Llamados Forge Playoffs Against the Berrmen

Behind the 43 points and 20 rebounds from Cliff Brown, the Llamados downed the Coffee Masters 106-100. It was a sweet victory by the Llamados which team caught up with the Beermen in the 2nd spot. This two teams will figure it out in the playoff for that coveted 2nd spot semifinals seat.

Despite of the rumored marital status, James Yap sizzled for 18 points and Nino Canaleta added 13 points. The Barako Bull Coffee Masters is headed for an early exit in the PBA with a record of 3 wins against 15 losses. Sam Monroe had another impressive performance coming away with 37 points.

Beermen Outlasts Alska, assured of Outright Semifinals Playoff

The San Miguel Beermen was relegated to play an important game against the Aces. The Beermen respond with a sounding 85-74 win over the Aces. Jay Washington carried the team with 19 points while their import Gabe Freeman added 15 points. The game was controlled by the Beermen right from the start and never looked back. There are mini runs that Alaska made, but the Beermen has an answer on every run. They have a 13-5 record, still waiting for the outcome of the B-Meg Derby Ace against the Barako Bull. If the Llamados will win, there will be a playoff match for the 2nd outright semifinal spot between the Llamados and the Beermen.

Los Angeles Lakers Are Back to Back Champs

Trailing by almost three-fourths of the ballgame, the Lakers used a late rally in the 4th quarter capped by a three point shot by Derek Fisher to tie the score at 64 all. It was a see-saw battle afterwards as the Lakers used to break the game wide open,leading 76-70 with over 1 minute left on the game with timely baskets by Pau Gasol and Kobe Bryant. However, the Celtics responded with a three pointer from Rasheed Wallace before Ron Artest also made a three pointer on the next possession to give the Lakers a 79-73 lead. Ray Allen scored another three pointer making the count at 79-76 before Kobe Bryant canned two charities. Despite struggling on the three point area, Rondo made a 3-pointer. But that was all the Celtics could give as the Lakers Sasha Vujacic made pressure packed 2 free throws as the Lakers captured the title, 83-79. They are the back to back champs.

The game was controlled by the Celtics and they have a big lead in the third quarter with 13 points,49-36 before the Lakers onslaught started. Kobe Bryant had 23 points but struggling by mostly part of the game on 6 made out of 24 attempts. But the night belongs to Ron Artest scoring 20 points and making the Lakers offensive afloat in the 2nd quarter where the Celtics trying to pull away.

The big four of Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and Rajon Rondo contributed well in this game scoring by double digits. While Rasheed Wallace, starting in place of the injured KEndrick Perkins, contributed 11 points. But that was not enough to overshadow the offensive rebounding edge of the Lakers with 23 compared to 8 by the Celtics.

This is the back-to-back title for the Lakers that was once defeated by the same Celtics squad in the 2008 finals. Sweet revenge as we called for Kobe Bryant and company and so as Ron Artest, who bagged his first ever NBA Title. No one also sweeter than what the Lakers coach achieved, who lives what his reputation is of having an NBA Playoff record of 48-0 of taking the series after winning game 1. The Lakers captured their 16th title trailing the Boston Celtics, the team with 17 titles to show.

Lakers Took Game 6, Force Rubber Match

Behind the leadership of Kobe Bryant and after that angry statements to his teammates at the end of Game 5, the Lakers back from its winning ways routing the Boston Celtics, 89-67 and force a game 7. Bryant led the Lakers with 26 points and 11 rebounds. He was vocal about the lacking of support in game 5 from his teammates, but this game turned to be the rejuvenation of the supporting cast of the Lakers. Pau Gasol added 17 points, Artest had 15 and Vujacic stepped up from the bench finishing with 9 points. Jordan Farmar and Shannon Brown had their shares of the game, contributing the added sparks from the bench.

The Celtics were outrebounded, outhustled and ineffective of this game. They were shorthanded as their starting center Kendrick Perkins suffered a right knee injury in the first quarter and did not returned on the game. Ray Allen had a decent showing with 19 points but Pierce was saddled down with only 13 points to offer.

The game was one-sided with the Lakers making a big run in the first quarter and never looked back. Game 7 is coming and it would be a war in the offing.

Game 5 Belongs to Celtics

The Boston Celtics have managed to weather the storm from the onslaught of Kobe Bryant in the third quarter and scored a go-ahead win over the Lakers, 92-86. Paul Pierce has found his touch in this game scattering with 27 points and Rajon Rondo and Kevin Garnett added 18 points apiece. The game was in control by the Celtics from the start and managed to put a dagger on every Laker run in the 3rd and 4th quarter. Kobe Bryant exploded for 38 points, including 19 points in the 3rd quarter that threatened the Boston Celtics lead. The needed support for Kobe Bryant were not there, and only Pau Gasol had double digit in scoring other than Kobe. No other player of the Lakers did manage to score double digits. This was a sorry loss for the Lakers as they would head back home in game 6 holding a 2-3 deficit in the series. For the Celtics, they are one win away of capturing their 2nd title in three years. The momentum is on their side and they can end the series with a win at the road in game 6.

Bench Players Lift Celtics to Victory, tie Series

A spectacular performance from the bench players, especially Glen Davis, carried the Boston Celtics to a must win victory in game 4, 96-89 that tied the series 2-2. There was no stopping Davis, particularly in the 4th quarter that saw the Celtics used a 36 point effort in the 4th quarter, 21 points coming from the bench to overcome the 33 points of Kobe Bryant. The Celtics also dominated the Lakers by outscoring them 54-34 points form the paint. Nate Robinson also contributed big for the Celtics with 12 points and Glen Davis finished with 18 points. Game 5 will be on Sunday night (Monday morning in the Philippines) again at the TD Garden in Boston.

Cariaso Announces Retirement After 15 Seasons in the PBA

Its been a long time that I read an article about Jeffrey "The Jet" Cariaso. I was in total shocked of the fact that he had already announced just last month of his plan to retire for good in the end of this conference in the PBA. Cariaso, a Fil-Am player who played in Sonoma University in Los Angles Califronia once played in Tanduay and the Mobiline team in the PBA. But the most memorable in his illustrious pro career was the time when he helped the Coca Cola Tigers and Alaska capture championships. And the biggest highlight of them all, is the one that he contributed most when the Alaska Milkmen-named then team achieved the coveted Philippine Grandslam in 1996.

A member of the RP Team that fall short to play a gold-medal medal game in the 2002 Busan Asian Games, Cariaso is now a on a reserve list of the Alaska Aces after he has not played a single minute in the first six games of Alaska. He keeps on talking about his retirement this season, and with all due respect, he wants to play inspired basketball of his final games as a PBA player. But to no avail he was not given a respect from his coach in Alaska and from the Alaska management. But, as a professional he is, he asked the management to put him in the reserve list for the betterment of the team and to give chance to the other players as well. He is thankful to the whole Alaska management that put him as a good player for about 15 years in the PBA.

Way back last season, Cariaso has an impressive numbers to show with 13.7 points, 4.6 rebounds and 3.16 assists throughout his whole PBA career, that includes Rookie of the Year and three time member of the Mythical Selection. At 38, he can still play if given a chance and he wants to be out in the PBA with a big bang and a bright note.

Lakers Steal Homecourt Advantage Won Game 3

The Los Angeles Lakers outmatched their old rivals in game 3 holding off a late rally by the Celtics in the 4th quarter on their way to win game 3, 91-84 stealing homecourt advantage. Kobe Bryant led all scorers with 29 points and Derek Fisher scored 11 of his 16 points in the fourth quarter, including that g0-ahead three point play in the closing seconds of the game to seal the win for the Lakers.

After 48 hours of setting the NBA Finals record of 8 3-pointers in a game, Ray Allen had a huge disappearing act in the game going 0-13 field goal shooting. He scored only 2 points throughout the gmae. Kevin Garnett lead the way for the Celtics with 25 points but was not enough to outclassed the mighty Lakers.

Game 4 is thursday night in Boston (Friday morning here in the Philippines)

Ray Allen Unleashes as Celtics tied Series

A sweet shooting night and an NBA Finals record breaker set by Ray Allen as the Celtics won over the Los Angeles Lakers, 103-94, taking the series back to square one. Allen is very impressive in the first half, scoring 27 points, including seven 3-pointers. There is no stopping him in the first half alone as the Celtics took a commanding 14 point lead in the 2nd quarter on their way to a 54-48 lead at halftime. The Lakers used a quick run at the start of the third quarter but the Celtics keep on holding back in every Lakers' run. The game was closed throughout the third quarter and in the fourth quarter until the Celtics used a huge run late in the 4th quarter and taste the lead for good on a Rondo's jumper to give the C's a 95-90 lead. There is no turning back for the Celtics as they never let the Lakers come back into the game. Ray Allen finished with 32 points, on eight 3-pointers (Breaking an NBA Finals record) and Rajon Rondo took over the game in the 2nd half with a triple double 19 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists. Pau Gasol of the Los Angeles Lakers had another solid performance scoring 25 points while Kobe Bryant added 21 points and Andrew Bynum had his best game in the playoffs finishing with 21 points, 6 rebounds and 7 blocks.

The next three games will shift back to the TD Garden in Boston.

James Yap carries Llamados Outlast Beermen

The B-Meg Derby Ace Llamados, which lived and die with the hands of their go-to-guy James Yap, was victorious over the San Miguel Beermen 83-82. It was the slimmest of lead that saw the two team fight toe-to-toe down the stretch. James Yap did not disappoint his team, making an eight-foot jumper in the left corner to give the Lllamados a one-point lead with 6.7 seconds remaining. San Miguel has another chance of winning the game but Dondon Hontiveros missed the shot that could have given the lead to the Beermen, much to the delight of the Llamados. James Yap finished with 23 points in the game. The win keep the B-Meg Derby Ace holds the record of 9-5 and a solo third place, closing the gap with the Beermen in the overall standings. The latter had a 11-3 win-loss record behind erstwhile leader Talk N Text Tropang Texters (12-2).

Cotto TKO's Foreman to Win the Superwelterweight Title

It was an ugly win for Miguel Cotto but he will take it by redeeming himself after that loss on Manny Pacuqiao to capture his 4th world title in 4 weight division stopping the former champion Yuri Foreman in the 9th round. The win gave Cotto a very important feat in his illustrious career, making him a world champion again in the Superwelterwight Division. The fight was as hard as Cotto thought as Foreman uses his speed and agility to manuever Cotto in a lot of angles and making Cotto pay whenever the latter will go for a brawl. From the first to six rounds, Foreman was in the match until an unavoidable excuse happen. Foreman hit the deck and injured his leg. It was a sudden change of strategy for the injured Foreman as he has no side-to-side movements this time and he can continue only if he will engage on a brawl with Cotto. The fight was then in the advantage of Miguel Cotto, hitting Foreman with a barrage of combination. Courageous Foreman but he cannot stop Cotto from punishing him. The Cotto could have stopped a little early in the 8th round after the corner of Foreman throw a towel at the boxing ring, that could be the end of the fight. But referee Arthure Mercante Jr ruled it as void and the fight would push through. Battled-down, Foreman refuses to surrender but he was getting tagged and hit by Cotto at times and his legs are not as strong with the injury. The end happen when Cotto hit Foreman a left hook at the body sending the former champion to the canvass. It is the end of the fight much to the delight of Miguel Cotto.

Bryant, Gasol Combined to Lead Lakers Take Game 1

The 2008 NBA Finals loss against this the same team is a hard to forget experience for the Lakers. Showing what they felt about that traumatic experience, the Lakers showed what they got, surpassing the Boston Celtics with a big win at home, 102-89, taking the series opener. Kobe Bryant, once again, lead the Lakers with 30 points and Pau Gasol asserted himself finishing with 23 points and 14 rebounds. Bryant scored at least 30 points on 10 of its last 11 games in the playoffs. He is phenomenal and shares leadership that provided a morale boost on his teammates, particularly Ron Artest who scored 15 points.

The Boston Celtics were outhustled, outrebounded and seems like one step slower than the Lakers throughout this game. The game speaks by itself and they cannot undo the Lakers performance in this game. Paul Pierce lead the C's with 24 points but is not enough to achieve the victory in Game 1. They will try to tie the series in Game 2.

Phil Jackson, head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers has a 47-0 record of winning the series when taking Game 1.

Talk N Text Won 10 Straight Extending Franchise Record

The Talk N Text Tropang Texters were never to be denied, sending the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters crushing down to the ground with a sounding win 104-85. This is their 10th straight win and setting up a franchise record for most winning streak of the team. This is also the first time that Coach Chot Reyes accomplished this feat after becoming a head coach in 1993. The winning streak is the longest in this conference and caught up the San Miguel Beermen in the first place of the overall standings with an identical 11-2 record. They seek for the outright semifinals.

Holding down Solomon Mercado and Gabe Norwood was the key to victory for the Texters. The duo combined for just 11 points in the entire game. They were led by their import Jai Lewis with 21 points but the needed local support was nowhere to be found

Jason Castro, Ranidel de Ocampo and Macmac Cardona lead the Tropang Texters with 14 points apiece while newly acquired Kelly Williams had another double-double performance with 12 points and 10 rebounds. The Tropang Texters broke the game wide open with a 20-7 run in an eight-minute span in the first quarter and never looked back. Their next game will be against Barangay Ginebra.

Renewing Rivalry: Boston Celtics Vs Los Angeles Lakers

Renewed domination and Renewed Rivalry between this two teams promises to be a history in the making. The Lakers lived up from the expectation of all NBA experts that they will make a run in this years finals. With the added firepower of Ron Artest, the Lakers is one of the early favorites to win the championship. There are also teams that has a higher ranking to make it to the Finals. Among them, is the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Dallas Mavericks. But basketball is a game where proper execution and mental toughness should be the key, the Cavs and the Mavs where nowhere to have that and was knocked out in contention.

The emergence of the Boston Celtics in the playoffs are the big surprise. They renewed dominance with the way they play in the playoffs. The energy is as high as the experience they feel in the last 2008 Championship, where they are the NBA Champions. With the look of it, the C's have found the energy and the antidote to proved their critics wrong.

Redemption is the main reason why the Lakers could be this years Championship team. Losing in 2008 finals with this the same team is a major edge in this years finals. The Lakers are the more hungry between this two teams. And the look of it, they will avenge that loss in 2008.

Fearless Forecast: Lakers will capture the championship within 6 games.