Petron Blaze Boosters Basketball Updates

Photo Credit: PBA.PH

August 13, 2010 – The mighty Beermen who showed up in Game 3 was nowhere to be found in Game 4 and LA Tenorio and the Alaska Aces took advantage of it to whip the San Miguel Beermen, 90-83, to get Game 4 of the best-of-seven PBA Fiesta Conference Finals at the Cuneta Astrodome.

The trend continues for the Beermen who lost on Fridays for several times already this conference. And the jinx also got into Best Player of the Conference Jay Washington who played a mediocre game.

Without ample support from the rest of San Miguel’s powerhouse crew, the Aces defense have easier time beating the San Miguel squad. The Beermen’s offguard rotation was visibly missing as they were outperformed by their counterparts LA Tenorio and Cyrus Baguio.

Once again, Dondon Hontiveros is missing in action both offensively and defensively. I wonder why he is not playing at par this finals. The anchorman said that his defensive assignment with Cyrus Baguio is taking its toll on his offensive game but there might be other reasons.

I hate watching games where the Beermen are losing and I even hate more writing for every SMB’s loss. That’s all for today. Hopefully the Beermen still has the heart to finish the fight to the very end. San Miguel will be remembered in history as one of the teams to get back from a 1-3 lead fi they were able to get pass this HUGE challenge.

ONE TO GO FOR ALASKA
Source: PBA.PH

Fri, 08/13/2010 – 23:05 — junior

The Alaska Aces have a date with destiny on Sunday.

Starting guards LA Tenorio and Cyrus Baguio got things going for three quarters and the Aces preserved their efforts with strong fourth quarter for a 90-83 victory against San Miguel in Game 4 of the PBA Fiesta Conference Finals at the Cuneta Astrodome Friday.

With a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series, the Aces need just one more win to clinch their first title in three years.

“The opportunity is there obviously, so we’ll go for it,” said Alaska coach Tim Cone, who could book his career 13th championship on Sunday as the Aces attempt to wrap up ther series.

Tenorio, who was named the season’s Most Improved Player two nights ago, scattered 21 points and had 10 rebounds while Baguio accounted for 15, two assists and two steals.

The backcourt duo combined for 28 points in the third quarter as Alaska managed to fend off a strong start by the Beermen even though the rest of the team struggled offensively.

“That was intense. We felt we we’re not able to raise the level of our game in Game 3. But tonight we were able to do that.

“We’ve been through the worst. We know how to respond from losses and we know how to play back to back games. So we think we can go after Game 5,” Cone proclaimed.

Alaska delivered the finishing touches in the 10 minute mark of the fourth using a 16-5 run that pushed them ahead, 82-72, with 2:29 to go.

The Defending champion Beermen, who went 3 for 11 during that eight minutes stretch, never recovered after that. They now face the specter of blowing yet another title shot.

“I think it’s all about perspective,” said SMB coach Siot Tanquingcen. “It’s how we look at things. Right now we are in a 1-3 hole but we could look at it as a challenge. I admit I made some mistakes but that’s part of growing, part of life.”

Simpson scored 14 points and grabbed 18 rebounds for the Aces, who shot 48 percent. SMB made just 37 percent of their shots (34-of-91).

Gabe Freeman scored 28 points and had 17 rebounds. Arwind Santos added 15 and Danny Ildefonso had 11 for the Beermen.

After four consecutive games with double-double efforts, Jay Washington managed just five points in Game 4 and his listless performance obviously hurt his team. (DBC)

The scores:

Alaska 90 – Tenorio 21, Baguio 15, Simpson 14, De Vance 12, Hugnatan 9, Fonacier 7, Dela Cruz 6, Thoss 4, Borboran 2.

San Miguel 83 – Freeman 28, Santos 15, Ildefonso 11, Cabagnot 8, Miranda 6, Washington 5, Villanueva 2, Yeo 2, Racela 2, Hontiveros 2, Pennisi 2.

Quarters: 20-24, 42-42, 66-63, 90-83