QUARTERFINAL REVELATIONS

The Final Four cast is now complete and two teams which showed no-quit character topped the hits list. Two other teams proved to be a picture of consistency and continued their march to the semifinal round.

Other hit list inclusions: a veteran forward stepping up big time to make up for the subpar showing of the team’s reinforcement; a point guard going back to his former role as clutch performer while old dogs came through with inspiring games in the absence of their leader; two imports also made a strong case for the Best Import award while one player thrived doing the dirty job even as a newcomer has slowly blossomed to become an efficient playmaker for his team.

Hits

Barangay Ginebra – The term “never-say-die” is synonymous to Barangay Ginebra San Miguel. Playing with an injured superstar in Mark Caguioa and a key backup center in Billy Mamaril, the Kings still found a way to win big and stunned the usually steady Rain or Shine Elasto Painters twice in the quarterfinal round to barge their way into the Final Four.

San Mig Coffee – The heart of the champion. That’s how San Mig Coffee summed up its last two games as it averted elimination by bouncing back with two victories after losing the first one to the Meralco Bolts. Now, Tim Cone and his troop are back on track in their title retention bid.

Alaska – The Aces came up with the best record in the elimination round and continued to look good in the quarterfinals by disposing off the Air21 Express. Now head coach Luigi Trillo and his new breed of Alaska players are trying to show their rise to power in the post-Cone era. Their biggest test however begins in the semifinal round when they face a familiar foe – their former mentor, whose current team is the only one it hasn’t defeated in eight meetings.

Talk ‘N Text – After a roller-coaster ride, the most dominant team of the past three seasons have found a way to make it to the semifinals, thanks to a superb local cast which one again showed how to play like one cohesive unit.

Ranidel de Ocampo – The Tropang Texters looked like it had another import in tow who produced steady numbers to make up for the lethargic showing of reinforcement Jerome Jordan.  Ranidel de Ocampo churned up averages of 19.5 points and 5.5 rebounds in their last two wins against the Petron Blaze Boosters, numbers which were enough to put his squad back into contention, and which made him a hands down choice for Accel Player of the Week honors.

JVee Casio – The Aces rode on the brilliant game of Dondon Hontiveros last time out. But in the quarterfinals against the Express, it was JVee Casio’s time tor rediscover his old, deadly form. He finished with 19 points, built around four triples, helping his squad to an 87-81 win and into the semis for the second straight conference.

Kerby Raymundo – It’s not surprising to see Kerby Raymundo displaying solid games the past few games. This guy certainly knows how to perform on a bigger stage. In two games, the 6-foot-6 veteran center turned back the hands of time and provided the solid postgame needed by the Kings. He has averaged 13.5 points and 7.5 rebounds to become his team’s top local performer at the start of the playoffs.

Jayjay Helterbrand – Those who have written obituaries for the former Most Valuable Player should simply put a stop to it. Helterbrand proved them wrong as he has averaged 11 points off the bench in the last two games and a combined six three pointers, which were huge in uplifting the spirits of the decimated Kings.

Denzel Bowles – The reigning Best Import is slowly but surely getting back to his old form. And that means he’s not about ready to give up on San Mig Coffee’s title retention drive. Monster Bowles had averages of 29 points and 12.5 rebounds in the last two victories of the Mixers, but his inspiring show in the last game where he went back in the game getting three stitches so close a wounded eye brow was a testament to his character of doing whatever it takes to lead his team.

Vernon Macklin – Count Vernon Macklin as a strong contender for the Best Import award. Proving he is deserving of the accolade, the former NBA D-League standout posted averages of 22.5 points and 11.5 rebounds while dominating the match up against his taller counterpart Bruno Sundov of Rain or Shine in the quarterfinals. To make it more dramatic, it was Macklin, only a 47% free throw shooter, who gave the Kings the win in the rubber match by sinking two pressure-packed charities, lifting his team to a tense win.

Marc Pingris – Marc Pingris proved to be an emotional competitor who found ways to shine in doing the things to make his teammates look good.  But not everything he does can be seen in his numbers. The 6-foot-4 forward also dominated on the defensive end, shutting down the high-scoring Eric Dawson and even Mac Cardona in the fourth period of their do-or-die game against the Meralco Bolts. Without production from these top Meralco scorers, San Mig Coffee was able to survive the Bolts and Pingris sealed it for the Mixers. The defensive demon also produced 14 points, including eight in the fourth period, outscoring the entire Bolts squad in the most important quarter of the game.

Alex Mallari – The rookie lefty is proving to one and all Tim Cone’s investment in him is all worth it.  Now beginning to adjust to the scheme of things in the Mixers’ complicated system, Mallari provided quality minutes playing the point guard spot. He averaged 11 points and 5.5 rebounds, contributions which proved big considering the fact that James Yap, the team’s acknowledged superstar is still being hobbled by back problems.

Misses

Rain or Shine – Regarded as a steady team the past two seasons, the Elasto Painters suddenly wilted against the pressure and lost two straight games against the league’s crowd favorites. Their unplanned vacation was brought about by their inconsistent showing in the first game where they blew a big lead and was dragged into a rubber match by the Kings, who everyone knows is a dangerous opponent when it comes to no-tomorrow encounters.

Jerome Jordan – Norman Black couldn’t remember a game where he had five rebounds when he was still playing in the PBA and for the former import-turned multi-titled coach to see seven-foot center Jerome Jordan grabbing five rebounds not once but twice, was somewhat disappointing, especially in the playoffs. Black hopes Jordan will play his usual self when they start their series against the Kings.

Bruno Sundov – Bruno Sundov spent 20 minutes resting on the bench while only grabbing six rebounds and scoring only 12 points in his team’s most important game. These were numbers that were definitely not enough for head coach Yeng Guiao, who was hoping for a more solid game from the tallest import to ever play in the PBA. Instead, the 7-foot-3 reinforcement was cut down to size by smaller rivals, who came up with big plays, resulting in the Kings advancing to the semis instead of the Elasto Painters.

Petron Blaze – Another conference, another disappointment for a team which appeared dominant in the early goings of the tournament with former import Renaldo Balkman. But fortunes changed quickly for the Boosters, who needed to change imports not just once but twice and eventually failed to regain their their bearings in the homestretch.

Chris Lutz – Chris Lutz is one of the deadly snipers in the Petron Blaze line up. He has the license to shoot, but he averaged just a point in their two losses in the quarterfinal round against Talk N Text. His guns went silent just when the team needed them most. In the last two games, he had a combined 1-of-7 shooting from the field in 18.5 minutes of average playing time.

Michael Dunigan – A dominant figure during the elimination round, the 6-foot-10 import just couldn’t get his game going when push came to shove. Bothered by hurting knees, he only had 13 points and 11 rebounds and was dominated by his counterpart Robert Dozier in the quarterfinals.

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