Purefoods has comeback from a 0-2 and 3-1 series deficit in the past and is only 1 of 2 teams to win 3 straight wins after being down 3-1 (against Alaska in 2006). Will history repeat itself? Derby Ace will try to take it one game at a time and try to stop Powerhouse San Miguel in Game 5 Today at the Araneta Coliseum.

In order for the Llamados to win, they must match the energy and intensity of the Beermen specially Gabe Freeman who has been killing them with his rebounding. The locals specially Derby Ace bench must show up tonight to keep fresh legs on the floor specially Paul Artadi, Nino Canaleta, Peter June Simon and Rico Maierhofer.

But the key in Game 5 is rebounding (this is where we are missing the services of Kerby Raymundo and Marc Pingris, who is playing with an injury) and of course the play of Derby Ace Import Tony Washam is critical, Washam played poorly in the 3 games that Derby Ace lost to San Miguel, we hope his championship experience in other leagues will show tonight.

Go B-meg Derby Ace Llamados!

With both Alaska and San Miguel holding a 2-1 lead in their respective best-of-seven semifinals series, Derby Ace and Talk N Text hopes to even their series and not fall into a 3-1 deficit which is difficult to come back specially against tough opponents like the Aces and the Beermen.

The Llamados hopes to have a similar game on the 1st half of Game 3 where they controlled both ends of the floor, but must be consistent in all quarters so that they will not let San Miguel come back again at the end of the game. Last conference, Derby Ace (Purefoods TJ Giants) also had a 2-1 deficit in the semifinals and eventually won three straight games against San Miguel to enter the finals and sweep the Alaska Aces. We hope it is the same case this conference.

Let us give our all out support to our team the B-Meg Derby Ace Llamados!

Derby Ace hopes to bounce back from their disappointing loss in Game 1 to San Miguel, it is a must win for the Llamados because it will be difficult to climb back from a 2-0 deficit specially against a formidable team like San Miguel. Derby Ace Import Tony Washam must make adjustments on his offense where he was limited to only 23pts on 6 out of 18 from the field. The other Derby Ace players must step up, where we can see in Game 1 that they lacked energy maybe because of the long and tiring series against Rain or Shine. San Miguel also had a couple of fast break dunks in Game 1 and which Derby Ace needs adjust and tighten their defense in Game 2.

In the other semifinals matchup, Powerhouse Talk N Text also hopes to bounce back from a humiliating loss to Alaska, 104-88.

Go B-Meg Derby Ace Llamados!

Previous Games:
Fiesta Conference Playoff for Last Semifinal Slot
DERBY ACE LLAMADOS (83) vs. San Miguel Beermen (88)
Best Player: James Yap – 28 points (Recap)

Fiesta Conference Elimination Round (Final Standing:13-5)
2nd Matchup: DERBY ACE LLAMADOS (83) vs. San Miguel Beermen (82)
Best Player: James Yap – 23pts (Recap)

1st Matchup: DERBY ACE LLAMADOS (72) vs San Miguel Beermen (80)
Best Player: James Yap – 20pts. (Recap)

Vote now for your Derby Ace vs Semifinals Predictions:
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Win or go home is the theme for today as Derby Ace battles Rain or Shine and Alaska faces Ginebra in Game 5 of their best-of-five quarterfinals matchup. Derby Ace hopes to repeat vs Rain or Shine who they beat last conference as Purefoods TJ Giants also in Game 5.

James Yap and the Derby Ace Llamados tries to stay alive in the Quarterfinals series vs Rain or Shine. The Painters lead the best-of-five series, 2-1 and can close the series tonight but Derby Ace will try to force Game 5 this Sunday. Derby Ace replaces Import Clif Brown with Tony Washam . Although chemistry might be an issue with a new Import, the way the locals have been playing specially defensively since last conference will be a major factor in this game.

Marc Pingris (thigh injury) and Kerby Raymundo (knee injury) who were sidelined with an injury the last game are committed to play but is still a question mark on Game 4.

Let us all support our team the B-Meg Derby Ace Llamados!

Rain or Shine beats Coca Cola 98-93 and gets the last quarterfinals seat and gets a rematch vs Derby Ace who beat Rain or Shine last conference in 5 games and eventually the Purefoods TJ Giants winning the Philippine Cup Championship.

It will be a great matchup between these two teams in another Best-of-5 series but they have not faced each other with Rod Nealy as Painters Import, but had a classic game in their last match up with Solomon Mercado scoring 45points but losing to Derby Ace by 2 points, 86-84.

There are reports that Marc Pingris will be sidelined for a couple of games due to injury but Kerby Raymundo might suit up for the Llamados for the first time this conference. An yes, Clif Brown will still play as Derby Ace Import this Friday.

Do-or-die game today for Coca Cola and Rain or Shine as they battle for the last quarterfinals berth in the current PBA Fiesta Conference. The winner will face Derby Ace Llamados in a Best-of-Five Quarterfinals series which starts on Friday, July 9.

Derby Ace vs Rain or Shine Key Matchups
James Yap vs Solomon Mercado
Clif Brown vs Rod Nealy
Nino Canaleta vs Gabe Norwood

Derby Ace vs Coca Cola Key Matchups
James Yap vs Gary David
Clif Brown vs John Williamson
Rafi Reavis vs Asi Taulava

Which will be a better matchup for Derby Ace, the Tigers or the Painters?

A determined James Yap and an improved offensive game by Import Clif Brown will be something to look out for this playoff friday as Derby Ace battles San Miguel for the last outright semifinals slot and in the 1st game, Ginebra with new Import Chris Daniels will try to automatically make it in the quarterfinals vs Rain or Shine. Derby Ace and San Miguel split their 2 elimination round games with San Miguel winning their 1st match 80-72 and Derby Ace won their 2nd match with a buzzer beater from James Yap, 83-82.

Career game by Clif Brown with 43 points, 20 rebs (18/29FG) including a high leap dunk as Derby Ace defeats Barako Coffee 106-100. Derby Ace will face the Beermen in a do-or-die playoff game on Friday, July 2 for an outright semifinals slot in the current PBA fiesta conference. This was the 6th straight win for Derby Ace as Clif Brown has vastly improved his offensive game while still contributing a lot in rebounding and defense.

James Yap had a subpar game specially in the first half, missing shots he normally makes but he recovered in the 2nd half scoring 18 points to lead all locals. Nino Canaleta and Roger Yap also contributed big for Derby Ace, giving Barako the worst record in the current conference and bowing out of the tournament with a 3 win, 15 loss standing.

B-Meg Derby Ace Llamados vs San Miguel Beermen
July 2, 7:30pm, Ninoy Aquino Stadium

Game scores:

Derby Ace 106 – Brown 43, Yap J. 18, Canaleta 13, Yap R. 10, Maierhofer 7, Artadi 6, Simon 5, Pingris 4, Adducul 0, Reavis 0, Allado 0.

Barako 100 - Monroe 37, Isip 14, Hubalde 13, Reyes 10, Gaco 7, Alonzo 6, Najorda 5, Vergara 4, Juntilla 3, Dimaunahan 1, Wainwright 0…. See More

Quarters: 29-22, 58-48, 82-67, 106-100.