It was a very busy week in the PBA as a total of eight games were played. There were two key matches between the top dogs as both the Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters and San Miguel Beermen faced the Alaska Aces. Read on for a quick recap for all the games mish-mashed with my thoughts about the games.

Talk ‘N Text stamps class over Powerade

October 27, 2010 (Cuneta Astrodome)

Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters – 109

Powerade Tigers – 89

A blow-out started things off for PBA’s Week 4 as the Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters walked all over a listless Powerade team. Kelly Williams led the Tropang Texters with 21 points while hauling 16 rebounds. Ali Peek also managed with a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds. They were supported by Jimmy Alapag, Larry Fonacier, and Jared Dillinger who all scored in double digits.

The result of the game was never really in question. Talk ‘N Text was the better team on paper and when they played with more energy than the Powerade Tigers, it just became too easy.

Cabagnot’s game-winner: Part 1

October 27, 2010 (Cuneta Astrodome)

San Miguel Beermen – 99

Alaska Aces – 97

It was a battle between two of the PBA’s premiere point guards as LA Tenorio’s Alaska Aces battled Alex Cabagnot’s San Miguel Beermen. After a little argument between Cabagnot and PBAologist Fidel Mangonon on Twitter.com, Cabagnot came up with one of the better games of his career which he capped with a block on Tenorio and a game winning shot.

The Beermen have been looking for the right point guard for a while now. Of course, Olsen Racela manned the ship a few years back, but with the wily veteran lowly inching towards retirement, the Beermen looked for an understudy. Tenorio was one of those selected but he was traded away to Alaska. Jonas Villanueva, Mike Cortez, and Bonbon Custodio all had their tried but it seems that Cabagnot is the best fit.

Express run out of steam against Energy Boosters

October 29, 2010 (Araneta Coliseum)

Barako Bull Energy Boosters – 89

Air21 Express – 79

After big wins over last year’s champions, the Air21 Express finally ran out of steam as they succumbed to the Barako Bull Energy Boosters. Mark Isip played his finest game in a Barako bull uniform, scoring 23 points.

The celebrated rookie trio of Air21 Express only managed to get eight points. This is what I was pointing out to in my PBA Primer. Rabeh Al-Hussaini, Nonoy Baclao, and Rey Guevara and great rookies but they would all take time to develop. They will have big games but will also has some misfires such as this one and when push comes to shove, it must be the veterans who should step up. Too bad for the Express, Ronjay Buenafe didn’t shoot well at all.

Kings clobber Elasto Painters, rift between coach and Mercado boils over

October 29, 2010 (Araneta Coliseum)

Barangay Ginebra Kings – 90

Rain or Shine Elasto Painter – 73

Sol Mercado is a born winner. He wants to take control of the ball in the dying seconds. He may drive and dish or he may take the shot himself; that’s not important to him. What matters is that he takes control of the ball when the game is on the line. That’s why when Rain or Shine coach Caloy Garcia in the second half of this game, Mercado did a Willie Revillame and said that the management should choose between keeping him of the coach.

That was how bad the Barangay Ginebra Kings made the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters look. They had them in complete disarray that the team almost broke apart. Even though Mercado was used sparingly, he and JayR Reyes still led their team with 10 points. Three other Elasto Painters scored eight points. Willie Miller led the Kings with 23 and all of the players who were fielded in contributed at least 2 points.

Cabagnot’s game-winner: Part 2

October 30, 2010 (Araneta Coliseum)

San Miguel Beermen – 85

B-Meg Derby Ace Llamados – 83

Only three days have passed since Alex Cabagnot scored a key basket to secure the win for his team. In the game against the Derby Ace Llamados, Cabagnot did it again.

Cabagnot scored on a difficult reverse layup while being harassed by Rico Maierhofer and Roger Yap, two of the best defenders of the Llamados. Peter June Simon converted on a three to tied the game up but their celebration was short-lived as Cabagnot burned them in the very next possession. It is difficult to guard Cabagnot because he is a very good passer and he has team mates who can all put the ball through the hoop. So their opponents stay home on the other guys which gives Cabagnot room to create for himself.

This was a tough blow for the Llamados not only because they fell deeper into the standings. They needed this win to remind themselves that they could compete against the better teams even with an incomplete lineup. The Beermen are playing well these past few games and credit must be given to their new head coach in Ato Agustin and how he uses Cabagnot as their game closer.

Tigers bounce back over Bolts

October 30, 2010 (Araneta Coliseum)

Powerade Tigers – 81

Meralco Bolts – 66

The Powetade Tigers finally got back to their winning ways as they defeated the Meralco Bolts. The Bolts, on the other hand, simply reminded us that they are a new team who would take time before developing into a championship-contender.

The Bolts groped for form all game long and only managed to put up 66 points with Macmac Cardona only contributing four points. His counterpart from Powerade, Gary David, returned to his usual self as he scored 31 points, rebounding from his 17-point effort in his last game. Pong Escobal and Gabby Espinas tried their best to make up for Cardona’s lack of output in the offensive end but they just did not have enough ammo.

I think the biggest factor going against Meralco is their lack of identity. Ryan Gregorio is trying to introduce the Bolts to the brand of basketball he preached when he was still with the Derby Ace Llamados but he’s having a hard time with the pieces he has.

Garcia and Mercado bury the hatchet as Rain or Shine beats Barako Bull

October 31, 2010 (Araneta Coliseum)

Rain or Shine Elasto Painters – 98

Barako Bull Energy Boosters – 86

They say all is well that ends well and for the moment, it seems like Coach Caloy Garcia and Sol Mercado buried the hatchet as both of them appeared in their last game against Barako Bull. It seemed like Mercado and Garcia just needed to blow of some steam after losing to Ginebra because they played beautiful basketball en route to a win over the Energy Boosters.

Mercado scored 21 points with JayR Reyes and Jeff Chan contributing 20 and 11, respectively. Mark Isip carried the fight for Barako Bull, dropping 29 points while eclipsing his career-high of 23 points which he posted in their last game.

Aces fall to Tropang Texters, extend losing skid to three games

October 31, 2010 (Araneta Coliseum)

Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters – 93

Alaska Aces – 83

The PBA scheduled the game between the top two contenders to the crown as the last game in the first round of the elimination round. Jason Castro and Jimmy Alapag led a balanced Tropang Texters attack with 17 and 16 points respectively.

With the win, Talk ‘N Text finished the first round at the top of the rankings, toting a 5-1 record along with San Miguel Beer. Alaska on the other hand fell to fourth place after losing three straight games

Defense did the trick for the Tropang Texters as they contained Joe Devance in the fourth canto where they were able to pull away. The Aces will now have to regroup and recharge if still want to make it back to the Philippine Cup Finals just like last year.