GINEBRA seems to have what it takes in its bid to reclaim the PBA Governors Cup crown it lost last year.

Coach Tim Cone, however, was not so sure, saying his charges are suffering from

inconsistency.

“We’ve been a team of two halves all conference long,” said the league’s winningest coach.

“We’ve played one average or below average half and then one great half. Today, we played the average half in the first half and then they played the great half in the second. We gotta find a way to kinda smooth that out.”

Cone spoke after Ginebra played a terrific second half to bury defending champion Magnolia 105-83 last Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The win was the Kings’ second straight against powerhouse teams, coming on the heels of a 129-124 victory over Grand Slam-seeking San Miguel Beer the Sunday before.

Cone was admittedly taken aback by the seeming ease with which the Kings pulled it off against the Hotshots, but also expressed pleasure in their continued rise in the standings.
“We’re surprised. I’m absolutely surprised that we were able to put that game away like we did,” said Cone after Ginebra jacked its record to 3-2, good for fifth.

“It was big in the standings, we stayed at two losses now,” noted Cone. “I think there’re only five teams now with only two losses or less. We were really looking at the standings going into this game. We knew this was a big game for us to win, to knock them to four losses and also to get the quotient. Big performance for us.”

If only the Kings would play solid in both halves.

“We were doing a lot of stuff individually. We had six three-point shots made in the first quarter and yet we were still down by five after that,” said Cone.

“That’s really not our game. The ball wasn’t moving. We talked about the ball whizzing around, it wasn’t whizzing around. The ball was very slow going around the court.”

Ginebra only had seven assists in the first half, giving Cone fits.

“At halftime, even though we were leading by one point (35-34), we said that if we play like we did in that first half we are not going to beat this (Magnolia) team,” related Cone.

“This team is too good. We really needed to tighten our game up, especially defensively, and get more ball movement.”

Heeding Cone’s words, Ginebra did play more in synch in the second half. The Kings boomed in six 3s in the third quarter to eventually gain separation from Magnolia. Stanley Pringle accounted for the first two of those bombs that gave his side some breathing room at 58-49.

Romeo Travis’ jumper brought Magnolia within 56-60 but momentum was simply on the side of Ginebra as Jeff Chan drained two straight triples to spark an 11-0 burst. Another Chan trey with 2:30 to go in the period even hiked the lead to 75-59.

The Kings turned up the heat even more in the fourth quarter, stretching their lead to as large as 103-76 before officially dropping the Hotshots to a third straight loss and a 3-4 slate overall.

FOLLOWING Alaska’s breakthrough win, coach Jeffrey Cariaso is now optimistic on his team’s continued rise from the cellar.

But such hopefulness was expressed in a guarded way, because up next for the Aces are the rampaging TNT KaTropa today in the PBA Governors Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.

Blackwater also hopes to use the momentum gained from its latest win when it collides with Meralco in the nightcap.

A second straight win by the Elite will jack their record to an even 3-3 and push them into a tie for fifth with idle Columbian and Magnolia.

But the Bolts are raring to bounce back from a 113-116 loss to TNT last Saturday, when the former blew as much as a 19-point lead.

Meralco is sure to have learned its lesson from that bitter experience and has prepared enough to pull off its fourth win against two defeats.

“We would have to be at our best again against a very good team like Meralco,” said Blackwater coach Aris Dimaunahan.

“Ang dagdag-hirap lang dito, we have less than 24 hours to do a quick turnaround and I just hope it would be enough,” Dimaunahan added.

Dimaunahan spoke shortly after the Elite notched a 95-89 victory over defending champion Magnolia last Wednesday, when the Hotshots played minus Romeo Travis.

It also didn’t hurt that Dimaunahan, his staff and management also decided on having Marqus Blakely finish out the rest of the tournament and let go of original choice Aaron Fuller.

Meralco has Allen Durham to negate and even surpass Blakely’s efforts, however.

The two-time Best Import winner has been averaging 29.60 points, 6.4 assists and 5.6 rebounds and, together with Raymond Almazan (15.0 points, 6.2 rebounds, 1.40 blocks) spearhead a formidable Bolts frontline.

Basically, Alaska has the same problem with TNT.

KJ McDaniels and Troy Rosario have been a lethal combination for the KaTropa and, together with Roger Pogoy and Jayson Castro, form a solid core that propelled them to six straight wins.

Despite being assured of the first seat in the eight-team quarterfinals, TNT has shown little signs of stopping with coach Bong Ravena still emphasizing the need to improve on defense.

SINCE his FIBA-imposed suspension was lifted in late August and finally returning to PBA action, Kiefer Ravena has been doing it all for NLEX, scoring, assisting and rebounding.

The 25-year-old is being asked to add another role, which is to help speed up Manny Harris’ acclimatization to the Road Warriors’ style of play and his local teammates.

Such fast-tracking is necessary because Harris is set to be introduced to league play when NLEX takes on dangerous Columbian today in the Governors Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.

In the nightcap, defending champion Magnolia tries to get back on track when it battles a Blackwater crew also bristling to bounce back from a loss.

The Hotshots are coming off a sorry 89-90 decision to San Miguel Beer last Friday, cutting short their winning streak at three and relegating them to fourth.

What should even out the odds is the fact Marqus Blakely has been activated by Blackwater in lieu of Aaron Fuller and the former Best Import now gets to face his original PBA team.
Magnolia’s Romeo Travis, meanwhile, is still not 100 percent due to the ankle sprain he suffered in the SMB game.

Inclusion among the top four is precisely what NLEX is targeting and is trying to bolster that bid by bringing in Harris for Olu Ashaolu, who has been deemed incapable of helping the Road Warriors go deep in the season-ending conference.

A top four finish is rewarded with a twice-to-beat advantage over a lower-ranked foe in the eight-team quarterfinals.

Harris flew in just last Saturday and has been cramming up on the team’s plays while getting to know his teammates better.

That’s where Ravena comes in.

Harris and Ravena got to know each other during their stint with the Texas Legends in NBA D-League play in 2016, when Harris was on the active list and Ravena, then just 22, in the team’s developmental roster.

Despite Ravena’s help, NLEX coach Yeng Guiao has his concerns.

“Having a new import and blending him with the team in a short period of time,” noted Guiao. “We’re just hoping that we are able to defend their guards and import enough to minimize their efficiency.”

Indeed, Columbian seems to have fully put its former tag of whipping boy behind it, thanks mainly to the sterling plays of Khapri Alston and rookie sensation CJ Perez.

“They’re a very dangerous team, one that’s getting better every game,” said Guiao. “Their confidence level is very high and they are coming together as a team.”

Coach Johnedel Cardel is hoping Harris’ relative unfamiliarity with NLEX would work to the advantage of the Dyip, who are hoping to get past the eliminations for the first time under him and should move closer to that goal with a fitting follow-up to their 102-90 win over Blackwater also last Friday.

“Siyempre, bagong import at hindi pa sanay dito sa PBA style of play kaya p’wedeng maging disadvantage sa kanila iyon,” said Cardel.

“Pero meron pa rin silang Kiefer and the other guards kaya we have to do a good job of defending their backcourt like what we did against Blackwater para mas gumanda chances naming manalo,” added Cardel.

Ravena has been averaging 18.6 points, 9.40 assists and 5.0 rebounds and is coming off a 13-point, 17-assist performance in NLEX’s 113-111 overtime victory over Ginebra last Oct. 5 in Dubai.

Philip Paniamogan, Kenneth Ighalo, JR Quinahan and Bong Galanza have also been relatively consistent for Guiao, but Harris should help.

Based on his wide experience that included stints in Ukraine, Greece, China and most recently Turkey, and innate basketball savvy, Harris should be a quick study.

The former Michigan standout is a known scorer since his high school and college days that earned him stints with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles Lakers and, briefly, with the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA.

THE shock trade that sent Christian Standhardinger to NorthPort in exchange for Mo Tautuaa was founded on need.

According to a usually reliable source, the Batang Pier initiated the deal to gain a big man who can keep in step with coach Pido Jarencio’s preferred up-tempo style of play, much like what Standhardinger usually does.

The Beermen acquired a big man who can mix it up inside while occasionally booming in a triple. Tautuaa is known for that.

“It’s a win-win situation because they each got what they needed,” said the insider.

The fruits of the trade, announced Monday night and approved by Commissioner Willie Marcial yesterday, should be known soon. An initial glimpse of how the trade works out for both sides should be had when they collide on Oct. 23.

SMB coach Leo Austria was happy for Standhardinger, knowing the Fil-German, the top pick last season, can now have more playing time he could not get with the Beermen and its solid core anchored on prized center June Mar Fajardo.

“I’m sure maipapakita na niya ‘yung full potential niya sa NorthPort,” Austria said yesterday.

“Christian helped us a lot in winning the last two championships, especially in the last conference where he played solid defense against (TNT import Terrence) Jones,” added Austria.

“I’m happy for him because he was able to contribute a lot dito and now he can get the playing time he needs sa NorthPort.”

The numbers do tell such tale.

From a high of 35.42 minutes a game and averages of f 23.27 points and 13.64 rebounds in last year’s Governors Cup, Standhardinger’s playing time and numbers have steadily declined. He was averaging just 3.5 points and 4.0 rebounds on 12.78 minutes per game in the current season-ending conference.

At first glance, SMB seems to be the big winner.

Tautuaa, the No. 1 overall pick by TNT in 2015 who was traded to NorthPort in April of last year, has been averaging 11.3 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 2.3 assists in the ongoing tournament and is expected to provide a big boost inside for San Miguel, which is seeking a rare grand slam this season.

The source begged to differ, however.

“Ang thinking ng both sides, pareho lang silang inconsistent,” offered the insider. “But it’s still too early to tell. Standhardinger may yet regain his stride and remember that Tautuaa has to fight for his minutes against Fajardo and Kelly Nabong.”

ALASKA got one piece back and he immediately provided the difference.

Jeron Teng marked his long-awaited return to action by making some clutch plays in the stretch and helping the Aces notch a breakthrough 78-71 win over Rain or Shine last night in the PBA Governors Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Showing no ill effects of the hamstring injury that kept him on the sidelines in Alaska’s first five games, Teng finished with 18 points, including eight in the final quarter that helped keep Rain or Shine at bay.

The sophomore pro added nine rebounds and two assists, none bigger than the nifty inbound pass to a cutting Jayvee Casio that resulted in a layup and put the Aces safely away 76-70, only 17.7 ticks left.

“Absolutely,” Alaska coach Jeffrey Cariaso said when asked if Teng chiefly contributed to the win that pulled his team abreast of its victim at 1-5.

“Clear naman na medyo kulang kami sa position niya at small forward, someone who can defend, rebound, score,” added Cariaso. “Big help, Jeron.”

The loss was Rain or Shine’s fourth straight despite Kayel Locke notching a second straight double-double of 25 points and 10 boards.

No other Elasto Painter scored in double figures, however, and they collectively made just seven of 18 field goal tries in the fourth period to showcase another poor shooting night.

Still, Rain or Shine, which trailed by as much as 48-60 in the third quarter, managed to muster enough to come within four points twice, the last at 70-74 off a Locke basket, 47 ticks remaining.

Then came the Teng-Casio hookup that proved decisive.

“Just really happy to get that monkey off our back,” said Cariaso, who was tapped to replace former chief Alex Compton just last Aug. 21.

His players sticking to their gameplan also helped.

“In our other games there would be one quarter where we played okay,” said Cariaso.

“Tonight we sustained it for the entire four quarters. More than anything, I’m really happy with (Rain or Shine’s) 71 (points). That’s what we were specific about the whole week, defending.”

Cariaso, however, wouldn’t go so far as saying the win would start a streak, especially up next is TNT, which improved to 6-0 and officially claimed the first quarterfinals seat last Saturday following a 116-113 victory over Meralco.

“I can’t say tuloy-tuloy na,” said Cariaso. “We’d just focus on the good things we did tonight and use them against TNT. We have to better the way we performed tonight so we can have a chance.”

ONE streak will be snapped when defending champion Magnolia and San Miguel Beer collide tonight in the PBA Governors Cup at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Columbian and Blackwater tangle in the opener, with each team looking to enhance its chances of making it to the quarterfinals.

SMB and Magnolia have won their last three games and consider the match as one true gauge of their respective bids to top the season-ending conference.

More so for the grand slam-seeking Beermen, who are set to meet another powerhouse team in Ginebra in just two days.

“Kaya nga we consider this game against Magnolia as very crucial and a real test,” said coach Leo Austria.

“At the same time, gusto rin naming makita kung hanggang saan na ang readiness namin to win this conference at alam naman natin na itong Magnolia would be giving us a tough challenge,” Austria added.

Indeed, Magnolia should prove to be a handful.

After opening their title-retention bid on a sour note, the Hotshots have gone on a tear capped by a 95-90 win over Alaska last Sunday.

The Columbian-Blackwater match is equally critical for the protagonists.

A win by the Dyip will jack their record to 3-2 and solidify their hold on sixth-running spot, a position the Elite want to wrest should they notch a second straight victory and improve to 2-2.

“Our aim is maka-back-to-back para tumaas ang standing namin at gumanda spot,” said Backwater coach Aris Dimaunahan, whose team is coming off a 107-98 conquest of NorthPort last Saturday that tied it at eighth with Ginebra.
Columbian coach Johnedel Cardel is of the same mind.

“Kailangang manalo kami bukas (Friday). Importante sa amin iyon,” said Cardel, who has been nursing the flu since his team dropped a 120-125 decision to TNT also last Saturday.
“Kapag nanalo bukas, medyo mas lalaki ang chance namin to make it to quarterfinals kaya sabi ko kailangang kunin namin bukas,” Cardel added.

To enhance its chances and better match up against Columbian inside operator Khapri Alston , Blackwater has decided to replace Marqus Blakely with Aaron Fuller, but some of the spotlight should also fall on the rematch between rookie sensations Bobby Ray Parks of the Elite and CJ Perez of the Dyip.

Parks missed the Philippine Cup due to his ABL commitments but had 23 points, five rebounds and as many assists —to Perez’s 17 points and seven boards — in towing Blackwater to victory in their initial matchup last May 26.

Currently, Parks is averaging 29.3 points, 3.3 rebounds and as many dimes while Perez has his own stats line of 24.75 points, 10.25 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.25 steals an outing.

TNT coach Bong Ravena should not be too sore with his team on this one.

Despite giving up another 30-point quarter, the tournament-leading KaTropa still emerged a 103-100 winner over NorthPort last night in a thriller of a match to stay unbeaten in the PBA Governors Cup at the Astrodome.

Troy Rosario scattered 17 of his 22 points in the final period and joined hands with KJ McDaniels in sparking and finishing a furious finishing kick by TNT that propped it back from a nine-point deficit and into its fifth win in as many games.

It also didn’t hurt the KaTropa that Ryan Reyes pulled off a steal off Mychal Ammons in the last two seconds, preventing the Batang Pier from scoring a putback that would have overhauled their one-point deficit.

That swipe also led to two free throws by Rosario that made it a 103-101 game, a count that stood when Sean Anthony’s three-point try fell short at the buzzer.

It was the closest winning margin by the KaTropa yet after topping Phoenix Pulse and Columbian by five, tempering Ravena’s elation.

“Another tough game for us. NorthPort really made it tough for us. A little improvement on our defense, especially in the latter part of the game,” said Ravena. “We just have to continue working hard, especially on defense.”

McDaniels wound up with game-highs of 30 points and 18 rebounds along with five assists while Roger Pogoy added 17. Even Jayson Castro came alive in the final canto where he scored six of his 10 points.

The loss was the fourth straight for NorthPort, dropping it to a 1-4 slate.

Garvo Lanete came off the bench to lead the Batang Pier with 23 points, Ammons had 14 points and 12 boards. Robert Bolick chipped in 12 points while Kevin Ferrer and Paolo Taha each wound up with at least 10 each.

All those helped NorthPort come up with a 32-point third quarter that completed its rise from an early 13-point deficit and gave it control.

The momentum seemed to carry over into the early minutes of the fourth period as the Batang Pier stretched their lead to as much as 82-73, 8:48 to go.

Then TNT’s big guns, led by Rosario, started finding their mark.

Rosario strung up nine points and had a total 12 during a 13-7 surge from a 77-84 count before McDaniels took over with six straight points to start an 8-6 exchange that put TNT on top 98-97.

Ferrer boomed in a triple, but Rosario answered right back with his own bomb to give the edge back to the KaTropa.

SEVERELY tested in its last two games, TNT is now up for another tough challenge.

It’s the main reason why coach Bong Ravena wants the KaTropa to display more tenacity on defense when they tackle the NorthPort Batang Pier today and stay on top of the PBA Governors Cup heap at the Astrodome.

Rain or Shine and Phoenix Pulse collide in the nightcap with both teams looking to snap out of a two-game skid, but must do so despite being not at full strength.

Elasto Painter James Yap has been ruled out for at least the next two weeks due to a recurring groin injury.

Worse off are the Fuel Masters, who already have Alex Mallari and JC Intal in the injured list and top gunner Matthew Wright a gametime decision due to a foot injury.

At first glance, TNT is heavily favored since it has so far racked up four wins in as many games while NorthPort has lost three straight and is now at 1-3.

According to Ravena, the KaTropa must fine-tune one critical facet of their game if they hope to hurdle the bristling Batang Pier.

“Defense,” stressed Ravena on the eve of the match. “We have to prevent our opponent from scoring more than 90 points.”

TNT has engaged its last two opponents in veritable shootouts before holding off Phoenix and Columbian via 123-118 and 125-120 counts, respectively.

That simply would not do, insisted Ravena. “Our last two games we were not good,” he stated. “We barely made it in our last game. We cannot play like that on defense.”

Besides, NorthPort should be more dangerous now with Sean Anthony back in harness and slowly regaining his old all-around form.

After missing the first three games due to an ankle surgery, Anthony finally suited up in the Batang Pier’s last game and tallied six points, eight rebounds and five assists in a 98-107 loss to Blackwater.

Anthony’s presence should ease some of the pressure off Mo Tautuaa, Mychal Ammons and Robert Bolick and give coach Pido Jarencio additional veteran on-court leadership and another body on TNT’s prolific import KJ McDaniels.

McDaniels has been leading all comers with an average of 34.8 points on top of 15.0 rebounds, 6.0 assists and 4.25 blocks.

Chief support for the former Houston Rocket has been provided by Roger Pogoy, Troy Rosario, Jayson Castro and Don Trollano, each averaging at least 15.25 points an outing.

With offense hardly a problem, Ravena wants his players to give equal focus on making plays on the other end of the court.

“’Yung old saying na defense wins championships,” said Ravena. “That’s why we must be on-point in making stops if we hope to at least stretch our streak.”