SLR tests defensive mettle vs Rain or Shine's explosive import
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SLR tests defensive mettle vs Rain or Shine's explosive import
MANILA, Philippines - Will Sta. Lucia’s noted defense be good enough to finally stop Rain or Shine's Jai Lewis from his winning rampage in the Motolite-PBA Fiesta Cup?
Coach Boyet Fernandez could only hope so.
“It’s going to be a test of character and with Lewis the kind of player that Rain or Shine has, it’s going to be interesting," said Fernandez. “Again, our team defense will still be our main weapon, and one of our main concerns is how to stop their running game."
The Realtors and Elasto Painters clash in the first game of an interesting doubleheader at the Astrodome on Friday that also features the Philippine Cup Finals rematch between Alaska and Talk `N Text.
The Elasto Painters (5-1) are on a roll of late, thanks to the arrival of the burly Lewis, who is so far unbeaten in all four games he played for the team.
The 290-pound banger with a sweet touch from the perimeter was a spectacular sight just the other night, scoring 40 points – 30 in the second half -- and grabbing 23 rebounds to power Rain or Shine to a gripping 114-108 win over national team coach Yeng Guiao and his Burger King squad.
“He was in control," said RoS mentor Caloy Garcia after the tense contest.
The Realtors are a notch behind the Elasto Painters in the 10-team standings with a 4-2 (win-loss) slate.
Meanwhile, Talk `N Text (2-3) tries to bounce back from an embarrassing 135-133 loss to Barako Bull in game that saw the team bungled a huge 24-point lead in the final nine minutes.
“No comment. That’s how upset I am," said coach Chot Reyes of Talk ‘N Text when he was asked to impart his thoughts on how they could get back on the winning track.
A day after the defeat, Reyes and the Tropang Texters held practice twice. Whether that could help a lot against the Aces remains to be seen.
Alaska is also a ball club trying to recover its winning ways. The Ace only have two wins in six games.
“Our sense of urgency still isn’t where we need it to be," said Alaska coach Tim Cone. “And that’s what we’re trying to impart on the players. We’re still trying to climb back into this conference. We’re playing better, but not as well as we know we can play."
http://www.gmanews.tv/story/154373/SLR-tests-defensive-mettle-vs-Rain-or-Shines-explosive-import
Coach Boyet Fernandez could only hope so.
“It’s going to be a test of character and with Lewis the kind of player that Rain or Shine has, it’s going to be interesting," said Fernandez. “Again, our team defense will still be our main weapon, and one of our main concerns is how to stop their running game."
The Realtors and Elasto Painters clash in the first game of an interesting doubleheader at the Astrodome on Friday that also features the Philippine Cup Finals rematch between Alaska and Talk `N Text.
The Elasto Painters (5-1) are on a roll of late, thanks to the arrival of the burly Lewis, who is so far unbeaten in all four games he played for the team.
The 290-pound banger with a sweet touch from the perimeter was a spectacular sight just the other night, scoring 40 points – 30 in the second half -- and grabbing 23 rebounds to power Rain or Shine to a gripping 114-108 win over national team coach Yeng Guiao and his Burger King squad.
“He was in control," said RoS mentor Caloy Garcia after the tense contest.
The Realtors are a notch behind the Elasto Painters in the 10-team standings with a 4-2 (win-loss) slate.
Meanwhile, Talk `N Text (2-3) tries to bounce back from an embarrassing 135-133 loss to Barako Bull in game that saw the team bungled a huge 24-point lead in the final nine minutes.
“No comment. That’s how upset I am," said coach Chot Reyes of Talk ‘N Text when he was asked to impart his thoughts on how they could get back on the winning track.
A day after the defeat, Reyes and the Tropang Texters held practice twice. Whether that could help a lot against the Aces remains to be seen.
Alaska is also a ball club trying to recover its winning ways. The Ace only have two wins in six games.
“Our sense of urgency still isn’t where we need it to be," said Alaska coach Tim Cone. “And that’s what we’re trying to impart on the players. We’re still trying to climb back into this conference. We’re playing better, but not as well as we know we can play."
http://www.gmanews.tv/story/154373/SLR-tests-defensive-mettle-vs-Rain-or-Shines-explosive-import
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SLR tests defensive mettle vs Rain or Shine's explosive import :: Comments
Fri Mar 27, 2009 12:48 pm by matrix
Philippine Cup finalists TNT & Alaska go to battle again
Nobody can blame coach Caloy Garcia if he entertains bold thoughts, like say, Rain or Shine earning outright passage into the semifinals.
The coach of the team that was the perennial whipping boy of the league the previous two seasons surely has good reasons.
First, the Elasto Painters are on a roll. Second, they have an import, who fits well into their system and provides them just exactly what they need. And third, they are just a wink behind leader and unbeaten San Miguel Beer – the only other club on a hot streak in the 2009 Motolite PBA Fiesta Conference.
Garcia, of course, is pleased with the success they are reaping and he readily pointed to import Jai Lewis as key to their impressive showing.
Since replacing the out-of-shape Charles Clark on March 11, Lewis – a certified heavyweight at 6-foot-5, 290 lbs – has powered the team to four straight wins while averaging 27 points and 20 boards a night.
“We all know that they are desperately in need of a big man. The presence of Lewis has made Rain or Shine a team to contend with,” observed Sta. Lucia coach Boyet Fernandez.
He stressed though that their scheduled 5 o’clock date Friday afternoon at the Cuneta Astrodome, will be a “test of character” for the Realtors and the Elasto Painters, who are aiming for a fifth straight and sixth in seven games.
It will be interesting to see how Lewis would fare against Sta. Lucia import Anthony Johnson, a quick and versatile scorer, who averages 32 points and 14 rebound a game.
After their game against the Realtors, Lewis will fly to the US the following day for a week-long break. It will be his first trip back home since he accepted a contract to play in the Japan League almost seven months ago.
“He missed his family so we’re giving him his well-deserved break,” said the soft-spoken RoS coach, adding that Lewis’ impending vacation drives him all the more motivated to win their last game before the Holy Week break.
Garcia admits the Realtors will be a tough match-up with their size, experience and deep bench.
“But the good thing about this team is somebody always steps up every game. Teamwork has become they key in our success, we’ll see if we could keep it up,” Garcia said.
Fernandez said the Elasto Painters plays with a lot of energy and passion so his chargers will have to try to compete at the same level
“Our defense will still be our main weapon,” Fernandez said. “But we also have to match their intensity and try stop their running game if we intend to win.”
Philippine Cup champion Talk N Text and runner up Alaska complete the day’s double-header by playing against each other – their first meeting since the title series last month – at 7:30 p.m.
Both teams are coming off frustrating losses.
The Aces crumbled in the closing minutes against the Realtors in a 90-100 defeat while the Tropang Texters blew a 24-point lead and lost to the Barako Bull, 135-133, last Sunday.
TNT is mired at 2-3 while Alaska shares 7th spot with Barako Bull at 2-4.
“Our sense of urgency still isn’t where it needs to be and that’s what we’re trying to impress on the players,” said Alaska coach Tim Cone.
“We’re still trying to climb back the ladder this conference. We’re playing better but not as well as we know we can play,” he added. (DBC)
http://www.pba.ph/content/view/2558/1/
Nobody can blame coach Caloy Garcia if he entertains bold thoughts, like say, Rain or Shine earning outright passage into the semifinals.
The coach of the team that was the perennial whipping boy of the league the previous two seasons surely has good reasons.
First, the Elasto Painters are on a roll. Second, they have an import, who fits well into their system and provides them just exactly what they need. And third, they are just a wink behind leader and unbeaten San Miguel Beer – the only other club on a hot streak in the 2009 Motolite PBA Fiesta Conference.
Garcia, of course, is pleased with the success they are reaping and he readily pointed to import Jai Lewis as key to their impressive showing.
Since replacing the out-of-shape Charles Clark on March 11, Lewis – a certified heavyweight at 6-foot-5, 290 lbs – has powered the team to four straight wins while averaging 27 points and 20 boards a night.
“We all know that they are desperately in need of a big man. The presence of Lewis has made Rain or Shine a team to contend with,” observed Sta. Lucia coach Boyet Fernandez.
He stressed though that their scheduled 5 o’clock date Friday afternoon at the Cuneta Astrodome, will be a “test of character” for the Realtors and the Elasto Painters, who are aiming for a fifth straight and sixth in seven games.
It will be interesting to see how Lewis would fare against Sta. Lucia import Anthony Johnson, a quick and versatile scorer, who averages 32 points and 14 rebound a game.
After their game against the Realtors, Lewis will fly to the US the following day for a week-long break. It will be his first trip back home since he accepted a contract to play in the Japan League almost seven months ago.
“He missed his family so we’re giving him his well-deserved break,” said the soft-spoken RoS coach, adding that Lewis’ impending vacation drives him all the more motivated to win their last game before the Holy Week break.
Garcia admits the Realtors will be a tough match-up with their size, experience and deep bench.
“But the good thing about this team is somebody always steps up every game. Teamwork has become they key in our success, we’ll see if we could keep it up,” Garcia said.
Fernandez said the Elasto Painters plays with a lot of energy and passion so his chargers will have to try to compete at the same level
“Our defense will still be our main weapon,” Fernandez said. “But we also have to match their intensity and try stop their running game if we intend to win.”
Philippine Cup champion Talk N Text and runner up Alaska complete the day’s double-header by playing against each other – their first meeting since the title series last month – at 7:30 p.m.
Both teams are coming off frustrating losses.
The Aces crumbled in the closing minutes against the Realtors in a 90-100 defeat while the Tropang Texters blew a 24-point lead and lost to the Barako Bull, 135-133, last Sunday.
TNT is mired at 2-3 while Alaska shares 7th spot with Barako Bull at 2-4.
“Our sense of urgency still isn’t where it needs to be and that’s what we’re trying to impress on the players,” said Alaska coach Tim Cone.
“We’re still trying to climb back the ladder this conference. We’re playing better but not as well as we know we can play,” he added. (DBC)
http://www.pba.ph/content/view/2558/1/
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