New import Myron Allen will probably play Point Guard in the current PBA Governors Cup and Josh Urbiztondo will play behind Allen and Roger Yap.

Welcome Josh Urbiztondo.

Darnell Hinson led B-Meg in the next round by scoring 31 points (10/20 from the field) along with 3 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals in his farewell game for the Llamados. Hinson will fly back to the US to attend a hearing custody of his daughter and B-Meg has already scouted a replacement just in case Hinson won’t be back for the PBA Governors Cup semifinals.

Joe Devance was named Best Player of the Game with 23 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 blocks in his 8th game for the Llamados. The duo of James Yap and Peter June Simon combined for 27 points while Marc Pingris almost had a double-double with 11 points and 9 rebounds. Rafi Reavis in just his 4th game back from an injury grabbed a game-high 15 rebounds and also scored 8 points.

With the win, B-Meg has now 4 wins and superior quotient over Meralco and Powerade, thus completing the 6-team semifinals (Petron, TNT, ROS, Ginebra, Alaska and B-Meg) where there will be a single round robin (games in the elimination round are carried over). If a team wins 4 out of 5 semifinal games, they earn a playoff incentive for a finals berth even if they are below the standings. The top two teams after the semifinals or the winner of the playoff incentive will advance to the best-of-seven finals.

Game scores:

B-Meg 111 – Hinson 31, Devance 23, Yap J 15, Simon 12, Pingris 11, Reavis 8, Yap R 8, Fernandez
3, Gaco 0, Escobal 0, Adducul 0.

Air 21 89 – Bangura 20 ,Canaleta 18 ,Najorda 12, Sharma 12, Arboleda 7, Avenido 6, Salvador 5,
Hontiveros 5, Espiritu 3, Artadi 1, Cabahug 0, Urbiztondo 0, Juntilla 0.

Quarterscores: 26-25, 57-45, 89-72, 111-89.

Current Standing:
B-Meg Llamados: 3 wins, 4 losses
Air 21 Express: 0 wins, 6 losses

Breaking News:
B-Meg Import will play his last game tonight as he needs to go back to the US to attend a court hearing case regarding the custody of his daughter. B-Meg already have prospects for their next import but no confirmation yet on who will replace Hinson if the Llamados advance to the next round.

Prediction:
A must win game for the Llamados to keep them alive for the next round. B-Meg by 12 points.

B-Meg capitalized on the distracted Air 21 team as they rout the Express, 121-92. Air 21 which was rumored to trade their 3 1st round picks Al-Hussaini, Baclao and Guevarra to San Miguel seemed affected by the reports and Derby Ace played an almost perfect game with 27 assists and led by Nino “KG” Canaleta with 28 points while the duo of James Yap and Peter June Simon combined for 41 points.

The only dent in the game of the Llamados was the low contribution of Shamari Spears who was ineffective on his 2nd straight game with only 8 points and needs to be replaced in order for Derby Ace to climb up the standings.

Before the game, it was announced that Rico Maierhofer will be out of the season with a left ACL tear. Let us pray for the speedy recovery of Rico Maierhofer.

Note: After the game, it was announced that PBA Commissioner Salud has already approved the trade of Hontiveros, Siegle, Pena and Artadi to Air 21 in exchange for Al-Hussaini, Baclao and Guevarra.

Game scores:

Derby Ace 121 – Canaleta 28, Yap J 22, Simon 19, Villanueva 13, Pingris 12, Gaco 9, Spears 8, Escobal 4, Salvador 4, Yap R 2, Adducul 0.

Air21 92 – Al-Hussaini 17, Reyes 17, Robinson 15, Avenido 9, Baclao 8, Juntilla 5, Najorda 5, Arboleda 5, Sharma 4, Urbiztondo 3, Gatumbato 2, Gonzales 2, Guevarra 0.

Quarters: 28-15, 64-42, 101-62, 121-92

Top two teams with twice to beat advantage – December 19, 2010
Talk N Text Tropang Texters (107) defeats Rain or Shine Elasto Painters (92) – TNT advances to semifinals
San Miguel Beermen (97) defeats Air 21 Express (75) – SMB advances to semifinals

Best-of-three series Game 1 – December 17, 2010
Derby Ace Llamados (106) defeats Meralco Bolts (97)
Alaska Aces (104) defeats Barangay Ginebra Kings (101)

Next Game: December 22, 2010, Araneta Coliseum
Alaska Aces vs Barangay Ginebra Kings (5:00pm)
Derby Ace Llamados vs Meralco Bolts (7:30pm)

Meanwhile, another injured Derby Ace player Rafi Reavis (fractured hand) will return in December. B-Meg which came from a big win over Talk N Text last week will try to have their first winning streak this season against Air 21 Express this Wednesday, November 10, 5pm at the Araneta Coliseum. James Yap and Peter June Simon hopes to lead Derby Ace anew and continue in their quest to defend the all-filipino crown.

Naga City – Air21 Express nailed its 1st win in the current PBA Philippine Cup and keeps defending champion Derby Ace Llamados winless in three games. Peter June Simon led B-Meg with 11 points while Rommel Adducul playing extended minutes due to key injuries contributed 10 points.

MVP James Yap scored only 8 points.

Game Scores:

Air21 77 – Buenafe 21, Gonzales 11, Matias 9, Sharma 9, Baclao 8, Al-Hussaini 5, Arellano 4, Urbiztondo 3, Arboleda 3, Rodriguez 2, Quiñahan 2, Najorda 0, Guevarra 0.

Derby Ace 69 - Simon 11, Adducul 10, Vilanueva 9, Maierhofer 8, J. Yap 8, Canaleta 6, R. Yap 6, Gaco 5, Salvador 4, Allado 2.

Quarter scores: 16-18, 33-36, 53-49, 77-69.

1st Round
1 – Air21
2 – Air21
3 – Air21
4 – Talk n Text
5 – Rain or Shine
6 – Air21
7 – Ginebra
8 – Ginebra
9 – Derby Ace
10 – Alaska

Although there were no reason given by Petron management why they gave back the 2010 1st pick to Air 21, maybe because they are stockpiling draft picks for the future since their current players are not that young anymore and also in preparation for 2012 where some Smart Gilas players will enter the PBA draft.

The 2010 PBA Rookie Draft will be held on August 29 at Market! Market in The Fort.

B-Meg Derby Ace Llamados now owns the No. 1 Pick in the 2010 PBA Draft via Air 21 which won the lottery pick vs Barako Bull, but Derby Ace owns the 1st pick of Air 21 from a previous trade.

Partial List of Applicants for the PBA Draft
1. Rabeh Ahmed-Al Hussaini
2. Nonoy Baclao
3. Elmer Espiritu
4. Rey Guevarra
5. Jimbo Aquino
6. Josh Vanlandingham
7. Vic Manuel
8. RJ Jazul
9. John Wilson
10. Khazim Mirza

Rookie Draft will be on August 29,2010 at the Market! Market! Activity Center in Taguig City.

Deadline for Applications for the Rookie Draft is on August 16, 2010.

* image above from pba.ph