MANILA, Philippines - Blanked out of the finals in the last two conferences, Barangay Ginebra hopes to bounce back with a former Atlanta Hawks guard from UCLA as import in the season-ending Governors Cup starting May 20.
Cedric Bozeman, 29, was recruited to bolster the Kings whose fortunes took a dip in the recent Commissioner’s Cup after Mark Caguioa, voted Best Player of the Conference, suffered a fractured right orbital bone in a playoff against B-Meg for the second outright semifinals slot. Caguioa sat out the entire semifinals and Ginebra was eliminated, 3-1, in the best-of-five series by the eventual champion Llamados.
Ginebra coach Siot Tanquingcen said Bozeman plays point and off-guard, measuring exactly at the height limit of 6-5. “He’s okay but of course, it’s hard to gauge now,” said Tanquingcen. “As for Mark, he was given the clearance to start gradual workouts. Hopefully, God willing, we’ll be back in the finals this conference.”
Assistant coach Juno Sauler described Bozeman as a smart player who’s most effective at the one spot. “He plays one, two or three,” said Sauler. “He can post up when smaller guards defend him, good isolation and pick-and-roll player against bigger guards. Decent perimeter and post defender. We might even make him play the four spot but haven’t really tried it yet.”
Consultant Alfrancis Chua confirmed Bozeman is for real. “He’s good,” said Chua. “At practice, Eric (Menk) is looking good, too. Rudy (Hatfield) came earlier than scheduled from the US and showed up for practice the day after arriving. Grabe ang lakas ng katawan ni Rudy.” Guard Jay-Jay Helterbrand said Bozeman reminds him of PBA import legend Lamont Strothers. “Good all-around player,” remarked Helterbrand.
News of Menk’s recovery should brighten up Ginebra’s hopes. Menk played only a game in the last conference but his presence wasn’t critical because import Jackson Vroman took care of center chores. In the Governors Cup, Menk, Enrico Villanueva and Billy Mamaril will be called on to man the slot with Hatfield, Kerby Raymundo and Willy Wilson playing four.
Bozeman played 23 games for Atlanta in the 2006-07 NBA season. In four years at UCLA, he gained an enviable reputation as the Bruins’ glue. Varsity teammate Jordan Farmar, an NBA veteran, said, “He definitely was our glue, he did all the little things that we needed, Coach (Ben Howland) said it, he’s selfless, the ultimate team player.”
Bozeman was hounded by shoulder and knee problems throughout his UCLA career but stayed the course to merit Howland’s nod as the Bruins court general. Howland cited Bozeman’s hard work and dedication in pointing out how he raised his three-point percentage from .222 as a junior to .393 as a senior, free throw percentage from .556 to .776 and total field goal percentage from .413 to .500. “When no one else was watching in the gym, by himself or working out with his teammates, he got in shape,” said Howland. “He was the best example of giving himself up for the team and doing whatever it took to win, being totally selfless.”
At Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana, California, Bozeman was a McDonald’s All-America pick and was chosen to the USA Today All-America third team. Bozeman averaged 20 points, six rebounds and five assists as a senior at Mater Dei in 2000-01. “He reminds me of (NBA guard) Tyus Edney in terms of his disposition and temperament,” said his first UCLA coach Steve Lavin. “He’s got a tailor-made personality to play point guard. I’ve never worried about his decision-making or floor leadership.”
As a UCLA freshman in 2001-02, Bozeman teamed with NBA cagers Matt Barnes and Jason Kapono in powering the Bruins to the NCAA Sweet 16. In the NCAA tournament, he compiled eight points, five rebounds and four assists in 39 minutes as UCLA beat top-ranked Cincinnati in double overtime. Bozeman skipped the 2004-05 season as a medical redshirt to recover from ACL surgery in his right knee.
Bozeman combined with Farmar and another future NBA player Arron Afflalo to take UCLA to the NCAA finals in 2005-06, losing to Florida, 73-57. Bozeman had nine points, three rebounds and three assists in 25 minutes of the title game. “I really felt for Ced, with the injuries he dealt with but I was really happy for the way his UCLA career ended,” said Howland who coached Bozeman in his last two collegiate years. “He had an outstanding senior year, Ced was one of the main driving forces in our run. He really did a great job overall during his five years as a Bruin – as a student, as a person and obviously, as an outstanding player.”
Bozeman played as an import in Poland, China (averaging 20.2 points, 6.2 rebounds and 3.6 assists in 32 games with the Shougang Beijing Ducks in 2009-10) and Belgium. Before moving to the PBA, Bozeman saw action in the NBA D-League with the Reno Bighorns and Maine Red Claws. If he plays for Ginebra, Bozeman will be the fifth UCLA product to invade the PBA after Darrell Allums, Mike Holton, Kenny Fields and J. R. Henderson. Another UCLA veteran Jelani McCoy was in town to play for Meralco in the last conference but was cut before the Commissioner’s Cup opened.
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PBA: Never-say-die Ginebra nails game-winner on Jaworski night
RENEE FOPALAN, GMA News July 8, 2012 11:04pm
Cedric Bozeman's game-winner for Ginebra capped off a memorable night for Filipino hoops fans. Nuki Sabio
The Barangay Ginebra Kings ended a historic night with a classic Sunday bout, as they notched a come-from-behind win against sister team Petron Blaze Boosters on a Cedric Bozeman game-winner, Saturday at the Araneta Coliseum, 87-85, as part of the on-going PBA Governors' Cup Finals.
"God couldn't have written it better on a night that we're celebrating the foundation of Barangay Ginebra. To show a never say die spirit, I think that's the best send off retirement gift we could give him," said Ginebra head coach Siot Tanquincen, as they played their second game in the semifinals right after Robert "Sonny" Jaworski's jersey retirement ceremonies.
The Kings wore throwback jerseys to honor the "Big J", who now finds his jersey number bannered at the rafters of the Araneta Coliseum.
Petron raced to an early lead as a Chris Lutz three-point play gave them a 10-3 advantage. Kerby Raymundo and Mark Caguioa teamed up for Ginebra on the other end, going on a 6-1 run to trim the lead to two, 11-9, but Lutz would score seven more to spark a Petron rally to end the quarter strong, 23-15.
The Boosters continued to enjoy a comfortable lead in the second period, with Dondon Hontiveros pushing the advantage up to 13, 32-21. Caguioa would spark a Ginebra run at the other end to bring the lead down to six, 33-27, before new import Marcus Faison helped Petron keep the Kings at bay to end the half, 42-34.
Just before the start of the second half, Robert Jaworski came out to shake the hands of the Ginebra players to the delight of the crowd. The gesture went a long way, inspiring his heir apparent Mark Caguioa to score nine in the third, including the Kings' first go-ahead basket, 56-55.
Petron would regain its composure at the other end however, as Hontiveros chalked up eight points, including a buzzer-beating three to end the third, 69-58, with the Blaze Boosters still up.
The Kings started to roll at the start of the fourth, going on an 11-4 run to cut the lead to four, 73-69. The game started to get very physical, with both teams hacking at whoever ventured to take an attempt in the shaded lane.
After two missed free throws from Arwind Santos, Caguioa would score inside to help Ginebra inch closer, 80-79.
On Ginebra's next posession, "The Spark" drew a foul while taking a three. Though last conference's best local player went 2-of-3 from the line, it was enough to propel the Kings ahead, 81-80. Chris Lutz responded by taking the ball inside on the other end, with Rico Villanueva being called for a goaltending violation to give the lead back to Petron, 82-81.
A Bozeman split from the line tied the game at 82-all, before Santos split from the line to give Petron a one-point advantage, 83-82. After Caguioa missed a floater, Petron called a timeout with 41.4 seconds remaining in the game.
Faison would miss but Ginebra's Rico Maierhofer was fouled while attempting to grab the defensive rebound. Maierhofer missed two crucial freethrows, but the Boosters left Dylan Ababou to collar the offensive rebound for a basket and a foul, giving Ginebra a two-point lead, 85-83, with 25.8 seconds remaining.
Alex Cabagnot responded on the other end however, as he evaded the defense of Willy Wilson with a crossover and a tough right-handed layup to tie it up at 85-all in 15.9 remaining.
After a timeout, Ginebra milked the clock. With Caguioa denied, Cedric Bozeman would take a screen from Kirby Raymundo, as he went right towards the baseline for a floater. The shot swished through, leaving Petron to take a Hail Mary heave from their backcourt with 0.8 remaining. It of course missed, as Ginebra marched on to take their second straight victory in the semifinals.
"Great players make great plays. The play was for Mark, but he was being defended by their import. Adlib lang nabasa ng mga players. (It was a) good win for us and I'm thankful for it," said Ginebra head coach Siot Tanquingcen.
Caguioa led all scorers with 25 points, to go with his six rebounds and six assists. Bozeman added a double-double of 13 points and 11 rebounds, while young guns Dylan Ababou and Rico Maierhofer combined for 23 markers and 12 boards.
Petron got four players as well in double-figures, led by Faison's 19, but nine missed free throws in the final period did them in, as they finished 10-of-22 from the foul line, in sharp contrast to Ginebra's more solid 20-of-30 outing.
Ginebra managed to cop the win despite allowing Petron to shoot 46.1 percent from the field. They did rule the boards however, to the tune of 54 to 41, with a six offensive carom advantage, 18 to 12. - AMD, GMA News
The scores:
GINEBRA 87 - Caguioa 25, Bozeman 13, Ababou 13, Maierhofer 10, Villanueva 8, Raymundo 8, Helterbrand 4, Cortez 3, Hatfield 3, Maliksi 0, Wilson W. 0, Mamaril 0.
PETRON 85 - Faison 19, Lutz 17, Washington 11, Hontiveros 11, Santos 9, Yeo 6, Cabagnot 6, Pena 4, Miranda 2, Reyes 0, Ildefonso 0.
Quarter scoring: 15-26, 34-42, 58-69, 87-85
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By Nelson Beltran (The Philippine Star) Updated July 16, 2012 12:00 AM
B-Meg import Marcus Blakely loses his balance as he tries to skip over a fallen Rudy Hatfield of Barangay GInebra as Gin Kings’ Cedric Bozeman and Llamados’ Marc Pingris look on during their crucial PBA Governors Cup matchup last night. JUN MENDOZA| Zoom
MANILA, Philippines - B-Meg sprang back from a loss to Meralco Wednesday, stopping Barangay Ginebra, 82-70, to gain an outright playoff shot at a finals passage in the PBA Governors Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum last night.
The Llamados engaged the Kings in a defensive battle in the first half before working on key runs in the last two quarters for the crucial victory assuring the team of a tie for second place at the close of the semifinal round Wednesday.
Coach Tim Cone and his chargers go for an automatic finals entry versus the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in their closing game in the semis.
Ginebra slid down to third place behind Rain or Shine (9-3) and B-Meg (9-4) with an 8-5 card. The Kings, however, remained in the running for the finals under the “four-or-five” incentive rule.
Coach Siot Tanquingcen and his Gin Kings gain a playoff for the second finals berth if they beat the Talk n Text Tropang Texters Wednesday.
“The biggest key was we came out with a defensive mindset. We came in with a renewed commitment to play defense and we made a statement right in the first quarter,” said Cone.
“We limited their output (to 16 points in the first quarter and nine in the second period) and that gave us good feeling. It carried through to the end,” Cone added.
The Llamados limited Mark Caguioa to three points, and that best typified the good defensive effort B-Meg put in the game. The Ginebra main man averaged 21.3 points before this contest.
Offensively, Marc Pingris stood out for the Llamados by coming through with a personal season high of 24 points. It was actually his highest production in the last three seasons.
James Yap went scoreless in the first half before finding some rhythm, firing 11 points in the second half.
Mario West drove past three defenders and made the winning basket in the closing seconds as Meralco closed out its campaign in the season on a winning note, eking out a 113-112 squeaker over Petron Blaze in the second game.
West defied the defense of Jay Washington, Chris Lutz and Arwind Santos, scoring on an acrobatic layup as the Bolts pulled off the win to forge a tie with the Boosters at 6-8 (win-loss).
Meralco wound up with a 20-23 record in the season, a big improvement from its 13-20 mark in its debut season in the local pro loop last year.
Petron ended up with a 23-23 slate, the franchise’s worst in the last four seasons or since finishing with a 24-24 card in the 2007-08 season.
The Boosters’ mediocre performance in the season sparked talks of a possible exit of coach Ato Agustin next season.
A certain San Miguel Corp. official said they would consider tapping in the services of Serbian coach Rajko Toroman to take over from Agustin. Toroman currently serves as consultant of all three SMC teams in the PBA.
“We definitely enjoyed this game. The goal was to end the season on a high note, and we did,” said coach Ryan Gregorio whose troops won their last two games in the season, including one against the B-Meg Llamados.
“Talking about progress, we did improve from the previous one. I’m giving myself three days of rest, then I’ll start formulating to get the team even better next season,” Gregorio also said.
The youthful Meralco mentor said they would certainly find ways to improve their roster power.
The Bolts took control most of the way but needed West’s big shot at the end to avoid what could have been a sorry loss.
Alex Cabagnot scattered 29 points, including a booming three-pointer that capped a key Petron run that shoved the Boosters to a 112-111 lead with 5.7 ticks left.
West, however, won’t let his teammates down.
“He had two options. One was to create for his teammates or go strong to the basket. He chose the latter and made the final statement for us,” said Gregorio of his import who preserved his explosive 41-point game.
The Boosters waged a determined chase from a 14-point deficit at 91-105, pulling even at 107-all on a three-point play by Lutz with 2:12 left to play.
The Bolts regained some breathing room as Mark Cardona canned in two charities then Sol Mercado pumped in a 20-footer to beat the 24-second shot clock buzzer in the ensuing plays.
Still, the Boosters threatened to steal the game, 112-111, as Cabagnot made a five-point swing capped by a trey off West.
West had the last laugh in the end, though.
The scores:
First Game
Meralco 113 – West 41, Cardona 26, Mercado 19, Ross 10, Taulava 10, Macapagal 5, Reyes 2, Timberlake 0.
Petron 112 – Cabagnot 29, Lutz 22, Santos 16, Faison 15, Washington 11, Peña 6, Yeo 5, Hontiveros 4, Baclao 2, Duncil 2, Lanete 0.
Quarterscores: 29-24, 56-46, 88-79, 113-112
Second Game
B-Meg 82 – Pingris 24, Blakely 17, Yap 11, Reavis 11, Urbiztondo 9, Simon 4, De Ocampo 4, Villanueva 2, Barroca 0.
Ginebra 70 – Bozeman 22, Helterbrand 16, Raymundo 14, Mamaril 4, Cortez 4, Caguioa 3, Maierhofer 2, W. Wilson 2, Hatfield 2, Villanueva 1, Maliksi 0, Ababou 0, Canaleta 0, Menk 0.
Quarterscores: 19-16, 32-25, 62-51, 82-70
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RENEE FOPALAN, GMA News July 18, 2012 9:36pm
Mark Caguioa (right) bounced back from a conference-low outing to drop 18 points on the heads of Talk 'N Text. Nuki Sabio
(Updated 9:58pm) Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters import Paul Harris stepped out of bounds on what could have been the last possession of the game, turning the ball over, and handing the Barangay Ginebra Kings the win, 73-71, Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, forging a playoff between sister teams for the other vacant Finals spot in the PBA Governors' Cup.
The B-MEG Llamados had earlier lost to the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, with the latter advancing directly to the championship round. By winning, Ginebra eliminates Talk 'N Text, and sets up a loser-go-home game on Friday between them and B-MEG, both of which are owned by the San Miguel Corporation.
An early Cedric Bozeman dunk fired up the Ginebra side. Nuki Sabio
Harris had earlier looked like a hero, getting his side to within two, 73-71, with 39.9 seconds left in the game. Then on the next possession, TNT forced a 24-second violation, which gave them the ball back and a chance to win the game or force overtime, but off a timeout, Harris made a crucial mistake that doomed his side.
"Magandang biyaya napagkaloob sa amin pero di kami kontento. We're content with what we have but we're not content of what we can become," said Ginebra head coach Siot Tangquincen.
Ginebra raced out to a 12-7 lead in the first quarter before the Texters went on a 10-5 run to even it up at 17-all after back-to-back threes by Ryan Reyes. On the ensuing play, Cedric Bozeman scored on a slam, posterizing Ali Peek before Caguioa hit a three to settle the first quarter score at 27-21.
In the second Paul Harris led the Texters to a comeback, stringing together eight points to tie the game at 38-all, but the Gin Kings would hold on to the lead at the half, 42-40.
The third quarter finally saw Talk n' Text surge ahead via a Jayson Castro layup, 52-50, before Mike Cortez completed a four-point play to snatch back the lead, 54-52. Bozeman and Rico Maierhoffer then converted on drives into the lane to go up 58-54.
Free throws by Talk n' Text kept them close, but a Maierhofer lay-in was enough to keep Ginebra on top at the end of the period, 61-59.
Paul Harris finally put the Texters ahead, 68-66, in the middle of the final period. The Kings fought to regain the lead, as Kerby Raymundo hit a crucial three to grab a four point lead with a little more than two minutes left, 73-69.
Jayson Castro (center) and the rest of TNT were frustrated by the Ginebra defense. Nuki Sabio
Several fruitless possessions finally boiled down to Harris converting with 39.9 seconds remaining to trim the lead down to two, 73-71. Talk 'N Text then forced Ginebra into a 24-second shot clock violation, giving the Tropang Texters 15.3 seconds to tie or win the game.
The Texters had Harris driving down the baseline, but before he could pass the ball to a wide-open Alapag in the three-point area, the import stepped on the line, giving the Kings the ball with 3.9 seconds remaining. The Kings were successful with the inbound, as Willy Wilson threw the ball into the air as the time expired.
Mark Caguoa posted 18 points, eight rebounds and two assists to lead Ginebra to victory, while power forward Kerby Raymundo chimed in 15 more points. Import Cedric Bozeman tallied a 14-point, 13-rebound double-double, while Jayjay Helterbrand came off the bench to quarterback his side with seven dimes.
Talk 'N Text drew a game-high 25 points from Paul Harris, 11 coming from the foul line, plus 18 rebounds, but no other Tropang Texter finished in double digits against the Kings' defense. Ryan Reyes and Ranidel de Ocampo each tallied eight points, while three TNT players finished with seven apiece.
The game also marked Chot Reyes' final game as the Talk n' Text head coach. The multi-titled coach will be replaced by Ateneo Blue Eagles' mentor Norman Black next season, as Reyes departs to take on the full-time role of head coach of the Smart Gilas national team. - AMD, GMA News
The scores:
Barangay Ginebra 73 - Caguioa 18, Raymundo 15, Bozeman 14, Cortez 11, Maierhofer 4, Mamaril 4, Hatfield 4, W. Wilson 2, Villanueva 1, Ababou 0, Helterbrand 0.
Talk 'N Text 71 - Harris 25, Reyes 8, De Ocampo 8, Castro 7, Alapag 7, Peek 7, Williams 3, Aguilar 2, Fonacier 2, Carey 2, Aban 0.
Quarter scoring: 27-21, 42-40, 61-59, 73-71
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RENEE FOPALAN, GMA News July 20, 2012 8:55pm
In a battle of superstars, James Yap (right) got the better of his rival, Mark Caguioa. KC Cruz
(Updated 9:39pm) The B-MEG Llamados drew a clutch second-chance make from Peter June Simon to lift them to the Finals of the 2012 PBA Governors Cup with a 74-72 win over the Barangay Ginebra Kings, Friday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum
"This felt like a game 7 against Ginebra. It's gratifying when you worked that hard. To win it makes the win a lot sweeter," said B-MEG head coach Tim Cone.
The Kings held a slim lead in the opening minutes of the first quarter before back-to-back baskets from B-MEG gave the Llamados the lead, 9-8.
A Marqus Blakely triple made it 21-13 for B-MEG, before Cedric Bozeman hit four free throws to cut the deficit to four, 23-19, to end the period.
In the second, the Llamados hit six straight to post its largest lead, 29-19, but the Kings responded with a 10-3 run of their own to cut the lead to three, 32-29.
James Yap then snapped out of his slump, hitting a fadeaway and a three, 37-31. With 42 seconds left in the first half, Kerby Raymundo hacked a driving Yap on the face, resulting in a shooting foul for two free throws. Down 10, Ginebra would end the quarter strong, as a JJ Helterbrand baseline jumper followed by a Cedric Bozeman buzzer-beating three brought the lead back to five at the end of the half, 41-36.
Yap was still on fire though at the onset of the third, hitting a triple to put the lead back up to eight, 52-44, before Ginebra strung together eight straight to bring the lead down to one, 52-51 with 4:23 remaining.
A technical foul on Ginebra head coach Siot Tangquincen for violently reacting to a non-call gave B-MEG an extra point, but a Bozeman three with 2:18 remaining finally gave Ginebra the lead, 54-43. The Kings then drew a technical foul from Rafi Reavis, giving them another bonus look from the free throw line.
Shortly after, Mark Caguioa continued to sizzle, hitting another jumper that made it 57-53. But it was B-MEG which would end the quarter stronger, as a Yap jumper off a Pingris screen and a Simon leaner off a crossover on Enrico Villanueva with four seconds remaining gave B-MEG back the lead going into the fourth, 58-57.
The final period was one of several lead changes, with neither team getting ahead by more than one in the first seven minutes, before a Marqus Blakely baseline slam from Jonas Villanueva made it 72-69.
The Llamados played tough defense on the other end, leaving Ginebra two seconds to put up a shot with 2:01 remaining. After a timeout, the Kings would lean on Niño Canaleta to hit a baseline three to tie it up at 72-all.
With 43 seconds left in the game, Ginebra drained much of the clock, opting for a Kerby Raymundo three. Raymundo missed, giving B-MEG 22 seconds to set up for the win. Llamados head coach Tim Cone then called for a time out with 16.9 remaining.
The result was a Blakely drive to the baseline for a jumper that missed, but PJ Simon collared the offensive rebound for a put-back to put B-MEG on top, 74-72, with 2.5 seconds remaining.
In their last attempt, Ginebra found difficulty with the inbounds, leaving Raymundo to take two pump fakes and a well-defended three which resulted in an air ball.
"We're winning by the skin of our teeth," added Coach Cone. "[The] PBA's hard. [It was] pure luck PJ is in the right place at the right time.
"When I saw that jump shot go up, I knew we were going to overtime. Thankfully, the three-pointer by Kerby didn't go in."
Marcus Blakely played all but one minute of the game and led B-MEG with 22 points, 11 rebounds, four assists and five blocks. James Yap poured in 16 markers and PJ Simon added 11 more, as the two guards each also tallied five boards.
Cedric Bozeman, Blakely's counterpart on the Ginebra squad topped the scoring list with 27 points. Mark Caguioa chimed in 14 on 7-of-26 shooting, while Nino Canaleta was a big factor late, hitting two corner triples on route to nine points.
B-MEG held a big advantage from the charity stripe, making 26-of-35, as compared to just 17-of-24 for Ginebra.
The Llamados will now prepare for Game One of the Finals, scheduled on Sunday, where they'll face the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, who sent them to this playoff against Ginebra with a 92-82 drubbing last Wednesday.
"Admittedly, they're a tough matchup for us. [Jamelle] Cornley is a tough matchup for us. We're gonna need big games from our guards; we gotta be creative and figure out mismatches. I think over seven games we're gonna figure them out," Cone said of his team's Finals foes. - AMD, GMA News
The scores:
B-MEG 74 - Blakely 22, Yap 16, Simon 11, De Ocampo 8, Pingris 7, Barroca 5, Urbiztondo 3, Reavis 2, Villanueva 0.
Ginebra 72 - Bozeman 27, Caguioa 14, Canaleta 9, Raymundo 7, Hatfield 6, Villanueva 3, Ababou 2, W. Wilson 2, Helterbrand 2, Maierhofer 0, Mamaril 0, Cortez 0.
Quarter scoring: 23-19, 41-36, 58-57, 74-72.
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