BMeg Llamados has traded Nino “KG” Canaleta and Jondan Salvador for Joe Devance of Air21. Although this trade is till subject to the approval of PBA Commissioner Salud, there are reports that it has already been approved with no changes in the trade.

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

New Import, same results for B-Meg Derby Ace Llamados as they lost to Powerade Tigers in Lanao del Norte, 103-96. It was the 2nd straight loss for the Llamados to start the 2011 PBA Philippine Cup.

New Derby Ace Import Shamari Spears led B-Meg with 22 points but was mostly ineffective offensively and defensively as Tigers Import Russel Carter outplayed him scoring 36 points and contributing 19 rebounds and 6 assists.

Nino “KG” Canaleta led the locals with 16 points. It was actually a close game in the 1st half until Powerade pulled away in the 3rd quarter scoring 38 points with Derby Ace scoring only 19.

Only the Derby Ace guards contributed well with James Yap, Peter June Simon, Jonas Villanueva and Roger Yap scoring in double figures but the big men combined could only contribute 4 points.

Another bad news for the Llamados, Rico Maierhofer had a hyper-extended left knee and will be out indefinitely. But the good news is Rafi Reavis and Kerby Raymundo will be back soon.

Game scores:

Powerade 103 – Carter 36, David 18, Lanete 10, Macapagal 8, Gonzales 8, Antonio 7, Espino 6, Cruz 5, Calimag 4, Anthony 1, Reyes J. 0, Rizada 0.

Derby Ace 96 – Spears 22, Canaleta 16, Simon 15, Yap J 14, Villanueva 14, Yap R 11, Pingris 2, Salvador 2, Escobal 0, Allado 0.

Quarters: 23-20, 43-48, 81-67, 103-96

MVP James Yap led B-Meg Derby Ace Llamados to a win versus the Talk N Text Tropang Texters with 26 points, but it was Rico Maierhofer and Marc Pingris who set the tone for the game and grabbed crucial rebounds in the 4th quarter to tie this best-of-seven semifinals series at 2-2.

Marc Pingris had a double double with 13 points and 11 rebounds while Rookie of the Year Rico Maierhofer scored 10 points and grabbed 7 rebounds (6 offensive). With the series now tied at 2-2, it is now just a best-of-three series with the winner of Game 5 this Wednesday gaining an upper hand.

Derby Ace had their biggest lead at 21, 66-45 in the 3rd quarter but Talk N Text battled back in the 4th led by Jimmy Alapag who scored 22 points in the game. B-Meg must improve their free throw shooting in their next game, since they missed 16 free throws in Game 4.

Special mention goes to Nino “KG” Canaleta who also had a double double with 19 points and 13 rebounds.

Best Player of the Game: James Yap 26 pts. 4 rebs. 3 assts.

Game Scores:

Derby Ace 98 – Yap J 26, Canaleta 19, Simon 16, Pingris 13, Maierhofer 10, Allado 8, Villanueva 5, Timberlake 1, Yap R 0

Talk N Text 93 – Alapag 22, Peek 17, Fonacier 15, Castro 11, Reyes 11, Williams 6, Aban 5, Carey 3, De Ocampo 2, Dillinger 1, Alvarez 0

The B-Meg Derby Ace Llamados led by 21 points early in the game but the Meralco Bolts never backed down and cut down the lead to three points in the 4th quarter but fell short as Derby Ace setup a semifinals matchup against Talk N Text Tropang Texters.

Peter June Simon again led B-Meg with 23 points but only 7 in the 2nd half, while James Yap contributed 17 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists. Nino “KG” Canaleta scored 16 points (4 out of 6 from three point range) in only 13 minutes of play.

The Llamados have beaten Meralco 4 times this conference. The semifinals will start on Sunday, December 26, 2010 at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo.

Game scores:

Derby Ace 92 – Simon 23, Yap J. 17, Canaleta 16, Villanueva 10, Gaco 8, Pingris 7, Allado 6,
Yap R. 4, Maierhofer 1, Salvador 0, Adducul 0.

Meralco 88 – Cardona 26, Ross 20, Espinas 12, Juntilla 10, Isip 10, Weinstein 3, Menor 2, Aljamal
2, Omolon 2, Thiele 1, Belga 0, Taulava 0.

Nino “KG” Canaleta stepped up his game in the absence of top scorer Peter June Simon, who was thrown out in the 1st quarter (PJ Simon threw a ball at Ogie Menor and it was an automatic Flagrant Foul 2 which resulted in being out of the ball game). KG Canaleta was named Best Player of the Game with 22 points and 7 rebounds also was 6 out of 7 from three point range.

With the win, B-Meg is now in 4th place in the current PBA Philippine cup with 7 wins and 6 losses while Meralco now has 6 wins and 7 losses. Meralco was led by Mac Cardona with 22 points but Derby Ace led all game and had their biggest lead in the 4th quarter.

Game scores:

Derby Ace 92 – Canaleta 22, Villanueva 13, Yap J 13, Allado 10, Maierhofer 9, Yap R 9, Pingris 7, Salvador 4, Adducul 4, Gaco 1, Acuna 0, Simon 0.

Meralco 73 – Cardona 22, Ross 13, Taulava 10, Omolon 8, Espinas 6, Thiele 5, Escobal 4, Menor 2, Aljamal 2, Belga 1, Weinstein 0, Pacana 0.

Quarters: 29-23, 53-42, 70-60, 92-73

Nino “KG” Canaleta made a big 3-point shot to give the B-Meg Derby Ace Llamados the lead 81-79 with a few minutes remaining in the 4th quarter while Jonas Villanueva made 2 free throws and James Yap was 1 for 2 from the line to seal the win for B-Meg, 84-79 as it win its 5th straight game.

KG Canaleta was named Best Player of the Game with 17 points and 6 rebounds. James Yap and Peter June Simon again provided the firepower for the Llamados scoring 19 points each. Marc Pingris played his first game this conference coming back from an injury but did not score.

Game Scores:

Derby Ace 84 – Yap J 19, Simon 19, Canaleta 17, Yap R 9, Allado 6, Maierhofer 4, Villanueva 4, Adducul 4, Salvador 2, Gaco 0, Pingris 0.

Alaska 79 – Tenorio 15, Dela Cruz 13, De Vance 11, Eman 10, Thoss 9, Custodio 7, Baguio 7, Hugnatan 5, Borboran 2.

Congratulations to the Best player coming off the bench the past PBA 35th season, Niño “KG” Canaleta (B-Meg Derby Ace Llamados) – Mr. Quality Minutes award!

Congratulations also to Rico Maierhofer for being part of the All-Rookie Team and former Derby Ace Head Coach Ryan Gregorio Head Coach of the Year.

Other Awards:
* Kelly Williams (Sta Lucia/Talk N Text) – Comeback Player of the Year
* Manolito Quilingen – Referee of the Year
* Gabe Norwood (Rain or Shine) – Defensive Player of the Year
* Rico Maierhofer, Josh Urbiztondo, Ronnie Matias, Ogie Menor and Jervy Cruz – the All-Rookie Team.
* Wilfred Steven Uytengsu (Alaska) – Executive of the Year
* Ryan Gregorio (Derby Ace/Meralco) – Coach of the Year

Candidates for Most Valuable Player (MVP)
James Yap
Jay Washington
Kelly Williams
Arwin Santos
Asi Taulava
Gabe Norwood
Mac Cardona
LA Tenorio

Candidates for Rookie of the Year (ROY)
Rico Maierhofer
Josh Urbiztondo
Jervy Cruz
Ronnie Matias
Chris Ross

Candidates for Most Improved Player (MIP)
Alex Cabagnot
JC Intal
Joe Devance
Solomon Mercado
Ranidel de Ocampo
LA Tenorio
Ronald Tubid

Candidates for Sportsmanship Award
Nino Canaleta
Cyrus Baguio
Dondon Hontiveros
Gabe Norwood
Ryan Reyes

* image above is from pba.ph

The Talk N Text Tropang Texters settles for third place in the current PBA Fiesta conference as they beat B-Meg Derby Ace Llamados, 113-95. The game was close in the 1st half but TNT made a run in the 3rd quarter led by Mac Cardona with 30pts while Derby Ace decided to rest Tony Washam in the second half and James Yap in the 4th quarter.

Nino “KG” Canaleta and Peter June Simon led Derby Ace with 21pts and 18pts respectively in behalf of James Yap (only 8pts) who played sparingly.

In the Game 1 of the PBA finals, the Alaska Aces takes Game 1, 89-83 beating Best Player of the Conference, Jay Washington and Best Import of the Conference, Gabe Freeman.

Game scores:

Talk ‘N Text 113 – Cardona 30, Carey 24, De Ocampo 11, Yee 10, Castro 10, Williams 8, Dillinger 5, Alapag 5, Quinahan 4, Aban 4, Daniels 2.

Derby Ace 95 – Canaleta 21, Simon 18, Washam 11, Adducul 10, Yap R. 9, Yap J. 8, Timberlake 6, Salvador 6, Allado 4, Maierhofer 1, Artadi 1, Fernandez 0, Reavis 0.

Quarterscores: 26-23, 52-47, 88-67, 113-95