Showboating amateur fighter gets knocked out (VIDEO)

By Maggie Hendricks | Cagewriter – Wed, Sep 5, 2012 8:59 PM PHT

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Showboating can give a fight a little bit of personality, but there are times it goes wrong. At the Tuff 'n' Uff amateur MMA card on Sunday, Shai Lindsey raised his arms at Carlo Juinio in the Nick Diaz-ian, "Come at me, bro," gesture. Unfortunately for Lindsey, Juinio did as he requested.

By the end of the video, Lindsey is sitting up and on a stool. The only lasting wound is on his pride.

A note to all fighters and future fighters out there: Only showboat if you're ready to accept the kick to the face it may inspire.

Source: http://ph.sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mma-cagewriter/showboating-amateur-fighter-gets-knocked-video-125917689--mma.html

Bata and Django reach World Cup last eight

Efren 'Bata' Reyes and Francisco 'Django' Bustamante bump fists after winning a crucial rack. Jerome Ascano

AFTER a sluggish start, Philippines-B team of Efren 'Bata' Reyes and Francisco 'Django' Bustamante took control and downed Alex Pagulayan-led Canada, 8-5, in the PartyPoker.net World Cup of Pool at the Robinsons Midtown mall in Manila on Thursday night.
Reyes and Bustamante shook off the early jitters and pulled away after Pagulayan started missing his shots as the legendary home pair booked a spot in Saturday's quarterfinals.
“Hindi talaga maiiwasan yung nerbyos,” said Bustamante. “Pero noong nag-umpisa na magmintis si Alex (Pagulayan) doon na lumakas ang loob namin.”
Reyes added: “Hindi talaga maganda yung laro namin noong una pero noong sumablay na sila doon na rin nag-umpisa na mag-init laro namin.”
Trailing by one rack at 4-5, the duo went all out as they swept the next four racks to the delight of their Filipino spectators in the gallery.
“Ang laking bagay nung crowd. Nakakatuwa na nag-cheer sila para sa amin. Gusto ko na manalo para sa kanila,” said Reyes.
Fil-Canadian Alex Pagulayan, who partnered John Moora, said he was saddened by their defeat was proud to play with his idols.
“They suck. No, I’m just kidding,” said Pagulayan in jest. “They’re my idols, they’re legends you know. I’m proud to play against them and our game (tonight) was a tough one.”

source:  http://www.spin.ph/sports/basketball/news/bata-and-django-reach-world-cup-last-eight

Pacquiao fight set on Dec 8. Speculations point to Pacquiao-Marquez 4. Heres my report.

Source: http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/video/132664/24oras/pacquiao-marquez-4-mangyayari-sa-disyembre

Undersized RoS needs all the help it can get

Beau Belga is one of only two legitimate centers in Yeng Guiao's Rain or Shine team. Jerome Ascano

RAIN or Shine coach Yeng Guiao wants his team to play tougher and stronger defense, particularly against taller teams, considering that the Elasto Painters are parading one of the smallest lineups in the coming PBA season.
“Our main mission this coming season is to fill up the position now vacated by our former import Jamelle Cornley. He averaged about 15 rebounds the past (Governors Cup) conference. And the main problem we have is, where do we get that big number of rebounds?” said Guiao after a tough 101-98 win over Petron on Thursday at the Acropolis gym.
With only 6-6 Beau Belga and 6-4 JR Quinahan as their legitimate big men, Guiao said he has tasked Fil-Am Gabe Norwood to provide help inside the paint this coming season to help compensate for the rebounding vacuum left by their prolific American import.
“Gabe is averaging close to eight rebounds I think the past conference. That is why we’re asking guards like him to really help out on the rebounds. We need to be tougher and stronger,” added Guiao, whose team is scheduled to leave on Saturday for a three-day vacation trip to Bangkok, Thailand as part of Rain or Shine’s management’s bonus for the team's maiden championship.
With a smaller lineup this coming season, Guiao also said they are expected to play an up-tempo kind of game anchored on Norwood and wingmen Jireh Ibanez, Ryan Arana, Jeff Chan and even rookie guard Chris Tiu.
“We just can’t play the halfcourt set because we can’t afford opposing team to set up their defense on us. Masyado kasi kaming maliit. Kaya kailangan din namin paghandaan ng maigi yung mga malalaking teams gaya ng Petron, B-Meg (San Mig Coffee now), Ginebra and even Alaska,” said Guiao.
Tiu didn’t suit up against Petron as he is still recuperating from a hamstring injury he sustained before the draft, but Guiao his prized rookie to be back in practice by next week after the Bangkok trip.

Source: http://www.spin.ph/sports/basketball/news/undersized-painters-need-all-help-they-get-get

PINOY SAKURAGI

FAN ART

Alaska coach Luigi Trillo dismisses Mac Baracael trade rumors

Rey Joble, InterAKTV · Thursday, September 6, 2012 · 11:02 pm

InterAKTV/Joser Dumbrique

Alaska Milk coach Luigi Trillo dismissed rumors that incoming sophomore Mac Baracael wants to be traded to another team.

“That’s not true,” Trillo told InterAKTV. “In fact, I was really impressed by what Mac has been showing in practice for the past three days. We’ve decided to play him at the No. 4 spot and he has been effective.”

Baracael comfortably played power forward spot for SMART-Gilas Pilipinas for two years, but moved to play small forward when he was drafted by the Alaska Aces last year.

This time, Trillo is allowing Baracael to go back to his comfort zone.

Baracael will be reunited with former SMART-Gilas teammates JVee Casio and Dondon Hontiveros, whom the Aces acquired in a trade involving star point guard LA Tenorio.

The Tenorio trade capped a busy offseason that saw Alaska retooling both its brain trust and its coaching staff. The Aces also drafted Calvin Abueva and Raphy Reyes and signed new assistant coaches Louie Alas and Alex Compton.

source: http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/alaska-coach-luigi-trillo-dismisses-mac-baracael-trade-rumors

Vanguardia's 'Twin towers' plan ruined after Asi joins Beermen

The KL Dragons had hoped to partner Asi Taulava with another Fil-Tongan recruit in Moala Tautuaa. Jerome Ascano

ASI Taulava's decision to sign up with San Miguel Beer in the Asean Basketball League has ruined Westports Malaysia Dragons head coach Ariel Vanguardia's plan for the former PBA MVP to mentor another up-and-coming Filipino-Tongan which the Kuala Lumpur-based team had just recruited.
Vanguardia’s KL Dragons, which lost to the Beermen in the semifinals of the last ABL season, were among the three teams that tried to secure the services of Taulava, who ditched a two-year contract extension from his PBA mother team Meralco to sign up with the Beermen.
Vanguardia had hoped Taulava would serve as a mentor to Moala Tautuaa, a 6-foot-7, 237-pound product of Chadron State Eagles, a US Division II school, who was recently signed to a one-year deal by the Dragons.
Discovered by former PBA cager Pongky Alolor, Tautuaa, nicknamed “Mo,” was born in San Francisco, California to Moala Tautuaa Sr, a native of Tonga, and Romanito Tautuaa, who was born in the Philippines. He holds dual citizenship and therefore owns a Philippine passport.
“Sayang twin towers sana namin silang dalawa kung nakuha namin si Asi. At the same time maganda sana dahil for sure marami siyang matututunan kay Asi,” said Vanguardia of his newest Asean import.
Under ABL rules, teams are allowed to separately recruit imports from Asean countries and imports from other countries.
Vanguardia, a former assistant coach at Talk ‘N Text in the PBA when Taulava led the Phone Pals to the 2003 All-Filipino Cup title, said Alolor showed up with Tautuaa in one of his tryouts for the Dragons in San Francisco, California recently.
Tautuaa, 23, led the Eagles in scoring (12.0) and rebounding (5.0) during his final year in college and was named to the RMAC East Division Second Team and to the Nebraska Division II First Team.
As a senior high school student at Clairmont High, Tautuaa normed 21.0 points and seven rebounds.
Aside from Malaysia and the Philippines’ San Miguel Beer team, reigning ABL champion Indonesia also tried to recruit Taulava as its Asean import, according to Taulava’s Sheryl Reyes.

source: http://www.spin.ph/sports/basketball/news/vanguardias-twin-towers-plan-ruined-after-asi-joins-beermen

Coach of Year award sweeter the second time around for Yeng

Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao wins his second Coach of the Year award, 11 years after his first one. Jerome Ascano

AFTER constantly preaching team play during Rain or Shine's run to a breakthrough championship, Yeng Guiao gets to savor a rare individual honor.
Guiao has won the coveted Coach of the Year award for the second time in his career, beating an elite cast of candidates that included five-time winner Chot Reyes of Talk `N Text and Grand Slam mentor Tim Cone of B-Meg.
The outspoken Guiao, also the vice-governor of Pampanga, will be honored with his second Coach of the Year award -- 11 years after winning his first one with Red Bull -- during the 19<sup>th</sup> PBA Press Corps awards at the Kamayan Edsa on Monday.
"The championship was rewarding and satisfying since it's very rare these days that teams outside the PLDT and San Miguel groups win titles," Guiao told Spin.ph. "And this award is just part of it."
He added: "To win a championship without the huge resources at the disposal of the big teams, you can appreciate [the Painters' feat] all the more."
Guiao said winning the Coach of the Year is sweeter the second time around since, he said chuckling, "frankly, the first one (in 2001) came too long ago I don't remember how I felt then."
Guiao got the nod of the men and women of the press corps who regularly cover Asia’s first ever play-for-pay league for steering Rain or Shine to its first-ever league championship following a stunning Finals victory over the heavily-favored B-Meg side during the Governors Cup title series.
The title feat came after the Elasto Painters finished dead last and failed to qualify for the playoffs of the Commissioner’s Cup a conference earlier.
Reyes and Cone also put themselves in the running for leading their respective teams to a championship during the course of the season. Under Reyes, Talk `N text became the first team in the last 27 years to win the Philippine Cup title in back-to-back fashion, while Cone led the Llamados to the Commissioner’s Cup crown by beating the Tropang Texters in a dramatic Game Seven that went into overtime.
“It’s a great honor for me and my family to be appreciated for the work we have done the past season. My gratitude goes to the guys of the PBA Press Corps,” said Guiao.
Then he quickly added, “parang acceptance speech na `yan.”
But turning serious, the former Philippine Basketball League commissioner said he’s grateful to Rain or Shine co-team owners Raymund Yu and Terry Que for giving him their trust to hand over and develop a young but promising franchise.
“Thank you to Boss Raymund and Boss Terry for the trust and confidence,” said Guiao, owner of six PBA championships.
“To my players, thanks for giving their best and putting up with me,” Guiao added. "To my coaching staff, I share this award with them for sharing my vision and making it theirs.”
Reyes, the most decorated in the history of the award with five, paid tribute to Guiao for the honor in his tweeter account@coachot.
“Congrats to Yeng 4 being voted Coach of d Year by d PBAPC. Well-deserved. Sorry #tntnation I guess d 1st All Fil back2back in 27yrs wasn’t enuf.”
Reyes was the first recipient of the title first handed out in 1993.
Aside from Guiao and Cone, other two-time winners of the award are Jong Uichico, Perry Ronquillo, and Ryan Gregorio.

source: http://www.spin.ph/sports/basketball/news/coach-of-year-award-sweeter-the-second-time-around-for-yeng

Has PBA seen the last of Asi?

So the league’s oldest player last season, 39-year-old Asi Taulava, has bid Meralco and probably the PBA goodbye.

The Fil-Tongan former national team member, whose contract with the Bolts expired last August 31, has decided not to accept his mother team’s two-year offer for a contract extension.

Unless his PBA rights are traded by Meralco to another PBA team, word is Taulava is headed to the Asian Basketball League – likely the San Miguel Beermen, although he reportedly also has standing offers from reigning ABL champion Indonesia and also Malaysia, whose head coach, Ariel Vanguardia, was one of Talk ‘N Text’s assistant coaches when Taulava won his only PBA championship with the then Phone Pals in the 2003 All-Filipino Cup.

There is also an offer from a Chinese Basketball Association ballclub although chances of Taulava grabbing that chance is reportedly remote as it is only a six-month offer.

While Taulava obviously still wants to play and has proven he still can play, the questions being asked by many are – have we seen the last of “The Rock” in the PBA? Or will he be back in the PBA in no time?

Here are Taulava’s numbers in the PBA since joining the league as a direct-hire recruit of Mobiline in 1999:

SEASONS                              13 (1999 up to 2011-12)

GAMES                                 422

MINUTES                              14,693 (34.8 mpg)

POINTS                                6,693 (15.9 ppg)

REBOUNDS                            4,926 (11.7 rpg)

ASSISTS                               966 (2.3 apg)

STEALS                                179

SHOTBLOCKS                       335

MVP                                      1 (2003)

BEST PLAYER OF THE CONFERENCE    1 (2003 All-Filipino Cup)

FINALS MVP                                    1 (2003 All-Filipino Cup)

PBA TITLES                           1 (2003 All-Filipino Cup w/ Talk ‘N Text)

MYTHICAL 1^ST TEAM         3 (2003, 2007-08, 2008-09)

MYTHICAL 2^ND TEAM         2 (2002, 2009-10)

ALL-STAR GAMES               12 (tied for most w/ Patrimonio)

ALL-STAR MVP                    2 (2004 shared w/ Alapag, 2006)

By: Fidel Mangonon III

September 06, 2012, 05:11 pm

Source: http://www.spin.ph/sports/basketball/by-the-numbers/has-pba-seen-the-last-of-asi

Warriors' shock win over Eagles leaves coach in disbelief

UE coach Boycie Zamar puts an arm around game-hero Chris Javier after the stunning win over Ateneo. Jerome Ascano

UNIVERSITY of the East coach Boycie Zamar felt like everything was all a dream on Thursday.
Well, it wasn't.
As hard as it was to comprehend for Zamar and most everybody else, a UE team that could win just one of its first 11 games in the UAAP basketball tournament this season has now posted its second victory in a row.
To make it more special, the win came at the expense of four-time champion Ateneo, 79-77, and the heroics were supplied by the same player who hit the game-winner a week ago against University of the Philippines.
“I just wanted to slap myself later sa dugout,” said Zamar.
In the right place at the right time, the gangling Javier found himself open on the left flank after Roi Sumang drove the lane and attracted the defense as the final seconds ticked away.
As soon as Sumang made the pass, Javier calmly swished the medium-range jumper with 0.4 second left then turned to the UE faithful in the MOA Arena gallery, pointing proudly to his jersey and his heart.
The play mirrored what happened in their previous game against UP when the unheralded Javier hit an improbable three-pointer at the buzzer to win it for the Warriors.
“The first win was sweet but the second win is much sweeter,” Zamar said.
Ateneo guard Juami Tiongson’s desperate heave wasn’t even close as the Warriors celebrated their second consecutive win under Zamar, who saw the team improve to 3-8 (win-loss) after replacing Jerry Codinera.
Gene Belleza topscored for the Warriors with a career-high 28 points as he continued to thrive in Zamar's system.
“We have nothing to lose,” said Belleza. “We are so happy but we are not satisfied. We have a lot more to work on to improve as a team.”
Sumang had 15 points and 10 assists while Javier had 15 points.
Zamar also credited UE’s zone defense for the win with Ateneo only converting three of 17 three-point attempts despite winning the rebound battle (52-34).
Ateneo led by five points, 63-68, nearing the final five-minute mark but the Blue Eagles could not put UE away. Kiefer Ravena scored on a putback with 7.7 seconds left for the final game's deadlock.
Greg Slaughter had 24 points, 15 rebounds and five blocks for Ateneo, which saw an eight-game winning streak snapped but remained on top of the standings at 9-2.
The scores:
UE (79) – Belleza 28, Sumang 15, Javier 15, Santos 11, Sumido 7, Duran 3, Villarias 0, Olayon 0, Hernandez 0, Galanza 0.
ATENEO (77) – Slaughter 24, Ravena 15, Chua 11, Gonzaga 9, Tiongson 8, Salva 6, Golla 2, Buenafe 2, Sumalinog 0, Pessumal 0, Elorde 0.
Quarterscores: 10-19; 34-36; 53-56; 79-77.

By Reuben Terrado

September 06, 2012, 04:00 pm

source: http://www.spin.ph/sports/basketball/news/red-warriors-stun-blue-eagles

GARY David may not be part of Global Port’s long-term plans, according to a team insider.

The source said Batang Pier owner Mikee Romero is more interested in acquiring the services of Barako Bull’s Ronald Tubid and is willing to give up David, the three-time scoring champion retained from the old Powerade franchise.

On the statistical side, David put up more impressive numbers than Tubid but Romero reportedly remains sold on Tubid and can hardly wait to see a trade offer.

“Mas gusto ni Mikee si Tubid kaysa kay Gary,” related the insider. “Sa tingin niya loaded na sa scorers ang team kaya mas gusto niya ang isang scorer-cum-defender gaya ni Tubid.”

Any transaction would have to wait, however, pending the two players’ respective performances in the season-opening Philippine Cup that starts on Sept. 30.

“Baka medyo late na for further transactions since halos three weeks na lang before the opening at doon medyo payag si Mikee,” said the source.

“But once na mag-dip ang performance ni Gary o kaya magkaroon siya ng adverse effect sa team siguradong a trade will be pursued in earnest.”

Global Port interim coach Glenn Capacio has been quoted as saying David and Willie Miller will be the 1-2 punch of the Batang Pier team being fashioned to Romero’s specifications.

Another player Romero is reportedly keen on acquiring is new Ginebra acquisition Elmer Espiritu, also a known defensive-minded forward.

Should any trade push through, David certainly would be a big loss, a fact many feel would not be so one-sided if another player of the same caliber and future draft picks are also thrown in.

In 49 games played last season, David averaged a league-high 25.8 pts, 3.8 rebounds and 2.3 assists and was voted as the Philippine Cup Best Player. He also emerged as a contender for the MVP Award that insured his inclusion in the First Mythical Team.

Tubid’s statistics of 8.1 pts, 4.4 rebounds and 1.7 assists pale in comparison. David even beat the 2004 Three-Point Shootout King in scoring from beyond the arc, making 147 of 406 three-point attempts while the latter drained only 57 of 177 tries.

David, 34, launched a total of 932 attempts from the field, however, and this reportedly gnaws at Romero.

“More team involvement ang gusto ni Mikee and he feels that with Gary there, kailangan pa ng isa pang bola,” said the source.

Batang Pier indeed has a glut of other shooters in Rey Guevarra, Lordy Tugade and Josh Vanlandingham, to name a few. 

Barako coach Junel Baculi admittedly wants a scorer like David, but the acquisition of the latter for Tubid would create another void in the Energy’s two-guard spot.

Source: Malaya

Olsen can stand on his own sans assistant Toroman, says Guiao

By Richard Dy

September 06, 2012, 02:46 pm

Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao, left, feels Olsen Racela is ripe for the head-coaching position at Petron and doesn't need the constant supervision of former Gilas coach Rajko Toroman. Jerome Ascano

NEW Petron coach Olsen Racela can very well stand on his own and former national coach Rajko Toroman's overwhelming presence on the bench may only stunt his growth as a full-pledged coach.
Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao aired this fear after coaching against Racela on Thursday morning at the Acropolis Gym  in a PBA preseason game that saw Toroman play an active role on the Boosters bench.
“With what Rajko was doing during the game, feeling ko lang, baka kasi ma-stunt ang growth ni Olsen bilang coach," said the veteran Guiao after the Painters beat the injury-plagued Petron, 101-98. "At the same time siyempre, baka naman mawala yung respect sa kanya ng mga players kasi si Rajko ang nagco-coach.”
Guiao believes Racela is ripe for the head-coaching duty, given the experience he had playing for distinguished coaches like American mentor Ron Jacobs, Jong Uichico and Chot Reyes who all had handled the former San Miguel Beer (Petron’s previous name) star.
“I feel ready na naman si Olsen for the job,” added Guiao.
At the same time, Guiao said he feels the pro league should eventually clarify Toroman's position in the team, especially if the newly designated Petron assistant coach continues to play a bigger role than his current position calls for.

Rajko Toroman

For his part, Basketball Coaches Association of the Philippines president Chito Narvasa said he is willing to cut Toroman some slack, given that the new season has yet to begin and the roles on the Petron bench have yet to be clearly defined.
“The league has yet to start, so it’s possible na nag-aaral muna si Olsen since bago din lang naman siya. We have to understand that Rajko is a more seasoned coach. So there is nothing much to talk about, maganda bayaan muna natin mag-aral si Olsen,” Narvasa told Spin.ph.
“As much as possible, I want every coach to learn the game. If he (Toroman) can offer something, why not?” added Narvasa.
However, Narvasa said if the current set-up remains when the PBA's 38th season begins, that’s the time BCAP will have to step in and act on the issue to defend Racela.

Source: http://www.spin.ph/sports/basketball/news/olsen-can-stand-on-his-own-sans-assistant-toroman-says-guiao

Give Fajardo time to grow, pleads Olsen amid high expectations

For all his talent, prized Petron recruit June Mar Fajardo is far from being a finished product and has a lot of By Richard DySeptember 06, 2012, 02:47 pmthings he needs to improve on, says Boosters coach Olsen Racela. Jerome Ascano

OLSEN Racela and his assistant Rajko Toroman found the need to temper the high expectations on big man June Mar Fajardo at a time when the top rookie pick overall is being labelled, justly or unjustly, as the future of Philippine basketball even before he could play his first game in the PBA.
Racela came away impressed on Thursday after witnessing Fajardo's first competitive game with the Petron Boosters, where the 6-9 giant from Cebu came away with 17 points against Rain or Shine and showed the mobility, strength and deft touch from the perimeter that made him an easy choice as No. 1 pick in the last draft.
“Well, kahit may mga lapses si June Mar, nakita niyo naman yung kaya niyang gawin. He’s more mobile, has a very good touch from the perimeter, and can defend,” Racela told Spin.ph.
Racela, however, was quick to point out that for all his talent, his prized recruit is far from being a finished product and has a lot of things he needs to improve on like his defense and rebounding.
“Marami na rin naman kasing scorers ang team, and we always tell him to make sure he covers the paint. Kasi kapag lumabas si Arwind (Santos), at di siya agad bumalik sa depensa, mabubutasan kami,” said Racela.
Even former Smart Gilas coach Toroman said expectations on Fajardo should be tempered and the big man should be given enough time to grow as he adjusts to the PBA style of play.
“We have to understand that he is coming from the ABL (Asean Basketball League) where he doesn’t get a lot of playing minutes. He even comes off the bench. So we just have to be patient with him," the Serb said.
"But for his first game at least in the tune-up game, his performance is okay.”
Also getting passing marks from the Petron coaches was No. 3 pick overall Alex Mallari, the 6-3 long-limbed Fil-American who finished the game with 13 points, including eight in the final period where he helped the Boosters stage a  rally before losing 101-98, to Rain or Shine.
“Si Alex, he’s a guy who is full of potential. He can play multiple positions and I believe he’ll help the team a lot this season,” added the new Petron coach.
The Boosters played without Marcio Lassiter, Dorian Pena and Chris Lutz and struggled to mesh their games together during the preseason match which Racela said was understandable as the rejigged team goes through a 'getting-to-know-you stage.'
“Nangangapa pa rin karamihan. We had a lot of turnovers. I feel we need a lot more tune-up games like this para mas masanay na sila sa ginagawa namin,” Racela said.
The Boosters next face the Alaska Aces in another preseason game on Friday at the Reyes gym in Mandaluyong City.

By Richard Dy

September 06, 2012, 02:47 pm

source: http://www.spin.ph/sports/basketball/news/give-fajardo-time-to-grow-pleads-olsen-amid-high-expectations

Chris Tiu sits out Rain or Shine tuneup, but benchwarmers lead team to victory vs Petron

Rey Joble, InterAKTV · Thursday, September 6, 2012 · 1:38 pm

PBA/Nuki Sabio

Rain or Shine rookie Chris Tiu became the team’s most expensive cheerleader, but that wasn’t a problem as the Elasto Painters outlasted the Petron Blaze Boosters, 101-98, in their tuneup game Thursday morning at Acropolis Gym in Mandaluyong City.
Chito Jaime and Jonathan Uyloan, two unheralded Rain or Shine players, keyed the victory for the reigning Governors’ Cup champions.
“You have double purpose why you give Jaime and Uyloan more minutes in this tuneup game,” Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao told InterAKTV. “You’re giving them minutes because you want to preserve Gabe Norwood and Jeff Chan, who are coming off a stint in the Jones Cup. The second one is to keep Jaime and Uyloan sharp going to the coming PBA season.”
Uyloan finished the game for the Elasto Painters while Jaime played a solid all-around game.
In one sequence, Jaime outrebounded 6-foot-10 Petron rookie June Mar Fajardo and scored on a putback to the delight of the Rain or Shine bench.
Tiu, who was in a practice jersey, was amazed about how his teammates performed against a talented Petron squad that played minus injured players Marcio Lassiter, Chris Lutz and veteran slotman Dorian Pena.
“Sabik na nga ako maglaro,” said Tiu. “But I’m happy with the way my teammates were playing. They’re all warriors out there. Kailangan talaga magpakundisyon ako, magpalakas ng katawan para makasabay ako sa kanila.”
Guiao didn’t want to gamble on fielding in Tiu, who is still recuperating from a hamstring injury.
“I know the injury is not serious, but I don’t want to risk it. We want to keep him fresh for the opening of the PBA,” said Guiao.
Guiao, who is likely to be named the Coach of the Year of the PBA Press Corps, still counts the new-look Petron squad as one of the favorites in the coming season despite Rain or Shine.
“We just worked on our team chemistry and that served as a good foundation in winning against Petron,” said Guiao, pointing out that the Boosters played minus three key players.
“We’re now seeing the future of Petron’s team.”

Source: http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/chris-tiu-sits-out-rain-or-shine-tuneup-but-benchwarmers-lead-team-to-victory-vs-petron