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Friday, November 9, 2012

Vengeful Alaska get another shot at San Mig Mixers, former coach By Richard Dy



Alaska coach Luigi Trillo, left, says Tim Cone's San Mig Coffee Mixers are one of the top two teams in the pro league. Jerome Ascano
ALASKA is looking to bounce back from a tough loss, but the Aces will have to do so at the expense of a team its coach Luigi Trillo considers as one of the top two in the PBA Philippine Cup.
The Aces battle the rampaging San Mig Coffee Mixers on Saturday as the league holds its third Phoenix road game on Tour of the season-opening tournament in Lapu-Lapu City in Cebu.
Still reeling from a 93-101 setback against Rain or Shine that snapped their five-game winning streak, Trillo's men take on a San Mig team (5-2) that lost twice to Alaska in the offseason – once in a special, four-team tournament also held in Cebu – but whipped the Aces, 103-83, in their first meeting in the eliminations last October 5.
The Alaska mentor admitted they were completely dominated by the Mixers, who are currently on a roll after winning their last three outings, including a 78-68 win recently against Barangay Ginebra.
“To me on paper, San Mig Coffee is one of the top two teams in the league right now. I think San Mig is one of the best teams in terms of wins in the last three conferences,” said Trillo.
The Mixers were easily head and shoulders above the Aces during their first encounter.
San Mig shot an astounding 64.6 percent from the field, while playing tight defense all throughout, limiting Alaska to just 30.7 percent (27-of-88) en route to the ghastly 20-point rout.
“We just need to make sure our defense set the tone early,” added Trillo, who hopes his team won’t repeat the fourth-quarter defensive meltdown they suffered against Rain or Shine.
But like Trillo, San Mig Coffee head coach Tim Cone has been preaching defense to his team since he came on board last season.
Unlike in the past when the Mixers, according to Cone, had been winning much of their games through sheer offensive might, this time the American mentor wants his boys to take pride in becoming a strong defensive team.
“I felt we’ve been trying to win the game with our offense and with our talent. Now, we’re putting more emphasis on defense. That’s what we try to instill in everybody and take pride in being a defensive team first,” said Cone.
This marks the first time the Mixers will have a shot at Alaska’s top rookie Calvin Abueva, who has been sensational during the Aces’ string of victories but was held to seven points and six rebounds in the Aces’ last outing against the Elasto Painters - far from his 15.2-point, 10.5 -rebound average in his first four games with the team.
Follow the writer on Twitter: @richava

source: http://www.spin.ph/sports/basketball/news/vengeful-alaska-get-another-shot-at-san-mig-mixers-former-coach

Villanueva done for season as spike in injuries raises fears By Richard Dy



Enrico Villanueva suffered the ACL injury at a time when his career was experiencing a resurgence since rejoining Barako Bull at the start of the season. Jerome Ascano
BIG man Enrico Villanueva is expected to miss around six to eight months after doctors confirmed that he had torn an ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) on his right knee late in Barako Bulls' 85-86 loss to Air21 on Friday night.
Barako Bull coach Junel Baculi said the 6-5 slotman will undergo knee surgery on Wednesday under Dr. George Canlas at the St. Luke’s Medican Center in Global City.
“Haay, sunud-sunod nga eh,” said Baculi, referring to the spate of heartbreaking losses this season, and now, the loss of Villanueva whose game had been on the rise since rejoining Barako Bull this season.
Villanueva injured the knee after trying to go hard to the basket against Express big man Rob Reyes on a fastbreak. The former Ateneo Blue Eagle star fell to floor clutching his knee, and later told Baculi that he felt something "snap" on the knee during the play.
“Life goes on for the team without Enrico. Malamang next season na siya makabalik. It’s tough, especially since mga two points, three points or four points lang ang mga naging talo namin with him,” added Baculi.
Baculi said the team will sorely miss Villanueva’s 14.2-point, 9.2-rebound average this season, while saying he expects Douglas Kramer and even rookie Dave Marcelo to take over the veteran in the center spot.
Villanueva now joins Barang Ginebra guard Dylan Ababou and Petron Blaze rookie center June Mar Fajardo on the sidelines this season.
Just two Sundays back, Ababou likewise crumpled to the floor after trying to go up for a basket against San Mig Coffee shooter James Yap.  An MRI test revealed Ababou tore his ACL on his right knee.
Fajardo, on the other hand, underwent surgery to ease the swelling and stop the bleeding on his scrotum. The 6’9” Cebuano was coming off a huge 16-point-13-rebound effort for the Boosters before accidentally being hit by Mixers big man Marc Pingris.
Follow the writer on Twitter: @richava

source: http://www.spin.ph/sports/basketball/news/villanueva-done-for-season-as-spike-in-injuries-raises-fears-v02#.UJ3SX49H9oQ.twitter

San Mig Coffee takes on Alaska in Lapu-Lapu


BASKETBALL


PBA/Nuki Sabio




Alaska eyes revenge for its loss to San Mig Coffee in their first meeting when they battle again on Saturday in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu as the 2013 PBA Philippine Cup resumes.
The Aces, whose five-game winning streak was snapped by Rain or Shine last Wednesday, collide with the Mixers at 6:30 p.m. with the latter hoping to join the Elasto Painters at second spot.
“They won by 20 points. They shot 65 percent from the field. They had 27 assists and scored 103 points. We have to do a better job of staying with them,” said Alaska coach Luigi Trillo about his team’s 103-83 defeat to San Mig Coffee last October 5.
“We have to fight fading against this team.”
The loss to Rain or Shine was the first PBA loss for Alaska ace rookie Calvin Abueva, who was held by the Elasto Painters to just seven points in 18 minutes.
Abueva was not yet in the Alaska roster when the Aces absorbed the 20-point loss to the Mixers, who are on a three-game winning run capped by a 78-68 victory over Barangay Ginebra San Miguel last Sunday.
San Mig Coffee is currently at third spot with a 5-2 win-loss record, and a win would put them in a tie with Rain or Shine for second place.
Alaska must be ready as San Mig Coffee is more dangerous this time with the return of JC Intal and the re-emergence of Joe Devance.
Intal played limited minutes against the Gin Kings but coach Tim Cone said the team is taking it slowly for the ex-Ateneo stalwart.
“I foresee JC to start for us but he’s not there yet,” said Cone.

Source: http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/san-mig-coffee-takes-on-alaska-in-lapu-lapu