last month, we formed a game plan, and I thought it was the right plan,” Rivers said. “Obviously, it didn’t look right because we were losing games, but guys were resting and conditioning, and I thought that was the only chance we had.”

That mediocrity didn’t fool Magic coach Stan Van Gundy, not after the Celtics eliminated the Cleveland Cavaliers and LeBron James in six games. And certainly not after they won the first three games of the best-of-seven series against the Magic.

“They beat two very good teams, and made us both look like we weren’t very good teams,” Van Gundy said.

Boston’s “Big Three” of Pierce, 32, Garnett, 34, and Ray Allen, 34, all made key contributions Friday.

Pierce led the Celtics with 31 points and 13 rebounds, Allen scored 20 and Garnett added 10 points and 5 rebounds. Throw in Nate Robinson’s 13 points off the bench in the second quarter, and the Magic’s chances of becoming the first NBA team to overcome a 3-0 deficit—there were 93 others—were slim.

“I never really think negative about losing, or being up 3-0 and something tragic happening,” said Pierce, the MVP of the 2008 finals. “Even though one day it’s possibly going to happen. … I’m just glad we were able to prolong it one more year.”

The Boston Bruins opened a 3-0 lead against Philadelphia this month in the NHL’s Eastern Conference semifinals before the Flyers rallied to win in the same building. The Magic, who dressed in the same locker room where the Flyers celebrated their comeback, couldn’t even force the series back to Orlando for a Game 7.

“To win four straight games, you’ve got to be perfect,” Orlando forward Matt Barnes said, “and we weren’t perfect tonight.”

The Magic were far from it.

They led for just 11 seconds, trailed by at least 12 points throughout the second half and were outrebounded 56-44.

“Those guys played like they wanted to win the championship the whole series,” said Dwight Howard, who had 28 points and 12 rebounds for the defending East champions. “That’s why they’re in the position they’re in now.”

Vince Carter scored 17 points, and point guard Jameer Nelson finished with 11 points and four assists but had five turnovers and was outplayed by Rajon Rondo, Boston’s starting point guard, and Robinson, his backup.

Reporters and fans scoffed when Rivers said last month that Robinson, who struggled to get playing time since coming to Boston at the trade deadline on Feb. 18 and had never appeared in the postseason before this season, is “going to win us a playoff game.”

He came off the bench at the start of the second quarter, when Boston led 30-19, and hit 3-pointers 90 seconds apart to help stretch the lead to 15 points.

“Nate Robinson was huge in the first half,” Van Gundy said. “That was a huge, huge lift for them.”

Orlando cut the lead to 55-42 at halftime, but the Celtics scored 11 of the first 13 points in the third quarter—including back-to-back 3-pointers from Allen 38 seconds apart.

“The one thing that Doc said all year was, `I like this team. I like the guys on this team. We can win it with the guys that are on this team,”’ Allen said.

Last year, the Magic eliminated the Celtics in a seven-game Eastern Conference semifinal series that Garnett missed with a knee injury. The previous year, the Celtics won their 17th title in a six-game series with the Lakers.

“This starting five has never lost a series, ever,” Rivers said. “We believed that coming into the season, and we just kept believing.”

The finals will begin Thursday in Los Angeles or Phoenix. The Lakers lead the Western Conference finals 3-2, and a victory over the Suns in Game 6 on Saturday would set up the cross-coast rivals for a rematch of the 2008 finals— and 10 other championship series from 1959-87.

“We never take these moments for granted, especially at this point in my career where it’s winding down,” Pierce said. “I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. To get back here is a great accomplishment, but even greater if we win another one. “

TENORIO LIFTS ALASKA PAST B-MEG IN OT; ACES GAIN SHARE OF 3RD

(From PBA)

The rematch of the Aces in the PBA Fiesta Conference elimination round went down with LA Tenorio laying down the biggest hand in the end.

Tenorio came through with a personal conference best of 26 points, including a huge four-point binge inside the last 2.5 seconds of overtime as the Alaska Milk Aces survived the B-MEG Derby Ace Llamados, 99-97, in a gripping battle at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium Friday night.

The peppery point guard and forward Joe De Vance took charge with import Diamon Simpson fouling out with 3:02 left to play, saving Alaska from what could have been a sorry loss in the contest.

James Yap, playing off-the-bench for the second straight game due to a bruised knee, knocked in a triple with 18 seconds left in regulation play paving the way for overtime.

The Aces blew a chance to win it in regulation on misses by Tenorio and Simpson in the dying seconds.

But Tenorio himself saved the day for his team, enabling the Aces to repeat over the Llamados and force a standoff between themselves at fourth place with identical 7-5 win-loss records.

The Aces were teetering on the brink when Tenorio banged away a three-pointer giving Alaska a 98-97 edge with 2.5 ticks left.

The Llamados then themselves sealed their fate as KG Canaleta committed a grievous error on the inbounds after a timeout.

Fouled right away, Tenorio coolly sank the front-end of his free throws then deliberately missed the second one as Alaska bounced back from a loss to Barangay Ginebra on a road game in Cebu Saturday.

“What a game! It’s hard to describe. It can’t get more exciting than that,” said Alaska coach Tim Cone after the game.

“It’s a battle between two Aces and we’re fighting tooth and nail. They didn’t back down and we didn’t back down. We just squeezed through,” Cone added.

Yap went 2-of-3 from beyond the arc and 2-of-2 from the stripe as he led a charge that got the Llamados to within five, 39-44, at halftime.

The Aces jumped the gun on the Llamados, building a 31-15 lead in the opening quarter.

Cliff Brown stepped up in the third quarter, firing 16 points as the Llamados drew level at 68-all.

Both teams went silent in a long stretch before Reynel Hugnatan scored on a semi-hook off Don Allado breaking the deadlock with almost four minutes gone in the final period.

The Aces and the Llamados engaged in a fierce battle to the finish with Simpson, Tenorio and Devance delivering the goods for Alaska and Brown and Yap starring for Derby Ace.

Simpson put in 29 points and 18 rebounds before heading to the showers ahead of the rest.

Tenorio also made six assists, five rebounds and two steals aside from 26 points while De Vance added 13 points and three rebounds.

Brown was in a zone, sizzling with 34 points, 11 rebounds, three assists and two steals. Yap, despite his injury, scattered 22 points on top of four rebounds and three assists. (SB)

The scores:

Alaska 99 - Simpson 29, Tenorio 26, De Vance 13, Baguio 13, Dela CRuz 6, Thoss 5, Hugnatan 4, Cablay 3, Eman 0, Fonacier 0.

B-Meg Derby Ace 97 - Brown 34, J. Yap 22, Allado 11, Yap R. 10, Canaleta 7, Pingris 7, Artadi 3, Simon 3, Timberlake 0, Maierhofer 0, Salvador 0, Reavis 0.

Quarters: 31-15, 44-39, 68-68, 87-87, 99-97

FULL-CHARGED TALK ‘N TEXT EASILY STRETCHES WIN RUN TO 9

(From PBA)

TALK ‘N Text repeated over Air21, 126-100, Friday night, prepping the Tropang Texters up for what head coach Chot Reyes maintains is the “teeth” of their schedule in the PBA Fiesta Conference.

Before a good-sized crowd at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium, Kelly Williams scored a conference-high 26 points in leading another sterling all-around effort by TNT’s second unit that propped it to a share of the lead with idle San Miguel Beer.

“This is a good preparation for us going to what I call is the teeth of our schedule,” said Reyes after his team’s franchise-best ninth straight win that jacked its win-loss record to 10-2.

“We are going to be severely tested in the coming stretch of the eliminations. It’s gonna be tough from hereon in,” added Reyes, whose team has Rain or Shine, Barangay Ginebra, Alaska and the Beermen lined up as its next four assignments.

Reyes, who is in the longest win streak of his head coaching career, also said his main concern right now is his charges being satisfied with what they have achieved.

“There’s still a long way to go, it’s still a long second round, and my worry is for this team to get complacent and stagnate. That’s why we have to keep on pushing them, not only in games but also in practice. Our practice must be better than our last,” he said.

There was no reason to be worried though in Friday’s game as Talk 'N Text came up with one big run after another right from the opening quarter on to take full command. A 10-1 surge stretched the difference to a high of 114-83, still 6:35 to go in the game.

In the end, the Tropang Texters posted season-highs in scoring after three quarters (100) and final score en route to their biggest win in the last three conferences and the most lopsided win by any team in the conference.

The loss was Air21’s 11th in 13 games, absorbed after it snapped out of almost a two-month-long drought in which it got beaten for a franchise-worst nine straight games.

“Coming into this game, I told my players that they (Express) are going to attack early,” related Reyes. “So I also told them it is very important for our first unit to come out strong, too.”

Shawn Daniels, Macmac Cardona, Ranidel de Ocampo and Jimmy Alapag did just that, but it was the Williams-led relievers who stymied their Air21 counterparts most as they steadily added on to their lead.

The TNT bench had a 70-58 advantage in scoring. 

After scoring only three points on three field tries in the first half, Reggie Larry still wound up with 14 points on top of 10 rebounds for the Express, who also drew at least 10 points each from Mike Cortez, Ren-Ren Ritualo, Beau Belga, Carlo Sharma and Wynne Arboleda.

The Tropang Texters’ crisp passing and better teamwork were spelled out in their 34-28 advantage in assists.

The only sour moment for Reyes came in the third, when TNT gave up 31 points. But the Tropang Texters had five more points and went into the final period with a 100-75 cushion. (NC)

The scores:

Talk ‘N Text 126 - Williams 26, Daniels 20, Reyes 17, Cardona 11, De Ocampo 10, Yee 9, Carey 9, Dillinger 8, Castro 8, Alapag 6, Aban 2, Waters 0, Quinahan 0.

Air21 100 - Larry 14, Cortez 14, Ritualo 14, Belga 12, Sharma 11, Arboleda 10, Alvarez 9, Rodriguez 7, Buenafe 7, Kramer 1, Yee 1, Williams 0, Matias 0.

Quarterscores: 35-24, 64-44, 100-75, 126-100

NBA Playoffs

vs(From the Associated Press)  -  ot ready to go home just yet, the only place the Orlando Magic are headed is back to Boston.

Halfway to history.

Taking another step toward overcoming an improbable 3-0 series deficit, Dwight Howard had 21 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Magic to a 113-92 victory over the Celtics on Wednesday night in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals.

“I don’t know if you can say you have momentum when you’re down 3-2 going into their place,” Magic coach Stan Van Gundy said. “I still look at it like we’re climbing a huge mountain here. But we are playing better.”

Much better.

A series that looked like a sweep a few days ago now has the Celtics taking a slim lead into a pressure-packed Game 6 in Boston on Friday night. The Celtics are facing the possibility of playing it without Kendrick Perkins after their starting center picked up his seventh technical foul of the playoffs, a mandatory suspension unless it is overturned.

A potential Game 7 would be in Orlando.

No NBA team has won a series after losing the first three games.

The Magic, seemingly lifeless after a blowout defeat in Game 3, suddenly have hope to be the first. They broke out of their series-long shooting slump, making 13-of-25 3-pointers.

“I just feel that if we keep believing in each other and trusting one another and playing as hard as we can, anything’s possible,” Howard said.

Jameer Nelson scored 24 points, and J.J. Redick had 14 to help the Magic to a frenetic pace that the Celtics couldn’t sustain. Howard added five blocks as Orlando built an early 14-point lead that was never seriously challenged.

Rasheed Wallace had 21 points, and Rajon Rondo scored 19 for a Boston team that once seemed on its way to another NBA finals.

Now? The Celtics are stunned and dazed—and Boston fans who just watched their NHL team blow a 3-0 lead are getting uneasy.

Howard’s elbow inadvertently came down on Glen “Big Baby” Davis’ face near the basket in the third quarter, giving the Celtics forward a concussion. Davis tried to get up as play continued on the other end, wobbling his way to midcourt, almost falling flat as referee Joey Crawford kept him from tumbling to the hardwood.

Davis did not return. Reserve Marquis Daniels also was hit with a similar inadvertent elbow from Howard, leaving him dizzy, and Wallace “tweaked” his back.

Celtics coach Doc Rivers said Davis “blacked out” on the court, and the training staff will examine the forward Thursday.

“I don’t know what kind of tests they’re going to do with Baby. He’s a little delirious anyway,” Rivers said, chuckling.

Give the Magic a little more than a puncher’s chance.

Redick provided a big boost off the bench, making a pair of 3-pointers to highlight a 20-8 run that put Orlando ahead 51-37 in the second quarter. His swishes and crisp passing kept the Celtics scrambling, and it filled a major hole with starter Vince Carter continuing to struggle.

Amid an amped-up Amway Arena, Wallace picked up his third foul during the spurt and taunted Orlando fans all the way to bench. Wallace shouted and screamed to the stands, pointing at his ring finger for the championship he already won with Detroit—a title that has long eluded Orlando.

Things got even worse for the Celtics when Perkins was ejected after he picked up his second technical of the game and seventh of the postseason for arguing with officials. Perkins and Marcin Gortat were whistled for double technicals a few minutes prior after they got tangled up.

That means Perkins, one of the best defenders in the league on Howard, will be suspended for Game 6 unless the NBA rescinds the technical. NBA spokesman Tim Frank said a final review of the technicals was expected to be announced by mid-to-late morning Thursday.

“I didn’t think he deserved either one. But he got them,” Rivers said.

The Celtics are two games from infamy, and the pressure is mounting.

Only four times in the history of North American major pro sports leagues has a team won a playoff series after losing the first three games. Such comebacks are something Boston fans know all too well.

It has happened three times in the NHL—most recently by the Philadelphia Flyers over the Boston Bruins earlier this month—and once in baseball, when the Boston Red Sox came back to beat the New York Yankees in the 2004 AL championship series.

In 93 tries, it has just never been done in the NBA.

Here’s the Magic’s chance at history.

“We just all believe,” Nelson said. “We all believe. We know we can do it.”

NBA Playoffs

vs(From the Associated Press)  -  The Los Angeles Lakers were outnumbered and outplayed in the desert.

The Phoenix Suns got a decisive performance from their hustling bench to overcome Kobe Bryant’s 38-point, 10-assist performance and beat the Lakers 115-106 in Game 4 of the Western Conference finals on Tuesday night.

A series that looked like a Lakers’ breeze a week ago is all even at two apiece heading to Game 5 on Thursday night in Los Angeles.

The Suns reserves, considered an advantage entering the series but largely ineffective through three games, outscored their Lakers counterparts 54-20.

Channing Frye broke out of a horrendous shooting slump to make four 3-pointers and score 14 points. Leandro Barbosa also had 14 on 6-of-8 shooting and Jared Dudley added 11 points. Goran Dragic ran the show at point and had eight points and eight assists in 18 minutes.

“The bench played fantastic,” the Suns’ Steve Nash said. “They were by far easily the difference tonight.”

Amare Stoudemire led Phoenix with 21 points. Nash, playing with a broken nose, made just 3-of-11 shots but had 15 points and eight assists.

But it was the backups who stole the show, making 20-of-32 shots, including 9-of-20 3s.

“They have a great bench,” Bryant said.

Phoenix coach Alvin Gentry kept all five reserves in the game for almost the first nine minutes of the final quarter, and they produced an 18-3 run, and the Lakers never recovered. When Nash re-entered with 3:05 to play, those subs— usually playing against the Los Angeles starters—had turned an 87-85 deficit into a 103-94 lead.

“We believe in those guys and they really believe in themselves,” Gentry said. “I thought they were much better defensively than they were offensively, and they were great offensively.”

Frye had made 1-of-21 shots in the series and missed 18 in a row when his second shot of the night, a 3-pointer, finally fell to the roar of the home crowd.

“I just set my feet and let it ride,” he said.

Pau Gasol managed just 15 points after getting 29 and 23 in the previous two contests. Lamar Odom also scored 15.

Jordan Farmar opened the fourth quarter with a 3-pointer, his only basket in five shots all night, to give the Lakers an 87-85 lead. Barbosa responded with a 22-footer to tie it, then Lou Amundson scored inside on a pass from Dudley before Frye sank a 3-pointer for a 92-87 advantage.

That was the first of three consecutive 3s for Phoenix, the second by Barbosa and third by Dudley to make it 98-89. The biggest lead was 103-90 on Dragic’s driving layup with 4:02 to play.

“We thought we could come in here and get a game, and unfortunately you know we weren’t up to the task,” Lakers coach Phil Jackson said. “But we outscored them from the field I think both games, shot better than they did, did a lot of things very good and it still wasn’t enough to win the game. They beat us at the foul line both nights, and that’s the difference in the margin of the game.”

The Lakers had more field goals the Phoenix (45-41), but the Suns dominated at the foul line for the second game in a row, sinking 22 of 32 to Los Angeles’ Lakers’ 7 of 13.

Los Angeles was better against Phoenix’s zone defense, if not great.

“Our attention needs to be on the defensive end—period,” Bryant said. “That’s second-chance opportunities. Their bench came in and gave them a big boost in getting balls back and getting them extra possessions. We’ve got to cut that stuff out.”

After slugging out a 23-23 first quarter, the Suns erupted for a series-high 41-point second quarter, shooting 74 percent (17 for 23), 7 of 10 on 3-pointers to go up 64-55 at the half—and the backups led the way.

The reserves outscored the Lakers starters 21-11 to start the second period.

One of Bryant’s trademark scoring tears kept the Lakers in the game. After not taking a shot until the 2:09 mark of the first quarter, Bryant scored 15 in the second, making seven of his last nine shots, all outside jumpers. He was just getting started.

Bryant had 16 more in the third quarter, his 3-pointer with 2:20 to play finally catching the Suns at 81-all with 2:20 left. Pau Gasol made one of two free throws to put the Lakers ahead for the first time since the opening period, but Dragic made two free throws with 31 seconds left to put Phoenix ahead 85-84 entering the fourth.

Beermen Put Win Streak on the Line Against Gin Kings

(From Business Mirror)

Nobody could doubt the intention and desire of the San Miguel Beermen (SMB) to repeat as champions of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Fiesta Conference.

Their dominating game reflects their focus and determination that has propelled them to a league best 10-1 (win-loss) record.

While he is visibly pleased with his team’s efficient effort each game, SMB coach Siot Tanquingcen keeps on pushing his troops to strive harder and keeps on warning them to get ready for much tougher challenges ahead as teams make a desperate push for the playoffs.

“Everybody is gearing up to play us and it’s not gonna get any easier as the second round goes on,” Tanquingcen said during a postgame interview moments after their 106-100 repeat victory over Air21 on Friday.

To keep the Beermen on top of their game and to make sure they don’t lose their competitive edge, Tanquingcen has urged them to treat each game and every quarter as if it’s their last.

Whether they could sustain that kind of approach  will be put to a test on Wednesday, as the rampaging Beermen attempt to stretch their nine-game winning streak against the Barangay Ginebra Kings.

The defending champions survived a late challenge by the Kings for a 104-92 victory in their first meeting on April 18. The rematch is scheduled at 7:30 p.m. at the Araneta Coliseum.

Barako Energy Coffee and Air21—two teams trying to stave off elimination—battle each other in a crucial game at 5 p.m.

Ginebra may not have the kind of bench depth San Miguel enjoys, but their tenacity more than makes up for their deficiencies.

“It’s always a challenge playing Ginebra because they are well-coached,” said Tanquingcen.

The Kings had a shaky start but as soon as they have settled down, they won four of their next five games, capping it with a three-game winning streak that culminated with a 105-93 romp over Alaska on Saturday.

At the moment, they are tied for third place with B-Meg Derby Ace at 7-4 (win-loss), but another win would keep them in the hunt for one of two outright semifinals berth.

What makes the Kings even more dangerous is their motivation to get back at the front-running Beermen and earn bragging rights as the team that snapped their nine-game winning streak.

“We know they are the No. 1 team that’s why we have to play every possession like it was the last,” said Kings’ coach Jong Uichico, who was very impressed with the effort his chargers displayed against Alaska.

“We just didn’t give up and our players played their hearts out and that’s just the way the Ginebra team should play, come what may,” he said.

Tanquingcen and his Beermen will be ready.

“Coach Jong kept saying they find ways to win even when they’re struggling. And now that they have a resurgence with their own winning streak, we can’t afford to allow them to outhustle us in rebounds and transition,” Tanquingcen said.

The 2-9 Coffee Masters are seeking payback against the Express—a win that could enhance their chances of making the wild-card phase.

Air21 beat Barako Energy Coffee, 113-108, on March 28 for its only win so far in the conference before going on a nine-game losing streak to bring up the rear of the standings with a 1-10 card.

Ai21’s current mark tied coach Yeng Guiao’s record when he lost 10 of his first 11 games while calling the shots for Red Bull during the 2000 All-Filipino Conference.

The return of veteran guard Wynne Arboleda, though, should help turn Air21’s fortune around. Arboleda played against San Miguel on Friday, his first active game since being suspended last year for attacking a fan.

Maroons To Train In World-Class Academy In Las Vegas

(From GMA News)

University of the Philippines hopes to raise its UAAP campaign to the next level as the Fighting Maroons will undergo training at the world-class Abunassar Impact Basketball Training Camp in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The Maroons, who have missed the Final Four for 12 straight seasons, are hoping the AIB training could change their fortunes when the country’s premier collegiate league opens its 73rd season in July.

Supervised by renowned trainer Joe Abunassar, the AIB is the same academy attended by a number of NBA superstars like Kevin Garnett, Chauncey Billups, Tayshaun Prince, Al Harrington, Andrei Kirilenko, Baron Davis and Jermaine O'Neil.

UP, handled by Talk ‘N Text assistant coach Aboy Castro, will train from May 24 to June 5.

The Maroons will get this rare opportunity of training alongside NBA players and potential NBA draftees fresh out of the US NCAA collegiate basketball season.

The Impact basketball program will change the way each player approaches the game and will focus them on the essential elements necessary to maximize their abilities.

More importantly, the camp will help them develop into successful, goal-oriented individuals prepared to be successful in life.

NBA Playoffs

vs(From the Associated Press) - Put away the brooms. Hold off on those “Beat L.A!” chants. The Boston Celtics still have some work to do before they can play for their second NBA title in three years.

Dwight Howard had 32 points and 16 rebounds, and Jameer Nelson made back-to-back 3-pointers in overtime to lead the Orlando Magic to a 96-92 victory over Boston on Monday night to avoid a four-game sweep in the Eastern Conference finals.

Dressing in the same locker room where the Philadelphia Flyers celebrated their comeback from a 3-0 deficit against the Boston Bruins in the NHL’s East semifinals, the Magic avoided elimination and sent the series back to Orlando for Game 5 on Wednesday night.

The Bruins also lost Game 4 in overtime.

“We know that we were down 3-0, and we didn’t want to go home (for the season),” Howard said. “It starts with me and Jameer. Me and Jameer showed our leadership by playing hard. We’ve got to be the leaders for this team. It’s not about points, but just showing everybody, ‘Hey, follow us and we’ll lead the way.”’

No NBA team has ever come back from a 3-0 deficit to win a playoff series.

“At some point, somebody is going to come from 3-0 down and win a series. The only thing I knew for sure was it would start by winning Game 4,” Magic coach Stan Van Gundy said. “I figured that one out. You have to win Game 4. … This was a must-win.”

Paul Pierce had 32 points and 11 rebounds, and Kevin Garnett had 14 points and 12 boards for Boston. Ray Allen hit consecutive 3-pointers in overtime, but Pierce missed two tries in the final minute as the Celtics failed to complete the sweep.

“They don’t want to leave. We’re going to have to throw them out,” said Celtics forward Glen “Big Baby” Davis. “It’s just like somebody renting a house.”

Nelson finished with 23 points and nine assists for the defending Eastern Conference champions, who led by 10 in the second quarter and were up 85-78 with 2:24 left in regulation before Boston scored eight of the next nine points to force overtime at 86-all.

Neither team scored for the first 2:18 of the period before Nelson hit a 3-pointer and then added another 43 seconds later. Allen made a 3-pointer and, after Howard dunked and drew a foul—but missed a free throw—Allen hit another 3 to make it 94-92.

Howard followed up Nelson’s miss with 53 seconds left to make it 96-92, then Garnett sailed a pass over Pierce’s head and into the crowd. Pierce missed a pair of 3-point attempts in the closing seconds.

“There were a couple of plays down the stretch offensively that we botched, plain and simple. We’re kicking ourselves. We had a great opportunity,” Allen said. “There’s no need to panic. We like the position we’re in. But it’s a lesson: We have to take care of the small things and we’ll get to where we want to be.”

Orlando’s revival came just in time to avoid a Celtics walkover that had fans in the new Boston Garden chanting “Beat L.A!” early in the second half of Saturday night’s 23-point Boston victory. The Lakers lead the Suns 2-1 in the Western Conference finals, with Game 4 on Tuesday night in Phoenix.

But there was no more chanting about the Lakers on Monday night.

“I know they (the Celtics players) heard it. They had no choice but to hear it,” Celtics coach Doc Rivers said. “I don’t know if they believed it. We didn’t play well, I know that. I hope that wasn’t the reason.”

Only four times in the history of the North American major pro sports leagues has a team come back to win a playoff series after losing the first three games. It’s been done three times in the NHL—most recently this month by the Flyers in this building—and once in baseball, when the Boston Red Sox came back to beat the New York Yankees in the 2004 AL championship series.

“You never know what can happen,” Magic guard J.J. Redick said. “We can be like the Red Sox, coming back from 0-3. You never know.”

The Magic’s biggest lead of the series had been a three-point edge in the first quarter of Game 2, but they opened with their highest-scoring quarter of the series on Monday to take a 31-26 lead. They made it 42-32 in the second before Boston cut the deficit to four points at the half.

Orlando led 85-78 on Howard’s three-point play, but Pierce sliced past Howard for a dunk that cut it to five, then Allen hit a 3-pointer to make it 85-83 with 1:41 left. Nelson made one of two free throws, and then Pierce went to the basket and drew a foul, completing the three-point play to make it 86-all with 1:16 left.

But Pierce missed a jumper with a chance to give Boston the lead, Nelson missed for Orlando and Pierce lost his handle on the ball in the final seconds of regulation to send the game into overtime.

Williams Torches Former Team, Gives Texters 8th Straight Win

(From PBA Online)

Kelly Williams torched his former team with 19 points as Talk 'N Text cruised past Sta. Lucia, 92-78, to book its eighth straight win in the PBA Fiesta Cup Sunday night at the Araneta Coliseum.

The former league Most Valuable Player (MVP) also added 12 rebounds in his most scintillating showing yet since coming over from a blockbuster three-team, nine-player trade two weeks ago.

"We don't want to rock the boat that's why we try hard to quickly jell with the team," said the 6-foot-5 Fil-Am forward.

It was the third consecutive victory for the Tropang Texters since acquiring Williams and Ryan Reyes from the Realtors. At the same time, the team extended its winning run in the import-laden meet to stay in solo second at 8-2 behind defending champion and league leader San Miguel (10-1).

Despite the easy win, coach Chot Reyes believes his team has yet to reach its full potential.

"We're still a work in progress," he admitted, but stressing that "we formed a team that is versatile, one that can score and play defense."

Ranidel de Ocampo added 14 points, MacMac Cardona with 12 and Jimmy Alapag 12 and 10 assists.

Sta. Lucia lost for the second straight game and went down to 4-7 in a tie with Coca-Cola.

Anthony Johnson finished with 29 points and 14 rebounds, but didn't get enough local support as only rookie guard Josh Urbiztondo managed to finish in double figures after the Realtors import with 13.

The Realtors held their own early in the first half, taking a 24-23 lead after 12 minutes of play.

But the moment the Tropang Texters' second unit, led by Williams and Jared Dillinger, took over in the second period, there was nothing the Realtors could do.

Halftime ended with Talk 'N Text already on top by 15 as the Realtors scored only 13 in the period.

"Our second unit played very well and helped us tonight," said Reyes, whose team is coming off a 25-point rout of Derby Ace the last time.

An assist by Alapag on a cutting Reyes with three minutes remaining gave the Tropang Texters one of their several 19-point leads, 84-65. - RCJ, GMANews.TV

Scores:

Talk 'N Text 92 - Williams 19, De Ocampo 14, Cardona 12, Alapag 12, Daniels 10, Dillinger 8, Carey 8, Castro 5, Reyes 4, Yee 0, Quinahan 0.

Sta. Lucia 78 - Johnson 29, Urbiztondo 13, Espinas 8, Escobal 5, Belasco 5, Custodio 4, Omolon 4, Peek 4, Aquino 3, Misolas 2, Menor 1, Ross 0, Aljamal 0.

Quarterscores: 23-24, 52-37, 74-60, 92-78

Llamados Back in Form, Tame Toothless Tigers

(From PBA Online)

Derby Ace put behind its harrowing blowout loss at the hands of Talk `N Text a few days ago with a big 104-91 beating of Coca-Cola Sunday night in the PBA Fiesta Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.

Cliff Brown finished with a double-double of 18 points and 12 rebounds, while five others also finished in double digits for the Llamados in a balanced scoring that hardly showed the effects of that 114-89 defeat inflicted on them by the Tropang Texters last Wednesday.

The 25-point rout was the worst for the franchise since an 88-60 loss to Alaska on May 31, 2008 during the Fiesta Cup eliminations.

"It's nice to win especially after that deflating loss to Talk ‘N Text," said Derby Ace coach Ryan Gregorio. "We were able to flex enough muscle despite the injury bug."

James Yap shrugged off a swollen left knee and contributed 14 points off the bench, while Roger Yap led all local scorers with 16, including 3-of-4 from three-point range, and Peter June Simon 15 for the Llamados, who scored their highest output thus far this conference.

The reigning Philippine Cup champion again tied Barangay Ginebra for third place with its seventh win in 11 games.

"Medyo tight `yung tuhod ko, pero kailangan din talagang maglaro," said James Yap, who suffered the injury after colliding with JR Quinahan in their last game against the Tropang Texters.

The loss was another letdown for the skidding Tigers.

Coke (4-8) has now lost seven games in a row and dropped eight of its last nine games despite getting 28 points and 12 rebounds from Rashad Bell and 26 from Gary David.

For a while, the Tigers appeared ready to shed off their losing ways after storming to a 29-18 lead.

But then, the Llamados held the Tigers to just 12 points in the second period, before unleashing a telling run in the third that put them in control of the match.

Brown had six points and Pingris four as the Llamados uncorked a 15-3 blast, turning a two-point deficit to a 54-44 advantage, which they never relinquished.

"We just have to keep on going," said Tigers' coach Bo Perasol. "I told them in the fourth quarter na kung ‘matalo man tayo dito it's not the end of the world. Even if we land in the wild card, we just have to remember that Rain or Shine almost beat the champion last conference (Purefoods)." - JVP/RCJ, GMANews.TV

Scores:

Derby Ace 104 - Brown 18, Yap R. 16, Simon 15, Yap J. 14, Canaleta 12, Pingris 12, Artadi 9, Salvador 4, Reavis 4, Maierhofer 0, Allado 0.

Coke 91 - Bell 28, David 26, Gonzales 11, Espino 10, Taulava 5, Mendoza 5, Cruz 4, Rizada 2, Allera 0, Macapagal 0, Calimag 0, Singson 0.

Quarterscores: 18-29, 39-41, 77-67, 104-91.

NBA Playoffs

vs(From the Associated Press) - Amare Stoudemire answered his critics with an exclamation point, and there will be no sweep in the Western Conference finals.

Stoudemire matched his career playoff high with 42 points, 29 in the second half, and grabbed 11 rebounds to power the Phoenix Suns to a 118-109 victory Sunday night that cut the Los Angeles Lakers’ lead in the series to 2-1.

“Just being aggressive, really going after it,” Stoudemire said. “Tonight I wanted to come out with some aggressiveness and get it going.”

The Suns can pull even with a victory at home in Game 4 on Tuesday night.

Phoenix, dominated inside in the first two games, won with its big men, and a big advantage at the free throw line.

Robin Lopez, whose 7-foot presence gave the Suns some much-needed toughness inside, scored 20 on 8-of-10 shooting in 31 minutes, by far his most playing time since returning from a back injury at the start of the series. Phoenix made 37-of-42 free throws, 14 of 18 by Stoudemire. The Lakers were 16 of 20 at the line.

Kobe Bryant had 36 points, 11 assists and nine rebounds. Pau Gasol scored 23 points, but the Lakers didn’t get as much help from their supporting cast as they did in the first two games.

The Suns, the second-best 3-point shooting team in NBA history in the regular season, were just 5 of 20. But Jason Richardson was 4 of 7, including one with 26 seconds to go to put the lid on the triumph, snapping the Lakers’ eight-game playoff winning streak.

“We certainly didn’t come out to play the way I wanted,” Lakers coach Phil Jackson said, “and we certainly didn’t play the way I wanted at the end.”

Richardson scored 19. Steve Nash had 17 points and 15 assists.

Stoudemire, who had just nine rebounds in the first two games and had been criticized for his lack of defense and absence of fire, scored repeatedly on drives to the basket, when he either made the basket, was fouled, or both. The All-Star power forward, who can opt out of the final year of his contract after this season, made 10-of-12 shots in the second half, scoring 16 in the third quarter and 13 in the fourth.

“My dedication to the game should never be questioned,” Stoudemire said. “I always give 100 percent. I try to dedicate my game to the game of basketball. I came out tonight with a chip on my shoulder and it was a must win for us.”

Phoenix coach Alvin Gentry said he knew Stoudemire would respond.

“He knew he didn’t play well in L.A.,” Gentry said.

As for Lopez, Gentry called the second-year pro’s offense “a big surprise.” Lopez had been out since March 28 with a bulging disk before playing in this series.

The Suns played a lot of zone defense after the Lakers averaged 126 points and shot 58 percent in the first two games. Los Angeles shot 48 percent in this one. The Lakers had a 27-4 advantage in second-chance points, but were outscored 18-3 on fast-break points.

“When they started making shots, we had to go to the zone,” Gentry said. “Tonight it worked and we stuck with it.”

Los Angeles, though, led 90-89 when Lamar Odom made two free throws with 8:47 to play.

Lopez entered the game for the struggling Channing Frye, and Phoenix took the lead for good 91-90 on Jared Dudley’s baseline drive with 8:27 left.

Frye missed all seven of his shots, five of them 3s, and is shooting 1 for 20 in the series, 1 for 14 on 3s. He has missed 17 straight shots.

Phoenix scored the last seven points of the second quarter to lead 54-47 at the half and was up 86-84 after three quarters, thanks to two free throws by Leandro Barbosa with 1.5 seconds left following an ill-advised foul at midcourt by Shannon Brown.

NBA Playoffs

vs(From the Associated Press) - The Boston Celtics moved a win away from their second NBA finals trip in three years, and the defending Eastern Conference champions barely put up a fight.

Backup Glen “Big Baby” Davis scored 17 points and Rajon Rondo(notes) added 11 points and 12 assists on Saturday night to lead the Celtics to a 94-71 victory over the Orlando Magic and a 3-0 lead in the best-of-seven East finals.

No NBA team has lost a playoff series after winning the first three games.

The Magic have to win Game 4 on Monday night to avoid a sweep and force the series back to Orlando. They’ll need a better effort than in Game 3, when they fell behind early for the third straight game. This time, they didn’t even mount a late charge to make it close.

One game after scoring 30 points, Dwight Howard(notes) had just seven and seven rebounds. Rashard Lewis(notes) was also disappointing, scoring four points on 2-for-8 shooting, missing all four 3-point attempts. Vince Carter(notes) and Jameer Nelson(notes) had 15 points apiece.

Paul Pierce(notes)—the NBA finals MVP two years ago when the Celtics won their record 17th championship—had 15 points and nine rebounds. Ray Allen(notes) scored 14 points and Kevin Garnett(notes) added 10 in just 24 minutes. But this time it wasn’t the aging new Big Three that did the damage, it was the two youngest players on the roster.

Rondo and Davis gave the Celtics energy and defense that the Magic couldn’t match, diving to the floor for loose balls and getting the crowd going with spectacular plays.

Rondo outhustled Jason Williams(notes) down the court for a loose ball in the second quarter, diving to take it away and then getting up to beat him again for the layup. Davis celebrated one play underneath the basket with an ecstatic but odd session of running in place; the crowd went wild.

But the Celtics only need to look down the hall for a reminder that they’re not done yet: Just eight days ago in the same building, the Philadelphia Flyers completed their comeback after trailing the Boston Bruins 3-0 in the NHL’s Eastern Conference semifinals.

Celtics fans either don’t remember or don’t care: They started chanting “Beat L.A!” at the start of the third quarter, when Boston led 75-47. The archrival Lakers led the Phoenix Suns 2-0 heading into Game 3 of the Western Conference finals on Sunday.

Ten times the Celtics have opened a 3-0 lead in a playoff series. Four times, they’ve swept, and six times they won in five games.

The Celtics scored the first seven points of the game, then scored 14 in a row later in the first quarter to open a 21-6 lead. Howard missed his first four shots, along with a pair of free throws, before he made one of two foul shots in the final seconds of the first quarter to cut the deficit to 27-12.

It was the third straight time the Celtics opened a big lead in the series, but in each of the first two games Orlando eliminated most of the deficit to get within a single basket in the final minutes.

This one only got worse.

In the second quarter, with four substitutes joining Allen on the floor, the Celtics scored seven straight points to extend the lead to 24. It was a 28-point game at the end of three, and Boston led by as many as 32 in the fourth before coach Doc Rivers emptied his bench.

Casey to Hawks? Collins to Sixers?

Both California guys, Barnes knows Pierce’s game well. And while some of Pierce’s antics annoy Barnes, he couldn’t deny Pierce’s effectiveness. “My third foul in the third quarter, when I tried to beat him over the screen, he fell down like I threw him,” Barnes said. “It was ridiculous. But the refs called it, so it was a good play. It was a flop, 100 percent. But if the refs call it, it’s effective.” Orlando Sentinel Blog

Word out of Chicago and the predraft camp is that the Atlanta Hawks may be close to hiring Mavericks' assistant Dwane Casey. No deal is done, but the Hawks and Casey met again in Chicago and signs are pointing toward the former Minnesota head coach being the leading candidate for the Hawks. - Dallas Morning News Blog

I'm at the NBA's draft combine in Chicago, and I hear the Bobcats are at least subtly investigating what it would cost to trade in -- maybe late into the first round, but more realistically into the second. If they do acquire a pick -- and it's not that hard to trade into the second round -- a name to keep in mind is Alabama point guard Mikhail Torrance. Torrance said at a media session today that he's scheduled for a job interview here with Bobcats management. - Charlotte Observer Blog

The Nets’ general manager – or lame duck GM, if you’d prefer – returned to Jersey today, because it just makes more sense that way. “I thought it was better this way,” Kiki Vandeweghe explained after returning from Chicago, where he officially relinquished all roster-building chores to Rod Thorn for the final time. “I had some projects I was doing that I should finish up – I’m happy to work, I enjoy it.” - Newark Star-Ledger

John Wall really hasn't been planning on being a Net. Oh, if it happens, fine – in fact he would welcome it, he said. But the Kentucky point guard, then consensus No. 1 pick in next month's NBA Draft, figured the Nets would fizzle at the lottery. And they did, falling to No. 3. "To be honest, I really wasn't focused on who," Wall, who is here with 50 other top draft candidates at the NBA combine, said of lottery night. "When I looked into it, they said the teams that had the losing records never get the No. 1 pick so I was like, 'Hey, they might not get it so I really don't know. I was just sitting back and enjoying the moment." - NY Post

Still trying to figure out Knicks explanation on why they never announced Wilson Chandler broke his nose in January. Chandler played with a broken nose until he was shut down in mid-March, as I reported in today's Post. Chandler did not use a mask or protective shield, which was unusual and dangerous, considering how often he drives to the hole. After the season, Chandler has had nose surgery to reset it, another ankle surgery and sports hernia surgery. Bring on LeBron! - NY Post Blog

Question: Can you talk about the defense? It seemed like the Lakers gave a little bit of trouble to the pick-and-roll, caused some turnovers, and how difficult it was? Steve Nash: Well, I think they were loading up on the pick-and-roll and putting a third defender in there. So we tried to make them pay on the weak side. Grant got a lot of open looks tonight because of that. It may not come out of the pick-and-roll, but other guys may benefit from it. So we still scored enough points tonight. I thought our offense was pretty decent. But when they score 120-something, it is asking the offense to score way too much. - InsideHoops

The 76ers are a few hours of negotiations away from hiring Doug Collins as their next head coach. According to multiple sources, Sixers president and general manager Ed Stefanski began the negotiations with Collins' agent, John Langel, on Wednesday afternoon. - Philadelphia Inquirer

That said, sources indicate the Bulls expect to have their coach in place when the July 1 free-agency period begins. And Forman will have what are being termed more casual conversations than formal interviews with at least some of the widely reported candidates. - Chicago Tribune

Another NBA assistant coach with ties to Hawks general manager Rick Sund is a candidate to be the team's next head coach. Portland assistant coach Dean Demopoulos is scheduled for a phone interview with the Hawks, according to a person with knowledge of the team's search. Demopoulos, 56, was an assistant coach in Seattle when Sund was the general manager there. - Atlanta Journal Constitution

Ben Wallace admitted Wednesday he's unsure if he'll retire, or if he does return to the NBA, stay with the Pistons. "Everybody has supported me, and for the rest of my life I am going to be remembered for what I did here," he said. "I feel a part of the community of Detroit. This is always going to have a special place in my heart." The factor in his decision: his 35-year-old body. Wallace, who is working out almost daily at home in Virginia, said he must listen to his body. "When I am healthy, I can play this game at a high level night in and night out," he said. - Detroit News

Pistons owner Karen Davidson said Wednesday that the team was definitely for sale. “We’re looking for a buyer,” she told the Free Press at a Pistons charity event in Detroit. That is a slight change from Davidson’s initial position, revealed in late January, that she was exploring a possible sale. Davidson assumed control of the franchise after the March 13, 2009, death of her husband, Bill. - Detroit Free Press

Steve Nash won't be around forever. Amar'e Stoudemire's tenure is uncertain. The Suns are beginning to define their building blocks, and Robin Lopez is clearly one of them. "We hope he's the center of our future," said Steve Kerr, the Suns' general manager and president of basketball operations. "If you have a center and point guard in place, it's easier to put the pieces around those guys." Lopez is making a strong case to be one of team's key future players in the Western Conference finals against the Los Angeles Lakers. In Game 1, he was among the few bright spots with 14 points (on 6-of-7 shooting) and six rebounds in 24 minutes. In Game 2, he had seven points and six rebounds in 17 minutes. - Arizona Republic

Minnesota is another team that reportedly will consider trading on draft night, though — in a bit of good news for the Jazz — the Timberwolves supposedly consider their biggest need to be on the wing. The 'Wolves have the Nos. 4, 16 and 23 picks — and may want to move, especially after not winning one of the draft's top two picks via the lottery. Washington wound up with the No. 1 choice, Philadelphia No. 2 and New Jersey No. 3. "I tried to say before the lottery that we have enough arsenal and maneuverability to move around in the draft with the other picks we have and the assets we have," Timberwolves basketball operations president David Kahn told the St. Paul Pioneer Press. "Nothing tonight makes me feel our plans have been greatly disturbed." - Deseret News

Wesley Matthews made the leap from undrafted rookie to full-time starter while playing on a one-year minimum contract this season. As a result, Matthews will be a restricted free agent this summer and re-signing him is at the top of the Jazz’s list of priorities. The NBA’s free-agent rules are structured such that teams that are over the salary cap (like the Jazz) have the ability to re-sign their own free agents. If they wanted, the Jazz could re-sign Carlos Boozer to a six-year deal worth in excess of $100 million. - Salt Lake Tribune Blog

John McEnroe, one of the longtime celebrity Knick fans, said he would be willing to help in the recruitment of LeBron James. "I would give him free lessons at the academy, he looks like he's already a good server," said McEnroe, who announced the opening of the John McEnroe Tennis Academy on Randall's Island yesterday. Added McEnroe, "It's not only important for the Knicks, but for the next five, 10 years, the city needs LeBron as much as the Knicks do. It would give the city an unbelievable buzz. I also hope he can bring his friends, Dwyane Wade or [Chris] Bosh with him, too. We need to end the suffering." - NY Post

One of Mikhail Prokhorov's first moves as owner of the Nets was to announce that Kiki Vandeweghe is out as general manager. And he did so without first telling Vandeweghe. The news about Vandeweghe's job status came as a jolt during Prokhorov's lengthy sit-down with the media yesterday. After serving as GM and interim coach, Vandeweghe was performing his duties as if he planned on continuing with the organization. He learned of his status as the plane he was on was about to take off for Chicago, where Nets brass is meeting for the weekend pre-draft combine. - NY Post

The marijuana arrest of Wilson Chandler Tuesday night in Queens comes as a devastating blow to the Knicks -- the kind of publicity the franchise wants to avoid as it awaits the recruitment of the image-conscious LeBron James. The Knicks are trying to put their best foot forward. Instead, Chandler embarrassed the franchise. Of the five Knicks under contract for next season, he is one of two who matter the most. Chandler, with Danilo Gallinari, represents the two young building blocks the Knicks will use to lure King James. - NY Post

NBA Playoffs

vs(From the Associated Press) - Whenever the Suns sent two defenders at Kobe Bryant, he coolly passed to an open teammate. When Phoenix loaded up down low against Pau Gasol, the Lakers picked them apart from the perimeter.

Los Angeles’ triangle offense has the Suns running in circles after two terrific performances in the Western Conference finals—and the defending champions’ fans just couldn’t help looking ahead to a possible grand finale against Boston.

Gasol scored 14 of his 29 points in the fourth quarter, Bryant had 21 points and 13 assists, and the Lakers roared away in the final minutes for a 124-112 victory Wednesday night to claim a series lead that seems much more daunting than 2-0.

Although the Lakers took no bows after hitting better than 57 percent of their shots and scoring a jaw-dropping 252 points in the series’ first two games, it’s clear Bryant and Gasol are leading a clinic in offensive hoops against one of the NBA’s highest-scoring teams.

“We’re shooting the ball very well, moving the ball really, really well,” Gasol said. “Our bench is playing at a high level, and we’re all stepping up.”

After Bryant scored 40 points in 35 minutes in the series opener, the Suns tried to double-team him more regularly in Game 2—so last season’s NBA finals MVP racked up the most assists by a Lakers player in a postseason game since Magic Johnson in 1996.

Bryant’s streak of six straight 30-point games ended, yet he capped his night as a creator by setting up Gasol for two tough baskets in the final minutes, with Gasol scoring with a flourish and drawing a foul each time.

“It makes the game a lot easier to have (Gasol) inside to catch and complete plays,” Bryant said. “We’re extremely well-versed in playing against teams that double and zone, things like that.”

Ron Artest scored 18 points for the Lakers, who won their eighth straight playoff game and moved within striking distance of a tantalizing NBA finals showdown with the Boston Celtics, who lead Orlando 2-0 in the East. For the second straight game, the chants rained down from the Staples Center crowd in the final minutes: “We want Boston!”

The Lakers remained unbeaten at home in the postseason despite a much-improved effort from the Suns, who lost the opener by 21 points. Phoenix tied it at 90-all heading to the final period of Game 2, but Gasol and Bryant flawlessly led the Lakers to another high-scoring victory, handing third-seeded Phoenix its first back-to-back losses since late January.

“It’s really tough because we have so many guys on this team that can hurt you offensively,” said Lamar Odom, who had 17 points and 11 rebounds. “When we get four or five guys going offensively, it seems like our defense steps up. We do a great job of using our quickness, cutting guys off and making it hard for teams as well as putting that offensive pressure on them.”

Game 3 is Sunday night in Phoenix. But unless the Suns figure out a way to stop Los Angeles’ versatile, poised offense, Beantown and Hollywood could be just a few days away from another chapter in their storied rivalry.

“We can’t slow them down,” Phoenix coach Alvin Gentry said. “I thought we played well offensively, but every time we tried to make an adjustment to slow them down offensively, they would go somewhere else. There’s a good reason they’re the world champs, but we’ll keep plugging away, keep trying.”

The Lakers have lost only one best-of-seven playoff series in franchise history after taking a 2-0 lead, winning the other 41. The 15-time champions haven’t won eight straight games in the same postseason since their famous one-loss run through the 2001 playoffs.

“We still scored enough points tonight, but when they can score 120-something, that’s asking the offense to score too much,” said Phoenix’s Steve Nash, who had 11 points and 15 assists. “If we’re going to beat them, we’ve got to find a way to slow them down.”

The crowd enthusiastically booed Amare Stoudemire, who on Tuesday belittled Lamar Odom’s 19-point, 19-rebound performance in the opener as “a lucky game.” Stoudemire appeared determined to back up his words with aggression, finishing with 18 points and six rebounds while Odom had another superbly lucky game off the bench.

Grant Hill scored 14 of his 23 points in the third quarter while Phoenix erased a 14-point deficit, playing with more efficiency and aggression than in Game 1. But the Lakers went back ahead by 11 midway through the fourth with a 9-0 run, and the Suns couldn’t stop Bryant and Gasol from executing their two-man game to perfection.

“I was being effective and just finishing plays,” Gasol said. “We just continued to go to it because it was working pretty well for us.”

Jason Richardson scored 27 points for Phoenix, and Jared Dudley hit five 3-pointers.

Rampaging Texters Trump Llamados' Defense

(From PBA Online)

Offense trumped defense as Talk 'N Text routed Derby Ace, 114-89, as the Tropang Texters extended their winning streak to seven in the PBA Fiesta Cup Wednesday night at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Tropang Texters poured in 17 unanswered points in a sizzling third quarter run to rip apart a game of changing fortunes in the opening half.

That mighty show of offense had coach Chot Reyes and his boys suddenly turning a close one-point game into a 67-49 edge with just seven minutes gone by in the third.

The lead eventually ballooned to a 90-64 spread on a Mac Cardona three-pointer with 9:33 left in the game as Talk 'N Text coasted the rest of the way to improve its record to 8-2 overall and stay in solo second.

The total output of the Tropang Texters was the most the Llamados allowed their opponents this conference after holding other teams to a league best 77.0 points average per game.

Except in the second period when Derby Ace limited them to just 18 points, the Tropang Texters scored at least 31 markers in each of the three quarters.

"Hopefully, this gives us a glimpse of our potential," declared Reyes later in the post-game interview. “If the players come out and don't worry about playing time and focus on what they can contribute, then it's a good situation."

Cardona led the Tropang Texters with 23 points, Harvey Carey had 16, Shawn Daniels and Jimmy Alapag added 15 each, while three others - Kelly Williams, Ryan Reyes and Ranidel De Ocampo - were also in double figures in a balanced scoring for the telecommunication franchise.

"Coming into this ballgame, all we talked about is to come out with a great performance. We knew Purefoods is a champion team," added Reyes.

The loss was the worst this conference for the Llamados, snapping their three game winning run.

They fell to 6-4 in a three-way tie for third to fifth places with Barangay Ginebra and Alaska.

James Yap scored a personal conference-high of 28 points for Derby Ace, 17 of them in the second period when the Llamados battled back from a 15-point deficit and trim the gap to 50-49 at halftime.

But the former league most valuable player went cold at the height of that big Talk 'N Text third quarter run and wouldn't buy a basket until the final minute of the period when the Tropang Texters were already in full control, 81-60.

"In the third quarter, James Yap tired a little, but that's big for us," said Reyes.

Cliff Brown carried the fight for the Llamados as the energetic import had 22 points and 18 rebounds. He scored all of the team's first nine points in the second half until Yap's side jumper broke the ice for the Derby Ace locals. - GMANews.TV

Scores:

Talk 'N Text 114 - Cardona 23, Carey 16, Daniels 15, Alapag 15, Williams 14, Reyes 11, De Ocampo 11, Dillinger 3, Waters 2, Castro 2, Aban 2, Yee 0, Quinahan 0.

Derby Ace 89 - Yap J. 28, Brown 22, Artadi 9, Pingris 9, Maierhofer 7, Timberlake 4, Canaleta 4, Simon 4, Yap R. 2, Adducul 0, Reavis 0, Allado 0.

Quarter scores: 32-17, 50-49, 81-63, 114-89.

Alaska Continues Mastery Over Coke

(From PBA Online)

Alaska continued its mastery over Coca-Cola after posting a 108-98 win Wednesday night in the KFC-Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Fiesta Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.

Cyrus Baguio delivered an almost perfect performance with a conference-high 28 points on 13-of-15 shooting from the floor as the Aces notched their second straight win for a 6-4 mark.

"Cyrus had a big night for us," said Alaska mentor Tim Cone, who was far satisfied from their defensive effort.

"It didn't really go the way I wanted it to. I think we could have made it better defensively. We wanted our team to win with our defense. We have to be able to defend the top offensive teams like Talk ‘N Text and San Miguel if we want to go farther in this conference," he added.

Baguio erupted for 19 points in the first period, hitting his first 9 attempts to help Alaska gain control of the game.

"'Yung unang tira ko, ‘yun ang parang nagbigay ng confidence sa akin," said Baguio. "Medyo sinuwerte kaya I grabbed the chance."
From there, the Aces never relinquished the lead and even led by as much as 14 points late in the fourth quarter.

Diamon Simpson added 18 points while Joe Devance and LA Tenorio contributed 13 points apiece for the Aces, who beat Coke in their first encounter by 1 point on Simpson's buzzer-beater dunk from a perfect inbound pass from Tony dela Cruz.

The Tigers have now lost 7 of their last 8 games to go down deeper in the team standing with a 4-7 slate.

Rashad Bell led Coke with 35 points and 14 rebounds. Gary David added 23 markers while Mark Macapagal chipped in 16. - www.abs-cbnnews.com

Scores:

Alaska 108 - Baguio 28, Simpson 18, De Vance 13, Tenorio 13,
Hugnatan 9, Dela Cruz 8, Borboran 7, Fonacier 6, Thoss 4, Eman 2.

Coca-Cola 98 - Bell 35, David 23, Macapagal 16, Taulava 10, Espino 6, Ross 4, Bono 2, Calimag 2, Allera 0, Cruz 0, Rizada 0, Gonzales 0.

Quarter scores: 28-21, 50-45, 82-74, 108-98.

NBA Playoffs

vs(From the Associated Press) - Too slow? Too old?

Try two wins from the NBA finals.

Indeed, the Boston Celtics look like they saved their best this season for when it mattered most.

“I know,” Boston’s Paul Pierce said. “It’s starting to look that way.”

Pierce scored 28 points, Rajon Rondo had 25 and the revived Celtics again avoided a late collapse to take a commanding lead in the Eastern Conference finals with a 95-92 victory over the Orlando Magic in Game 2 on Tuesday night.

Boston bullied and bruised its way to a 2-0 series lead on the road against a Magic team that had won 14 straight until this series.

After being hampered by injuries for much of the season, often showing their age, the Celtics are now just two wins away from their second finals appearance in three seasons.

“I think we are becoming the team that started the season,” Rivers said. “The team that started the season was pretty good.”

Maybe even good enough to take down the defending conference champion Magic.

Dwight Howard had 30 points, and Vince Carter and J.J. Redick scored 16 apiece for the Magic, who overcame an 11-point deficit to take a brief lead in the fourth quarter. But they couldn’t hold it.

Jameer Nelson’s desperation 3-point attempt airballed at the buzzer, sending fans to the exits in silence.

“I won’t stop believing,” Howard said. “And I won’t let my teammates stop believing.”

Game 3 is Saturday night in Boston.

“Our fans won’t let us relax,” Pierce said. “We’re going to try and close it out in four games.”

The Celtics buckled down just enough to hold in this one.

Ahead 11 points early in the fourth quarter, that almost wasn’t enough. The Magic, just as they did in Game 1, found their rhythm late.

They went on a 13-4 run to trim Boston’s lead to 85-83 with about six minutes left. Carter’s jumper gave Orlando a 90-89 lead with 3:35 remaining, and then the Celtics summoned their championship form again.

Kevin Garnett and Rondo made consecutive jumpers, and after Nelson made a layup, Pierce answered with two free throws that put Boston ahead by three.

Carter missed two free throws with 31.9 seconds left that cost Orlando dearly. It must have felt all too familiar to Magic fans who watched Howard’s damaging misses at the stripe in Game 4 of the NBA finals last year and Nick Anderson’s four bricks in Game 1 of the 1995 finals.

“I don’t take losses well,” said Carter, Orlando’s biggest offseason acquisition. “Especially when you’re on a team like this. They bring me in to make plays and deliver in crunch time. For me to step up there and miss two free throws, regardless, this doesn’t sit well with me.”

Only another footnote for Boston’s remarkable history.

Two years removed from their 17th NBA championship, the Celtics, once thought too old to contend for another title, have found their footing again. After ousting LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers, the team with the league’s best record, Boston is showing no signs of stopping.

“Just think our mindset was to be ready for the type of intensity they would bring after losing at home,” Pierce said. “We know the Magic are a talented team and we won’t take these two wins for granted.”

Before the final heave, Redick also made a crucial mistake by dribbling to half court before calling timeout. That wasted seconds and forced the Magic to take the ball out from beyond half court.

The result was a shot that didn’t reach the rim.

“It would have made a big difference,” Magic coach Stan Van Gundy said. “We said in the thing to call a timeout. We didn’t make the right play there at the end.”

Redick took the blame.

“I made a mistake,” he said. “I didn’t hear the whistle initially. When I didn’t hear it initially, I just kind of went, then I realized we should have called a timeout. So that was my fault.

Boston again started fast.

The Celtics, who took a 20-point lead in Game 1, went ahead by 11 in the first quarter. It wasn’t until backup center Marcin Gortat and Howard—a rare combination this season—teamed together that Orlando showed any fight.

With the Magic feeling intense postseason pressure for the first time this year, Orlando went on a 16-2 run behind the two centers.

All the pushing and pulling would finally spill over.

Pierce was knocked in the head hard by Howard on a layup attempt in the second quarter, a punishing display of anger that the Magic center rarely shows. Pierce got up after a minute, clearly upset, his headband twisted to the side. Howard was called for a flagrant foul.

The Celtics would go ahead by five after Howard picked up his third foul moments later. Before they could deliver another big blow, Matt Barnes hit a 3-pointer as the shot-clock buzzer sounded in the final seconds for Orlando to trim Boston’s lead to 53-51 at the half.

The Celtics are feeling good, but not overconfident.

“The feeling of the team right now is just focus,” Pierce said. “Only thing we did was win two games.”