San Miguel Beermen Basketball Games Updates

Photo Credit: pba-online.net

It’s almost half-way in the 2008-2009 KFC PBA Philippine Cup eliminations and every win is important. To keep pace with league-leading Alaska Aces, SMB needs to win this game against an equally tall squad in Coca-Cola Tigers to keep the gap between the rest of the PBA teams gunning for the top spots.

Eventhough at the bottom of the team standings, the Coca-Cola Tigers should not be taken lightly. The infamous and near disastrous fourth quarter meltdown last game should be avoided at all cost to ensure that we get the win convincingly without the suspense thriller of winning against a protest.

The focus for tonights ballgame will be between the bigmen of SMB versus the triple towers of Coke in Asi Taulava, Nic Belasco, and Mark Telan. For sure, Dorian Pena, Mick Pennisi, Jay Washington, and Marc Pingris will do their very best to neutralize these big guys. The one who wins the rebounding battle will surely get an edge in their offense and SMB needs this to fuel our new run-and-gun style of play.

Another observation in last game against Air21 is that Bonbon Custodio was allowed to play extended minutes in the dying minutes of the game. The coaching staff could have opted to sit him down and allowed veteran Dondon Hontiveros to play. That was the time that Gary David exploded and the Air21 Express was able to tie and lead the game.

Let’s see how the SMB coaching staffs prepares for this game with this news report from the Philippine Basketball Association (pba.ph).

SMB BATTLES COCA-COLA TO KEEP PACE WITH ALASKA
Struggling Ginebra & Talk n Text squads tangle
Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Catching Alaska on top of the standings is San Miguel’s burning motivation when it battles Coca-Cola Wednesday afternoon as it winds up its first elimination round campaign in the 2008-09 KFC PBA Philippine Cup.

The Beermen will carry their mission with fresh legs and renewed energy after a six-day break in between games, although the long rest could also turn them rusty.

Regardless, what matters most for SMB coach Siot Tanquingcen and his chargers is that they would be dealing the Tigers with undivided attention in their 5 p.m. duel at the Araneta Coliseum after PBA commissioner Renauld "Sonny" Barrios ruled that their 130-129 double overtime victory over the Air21 Express stands, after the latter placed the Nov. 5 game under protest.

Team officials of Air21had sought a replay of the game, claiming they could have won the match at the end of the first overtime had Ranidel de Ocampo’s heave from behind the arc was ruled a 3-point shot.

SMB led 110-108 before De Ocampo knocked the shot in with 9.8 seconds remaining.

Barrios admitted the game officials committed a serious judgment error but contended the blunder did not decide the outcome of the game that went into a second overtime.

The verdict gave a SMB a 6-2 record, just half a game behind solo leader Alaska, which closed out the first half of the elims with a 7-2 mark.

Although his team enjoys a tremendous advantage in terms of personnel, Tanquingcen remains cautious.

"Coke is becoming dangerous as the league progresses because the players are getting used to Kenneth’s (Duremdes) style while Kenneth is getting used to coaching," noted Tanquingcen.

The Tigers (3-5) are coming off a 77-81 heartbreaker against Barangay Ginebra last Saturday but Duremdes, who is 2-2 since taking over from head coach Binky Favis, thinks Asi Taulavam Mark Telan and Nic Belasco could match up well against SMB’s dominating frontline.

"SMB is tough to beat because of its bench depth. But I believe we could match up with their bigs," said Duremdes.

After snapping their five-game losing streak, the Barangay Ginebra Kings aim for their second back-to-back wins this season when they take on struggling Talk N Text at 7:30 p.m.

Ginebra and TNT join Coca-Cola and Red Bull in a four-team logjam that brings up the rear of the standings.

"For us to beat TNT we need to stop their perimeter game. And it won’t be easy," said Ginebra coach Jong Uichico, adding Junthy Valenzuela and Mark Caguioa are still out of their rotation.

Going up against a team with a decimated roster is the best chance for the Tropang Texters to get back on the winning track and snap a three-game losing streak. (DBC)

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