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.