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By the Numbers: Aggressiveness and Free Throws: Does Nash Racela Have a Point?

Who was the more aggressive team, really? TNT Coach Nash Racela was left puzzled with the huge disparity in the free throws. The Talk N Text KaTropa were sent packing for an early vacation after they dropped their semifinal series against the crowd favorite, Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings after Ginebra pounded on the ejection of TNT's import, Glen Rice Jr., en route to a 115-105 Game 4 victory for Tim Cone and the rest of the defending champions which sealed another Finals rematch with the Meralco Bolts. But, if you were watching the entire series as this basketball pundit did, then you witnessed how heated and tensed the entire series was especially in the last two games which were both won by the Gin Kings. If the players were tensed, if the fans were tensed, so were both head tacticians, particularly Nash Racela . In fact, during the halftime break of Game 3, he had to be pulled away from Ginebra Governor Alfrancis Chua after both gentlemen n... ... See more

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By the Numbers: Ginebra's Big Numbers from Last Night's Game 46, 25, 21

Ginebra needed big numbers from 3 players to eliminate an import-less TNT team Coach Tim Cone knows one thing: Ginebra will need more of those numbers come the Finals. (Photo by the PBA Media Bureau) Every basketball fan knew that from the moment Glen Rice Jr. got himself ejected after pushing down Ginebra rookie, Kevin Ferrer and even almost hit the latter with the ball, it would have a rippling effect on the flow of the ballgame. For the fans of the defending champions, an ejected TNT import meant that their team could easily score and take the life out of Nash Racela and the rest of the KaTropa. Instead, Talk N Text was able to hold onto the lead despite the departure of their import and even built an 18-point lead only to have Ginebra erase it completely as the Gin Kings completely outplayed Jayson Castro and company in the second half which ended with a 115-105 Ginebra win over the fading TNT KaTropa that cemented a Finals rematch betwe... ... See more

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Comeback is REAL: Brownlee Score 46 Points to Lead Gin Kings

Ginebra Erased an 18-point Lead as Glen Rice Jr. got Ejected The absence of Glen Rice Jr. was too much for TNT as Justin Brownlee scored 46 points. (Photo by the PBA Media Bureau) Okay, folks. If you have seen how heated Game 3 was, how it was filled with fouls, including numerous technical fouls, how close the score was at the end of that tension-filled Game 3, then you can expect more of the same in Game 4 when the Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings will gun for a return to the PBA Governors' Cup Finals while they will be facing off against the Meralco Bolts, a team they've beaten in last year's Finals. On the other hand, Coach Nash Racela and the rest of the Talk N Text KaTropa will need all hands in to win this game and force a sudden death match on Tuesday. For that to happen, the KaTropa will need more than just another monstrous performance from their import, Glen Rice. Jr. As Glen Rice Jr. walked out of the court and later, of the venue, the chances of a... ... See more

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By the Numbers: 3 Reasons why Ginebra vs TNT Game 3 was Equally-Matched

These will explain why the game wasn't decided until the final buzzer Jayson Castro came back to life in the 2nd half to equalize the game. (Photo by the PBA Media Bureau) Let's face it: there were three kinds of fans in last night's Game 3 of the best-of-5 semifinal series between the Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings and the Talk N Text KaTropa: t he happy ones which were the Ginebra, the sad or angry ones which were the fans of Jayson Castro and company and, the neutral ones which enjoyed the result regardless of who won the game. While the entire game was filled with fouls including a notable number of technicals many of which were called against the KaTropa which consequently led to the wide disparity of free throws awarded , can we all agree about one thing? The game was well-matched in terms of statistics because even though Ginebra was able to establish a double-digit lead in the early stages of the game, both teams were struggling with their shot ... ... See more

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By the Numbers: 3 Disparities that Favored Ginebra in Game 3

Whether the Gin Kings will admit it or not, they had help. Lots of it. Glen Rice Jr. torched the Ginebra with 44 points but couldn't deliver in the end. (Photo by the PBA Media Bureau) If you allow a player like Glen Rice Jr. to score 44 points and grab 22 rebounds including 9 offensive rebounds, then your defense is not working to perfection. It means that the player can find other ways to score. That was the case in last night's Game 3 when Rice Jr. started to torch the defending champions, Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings right from the tip-off as he scored 14 points in the first quarter alone. Despite this monstrous performance, the Gin Kings came out victorious as they beat the Talk N Text KaTropa, 106-103, which moved Ginebra one win away from returning to the Finals, should they win tomorrow's Game 4. In a game that was mired by numerous shoving matches between players of both teams which resulted in a number of technical fouls being called mostly agai... ... See more

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Monstrous Performance from Glen Rice Jr with 44 and 20 but Missed Most Important Shot as Ginebra Escapes with the Victory

Gin Kings Use Balance Attack to Inch Closer to Finals Scottie Thompson had 17 points and 12 rebounds in the win. (Photo by the PBA Media Bureau) Just when the Ginebra faithfuls who were watching in Batangas and those who were watching on their respective TVs thought that the Gin Kings would finally take a commanding 2-0 series lead back in Game 2 of their best-of-5 semifinal series, the Talk N Text KaTropa went back to business and disappoint the crowd darlings as the KaTropa won Game 2 to tie the series at 1 game apiece. Now, both the defending champions, the Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings and the KaTropa will slug it out anew to decide to will move within 1 win away from a slot in the PBA Governors' Cup Finals to dance against the already waiting Meralco Bolts. "GI-NE-BRA! GI-NE-BRA!" These were the words that were coming from the mouth of those who were in attendance as they witnessed the Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings moved within one win away from ret... ... See more

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By the Numbers: 3 Awful Things that Almost Doomed Meralco

These things will hamper the Bolts' chances come the Finals- regardless of who they will face Allen Durham logged in 46 minutes in Game 3. (Photo by the PBA Media Bureau) Sure, the Meralco Bolts are heading back to the PBA Governors' Cup Finals after sweeping the Star Hotshots via a 91-88 victory last night. While the players deserve to celebrate being back in the Finals and have another shot at winning the first ever title since coming into the league, we all know as well as Coach Norman Black knows for himself that the Bolts will need to play way better in the Finals compared to how sloppy they performed in Game 3. If anything, Meralco was lucky to be able to come out victorious last night despite their sloppiness. The Bolts will need more than just luck especially if they are to face-off against the defending champions, Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings, again, should the Gin Kings prevail as victors in their on-going semifinal series against the Talk N... ... See more

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By the Numbers: 3 "SAYANG" Numbers that Star Threw Away

Had Star won, these would have been the reasons why Mark Barroca was 2 assists shy of a triple-double. (Photo by the PBA Media Bureau) If you were fortunate to watch last night's Game 3 of the best-of-5 semifinal series between the Star Hotshots and the Finals-bound Meralco Bolts , then you can just imagine the feeling of regret that Star Hotshots Coach Chito Victolero is feeling right now. Let's just put it this way: the Hotshots were down double digits on multiple occasions. They were able to get back into the game and even take the lead in the 4th quarter. They were just 1 defensive stop away from extending this series to a Game 4 but the Bolts were able to score right back and the moment the extra period began, that was when the Hotshots began to falter as the Bolts held Star scoreless for almost 4 minutes in the extra period and by time the Hotshots managed to score, time was no longer on their side. And mind you, folks, Star almost won without Pau... ... See more

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Durham Powers Meralco with 24, Heads to the Finals

Attempted Upset ends in an Upset as Star faltered in the End Meralco defenders limited Kris Acox to only 4 points. (Photo by the PBA Media Bureau) After a come-from-way-behind win in Game 1 and an unmercifully dominant slaughter in Game 2, the Meralco Bolts can book their return trip to the PBA Governors' Cup Finals with a win in Game 3 against the fading Star Hotshots who will have to do without their star, Paul Lee who has been ruled out for the rest of the series. While Paul Lee was never a factor in the first two games, we all know what a Paul Lee can especially if he is healthy. Unfortunately for the wards of Chito Victolero, they must find a way to turn things around and force a Game 4. A win in Game 3 would be a perfect start. Just when Star thought that they can actually beat the Meralco Bolts and they certainly almost did, they faltered at the worst possible time as the Bolts were able to hold on for a 91-88 victory in Game 3, sweeping the best-of-5 semifina... ... See more

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By the Numbers: The 3 Ugly Truths Behind Ginebra's Collapse in Game 2

Electrifying D Won Game 2 Because you cannot win without playing DEFENSE Just when everyone thought that the defending champions would take a commanding 2-0 series lead in front of a favorable crowd in Batangas, the Talk N Text KaTropa immediately went to work right after the tip-off, built a double-digit lead in the early goings of the game, kept their composure intact when the Gin Kings were able to make a comeback and even momentarily took the lead and in the end, the KaTropa were able to hang onto a 103-93 Game 2 victory over the Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings which knotted the series at 1-1. Had TNT lost the game last night, they would be in a tight situation coming into tomorrow's Game 3 because it would mean that they need to win 3 straight games against the same team just to get to the Finals of the PBA Governors' Cup. Fortunately, the players of Coach Nash Racela did many things right, things that they didn't do in the series opener that put them in ... ... See more

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Glen Rice Jr.'s 21 Points Lead TNT in Game 2

Glen Rice was outstanding but Jayson Castro also led with a double-double as TNT avoids going 0-2. Glen Rice Jr. stepped up in the 4th quarter to lead TNT. (Photo by the PBA Media Bureau) The defending champions have already drawn the first blood in this series. They will now have the opportunity to take full control of the series and go within a win away from a second consecutive Governors' Cup Finals appearance and yes, they certainly have the firepower to do so. On the other hand, the Talk N Text KaTropa are hoping to bounce back from a disastrous Game 1 performance and equalize the series at 1 game apiece. The only question is: Can the KaTropa find a way match up against the Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings and avoid being down 0-2 coming into Game 3? They built an 18-point lead. They blew that lead and let Ginebra take the lead, temporarily. Their import, Glen Rice Jr, didn't play an entire quarter due to foul trouble. The odds were against the TNT KaTropa a... ... See more

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By the Numbers: 4 Things That Went Wrong for the Slumping Star

Because basically, everything did go wrong for the Hotshots Here are the four main reasons to their demise however Mark Barroca was the lone starter who scored in double figures. (Photo by the PBA Media Bureau) If you watched last night's Game 2 of the best-of-5 semifinal series between the Meralco Bolts and the Star Hotshots, then you can just imagine how frustrated Chito Victolero is right now. To begin with, Victolero was already frustrated with how the referees handled the game which saw 21 fouls called against the Bolts and 18 against the Hotshots. The Bolts on the other hand, were able to regain their dominant selves as they continuously pounded in on the Hotshots' struggles on both ends of the court as they are ONE win away from another Finals appearance after a 98-74 victory last night. With Game 3 happening tomorrow, with their season on the line, the Star Hotshots have a choice: Improve or, go on an early vacation. To help you explai... ... See more

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The Bolts Return to Dominant Form: Takes a 2-0 Lead

No big lead needed to be erased this time Allen Durham outplayed Kris Acox. Again. (Photo by the PBA Media Bureau) One team can inch closer to a return to the PBA Governors' Cup Finals anew, with a win tonight. Another team can tie the series at 1-1 and bounce back from a forgettable meltdown in Game 1. The Meralco Bolts and the Star Hotshots are aiming for different goals for Game 2 but both will require the same thing for the both of two teams: an all-important win in Game 2. As it turned out, the Meralco Bolts learned from their mistakes in the first game of the series as they regained their dominant form to beat the Star Hotshots in Game 2 of their best-of-5 semifinal series after a 98-74 victory over the Hotshots which puts Meralco one win away from booking their ticket to the Governors' Cup Finals. As soon as Justin Melton scored the Hotshots' first two points of the game, Allen Durham and the Bolts didn't wait long and answer right back. 3... ... See more

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Analyzing the Numbers that Enabled the Gin Kings to Run Away

How Ginebra Won Game 1: The Numbers Glen Rice Jr. had to bleed for his points during the entire game (Photo by the PBA Media Bureau) If anything, their defense both in their lone quarterfinal game against then Grand Slam-seeking San Miguel Beermen and again in Game 1 against the Talk N Text KaTropa got the job done for the defending champions, the Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings who took Game 1 by disorienting the offense of the KaTropa on a 121-94 victory to start their best-of-5 semifinal series. While defense was Tim Cone's main weapon against a TNT that has a Jayson Castro who can score at will given the opportunity, there were other things that Gin Kings did right and efficiently which inched them 2 more wins of another Finals appearance. The Numbers: 54 The bench players of Ginebra provided the needed reinforcement in last night's victory as they combined for 54 points, outscoring their TNT counterparts who only scored 30 points. Greg Slaughter conti... ... See more

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semifinals Feed

By the Numbers: Aggressiveness and Free Throws: Does Nash Racela Have a Point?

By the Numbers: Ginebra's Big Numbers from Last Night's Game 46, 25, 21

Comeback is REAL: Brownlee Score 46 Points to Lead Gin Kings

By the Numbers: 3 Reasons why Ginebra vs TNT Game 3 was Equally-Matched

By the Numbers: 3 Disparities that Favored Ginebra in Game 3

Monstrous Performance from Glen Rice Jr with 44 and 20 but Missed Most Important Shot as Ginebra Escapes with the Victory

By the Numbers: 3 Awful Things that Almost Doomed Meralco

By the Numbers: 3 "SAYANG" Numbers that Star Threw Away

Durham Powers Meralco with 24, Heads to the Finals

By the Numbers: The 3 Ugly Truths Behind Ginebra's Collapse in Game 2

Glen Rice Jr.'s 21 Points Lead TNT in Game 2

By the Numbers: 4 Things That Went Wrong for the Slumping Star

The Bolts Return to Dominant Form: Takes a 2-0 Lead

Analyzing the Numbers that Enabled the Gin Kings to Run Away

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