Douthit lead Express to first win after a long time

Air 21 Express (1-0) 97 – 88 Barako Bull Energy(1-2)

After going 0 for 14 in the All-Filipino Cup, the Air 21 Express (formerly Shopinas.com) finally find its winning grove. Maybe, the name has some kind of effect. Maybe, the presence of Naturalized import Marcus Douthit brought the winning attitude. Whatever it is, the win gave many people behind the Lina franchise a big sigh of relief specially Coach Franz Pumaren. It doe not matter if the win is at the expense of sister team Barako Bull. Right from the first quarter, the Express were lights out as they lead by 20 after first 12 minutes of the game. Barako Bull tried to rally in final canto but the gap was to big to overcome.

Douthit finished with 16 points and 7 rebounds. His scoring is quiet low for imports but he got ample support from the locals led by Nelbert Omolon, RJ Jazul, James Sena, and Mark Isip who all scored in double digits and combined for 55 points. Dermarr Johnson had a 37 point night for Barako Bull but he did not get much local support as only Willie Miller (14) and Wynne Arboleda (12) scored more than 10 markers. The win gave the Express a perfect start of the new conference while Barako fell to 1-2.

Fazekas works hard for Petron

Petron Blaze Boosters (1-2) 84 – 77 B-Meg Llamados (2-1)

The main game had a similar story with the first game as the Boosters ended a 2 game slide (5 game losing streak if we include last conference’s semifinals) with a victory over sister team B-Meg Llamados. The loss also ended the Llamados’ 2 game winning run. Petron made a strong run in the first quarter to lead by 13 in the first 12 minutes. They practically held on to the lead for the rest of the game.

Import Nicholas Fazekas had 23 points, 16 caroms, and 4 swats to lead the Boosters. Arwind Santos had a double-double with 10 points, 14 rebounds along with 3 blocks. Joseph Yeo, Alex Cabagnot, and Dennis Miranda also finished in double figures. The Llamados were led by Denzel Bowles’ 22 points-10 rebounds performance.James Yap and Peter June Simon are the only locals who made more than 10 markers.  The Llamados wasted many opportunities to come back has they only shot 50% (12-24) from the free throw line while Petron made 16 of 22. The Boosters improved their record to 1-2 while the Llamados fell to 1-2.

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Players 6: Olles FC over Center For International Education

Players 8: Barili FC over FFA Masbate

Players 10: Cebu International School wins against DBTC-A

Girls 17: SHS-Ateneo tops Saint Theresa’s College

Boys 17: USC beats Abellana National School

Girls 19: USC outpoints SHS-Ateneo

Boys 19: Abellana National School over University of San Carlos

36-above: ERCO FC over Rising Sun

42-above: ERCO FC noses out San Roque FC

Men’s Open: KTEK Trading won via shootout against San Roque Nawanao

Women’s Open: San Roque FC (due to the disqualification of Chicos)

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Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters (1-0) 102 – 96 Meralco Bolts (1-2)

The defending champions Talk ‘N Text started their defense with a win against sister team Meralco Bolts. Import Omar Samhan dominated the boards by scoring 20 points, grabbing 20 rebounds and blocking 4 shots. Samhan actually had a tough debut as he missed his first 9 shots. Meralco import Jarrid Famous had 28 points and 13 rebounds. The game was nip and tuck from the start but the Tropang Texters was able to finally pull away in the overtime period behind Samhan’s 6 points.

Samhan got a lot of local support as Jimmy Alapag, Jason Castro, Kelly Williams, and recent Finals MVP Larry Fonacier scored in double figures. Mark Cardona and Chris Ross combined for 44 points, 14 rebounds, 14 assists, and 6 steals for the losers.

Talk ‘N Text (102) – Samhan 24, Alapag 14, Castro 13, Williams 12, Dillinger 10, Fonacier 10, De Ocampo 9, Peek 6, Aguilar 4, Carey 0.

Meralco (96) – Famous 28, Cardona 25, Ross 19, Hugnatan 10, Borboran 6, Espinas 5, Aljamal 2, Taulava 1, Timberlake 0, Macapagal 0, Artadi 0.

Quarterscores: 19-22; 45-42; 68-68; 92-92; 102-96.

Powerade Tigers (1-0) 122 – 120  Rain or Shine Elasto Painters (0-2)

The Powerade Tigers has once again shown that they have the number of the Yeng Guiao-coached Rain or Shine Elasto Painters. After being down much early in the game, the Tigers unleashed under 4th quarter comeback behind the hot hands of Gary David, rookie Jvee Casio, and import Dwayne Jones. David scored 32 points and hit the game breaking trifecta for a 122-119 lead with 13 seconds left in the game. Rain or Shine only managed to get 1 point in its final possession behind Gabe Norwood‘s free throw.

Dwayne Jones had 34 points 21 rebounds. Painter’s Duke Crewes had 23 points and 12 rebounds. Casio finished the game with 14 points and 13 assists. Marcio Lassiter and reserve big man Ricky Calimag also scored in double figures for the Tigers. Five locals led by Gabe Norwood and Jeff Chan scored more than ten points each for the Painters.

Powerade (122) – Jones 34, David 32, Casio 14, Lassiter 13, Calimag 11, Anthony 9, Vanlandingham 6, Allera 3, Martinez 0, Lingganay 0, Kramer 0, Cruz 0, Adducul 0.

Rain or Shine (120) – Crews 23, Norwood 16, Chan 13, Arana 13, Quinahan 12, Cruz 10, Belga 9, Lee 8, Buenafe 7, Ibanes 7,Matias 2.

Quarterscores: 24-33; 50-59; 83-94; 122-120.

Alaska Aces (2-1) 76 – 74 Barangay Ginebra Kings (1-1)

In the out of town Saturday game, the Alaska Aces made a magical comeback against the Barangay Ginebra Kings in Lucena City. L.A. Tenorio scored 7 points in the last 19 seconds that comprised of a rare 4-point play and a game winning 3-point shot. With the Aces down 69-72, Tenorio made an improbable 3-point shot just as Mike Cortez was trying to foul him. He made the bonus free throw for a 73-72 lead. Kerby Raymundo made a fade-away with 6 seconds left to give back the lead to the Kings. Tenorio, however, was not done as he drilled another three with 2 seconds left to shock the pro-Ginebra crowd. All in all, Tenorio finished the game with 23 points. Cyrus Baguio top scored with 29 points. Mark Caguioa, Mike Cortez and Raymundo combined for 44 points. The imports negated each other as Adam Parada and Chris Alexander only scored 7 points apiece.

Alaska (76) — Baguio 29, Tenorio 23, Parada 7, Baracael 5, Thoss 4, Reyes 4, Bugia 2, Custodio 2, Eman 0, Salamat 0.

Ginebra (74) — Caguioa 19, Cortez 13, Raymundo 12, Ababou 9, Alexander 7, Helterbrand 5, Canaleta 4, Labagala 3, Mamaril 1, Wilson, W. 1

Quarterscores: 18-17, 32-41, 58-56, 76-74

Games today

Barako Bull Energy vs. Air 21 Express

Petron Blaze Boosters vs. B-Meg Llamados

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Joe Louis Arena has witnessed one of the longest winning streaks in U.S. professional sports. The home team Detroit Red Wings (40-17-2) increased their NHL record of 21 straight wins to 22 when they beat the Nashville Predators (33-19-6). The 22nd win was so dramatic as the Wings managed to get Pavel Datsyuk‘s game-winner with only 5 seconds left.

Detroit has now 82 points in the season and they currently lead the NHL points standings. The next best team is the defending Western Conference champions Vancouver Canucks with 78 points with 2 games less. The New York Islanders with 79 points leads the East. Detroit has won 5 straight overall.They are just 15-15-1 in the road. They will next play the San Jose Shark to extend their NHL record home game winning streak.

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After 7 wins of Linsanity, sanity is somehow restored in New York as the New Orleans Hornets handed the Knicks its first loss since February 3. Jeremy Lin finished with 26 points but had 9 turnovers in their 89-85 loss. Amare Stoudemire also scored 26 for New York. Trevor Ariza led the Hornets with 25 markers.

The Knicks will be getting star Carmelo Anthony and they just recently signed former Denver Nugget J.R. Smith. The loss dropped the Knicks record to 15-16 and they currently hold the 8th best record in the Eastern conference. They are 5 games behind the Philadelphia 76ers in the Atlantic Conference standings.

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By winning against the Sacramento Kings today, the New York Knicks extended its winning streak to 7. The streak started last February 4 when Coach Mike D’Antoni gave significant minutes to now-cult hero Jeremy Lin against the New Jersey Nets. Lin responded to score 25 points in 36 minutes. The next game against the Jazz, Lin only sat for 3 minutes and scoring 28 points with 8 assists in a 99-88 win. He got his first double-double (23 points 10 assists) against John Wall and the Washington Wizards on February 8. “Linsanity” erupted in New York when Lin outscored Kobe Bryant in its 92-85 conquest of the Lakers on February 10. Jeremy Lin scored a career high 38 points. The streak extended to five, when the Knicks rallied past the Minnesota Timberwolves behind Lin’s 20 point- 8 assist game. On February 14, he broke the hearts of the Raptor fans by making his first career game winner in a 90-87 win over the Toronto Raptors. He also established a career high in assist in that game by dishing out 11 along with his 27 points.

In today’s win over the Kings, Lin for the first time in the streak failed to reach 20 points. He only scored 10 but for the second straight night, he increased his assist career high as he made 13. The streak has reenergized the Knicks and gave them hope that their team can be playoff beaters. From a super under-achieving 8-15 team, Lin turned the Knicks to a dangerous .500 team (15-15). Coupled with Boston’s loss to Detroit today, New york is just a game behind the vaunted Celtics in the Atlantic Standings (Philadelphia leads the division at 20-10).

Their next match will be against the New Orleans Hornets and the Knicks will soon get back All-Star Carmelo Anthony. With Amare Stoudamire back, the Knicks is getting stronger every day. The “Lin-sane” streak could go further. Stay tuned.

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Later in the night, Orcollo was sent packing by Polish Karol Skowerski. The Philippines has still a big chance though as Gomez, Corteza, and Biado are no pushovers.  Here are the results of Day 3:

FINAL 64
Race to 9, Alternate Break

Dennis Orcullo(PHI) 9 – 5 Nasser Al Mujaibel(KUW)
Vilmos Foldes(HUN) 9 – 5 Kuo Po Chen(TPE)
Niels Feijen(NED) 9 – 1 Saleh Mohammed(KUW)
Ko Pin Yi(TPE) 9 – 5 Raymund Faraon(PHI)
Jalal Yousef(VEN) 9 – 5 Konstantin Stepanov(RUS)
Karol Skowerski(POL) 9 – 6 Shaker Wahdan(JOR)
Liu Haitao(CHN) 9 – 6 Abdulatef Fawal(QAT)
Max Eberle(USA) 9 – 7 Ralf Souquet(GER)
Fu Chei Wei(TPE) 9 – 7 Reiner Wirsbitzki(GER)
Ahmad Jallad(JOR) 9 – 8 Joven Alba(PHI)
Hwang Yong(KOR) 9 – 8 Demosthenes Pulpul(PHI)
Mika Immonen(FIN) 9 – 7 Omran Salem(UAE)
Lee Van Corteza(PHI) 9 – 2 Lee Chen Man(HKG)
Nguyen Phuc Long(VIE) 9 – 8 Amin Fekry(UAE)
Serge Das(BEL) 9 – 7 So Shaw(IRI)
Nick van den Berg(NED) 9 – 7 Karl Boyes(GBR)
Li Hewen(CHN) 9 – 3 Darren Appleton(GBR)
Carlo Biado(PHI) 9 – 2 Elmer Haya(PHI)
Imran Majid(GBR) 9 – 5 Kenny Chi Ho Kwok(HKG)
Oliver Ortman(GER) 9 – 3 Lo Li Wen(JPN)
Huidji See(NED) 9 – 4 Dominic Jentsch(GER)
Bruno Muratore(ITA)9 –4 Radislaw Babica(POL)
Chang Jun Lin(TPE) 9 –6 Carlos Cabello(ESP)
Salah Al-Rimawi(UAE) 9 – 5 Daryl Peach(GBR)
Toru Kuribayashi(JPN) 9 — 7 Tomasz Kaplan(POL)
Thorsten Hohmann(GER) 9 – 2 Ryoji Aoki(JPN)
Chris Melling(GBR) 9 –5 Omer Al Serkal(UAE)
Fancisco Diaz-Pizarro(ESP) 9 — 4 Omar Al Shaheen(KUW)
Roberto Gomez(PHI) 9 – 4 Mario He(AUT)
Mark Gray(GBR) 9 – 3 Maghsoud Ali(IRI)
Hijikata Hajato(JPN) 9 – 8 Takhti Zarekani(IRI)
Yukio Akagariyama(JPN)9 –2 Elvis Calasang(PHI)

ROUND OF 32 MATCHES

Karol Skowerski(POL) 9 – 3 Dennis Orcullo(PHI)
Ko Pin Yi(TPE) 9 – 2 Niels Feijen(NED)
Liu Haitao(CHN) 9 – 7 Vilmos Foldes(HUN)

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The Marvelous 9 are:

1. Defending World 8-Ball Champ Dennis Orcollo

2. National Open Champ Carlo Biado

3. 2007 World 9-Ball runner-up Roberto Gomez

4. 2010 US 10-Ball champ Lee Van Corteza

5. Joven Alba

6. Raymund Faraon

7. Elmer Haya

8. Demosthenes Pulpul

9. Elvis Calasang

Among the 9, Biado and Haya will be facing each other in the Round of 64 while the rest will face a foreign pool artist.

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A popular Cuban player in a Miami Marlins uniform will not happen this season as news of Yoenis Cespedes signing with Oakland Athletics is reported by several sports websites. He is said to have agreed to the 4 year $36 Million dollar offer by the A’s which is managed by Moneyball‘s Billy Beane.

The signing was a bit surprising for the baseball followers as he was expected to sign with the Marlins. There were also other teams who were interested in acquiring the Cuban star who is touted to be a 5-tool player. Teams like the Detroit Tigers, Chicago White Sox, and Cleveland Indians were mentioned as the ones on the running on signing him. Oakland’s interest never made the news.

Spring training is around the corner and people will start evaluating his performance soon and compare it to the amount of money the A’s is giving him. Many say he is ready but he also has his share of critics. One thing sure though, a lot of fans will be watching if this Cuban star will shine in the MLB.

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