Alaska Aces defeats Talk N Text Tropang Texters, 90-81 to setup a showdown in the PBA finals vs San Miguel Beermen, while B-Meg Derby Ace Llamados will now face Talk N Text Tropang Texters for 3rd place in 1 game playoff this Friday at 5pm. Derby Ace hopes to finish the PBA 35th season on a high note.

Derby Ace players Rico Maierhofer and James Yap also has a chance to win Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player awards, respectively which will be awarded before Game 3.

Please support our team in their last game this 35th Season.

While Kerby Raymundo was nursing with an injury, James Yap led almost all the games of the Llamados as their leading scorer among all the locals. Even though there were a lot of distractions physically and emotionally for James, he almost carried the team to another finals appearance. Yap averaged 23PPG against Rain or Shine in the Quarterfinals and 16.33PPG against the tight defense of San Miguel in the Semifinals.

Derby Ace Import Tony Washam in just his second game in the PBA scored 49 points to lead Derby Ace in a thrilling overtime win over Rain or Shine 105-100. Derby Ace Llamados will now face San Miguel Beermen in the semifinals in another rematch of their best-of-seven semifinals last Philippine Cup where then Purefoods TJ Giants won in 6 games.

Derby Ace led in the 1st half with their biggest lead at 23 but Rain or Shine got back in the second half behind Sol Mercado and Gabe Norwood to take the lead at 86-85 with less than 3 minutes remaining in regulation. Nino Canaleta after being benched in the last game made a big three point shot for his only points in the game with 47sec left in the fourth quarter to give back Derby Ace the lead 90-89 and he also grabbed a couple of crucial rebounds in overtime.

Washam was 6 out of 9 from three point range and also contributed 8 rebounds and 4 steals. Rico Maierhofer had another great game  scoring 17pts and 10rebs (5 offensive), while Roger Yap had an all-around performance with 14pts, 10rebs and 8asts. James Yap contributed 13pts only but was steady from the line going 8 out of 8 and making the crucial free throws in the 4th quarter and overtime. Special mention goes to Rafi Reavis who controlled the boards with 10rebs long with 8points.

Game scores:

Derby Ace 105 – Washam 49, Maierhofer 17, Yap. R. 14, Ya J. 13, Reavis 8, Canaleta 3, Aratadi 1, Simon 0, Pingris 0, Allado 0.

Rain or Shine 100 – Norwood 25, Mercado 23, Nealy 12, Laure 12, Cruz 8, Arellano 6, Arana 5, Chan 3, Hrabak 3, Telan 2, Salangsang 1, Ibanes 0.

Quarterscores: 29-14, 58-40, 72-69, 90-90, 105-100

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.

Game 1: Talk N Text Tropang Texters defeats Rain or Shine Elastopainters, 99-96
Imports Matchup:
Shawn Daniels – 13pts, 10 rebs
vs
Jai Lewis – 17pts, 20rebs

Local Leading Scorers:
Ranidel de Ocampo – 20pts
vs
JR Reyes – 23pts, 14rebs

Game 2: Sta Lucia Realtors defeats Ginebra Gin Kings, 86-72
Imports Matchup:
Anthony Johnson – 22pts, 13rebs
vs
Awvee Storey – 13pts, 22rebs

Local Leading Scorers:
Ryan Reyes – 14pts, 9rebs, 5stls
vs
Jayjay Helterbrand – 12pts, 5rebs, 4asts

Game 1: Coca Cola Tigers defeats Barako Energy Coffee Masters, 97-74
Imports Matchup:
James Penny – 27pts, 13rebs, 7asts, 4blks
vs
Sammy Monroe – 25pts, 7rebs

Local Leading Scorers:
Gary David – 17pts
vs
Richard Alonzo – 10pts, 13rebs

Game 2: San Miguel Beermen defeats Air 21 Express, 92-87
Imports Matchup:
Gabe Freeman – 23pts, 21rebs
vs
Keena Young – 23pts, 21rebs

Local Leading Scorers:
Jay Washington – 19pts, 7rebs
vs
Ronjay Buenafe – 13pts

Game 1: Barako Energy Coffee Masters defeats Sta Lucia Realtors, 97-93
Imports Matchup
Sam Monroe – 39pts, 11rebs
vs
Anthony Johnson – 41pts, 13rebs

Local Leading Scorers:
Leo Najorda – 12pts
vs
Gabby Espinas – 14pts

Game 2: Ginebra Kings defeats Talk N Text Tropang Texters, 97-90
Imports Matchup
Awvee Storey – 33pts, 16 rebs
vs
Shawn Daniels – 19pts, 16 rebs

Local Leading Scorers:
Mark Caguiao – 19 pts
vs
Mark Cardona – 19pts

Height: 6’6
Weight: 226 lbs
Position: Shooting Guard/Small Forward
Birth Date: November 23, 1985
College: San Diego State University

Lorrenzo Wade is being tapped as the Import of Derby Ace Llamados (formerly Purefoods TJ Giants) in the upcoming 2010 Fiesta Conference where Derby Ace (Purefoods) goes for a rare double conference Championship. Wade might sign the contract within the week, will keep you posted.

Lorenzzo Wade Profile

Here’s some youtube videos of Lorrenzo Wade:

Purefoods TJ Giants will now be called the Derby Ace Llamados in the 2010 Fiesta Conference starting March 21. This change was to promote the Animal Feeds Product of San Miguel Corp for 1 conference only. Purefoods or Derby Ace might have Reggie Larry as Import in the next conference.

There is still no logo for the new name but here’s the logo of the product:

Derby Ace Llamados