January 18, Wednesday
Cuneta Astrodome
Two Semifinal Game 7s in One Night
- Pusong Powerade -
Newlywed J.R. Quinahan shooting 80% from 2-point range,
leads his team with 16 points and 8 boards.
Sweet shooting Jeffrei Chan, as expected,
puts in double figures with 14. Paul Lee also scores 14.
puts in double figures with 14. Paul Lee also scores 14.
This is one of two alley-oops which Gabe Norwood does to try to bring
the Painters to the Championship round.
But, alas, it is simply not enough.
Ronnie Matias, along with bruise brother Beau Belga,
chip in 10 points each.
- A Cut Above the Rest -
Not surprisingly, Gary David combines with JV Casio for 49 points.
Not surprisingly, Gary David combines with JV Casio for 49 points.
Gary scores 25, JV scores 24.
Marcio, The Man, puts in 17 hard earned points.
Mr. Cheska Garcia, a.k.a. Doug Kramer -
Powerade's Chairman of the Boards, scores 12.
Will Antonio's 5-8 shooting from 2-point range
is a HUGE factor in Powerade's win.
Antonio, along with Celino Cruz total 20 for the Tigers.
Each one contributes 10 points.
Doug Kramer takes care of business, leads ALL rebounders again
with 15 big ones. Here, he contorts to convert a twinner off a GREAT
"threading-the-needle" assist pass from Josh Vanlandingham.
"threading-the-needle" assist pass from Josh Vanlandingham.
[This one's a helluva move. Great athleticism!]
The Blue Tigers lead the Painters by 13 at the Half [52-39] and by 19 [84-65] at the end of the 3rd, but as expected, Rain or Shine makes a run - but the confident Tigers manage to keep the Elasto Painters at bay. Powerade eventually prevails.
[First it was B-Meg, now it's Rain or Shine - -Who's next in line ??]
Final
Powerade - 107 Rain or Shine - 98
_________________________________________________________________________
- Comeback Kings -
Some game photos follow :
- The Ninja Strikes -
Joseph Yeo has decent numbers - 14 points, 3 rebounds, 6 assists.
{Jayson Castro, seen on the floor, combines with Ranidel de Ocampo and Jimmy Alapag for 54 points [Castro-21 / de Ocampo-19 / Alapag-14] -
more than half of Talk n Text's game total of 92}
- Danny Drives and Draws -
Cabagnot fakes out Alapag.
-The Ninja strikes again -
Now, we have One-for-the-Books in the making.
Some game photos follow :
Cabagnot [#5] is doubled by Alapag and Peek.
As expected, Alex Cabagnot leads Petron in assists, with 7. Unfortunately, Game 7 turns out to be a bad day at the office for Alex - he manages only 8 markers. Jimmy Alapag [#3] leads his Texters with 7 assists too while team mate Ali Peek [#34] leads ALL rebounders with 11.
Denok Miranda [#2 in white] is the fifth, and last,
Blaze Booster to score double figures [11 pts].
Dennis also hauls down 3 boards and dishes out 5 assists.
Joseph Yeo has decent numbers - 14 points, 3 rebounds, 6 assists.
{Jayson Castro, seen on the floor, combines with Ranidel de Ocampo and Jimmy Alapag for 54 points [Castro-21 / de Ocampo-19 / Alapag-14] -
more than half of Talk n Text's game total of 92}
After the 4-frame sequence below, Petron's Rob Reyes [#24] ends up
having to pick up his contact lens from the hardcourt and having
to put it back on, on court. A tenacious rebounder, Rob leads Petron with 8.
Team mate Danny Ildefonso, follows with 7 of his own.
After making Ali Peek [#34] commit, Danny I. shovels the ball to Chris Lutz,
who comes in from the right to score an easy pair.[photo above and 2 below]
Chris Lutz leads Petron with 23 points.
Danny Ildefonso pitches in 13.
Petron dominates the First half, leading by 9 after the 1st Qtr [28-19] and 6 after the 2nd [57-51]. Talk N Text surprises Petron by scoring 30 points in the 3rd while limiting the Blaze to only 14. But in the first four minutes of the 4th the Texters are held scoreless. Petron puts in 8 unanswered points. Now, the Astrodome crowd knows that they're about to witness a real basketball classic.
At the height of the Petron rally [8 minutes left in the 4th] a Talk n Text turnover allows Arwind Santos to break away for a slamma jamma
to finally tie the game at 81 all.
[12-frame sequence below]
- - -
After 48 minutes of great basketball, the outcome is still undecided.
- It all boils down to a jumpball in front of the Petron basket -
Alex Cabagnot misses a desperation trey with .8 ticks left.
Talk N Text wins, completing a most dramatic come-from-behind [down 3-1]
campaign to enter the Championship Round.
Final
Talk N Text - 92 Petron -91
It's always pleasant to see opposing players show true sportsmanship after a hard fought series of games.
Team Petron graciously exits with their players wholeheartedly congratulating Team Talk N Text. Now, That's what I call ---> CLASS.
And - Please correct me if I am wrong - To my recollection, not a single Elasto Painter approaches to congratulate any Powerade Tiger on court after the final buzzer.
Why am I not surprised ??
brosi gonzales
