MANILA, Philippines – Fresh from their respective wins almost a week ago, two of the most popular teams in the PBA: Brgy. Ginebra San Miguel and Purefoods Star Hotshots collided once again for another Super Ball Sunday - Manila Clasico where the Hotshots decked the Gin Kings, 89-82, on Sunday June 7 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, in Cubao, Quezon City.
During the pre-game interview, Star Hotshot import Marcus “Mr. Everything” Blakely emphasized that Orlando Johnson is a very strong asset for the Gin Kings. “We have played each other in NBA DLeague. He was more of a passer back then. But he has changed.” Uttered by the athletic Purefoods reinforcement in commendation for his fellow-import’s excellent performance.
Meeting and playing Marcus Blakely once again put excitement on Orlando Johnson. With less than 10 seconds passed by after the opening tipoff, Johnson fired a ring-less trey and followed by another long two. Johnson has fully got over of his contusion which he sustained during the game against San Miguel Beermen.
“Big Game” James Yap and Mark “Spark” Caguioa on the other hand, played their best games so far in the season. James Yap had the Best Player of the Game Award with his 26 markers against Kia while Caguioa expressed his complement to his teammates for the win over Globalport and improving their record into 3-4.
Blakely earned his first 5 points from the stripe with local aids from Alex Mallari and Joe Devance to end the first 12 minutes of the game with a 16-point, 25-9 lead.
Orlando Johnson opened the 2nd quarter with a break-away two handed slam to wake up the sleeping Gins. Greg Slaughter coming off the bench immediately sank a short jumper against the smaller Yusef Taha and a follow-up slam from Asian import Jiwan Kim’s missed.
Slowly but surely, Ginebra brought the whole Araneta down with their scoring rally. Sol Mercado buried a three pointer while Orlando Johnson threw a tomahawk jam which prompted Coach Tim Cone to call his first time out of the game.
As the Gins were catching up, Joe Devance and James Yap silenced the crowd with back to back rainbow shots and brought their 16-point lead back and promptly followed by Alex Mallari’s own version of downtown shot.
Coach Frankie Lim has seen enough and called for a 30-second break to re-group his wards. In a very rare occasion, Coach Frankie’s boys heeded to his call initiated by Orlando Johnson and Japeth Aguilar to slash the lead from as high as 19 to just 8, 42-34 entering the penultimate quarter.
Prior to the heated Manila Clasico game, Barako Bull stayed on top of the standings after dismantling Globalport Batang Pier. The Bulls bolster their almost flawless 5-1 record while Globalport skidded to 4th place and tied up with Meralco Bolts with a 4-3 win-loss figures.
Rally continued for Ginebra as Japeth Aguilar soared and one seconded by Orlando Johnson’s three-pointer. Chants of “Ginebra! Ginebra!” echoed inside the coliseum after Sol Mercado tied the game to 42 apiece. Gins finally gained the lead with Aguilar’s follow-up dunk and Sol Mercado’s three.
Jean Marc Pingris committed his 5th personal foul after hacking Orlando Johnson in the baseline while Mark Caguiao left the game with a suspected broken left fingers midway of the 3rd quarter.
Mark Barroca re-gained the lead with a floater plus a foul shot, 64-63 after the 3rd period.
Yusef Taha and Rafi Reavis were both doing the dirty jobs while Marc Pingris was on the bench due to foul trouble. Pingris eventually fouled out with just 2 points. Reavis humiliated and posterized Japeth Aguilar with a one-handed “in-your-face” dunk.
Purefoods have totally regained their composure and managed to bring back their double-digit lead, 73-63 with more than 8 minutes remaining in the final period with most of their points came from their tested and prolific import Marcus Blakely and work-horse local Joe Devance.
Ginebra’s Jiwan Kim tried to close the scoring gap with his 3-pointers but as he scored, Purefoods retaliated and scored back.
With this win, Purefoods retained their no-loss record against Ginebra with Marcus Blakely as their import.
Score:
Purefoods 89 – Devance 26, Blakely 19, Barroca 12, Mallari 9, Yap 7, Simon 7, Taha 5, Pingris 2, Reavis 2, Pennisi 0
Ginebra 82 – Johnson 35, Aguilar 18, Mercado 9, Kim 8, Slaughter 4, Caguioa 4, Tenorio 2, Urbiztondo 1, Marcelo 1, Pena 0, Brondial 0, Helterbrand 0 - D' Waterboy, TheSummitExpress
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| Manila Clasico 2015: Purefoods vs. Ginebra |
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| Purefoods retained their no-loss record against Ginebra with Marcus Blakely as their import. Credit: philippinesports.net |
Meeting and playing Marcus Blakely once again put excitement on Orlando Johnson. With less than 10 seconds passed by after the opening tipoff, Johnson fired a ring-less trey and followed by another long two. Johnson has fully got over of his contusion which he sustained during the game against San Miguel Beermen.
“Big Game” James Yap and Mark “Spark” Caguioa on the other hand, played their best games so far in the season. James Yap had the Best Player of the Game Award with his 26 markers against Kia while Caguioa expressed his complement to his teammates for the win over Globalport and improving their record into 3-4.
Blakely earned his first 5 points from the stripe with local aids from Alex Mallari and Joe Devance to end the first 12 minutes of the game with a 16-point, 25-9 lead.
Orlando Johnson opened the 2nd quarter with a break-away two handed slam to wake up the sleeping Gins. Greg Slaughter coming off the bench immediately sank a short jumper against the smaller Yusef Taha and a follow-up slam from Asian import Jiwan Kim’s missed.
Slowly but surely, Ginebra brought the whole Araneta down with their scoring rally. Sol Mercado buried a three pointer while Orlando Johnson threw a tomahawk jam which prompted Coach Tim Cone to call his first time out of the game.
As the Gins were catching up, Joe Devance and James Yap silenced the crowd with back to back rainbow shots and brought their 16-point lead back and promptly followed by Alex Mallari’s own version of downtown shot.
Coach Frankie Lim has seen enough and called for a 30-second break to re-group his wards. In a very rare occasion, Coach Frankie’s boys heeded to his call initiated by Orlando Johnson and Japeth Aguilar to slash the lead from as high as 19 to just 8, 42-34 entering the penultimate quarter.
Prior to the heated Manila Clasico game, Barako Bull stayed on top of the standings after dismantling Globalport Batang Pier. The Bulls bolster their almost flawless 5-1 record while Globalport skidded to 4th place and tied up with Meralco Bolts with a 4-3 win-loss figures.
Rally continued for Ginebra as Japeth Aguilar soared and one seconded by Orlando Johnson’s three-pointer. Chants of “Ginebra! Ginebra!” echoed inside the coliseum after Sol Mercado tied the game to 42 apiece. Gins finally gained the lead with Aguilar’s follow-up dunk and Sol Mercado’s three.
Jean Marc Pingris committed his 5th personal foul after hacking Orlando Johnson in the baseline while Mark Caguiao left the game with a suspected broken left fingers midway of the 3rd quarter.
Mark Barroca re-gained the lead with a floater plus a foul shot, 64-63 after the 3rd period.
Yusef Taha and Rafi Reavis were both doing the dirty jobs while Marc Pingris was on the bench due to foul trouble. Pingris eventually fouled out with just 2 points. Reavis humiliated and posterized Japeth Aguilar with a one-handed “in-your-face” dunk.
Purefoods have totally regained their composure and managed to bring back their double-digit lead, 73-63 with more than 8 minutes remaining in the final period with most of their points came from their tested and prolific import Marcus Blakely and work-horse local Joe Devance.
Ginebra’s Jiwan Kim tried to close the scoring gap with his 3-pointers but as he scored, Purefoods retaliated and scored back.
With this win, Purefoods retained their no-loss record against Ginebra with Marcus Blakely as their import.
Score:
Purefoods 89 – Devance 26, Blakely 19, Barroca 12, Mallari 9, Yap 7, Simon 7, Taha 5, Pingris 2, Reavis 2, Pennisi 0
Ginebra 82 – Johnson 35, Aguilar 18, Mercado 9, Kim 8, Slaughter 4, Caguioa 4, Tenorio 2, Urbiztondo 1, Marcelo 1, Pena 0, Brondial 0, Helterbrand 0 - D' Waterboy, TheSummitExpress
