PBA COMMISSIONER'S CUP SEMIFINALS PREVIEW: ALASKA VS SAN MIG COFFEE

Source: http://www.solarsportsdesk.ph/bk/bkfeatures/2013/04/26/pba-commissioner-s-cup-semifinals-preview-alaska-vs-san-mig-coffee

There were only three blemishes on the Alaska Aces' win-loss record after the end of the elimination round of this year's Commissioner's Cup. Two of which were incurred by the San Mig Coffee Mixers. From which, one turned out to be a controversial victory.

 

Trillo vs Cone. The Beast vs Sakuragi. Dozier vs Bowles. Casio vs Barroca. Alaska vs San Mig Coffee.

 

Will the Aces finally score one (at best, three) against the Mixers? Or will Tim Cone's dominance over his former team continue? Are we looking at the possibility of a James Yap-less series? Should we expect Calvin Abueva and Mark Pingris to guard each other? Will this be the start of the JVee Casio-Mark Barroca rivalry or does Alex Mallari have other things in mind? Plus, who is really the better import: Robert or Denzel?

 

The multifarious subplots and questions that surround the Aces vs Mixers best-of-five semifinals showdown have ultimately led us to decipher this one important truth: it is going to be one heckuva series.

 

How They Got Here

 

Different routes. That’s basically the long and short of it.

 

Alaska made good use of their win-once advantage over Air 21 to book the first ticket to the Final Four. Their 87-81 decision against the Express – the only other team outside of San Mig Coffee that beat them in the eliminations – was spearheaded by JVee Casio who had 19 points and five assists. Alaska needed only to beat Air 21 by just a single game after topping the elimination round with a league-best 11-3 record. Quantitatively, the outstanding record came from the win streaks that they were able to string both in the beginning and towards the latter half of the conference. Qualitatively, it’s for the not-so-simple reason that involves something about Luigi Trillo altering the mindset of this team.

 

Meanwhile, the defending champions started the season on a low-note dropping their first three games; the arrival of Denzel Bowles though changed their fortunes as the returning import stirred the Mixers to three straight victories. After eliminations’ end they held an 8-6 record. During the quarterfinals, the fourth-ranked team dropped their first game against Meralco. But they were able to salvage two consecutive triumphs that allowed them to enter the next phase of the tourney.  San Mig Coffee was able to book the last ticket to the semis bus via a series-clinching win over the Meralco Bolts just this Wednesday.

 

Robert Dozier vs. Denzel Bowles

 

Who’s better?

 

The mere fact that they were able to carry their respective teams to the semis is a clear manifestation that these two are both effective.

 

Of the remaining four reinforcements, only Dozier is the first-choice import left. After 14 elimination games, the NCAA I Division school product was able to norm 21.71 points, 16.21 rebounds and 2.71 blocks. But ask coach Trillo and he’ll tell you that his import provides his team more than that.

 

If not for prior commitments from another club, Denzel Bowles could have played all of the Mixers’ elimination games as well. Instead he was able to log 12 contests, while registering 22.92 points, 15.08 rebounds and 2.08 blocks. Clearly, the reigning Best Import of the Commissioner’s Cup is producing equally impressive numbers as his counterpart.

 

It wouldn’t be the first time that the two will face each other when the series starts this Saturday. They’ve already met two times in the eliminations. While Dozier (23.5 ppg, 19.0 rpg, 3.5 bpg) got the better of Bowles (23.0 bpg, 17.0 rpg, 3.0 bpg) stats-wise, the latter’s advantage clings on the more important category: team wins. Again, San Mig has beaten Alaska. Twice. Bowles has a 2-0 edge under that department.

 

Infographic by Ralph Lee

 

Key factors for Alaska

 

Get Game One: With a short series like this, Alaska has to get the headstart. Getting the W on Saturday will be crucial for the Aces. It would make them realize that well, San Mig’s beatable. They haven’t beaten the Mixers – not only this conference – but running two seasons now. That’s eight games in total. It is important for Trillo’s team to score a Game One victory. It all starts from there. Really.

 

Casio’s Time: During the team’s first meeting, JVee struggled with a poor statline of 3-4-3. You can’t afford to have a line like that from your team’s primary point guard. He’s got to get himself involved, or perhaps more importantly, he’s got to get his teammates more involved. We could possibly see the start of the Casio-Barroca rivalry in this series – two former Gilas players. Alaska-great-now-Mixers-assistant-coach Johnny Abarrientos will surely be delighted with that.

 

Milk the Bench: During the teams’ second meeting, Calvin Abueva and RJ Jazul stepped-up big time for the Aces. The Beast unleashed 27 points and collared 11 boards. While Jazul, produced 19 points highlighted by five three-pointers as Casio sat out the contest with an injury. Along with Abueva and Jazul, they’ve got to get production from Gabby Espinas and Dondon Hontiveros.

 

Key factors for San Mig Coffee

 

A Healthy James Yap: As of this writing, James Yap’s status for the series is ’50-50’. Yap said that himself during San Mig’s series-clinching win over Meralco. He is a key component for the Mixers’ title-retention bid. Not having Yap on a San Mig jersey will definitely be welcome news for the Aces. Therapy. Rehab. Chiro. Whatever works. James Yap will need to suit up in this series.

 

Ping Ping Ping: We’ve all heard the story. How he defied an order from his coach, and why he insisted on taking on Meralco’s import. This defiant ward slash playing coach slash workhorse is the reason why the Mixers are in the semifinals. Pingris guarded Cardona, he took on Hugnatan, and he put the handcuffs on Dawson. That basically tells you that he can handle Baguio, he can make Espinas a non-factor, and he will also take a crack on Dozier. But I really wouldn’t be surprised if his sight is set on stopping Abueva.

 

Total Shutout: These two teams have played against each other for a total of eight quarters. And six out of eight, Tim Cone’s team has limited Alaska to no more than 20 points per twelve minutes. That’s defense for you right there. In order for San Mig to continue its conquest of the Aces, they need to shutout Trillo’s troops in this best-of-five affair. They do that and they prime themselves up for another crack at the championship.

 

Prediction

 

As I’ve written before, I think Alaska has given the entire Gatas Republik enough reasons to believe that they are legit title contenders. I could not stress more the work that Trillo has put in to the Uytengsu-owned franchise. In fact, no less than Tim Cone has seconded that thought during the Mixers’ most recent win.

 

“They are playing great basketball and they are really, really tough to beat,” were his exact words.

 

But given the fact that San Mig Coffee has got the number of Alaska for seasons now, I am led into thinking that Cone is still hiding something under his sleeve.

 

All things considered, I really think that much like James Yap’s status in this series -- this five-game affair could also go either way. It’s ‘50-50.’

 

San Mig Coffee in 5.

(See I really wouldn’t be ashamed if Alaska proves this prediction wrong.)

Mixers Do's and Don't For Game 2 QFinals Showdown vs Meralco Bolts on Sunday

Mixers Things to Do's and Don'ts for Game 2:

1. Dont Look for Mis-Matches on Offense, Execute Triangle Offense instead and Look for the Open Man.
2. Coach Chard Must Review FT Shooting Curriculum.
3. Closed-Out Defense on Meralco Shooters.
4. More Pressure on Cris Ross
5. Limit Your Fouls because it will Limit your your hustle D
6. More Touches for DB21
7. Control the Ball Rotation not Dribble
8. Limit Turn-Overs it will give extra possessions to Opposing Team
9. Repeat Mallari's Performance
10. Let be James Yap as James Yap

Graphics Courtesy of Hael Pinat

From : Avid San Mig Coffee Fans By: Abigail Yabb Regala Buenaventura

100% James Yap Supporters

Abigail Yabb Regala Buenaventura

Hindi po ginawa ang PBA para magaway away ang mga fans ng bawat team. Ginawa po Ito para maging inspirasyon sa lahat ng nanunuod Hindi po para magsimula ng away. May Kanya Kanya po tayong pananaw at kalayaan na pumili ng team na susuportahan pero wala po sa kalayaang yun ang magsabi ng masasama tungkol sa ibang teams. Kung ung mga players nga po na syang kinakalaban ang isat Isa Hindi po nagkakaaway at magkakaibigan, Alam po kasi ng bawat player na iyon ay isang laro at magkakalaban man in court lang pero magkaibigan in real life.

Isa pa po, wala po tayong karapatang magsabi ng kung ano ano tungkol sa isang player o sa team. Hindi po porket Hindi maganda ang laro eh laos na, tao lang din po kasi sila, Hindi isang super human. At Hindi po natin sila ganun kakilala para husgahan. Sapat na po ang makitang ginagawa nila ang best nila para makalaban. Nanunuod lang po tayo, sila ung nagpapawis at nahihirapan. Lahat po ng tao dumadaan sa panahong down sila, normal lang po un. Halimbawa po si JAMES YAP, Isa po syang star player at sanay po tayong magandang maganda ung laro nya. Mahirap din po ung maging isang JAMES YAP kasi po nakakalimutan ng mga tao na he is still a human. Isa pa, madami na rin pong times na iniangat nya ang team, wag naman po sana natin ung kalimutan. At bakit po ganun, kapag naipanalo ni james ung laro, umaapaw po ang praises at lumalabas ung mga go james!, you are the hero!, we are solid mixers!, pero pag natalo, sa kanya lahat ng sisi. Parang unfair naman po ata un sa kanya. Isa pa ung teammates nga po nya, naiintindihan sya eh at never syang sinisi sa pagkatalo kasi alam nila na malaki na rin ung naitulong ni james sa mga tagumpay nila. And they are called as a team to support and help each other, pamilya sila. Konteng respeto naman po sa bawat Isa.

Godbless po!

Ang dami po kasing nanghuhusga sa San Mig at kay James.

San Mig Coffee vs Talk 'N Text (4/3/2013)

GUIDE

 

 1/5 

1. ▶San Mig Coffee vs Talk 'N Text (4/3/2013) P1by pbareplaytv
2. 2San Mig Coffee vs Talk 'N Text (4/3/2013) P2by pbareplaytv
3. 3San Mig Coffee vs Talk 'N Text (4/3/2013) P3by pbareplaytv
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5. 5PJ Simon Best Player of the game interview, SMC...by pbareplaytv

San Mig Coffee vs Talk 'N Text (4/3/2013) by MrJayzpark

San Mig Coffee vs Talk 'N Text (4/3/2013) P1

Texters bring out best in San Mig, says Bowles By Richard Dy

Denzel Bowles finished with just 18 points on 5-of-15 shooting, but his key 20-foot jumper keyed San Mig's fightback from a 10-point deficit in the final quarter. Jerome Ascano

DESPITE San Mig's struggles in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup, Denzel Bowles said the team always finds a way to win, more so when it's against Talk ‘N Text.
“This is a game we really needed. The last game (against Barako Bull) was supposed to be a gimme game for us, but we always get up when it’s Talk ‘N Text,” Bowles said after San Mig's come-from-behind 83-82 win over the Texters on Wednesday night.
Bowles had a bad shooting night, finishing with just 18 points on 5-of-15 shooting, but his key 20-foot jump shot off Ali Peek sparked the Mixers’ endgame rally.
San Mig now holds a 2-0 edge of Talk ‘N Text in the two team’s head-to-head matchup this conference, having also scored a 90-82 win during their first meeting.
It was also the Texters who San Mig beat in last year's Finals, which went the full seven games.
Bowles, last season’s best import, said he hopes this victory would spark a revival of sorts for a team that has been anything but inconsistent in the mid-season tournament.
“We just wanted to get a win and try to stay out of the last spot (in the standings) or we’ll need to have to win twice (in the playoffs),” he added.

Follow the writer on Twitter: @richava

source: http://www.spin.ph/sports/basketball/news/texters-bring-out-best-in-san-mig-says-bowles

San Mig Coffee rallies late to complete come-from-behind win over Talk ‘N Text

Rey Joble, InterAKTV · Wednesday, April 3, 2013 · 9:57 pm Source: http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/san-mig-coffee-rallies-late-to-complete-come-from-behind-win-over-talk-n-text

PBA Images/Nuki Sabio

Outworked and outhustled all game long, San Mig Coffee saved its best defensive effort for the last six minutes of the game, holding Talk ‘N Text to just a single field goal in completing a come-from-behind 83-82 win in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday night.
The Mixers were trailing most of the way and needed one late push to get back on winning track.
They got exactly that in the last six minutes, shutting down the Tropang Texters while unloading a 14-2 run capped by PJ Simon’s short jumper for the final tally.
“We’ve been outworked every game this conference,” San Mig Coffee coach Tim Cone said during the post game interview. “It’s been an inconsistent conference for us and the frustrating thing is we all know we have capabilities of reaching great heights, but we’re not doing it, and that frustrates us more.”
San Mig Coffee won its sixth game in 12 games despite not getting much production from James Yap, who only had three points in 26 minutes of play.
Cone explained the reason for his superstar’s struggle.
“He’s been sick the past two days. We also had Rafi Reavis who didn’t practice for 10 days while Alex Mallari didn’t return as his knee was bothering him the past few games until he couldn’t play it through when he went out in the first half. We’re not making excuses, but it’s hard to be consistent when you don’t have a healthy line up,” said Cone.
“But this one is crucial for us not just for the standings, but to get our confidence back.”
In pulling off a comeback win, the Mixers needed a big effort down the stretch, turning what looked like another disappointing loss into a dramatic victory.
“It’s a tough win. We jumped on each other. I don’t know what happened in the last two or three minutes, but we stuck on each other. We don’t expect a pretty win. We have to come out and struggle. When we won the championship last year, everything was a struggle,” added Cone.
The scores:
SAN MIG COFFEE (83) – Bowles 18, Simon 15, Devance 15, Pingris 11, Barroca 7, De Ocampo 7, Yap 3, Reavis 3, Mallari 2, Gaco 2, Alvarez 0, Najorda 0.
TALK ‘N TEXT (82) – Harvey 19, Castro 17, De Ocampo 13, Reyes 12, Al-Hussaini 8, Fonacier 5, Alapag 4, Aban 2, Carey 2, Gamalinda 0, Peek 0.
Quarters: 23-20, 40-49, 66-65, 83-82.