Ibanes out for a month as Rain or Shine goes up against Meralco By Richard Dy

Rain or Shine will be missing the services of last season's top defensive player Jireh Ibanes when it takes on Meralco on Wednesday. Jerome Ascano

RAIN or Shine will be one-man less again when it goes up against Meralco in the opener of a Wednesday doubleheader in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
The Elasto Painters are without team captain Jireh Ibanes in the 5:15 p.m. match as the league’s top Defensive Player last season is out with a fractured hand.
Ibanes suffered the injury in the team’s 71-62 win over Air21 over the weekend in an out-of-town game in Tubod, Lanao del Norte as he tried to go for a steal during the second quarter.
X-rays performed on the 30-year-old Ibanes Sunday revealed the extent of the injury.
Doctors said Ibanes will miss around five to six weeks as he joins the Elasto Painters’ growing list of casualties that includes last season’s Rookie of the Year Paul Lee and no. 7 rookie pick Chris Tiu.
Without Ibanes, coach Yeng Guiao said he does not expect the same 106-81 rout Rain or Shine did against Meralco in their first round encounter.
“Jireh is our top defensive player. He’s our best stopper in the team, kaya yung absence niya makaka-apekto sa match up namin on defense,” Guiao told Spin.ph.
Meralco is coming off a 98-109 setback against sister team Talk ‘N Text.
“We didn’t play defense (against Talk ‘N Text). If we allowed our opponents to score 100 points, 100 percent of the time we lose. They had a 62 percent clip from the two. It is not surprising why we lost,” admitted Meralco coach Ryan Gregorio.
Despite the loss of Ibanes, the Bolts are still expecting another rugged match up against the Elasto Painters, whose frontline core of Beau Belga, JR Quinahan, Jervy Cruz, and Larry Rodriguez are known for their bruising plays.
“We’re ready for that (physical play). But I hope the referees and the technical committee will be more ready,” said Gregorio.

Follow the writer on Twitter: @richava

SOURCE: http://www.spin.ph/sports/basketball/news/ibanes-out-for-a-month-as-elasto-painters-take-on-bolts

San Mig Coffee, Talk ‘N Text in battle of leaders; Rain or Shine takes on Meralco via AKTV

InterAKTV · Wednesday, November 21, 2012 · 1:56 am

PBA/Nuki Sabio

Talk ‘N Text hopes to keep its firm hold of the top spot when it squares off with San Mig Coffee in the main tiff as the 2013 PBA Philippine Cup resumes on Wednesday at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum.

The league-leading Tropang Texters and the second-running Mixers entangle in a crucial encounter at 7:30 p.m. right after the opening tussle between Rain or Shine and Meralco at 5:15 p.m.

Defending champion Talk ‘N Text is currently at the No. 1 position with an 8-2 win-loss mark while San Mig Coffee is just a shade behind with 7-2 slate.

“We are aiming for the top two slots, that’s our goal right now. San Mig is on our heels. We need to get as many wins as we can,” said Tropang Texters coach Norman Black.

Talk ‘N Text beat San Mig Coffee in their first meeting, 85-74, but the latter have been on a roll since, winning their last five games.

“Talk ‘N Text jumped out quickly against us in our last meeting and that really set the tone for the whole game,” said San Mig Coffee coach Tim Cone, whose team is coming off a 93-73 victory against Barako Bull last Friday.

“We’ve got to come out with a little more readiness this time around. They’re just too good of a team to fall asleep on.”

In the opener, the Elasto Painters also try to stay in the race for a top two seat as they aim for win No. 8 against the Bolts.

Rain or Shine demolished Meralco in their first encounter, 106-81, but coach Yeng Guiao expects a different battle this time around.

“Meralco is always hard to match up for us more so at the guard position,” said Guiao who won’t be able to utilize the services of Jireh Ibanes due to injury.

“We can’t look back at our first meeting and expect to have an easy game. Meralco will be ready for us. We just have to be more focused on our game plan.”

Bolts said Ryan Gregorio said their aim to stay among the top four.

“The goal is to be steady at number four. With all the teams vying for crucial victories, it’s important that we come out with our defensive A-game against a solid Rain or Shine team,” said Gregorio.

Source: http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/san-mig-coffee-talk-n-text-in-battle-of-leaders-rain-or-shine-takes-on-meralco

Chris Tiu to return for Rain or Shine in showdown with James Yap’s San Mig Coffee via AKTV

Rey Joble, InterAKTV · Tuesday, November 20, 2012 · 4:29 pm

AKTV/Pranz Kaeno Billones

It will be a battle of heartthrobs when Chris Tiu makes his return for Rain or Shine on December 2 against James Yap and the rest of the San Mig Coffee Mixers.
Tiu bared his planned return in an exclusive interview with InterAKTV.
“The doctor was giving me two more weeks. I’m looking forward to playing Barangay Ginebra on Sunday, but the doctor didn’t allow me, maski limited minutes. He doesn’t want me to re-injure my hamstring,” said Tiu, who aggravated his injury in his first game with Rain or Shine against Petron last October 3.
The seventh overall pick has already started joining Elasto Painters practice.
“Sumasabay na ako sa kanila, five-on-five, drills and even sa mga set plays. I just need to get my timing and conditioning. And the good thing is, wala na akong pain na nararamdaman,” Tiu said, adding that he’s still being extra careful.
“I don’t want to over extend myself. That’s why I’m following the doctor’s advice.”
Tiu, along with another injured marquee player Paul Lee, had started dressing up in Rain or Shine uniforms during the team’s games, even though they aren’t healthy enough to play.
“They suited up and joined the warmups just to get the feel of the game,” said Elasto Painters assistant coach Caloy Garcia.
Tiu said he looks forward to his return, especially with Rain or Shine facing one of the league’s most popular teams that features the face of the PBA, James Yap.
“I’m excited in my first game back, especially because we’re meeting a team that has a big fan base and its most popular player in James Yap. But my main concern in my first game is to get myself better. I know getting myself better cannot be done overnight so I don’t expect it to happen in my first game,” said Tiu.
“But our remaining games will be a good opportunity for me to pick up my game in time for the quarterfinal round because after our game against San Mig Coffee, two games na lang kami sa elims.”

Source: http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/chris-tiu-to-return-for-rain-or-shine-in-showdown-with-james-yaps-san-mig-coffee

PBA: San Mig slays Barako to sustain winning streak via GMA News

It was a Yap versus Yap affair on Friday, as former teammates James Yap and Roger Yap faced each other at the Ynares Center. Photo by KC Cruz

The San Mig Coffee Mixers leaned on a strong second half to turn away the hobbling Barako Bull Energy, 93-73, extending their winning streak to five straight games on Friday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.

 

James Yap led San Mig with 22 points, nine boards and three assists, as Barako struggled to find form without Rico Villauneva, Josh Urbiztondo, and former coach Junel Baculi.

"This is the first game we've won here in Antipolo since I started coaching San Mig. It was a key win for us," said San Mig head coach Tim Cone.

 

The two teams were tied at 36-all at the half, before James Yap scored 11 as San Mig outscored Barako 31-21 in the definitive third quarter.

 

Staring at a 10-point deficit heading into the payoff period, Barako made a run early in the fourth as Danny Seigle hit back to back shots while Mick Pennisi scored on freethrows to bring the lead down to six, 69-63, but JC Intal and Yap would respond with back to back threes to re-establish a double digit lead, 75-62, with 8:42 remaining in the game.

 

The Coffee Mixers stretched their run even further, as Yap hit three more shots, while PJ Simon and Jonas Villanueva scored to make it 83-65. Leo Najorda tried to revive Barako with back to back hits of his own, but timely hits on the break by San Mig spelled doom for the Energy.

PJ Simon was solid for San Mig with 20 big points, while Rafi Reavis and JC Intal chipped in 12 and 11, respectively. Without Villanueva and Urbiztondo for Barako, Tubid carried the Energy with 17 points, while Leo Najorda added nine late in the game. - RAF, GMA News

 

The scores:

 

SANMIG COFFEE 93 - Yap 22, Simon 20, Reavis 12, Intal 11, Devance 7, Villanueva 5, Barroca 4, Gonzales 4, De Ocampo 4, Ramos 2, Ponferrada 2, Pacana 0, Pingris 0.

 

BARAKO 73 - Tubid 17, Najorda 10, Yap 9, Seigle 9, Anthony 8, Alvarez 6, Kramer 6, Ballesteros 4, Pennisi 4, Co 0, Marcelo 0, Cervantes 0.

 

Quarters: 10-15, 36-36, 67-57, 93-73

 

source: http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/282601/sports/basketball/pba-san-mig-slays-barako-to-sustain-winning-streak

PBA Live Streaming Via Phil Star

source: http://www.philstar.com/pbalive

San Mig Coffee puts streak on the line against Barako Bull; Talk ‘N Text, Meralco clash

InterAKTV · Thursday, November 15, 2012 · 10:53 pm

AKTV/Paul Ryan Tan

Meralco set two goals as it faces defending champion Talk ‘N Text in Friday’s main game as the 2013 PBA Philippine Cup resumes at Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
The Bolts hope to end its losing streak at the venue — they have lost five straight at Ynares — and avenge their 112-110 overtime loss to the Tropang Texters in their first meeting.
“Two missions must be accomplished,” said Bolts coach Ryan Gregorio on the eve of their 7:30 p.m. encounter against Talk ‘N Text.
In the first game, San Mig Coffee tries to extend its winning streak to five games when it faces beleaguered Barako Bull at 5:15 p.m.
Holding the solo fourth spot, Gregorio knows it will be difficult to beat Talk ‘N Text while grabbing a rare win at Ynares Center.
“We have to find ways to win against the defending champions Talk ‘N Text and befriend the Ynares Antipolo so that we can finally win there,” said Gregorio, whose team was 0-5 at the venue last season.
“We are aware of the daunting tasks but we are ready to face the challenges with a positive mindset.”
Meralco owns the momentum going into the game as the Bolts just beat Petron Blaze in impressive fashion, 95-81, last Sunday while the Tropang Texters absorbed just their second loss of the season, 104-101, at the hands of Barangay Ginebra San Miguel last sunday.
“Our offense was in-sync and our defense was stingy against Petron. Nothing less than a near-perfect execution on both ends will be required against the mighty Tropang Texters,” said Gregorio.
In the opener, Bong Ramos takes the helm for the struggling Energy Colas, who will collide with the second-running Coffee Mixers.
San Mig Coffee pulled off a controversial 92-91 win in their first meeting on Raffy Reavis’s tap on the last attempt of Enrico Villanueva.
“Barako Bull played us very tough in our first meeting,” said Coffee Mixers coach Tim Cone. “We were fortunate to escape with a win. We’re expecting a very similar battle with coach Bong now steering the team.”
Ramos replaced Junel Baculi and admits that the goal to move into the next round will be difficult for them.
“We still have five games but it will be hard. We need to start winning now,” said Ramos, now on his third stint as coach of the franchise.
Barako Bull is at the No. 9 spot with a 3-6 win-loss mark.

source: http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/san-mig-coffee-puts-streak-on-the-line-against-barako-bull-talk-n-text-meralco-clash

Circumstances far from ideal for Ramos debut By Richard Dy

Bong Ramos takes over from Junel Baculi at a time when the Barako Bull are trying to cope with the loss of its best player, Enrico Villanueva, to an ACL injury. Jerome Ascano

BARAKO Bull is hoping a shock coaching change can turn around its fortunes beginning on Friday when it collides with in-form San Mig Coffee in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo, City.
Bong Ramos takes the unenviable task of trying to steer the Energy Cola back into playoff contention at a time when the shock over Junel Baculi's firing on Tuesday has yet to really die down.
Ramos also takes over at a time when the team, which has gone 1-4 (win-loss) in the weeks leading to Baculi's relief, has just lost its best player, Enrico Villanueva, to an ACL injury.
Worse, waiting for Ramos and the rest of the Energy Cola is a red-hot San Mig team that dealt them a 92-91 loss in a controversial finish a few weeks ago that triggered the club's tailspin.
In all, Barako Bull is mired in ninth spot with a 3-6 (win-loss) record, just above the league’s worst slate of 1-8 currently being held by GlobalPort.
“As of now, tuloy lang kami (with the system). Little adjustment lang kami kung kailangan,” Ramos toldSpin.ph after the team’s practice at the Ynares Center.
Aside from finding ways to stop San Mig's armada of scorers, Ramos will also have to inspire enough people to fill the gap left by Villanueva, who went under the knife on Wednesday.
“Malaki ang shoes na iniwan ni Rico. I expect the bigs na magtulungan,” said Ramos, who will have to rely on Doug Kramer, Mick Pennisi, and rookie Dave Marcelo to defend the paint against the bigger Mixers.
San Mig edged out Barako Bull in a memorable first-round encounter that ended with Rafi Reavis tapping the ball out of the cylinder in what could have been a potential game-winning basket by Villanueva.
San Mig Coffee coach Tim Cone admits his team didn’t play particularly well during their first meeting.
“We try to push a little bit in practice because we didn’t play that well against Barako Bull,” said Cone after their 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. practice. “But we expect some guys (from Barako Bull) to step up and give them a lift especially with Enrico Villanueva now down with an injury.”
The Mixers have won their last three outings, including a 77-68 victory over the Alaska Aces on Saturday in a PBA Phoenix on Tour game in Lapu-Lapu City.
Meantime, defending champion Talk ‘N Text (7-2) tries to maintain its grip of first place when it goes up against sister team Meralco (5-3).
The two are coming off contrasting performances. The Tropang Texters are still smarting from a tough 101-104 loss to the revitalized Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings, while the Bolts are fresh from a 95-81 clobbering of the Petron Blaze Boosters.

Follow the writer on Twitter: @richava

source:http://www.spin.ph/sports/basketball/news/circumstances-far-from-ideal-for-ramos-debut