San Miguel Beermen Basketball Updates

Photo Credit: PBA.ph

Despite the three-game losing streak at the end of the eliminations round and a wildcard finish, I still see optimism that the San Miguel Beermen can reach at least the quarterfinals round. But before that, they need to escape first the gruelling match in the wildcard round starting with the fierce Coca-Cola Tigers today.

There’s no other time to learn the lessons of the past mistakes than today as a loss will knock us out of contention for the 2008-2009 KFC PBA Philippine Cup championship. Not enough motivation? A loss can also eventually cause a major revamp among the players and the coaching staff. It’s a horrible scenario, isn’t it?

There had been a big expectation for a team loaded with talents. And for Danding, he expects no less than a championship from Siot Tanquingcen and the San Miguel Beermen team this conference.

For the past 2 games, the main culprit of the losses were the incapability of the team to close out games especially in the fourth quarter and the inability to adjust the defense when the opposing team started to knock out outside shots. If ever they react, they are already buried with a deep lead.

Sports analyst Quinito The Dean Henson of The Philippine Star(philstar.com) shares with us the rest of the wildcard picture with this sports article.

Unhappy holidays for wildcard losers
SPORTING CHANCE By Joaquin Henson

Two teams will fall by the wayside at the end of the PBA’s first round of wildcard knockout games at the Araneta Coliseum tonight. So far, only Red Bull has been stricken out of contention, winding up dead last after the double-round eliminations with just five wins to show (over heavyweights Barangay Ginebra, San Miguel Beer, Talk ‘N’ Text, Alaska and Air21, no less).

In today’s twinbill, No. 6 San Miguel (9-9) takes on No. 9 Coca-Cola (7-11) and No. 7 Purefoods (8-10) battles No. 8 Air21 (8-10). The winners advance to dispute the fourth quarterfinals slot in another do-or-die face-off on Jan. 4.

Waiting in the wings are outright semifinalists No. 1 Alaska (12-6) and No. 2 Talk ‘N’ Text (11-7). They play the two quarterfinal survivors in a pair of best-of-7 series.

The outright quarterfinalists are No. 3 Ginebra (10-8), No. 4 Rain or Shine (10-8) and No. 5 Sta. Lucia Realty (10-8). The standings were determined by the quotient system with Ginebra at plus 16, Rain or Shine minus 3 and Sta. Lucia minus 13.

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Coca-Cola coach Kenneth Duremdes said yesterday it’s an uphill climb against San Miguel but he’s hoping for the best, especially since Asi Taulava is expected to suit up.

Taulava has sat out the Tigers’ last three games with a fractured middle finger in the left hand. Another casualty is Nic Belasco who has missed the last two outings with a broken left foot and won’t be back in action until late next month.

“Asi’s our leader and a true warrior,” said Duremdes who has led Coca-Cola to a creditable 6-8 record since taking over from Binky Favis last October. “He’s insisting to play. We don’t want him to because we’re afraid he might aggravate his injury. But that’s how Asi is. He wants to set an example to our veterans and young guys. His argument is win or lose, we’ve got a break coming so he might as well play.”

Duremdes said even as San Miguel is struggling, the team can’t be taken lightly. “That’s a powerhouse team,” said Duremdes. “They lost their last three but once they regroup, they’ll be hard to stop. If Asi plays, we’ll need his body to keep (Dorian) Peña in check.”

Duremdes said he’s excited that things are coming along with the team. He credited assistant coaches Gerard Francisco, George Ella and Will Antonio for their major contributions.

“It’s very satisfying when you see the players respond to what you’re teaching,” said the 1998 MVP. “If the players are happy, then I’m happy. I don’t know if I’ll be the coach for good. It’s up to Boss J. B. (Baylon). I’ll just do my best for our team.”

Duremdes said what is encouraging is how players rise to the occasion game after game. “When Asi went down, Nic (Belasco) stepped up,” he noted. “When Nic went down, Mark (Telan) stepped up. Then, when we needed somebody else to step up in our last game against Red Bull, John (Arigo) scored 31. We’ve been waiting a long time for John to explode and it finally came. That’s how it is with our team. Anyone can step up.”

If the Tigers survive, Duremdes said the one-week break will help Taulava reenergize for the last wildcard knockout game next Sunday. But that’s if San Miguel cooperates.

“It’s a tough decision for Ken whether Asi will play or not,” said Baylon. “I’m afraid if Asi forces it, he could be out for a longer period. Anyway, on Dec. 29, the team will bring cheer to some PGH kids, win or lose. So no matter what, they can realize how fortunate they and their kids are.”

Duremdes said the PGH visit will be the Tigers’ Christmas celebration.

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In the second game, Cyrus Baguio will make his Express debut but Air21’s other fresh recruit Celino Cruz won’t make it as his mother-in-law just passed away and he is reportedly in Cebu.

To accommodate Baguio and Cruz, the Express relegated Pocholo Villanueva to the reserve list. Teams are allowed to keep 15 players in the active roster with 12 to play in a game.

Air21 coach Bo Perasol said he doesn’t anticipate a clash between Baguio and Gary David, both high-energy two-guard slashers.

“I think their games will complement each other,” said Perasol. “They’re both wingmen who can either slash or shoot. I think they have reached the point in their careers where they realize that they need skilful teammates to win.”

Air21 ended the eliminations with three straight losses to Red Bull, Alaska and Talk ‘N’ Text but Baguio’s arrival should perk up the Express. Besides, Don Allado also just joined and in the one-point loss to the Tropang Texters last Thursday, gave Perasol a taste of what to expect in the future by collecting 18 points, seven rebounds, six assists, three steals and two blocked shots in 40 solid minutes.

Purefoods has lost three of its last four but coach Ryan Gregorio is optimistic a reversal of fortunes is around the corner with P. J. Simon’s return from sick bay. The Giants are known to be overachievers. James Yap, Kerby Raymundo and Enrico Villanueva form an awesome threesome. If they can get support from Simon, Chico Lanete, Topex Robinson, Rich Alvarez, Roger Yap and Aaron Aban, Purefoods should be able to give any team a heckuva fight.

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