Simon Atkins Leads Green Archers Over Tamarraws

SIMON Atkins bucked a nasty cut above his left eye to lift La Salle to a stunning 80-66 conquest of league-leading Far Eastern University and solidify its hold of fourth spot heading into the crucial last two weeks of elimination round competition in the UAAP.

Atkins suffered the cut after colliding with RR Garcia in the first quarter and had to leave the game to get medical attention. The cut required three stitches to close, but it seemed to fire up the Archers’ captain as he went on to scatter 14 of his game-high 19 points in the second half, including 10 in the payoff period where DLSU outscored FEU 26-9.

Maidana defeats Corley

WBA light welterweight interim champion Marcos Maidana (29-1, 27 KO's) went life and death with former WBO light welterweight champiom DeMarcus Corley(37-14-1, 22 KO's) on Saturday night, beating him by an unimpressive 12 round unanimous decision at the Estadio Luna Park, in Buenos Aires, Destrito Federal, Argentina. The final judges' scores were 117-111, 115-112 and 116-110. Maidana looked to have won the fight by two or three rounds. It was a closer than I thought it would be, but a lot of credit has to go to Corley.

Hermida’s triple-double powers San Beda past EAC

FOR 40 minutes, everyone was living in Borgie Hermida’s world.

The fifth-year playmaker registered a rare triple-double to lead a San Beda College avalanche that buried Emilio Aguinaldo College, 92-68 in NCAA Season 86 at the Arena in San Juan City last Friday, August 27.

Hermida tallied 14 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists in a stellar performance that helped the Red Lions turn what had been a close fight at the half to a blowout. The wily point guard turned in a career performance and gave pro scouts a lot to think about heading into the annual Philippine Basketball Association Rookie Draft, which takes place this coming Sunday.

Briggs says Klitschko will be A 30-Second First Round Knockout Victim

There are three pretty big boxing news items currently circulating on the net. Firstly, Shannon Briggs, who will challenge WBC heavyweight king Vitali Klitschko in Germany on October 16th, said today at a press conference in Kiev, Ukraine, that he will make “Dr. Steel Hammer” his “30-second first-round KO victim.”

Briggs, 38 and having won his last three bouts via 1st-round KO, says a lot of his fights tend to end in quick time, and that this will be the case in October. “The Cannon,” 51-5-1(45) also told the gathered media that it was Klitschko who inspired him to make the comeback he set out on after his poor showing against Sultan Ibragimov.

UE Subdues Defending Champs

APPARENTLY, the University of the East is in it to win it.

James Martinez scored 22 points, including four three-point bombs in the fourth quarter, to lift the Red Warriors past Ateneo de Manila, 62-60 in UAAP Season 73 at the Araneta Coliseum last Thursday, August 26.

It was a reversal of roles from their first encounter where Ateneo erased a UE lead in the fourth quarter. With Ateneo up by seven at the beginning of the payoff period, Martinez opened up Ateneo’s perimeter defense by nailing four of his six threes on a day where he shot 60 percent from beyond the arc.

Peek, Belga, Quinahan Trade Places

In a prelude to a Macmac Cardona trade, Meralco and Talk n Text, with Air21 as conduit, sealed a minor swap Friday involving Beau Belga, Ali Peek and JR Quiñahan.

More trades involving these three ball clubs could happen in the next few days, with the biggest possibly Cardona’s eventual transfer from Talk n Text to Meralco.

Meantime, Meralco got Belga, Talk n Text reacquired Peek while Air21 welcomed Quiñahan back to its fold.

Alaska Dethrones San Miguel, Claims Championship

The Alaska Aces underscored their mastery over San Miguel with a scintillating 102-88 victory in Game 6 of the Finals to clinch the 2010 PBA Fiesta Conference championship at the Araneta Coliseum.

Displaying tremendous confidence and excellent teamwork, the Aces practically dominated the game, taking control with an 18-8 run midway in the first on the way to claiming the franchise’s 13th championship.

Diamon Simpson, the unselfish, versatile 22-year-old import, wound up his first tour of duty in PBA with another superb performance, finishing with 28 points, 19 rebounds and five blocks that all but accentuated his domination over Gabe Freeman – the conference’s Best Import.

Alaska wrapped up the best-of-seven series, 4-2.

Alaska Inching Closer To the Championship

The Alaska Aces have a date with destiny on Sunday.

Starting guards LA Tenorio and Cyrus Baguio got things going for three quarters and the Aces preserved their efforts with strong fourth quarter for a 90-83 victory against San Miguel in Game 4 of the PBA Fiesta Conference Finals at the Cuneta Astrodome Friday.

With a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series, the Aces need just one more win to clinch their first title in three years.

Beermen Cut Aces Lead 2-1

San Miguel showed signs of life in Game 3 and sent a strong signal that this series is not ending anytime soon that some had thought.

Gabe Freeman redeemed himself from an awful stint in Game 2 and the Beermen displayed a sense of urgency not seen from them in the first two games as the defending champions smothered the Alaska Aces, 96-80, Wednesday night at the Araneta Coliseum.

Alaska still leads the series, 2-1, but momentum has clearly shifted to the Beermen, who avoided a sweep that appeared imminent when the Aces completely dominated them in Games 1 and 2.

Freeman accounted for 24 points and dominated the boards with 20 rebounds, making up for his forgettable effort in Game 2 where he was held to a conference-low 13 points, while underscoring SMB’s dominant game.

James Yap Wins Second MVP Plum

JAMES Yap has been successfully rewarded for separating his professional from his personal life.

The league’s most popular player claimed his second season Most Valuable Player plum in five years, leading those feted Wednesday by the PBA in its Leo Awards at the Araneta Coliseum.

The 28-year-old dead-shot garnered a total 2,577 points from statistics and votes from representatives of the media, players, PBA Commissioner’s Office and television coveror SolarTV to handily win over Alaska’s LA Tenorio and San Miguel Beer’s Jay Washington.

MERALCO, The Newest Member of the PBA

The PBA Board of Governors officially approved the sale of the Sta. Lucia Realty franchise to Meralco during its regular meeting Tuesday, paving the way for the return of the country’s biggest electric company to the basketball scene.

Alaska Takes Commanding 2-0 Lead

The sight of Miami head coach Eric Spoelstra at ringside provided some inspiration for the Alaska Aces, particularly on Diamon Simpson.

“I was aware he was around. His presence was truly inspirational,” said the prolific import who turned in another double-double effort in Alaska’s 94-90 victory against San Miguel Beer Sunday that gave the Aces a 2-0 lead in their PBA Fiesta Conference Finals at the Araneta Coliseum.

Alaska Stuns Beermen Claims Game1

TIRED? Absolutely not. Pressured? Leave it out. Alaska is by far an entirely different ball club than the one that finished fourth in the elimination round.

And if the San Miguel Beermen don’t watch out, the Aces might just turn the championship series into another shocker just like the way they did in the semi-finals against Talk ‘N Text.

Diamon Simpson was steady, LA Tenorio was huge again down the stretch, and Alaska came back from a lethargic start to stun San Miguel Beer, 89-83, in Game One Friday night of their best-of-seven Finals series in the PBA Fiesta Conference at the Araneta Coliseum.

Jay Washington Bagged Best Player Award; Gabe Freeman the Best Import

PART of the best twice in his career, Jay Washington now has an award that makes him the best.

Among the imports, Gabe Freeman remains the best.

Washington, a two-time member of the Mythical Team and No. 1 pick in the 2005 Draft, was named Friday night Best Player of the PBA Fiesta Conference and Freeman as Best Import in simple ceremonies preceding Game One of the Finals between San Miguel Beer and Alaska at the Araneta Coliseum.

Talk N Text Claims Third Place

Talk ‘N Text wrapped up its season with a third-place finish in the PBA Fiesta Conference.

Macmac Cardona had conference-high 30 points to power the Tropang Texters to a 113-95 romp over B-Meg Derby Ace Friday at the Araneta Coliseum in a game Talk 'N Text head coach Chot Reyes branded as a “useless game to play”.

Alaska enters PBA Finals

All series long, Talk 'N Text tried to set a tempo more suitable to their nimble line-up. Alaska, however, wouldn't budge. So in Game 7, while Talk 'N Text Head Coach Chot Reyes was all dressed up to disco, Alaska Head Coach Tim Cone, sporting his ubiquitous slacks and necktie, was set for the prom. By starting Game 7 with Jared Dillinger, Kelly Williams, Aaron Aban and Jason Castro, the Tropang Texters' intention seemed obvious: let's break-dance. By using just eight men, Alaska's game-plan suggested something else: let's stroll. It was like watching an awkward dance. The guy wanted to boogie. The girl wanted to waltz.

San Miguel Beermen Enters Finals

San Miguel Beer stoked the fire of its title-retention campaign.

SMB stayed in the hunt for back-to-back PBA Fiesta Conference championships and ended the B-MEG Derby Ace’s hopes for a season double crown as the Beermen clobbered the Llamados, 91-83, in a do-or-die match at the Araneta Coliseum Sunday night.

Raising their game notches higher after a sorry loss Friday, the Beermen put to an end the Llamados’ season, winning their best-of-seven semifinals showdown at 4-2.

The Beermen are heading to the finals either against the Alaska Milk Aces or the Talk n Text Tropang Texers.

It’s the 31st finals for the league’s winningest team.

ALASKA FORGES SERIES DECIDER

ALASKA will not let itself be struck by the Talk ‘N Text lightning anew. Cyrus Baguio made sure of that by pulling off a rally-stifling steal and conversion that propped the Aces to a 94-83 victory over the Tropang Texters Sunday that forged a deciding game in their PBA Fiesta Conference semifinals series at the Araneta Coliseum. Those clutch plays happened at the most opportune of times, coming in the final 1:11 that stopped cold Talk 'N Text’s charge to within 83-91 from a 19-point fourth quarter deficit. From there, Alaska’s defense continued to hold as it bounced back from an 81-82 loss in Game 5 last Friday and set up the do-or-die match in the best-of-seven duel on Wednesday.