Chan sinks buzzer beater to beat Express October 13, 2010 (Cuneta Astrodome)

Rain or Shine Elasto Painters 89

Air21 Express 86

It was a perfectly drawn up play by Rain or Shine coach Caloy Garcia. His best slasher, Sol Mercado, went strong to the hoop and, when the defense collapsed on him, he kicked it out to a wide open Jeff Chan who calmly sank a three at the buzzer to give the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters the victory.

Rain or Shine had the better start as they led at the half by ten points care of a buzzer beater from Paolo Bugia. But the Express sneaked their way back in the game getting points from rookie Rabeh Al-Hussaini and Ronjay Buenafe. They even led in the game but allowed the Elasto Painters to take a two point lead with a few seconds remaining in the game. Buenafe went on a fishing expedition and was able to get a foul to tie the game up.

Then Chan sank the dagger.

The former FEU Tamaraw sank four of his seven three point attempts and finished with 19 points. He was followed by Mercado with 14, and Gabe Norwood with 13. The Express were led by Buenafe who dropped 25 points and Al-Hussaini who scored 19. Nonoy Baclao, who made his pro debut, scored only four points but his contributions were felt more on defense. 

Alaska avenges last year’s loss over B-Meg October 13, 2010 (Cuneta Astrodome)

Alaska Aces 92

B-Meg Derby Ace Llamados 87

Coach Tim Cone was happy with the victory but he knows his team still has a long way to go. They are now tied at the top with the Talk ‘N Text Topang Texters but they know their wins were over relatively weaker teams. Joe Devance continued his hot shooting as he scored 25 points to lead the Alaska Aces to a win over the B-Meg Derby Ace Llamados in a rematch of last year’s Philippine Cup Finals.

The Llamados still can’t get anything going. They are having trouble on the defensive side as their defensive stalwarts, Rafi Reavis and Marc Pingris, are still on the injured list. James Yap led the Llamados with 16 followed by Peter June Simon, Jonas Villanueva, Roger Yap, and Don Allado, who all scored in double digits. The Aces also had five players scoring in double digits with Tony dela Cruz, LA Tenorio, Mark Borboran, and Sonny Thoss backing up Devance.

B-Meg must get its act together soon because they will have a hard time making it to the next round unless they start winning immediately.

Aces stay undefeated versus Elasto Painters October 15, 2010 (Cuneta Astrodome)

Alaska Aces – 88

Rain or Shine Elasto Painters – 80

The Rain or Shine Elasto Painters were coming of a exhilarating buzzer-beater win over the Air21 Express and were hoping that the momentum they had carry over and get them a win over the powerhouse Alaska Aces.

However, the more experienced team was just too much for the young Elasto Painters. Joe Devance continued his scoring barrage with 25 points and 12 rebounds and he was ably supported by Cyrus Baguio who scored 20 and LA Tenorio, Sonny Thoss, and Tony dela Cruz all scoring ten points each.

Sol Mercado, Doug Kramer, and TY Tang all scored 10 points for the Elasto Painters but they didn’t get a lot of help from everyone else. The Elasto Painters will try to bounce back form this loss against the Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters on October 20 while the Alaska Aces will try to keep their winning streak alive against the Air21 Express on October 22.

Texters keep immaculate record against Bolts October 15, 2010 (Cuneta Astrodome)

Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters – 92

Meralco Bolts – 84

Although the Tropang Texters and the Meralco Bolts are sister teams, there was no love lost during their game against each other. Talk ‘N Text was clearly the better team, erecting an early lead against the newly-formed Meralco team but the Bolts did not give up.

They scratched and clawed their way back into the game but they ran out of fire power in the end giving the Tropang Texters their third straight win in as many games. Manny V. Pangilinan, the boss of both squads, must be happy with how his teams performed. His Tall ‘N Text team is ripe for a run at the title while his Meralco Bolts are making a good account of themselves even if they are just in their maiden conference.

The Bolts and the Tropang Texters will battle the B-Meg Derby Ace Llamados and the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, respectively, on October 20 at the Cuneta Astrodome.

Express give Llamados third straight defeat October 16, 2010 (Naga City)

Air21 Express – 77

B-Meg Derby Ace Llamados – 69 

The defending champions of last year’s Philippine Cup just can’t find a way to win. The Air21 Express relied on a barrage of long range bombs in the dying minutes to keep the Llamados at bay and get the Express their first victory of the season.

The Llamados are now the only team without a win this season. Air21 started slow as the Llamados were dominating the inside even without their better big men. Rommel Adducul scored eight of the Llamados’ first 11 points but it was pretty much all he contributed. James Yap, the reigning MVP, could not buy a basket in the entire game. He was guarded well by a phalanx of defenders who made sure he wasn’t getting any open looks.

Wesley Gonzales canned two crucial three point shots in the fourth quarter which gave them just enough breathing room. The Llamados on the other hand missed on multiple opportunities to get any closer. The game ended with the score of 77 to 69.

The Llamados will try to get their first victory against the Meralco Bolts on Wednesday while the Express try to get a winning streak going against the Alaska Aces on Friday.

Powerade continues hot start over Barako Bull October 17, 2010 (Araneta Coliseum)

Powerade Tigers – 87

Barako Bull Energy Boosters – 77

Gary David continued his hot shooting streak as he led the Powerade Tigers to an 87-77 win over the Barako Bull Energy Boosters. David, who was the scoring leader of the PBA last year, dropped 23 points in the game, continuing his streak of scoring more than 20 points in their first three games.

The name-change definitely helped the Tigers start anew as the team is playing with the confidence of a championship-contending team. They are no longer the mediocre, middle of the pack team they were before. The Energy Boosters on the other hand are still struggling to find their team identity. They are also playing well compared to last season and they will only get better as time passes.

Veteran Dennis Espino added 17 points for the Tigers while Reed Juntilla led the Energy Boosters with 17 points while rookie Hans Thiele, who is one of the biggest surprises this season, added 13.

Beermen get come from behind win over Kings October 17, 2010 (Araneta Coliseum)

San Miguel Beermen – 69

Barangay Ginebra Kings – 68

The Barangay Ginebra Kings started out like a house on fire against the lethargic San Miguel Beermen. The Kings were the more aggressive team and their shots from the outside were falling which enabled them to erect a huge 46-31 lead at the half.

The Beermen regrouped at halftime at quickly chipped away at the lead. Within no time, the Beermen erased the Kings’ 21 point lead. Arwind Santos made a defensive gem against Willie Miller in the dying seconds of the game which allowed the Beermen to escape with a 69-68 victory.

It was a great start to Ato Agustin’s stint as the head coach of the Sam Miguel Beermen and he hopes to keep it going as his team will face the Powerade Tigers on October 23. The Gin Kings on the other hand hope to rebound from this loss against the Barako Bull Energy Boosters on October 22.