Repaso del tercer y último día del Puerto Rico Tip-Off 2013

Seventh Annual Puerto Rico Tip-Off

November 21, 22, and 24, 2013

Coliseo Roberto Clemente, San Juan, Puerto Rico

www.PuertoRicoTipOff.com

Sunday, November 24 Results & Schedule (daily attendance, TBA)      Atlantic Time Tip-Off........ Network

·         Kansas State (3-3) 52, Long Beach State (1-6) 38

·         Georgetown (3-2) 84, VCU (4-2) 80

·         Florida State (5-1) 62, Northeastern (2-4) 60

·         Championship - Charlotte (5-1) 63, Michigan (4-2) 61

2013 Most Valuable Player

No.   Player, School                     Pos.       Ht.       Wt.     Yr.................................... Hometown (Previous Schools)

11      Nik Stauskas, Michigan                     G           6-6          205       SO........... Mississauga, Ontario, Canada (St. Mark's School [MA])

2013 All-Tournament Team

No.    Player, School                                    Pos.         Ht.          Wt.        Yr..................................................... Hometown (Previous Schools)

11      Nik Stauskas, Michigan                     G           6-6          205       SO........... Mississauga, Ontario, Canada (St. Mark's School [MA])

3        Shawn Lester, Charlotte                    G           6-3          175       SO........................................................ Mooresville, NC (Mooresville)

30      Ian Miller, Florida State                      G           6-3          198       SR........................ Charlotte, NC (United Faith Christian Academy)

43      Scott Eatherton, Northeastern          F            6-8          219       JR........................................ Hershey, PA (Hershey/St. Francis [PA])

4        D’Vauntes Smith-Rivera, Georgetown   G           6-3          218       SO...................................... Indianapolis, IN (North Central/Oak Hill)

Final Score:
Kansas State 52, Long Beach State 36
Updated Records:
Kansas State: 3-3; Long Beach State: 1-6
Tournament Notes:
• KSU and LBSU met for the second time as part of the 2013 Puerto Rico Tip-Off. The two teams met as part of a non- bracketed game in Manhattan on Nov. 17. The Wildcats won that contest 71-58.
• Long Beach State’s point total was a tournament low in the seven-year history of the Puerto Rico Tip-Off (Previous low - 42 by Chattanooga (2008) and Maryland (2011)). The 49ers’ 13 first-half points were also a tournament low for a period.
• Through seven Puerto Rico Tip-Offs, the Big 12 Conference now holds a 9-6 all-time record. That includes a 3-3 record by Kansas State. The Wildcats went 2-1 in the 2009 tournament. Long Beach State (0-3) was the first team from the Big West Conference to participate in the Puerto Rico Tip-Off.
Kansas State Notes:
• Kansas State finished 1-2 in the Puerto Rico Tip Off to finish seventh in the event. The Wildcats return home to host Cen- tral Arkansas on Dec. 1.
• K-State held Long Beach without a field goal for the final 12:43 of the first half, closing the period on a 15-3 run.
• Thomas Gipson finished in double figures for the second straight game, leading the Wildcats with 18 points. He finished the 2013 Puerto Rico Tip-Off averaging 12.7 points per game.
Long Beach State Team Notes:
• Long Beach State leaves Puerto Rico 0-3 in the 2013 tournament. The 49ers head back west to visit Washington on Nov. 30.
• Mike Caffey led the 49ers with 13 points on Sunday. He averaged 13.3 points per game in Long Beach State’s three games in Puerto Rico.
• The 49ers went 20:05 of game action between field goals, getting outscored 27-6 during that drought.

 PUERTO RICO TIP-OFF 

GAME 9: KANSAS STATE VS. LONG BEACH STATE 52-38

Kansas State Coach Bruce Weber: “I think this is just a great opportunity for our guys. I’ve been down here, this is my fourth time, with one of these tournaments. I’ve really enjoyed it. In the last 25 years, they’ve really developed the area and it’s beautiful. And obviously the weather is a lot nicer than back home. Watching those football games yesterday, people are bundled up while we’re out in swimming suits taking walks. It’s been a great opportunity; very friendly people. Whether it’s been our hotel, restaurants, everything; people have been very receptive and I appreciate that. I highly recommend the tournament.”
“Obviously we did a good job defensively. It’s one of those games, obviously when you get the early morning on the last day when it’s three games in four days and four games in seven days, it’s about desire and excuses. Who has more excuses and who has more desire? We challenged our guys and we made some progress. We had defended them well at our place; I didn’t know if we could do it as well here. Their legs were a little dead, you don’t make some shots and free throws, but overall I thought we were in a lot of right places, disrupted them.” 
“Will (Spradling) did a great job again on (Mike) Caffey, back-to-back games, he didn’t let him get in his rhythm and held him to his season low the first time; this time he had a few more points.”
“When we were patient we got the ball inside to Thomas Gipson and that’s got to happen more. Turnovers – young guys have just got to understand when to go and when not to. We charged five times, we messed up fast breaks; just jump stop, make the simple play. Hopefully this next month, we have for home games and then Gonzaga in Wichita. It’s a chance to get back home and now practice has got to be important and we’ve got to make some strides.”
“We did a good job on defense the first time too. We held them to 22 at home at halftime, this time it was 13; probably the difference was their legs, missing some shots. But same thing, we were tired too; we played the same number of games, they had a little more travel. But I think our guys were very locked in.”

“With young guys we need prep. We didn’t have prep for Georgetown. And Coach Thompson challenged them and they just went at us. It was such a physical game and we weren’t ready for that, we had no prep and gave them way too many layups. But it’s a learning tool, I hope our young guys learn what it’s about.”
Long Beach State Coach Dan Monson: “It’s different matchups. We got into a rhythm against VCU and it became contagious. Today it became contagious the other way; a couple guys missed jump shots and then all of the sudden everybody was missing jump shots. But I was proud, I thought defensively we hung in there and were able to disrupt them a little bit.”

“We loved it. Obviously we come from one beach, but to come to another it’s just totally different. I always just pride myself on the fact that these kids will get more than a degree and a basketball experience. They also get life experience and this is a great life experience to see the culture. We went to Old San Juan yesterday as a team, and left all our shots there I guess. But I think it’s great for guys, it might be the only time in their life they get to experience this. It’s a great run tournament and a great place to have it.”

PUERTO RICO TIP-OFF

GAME 10: GEORGETOWN VS. VCU 84-80

Georgetown Coach John Thompson III: “Obviously that’s a very, very good win against a terrific win. To speak about VCU, you know, they did what they do. We had 26 turnovers. That being said, I think we focused in and did what we had to do and made the plays when they were necessary. We get down – they go on a run hit a couple threes – I think seven or eight, I forget. Then we gathered ourselves and weathered that run. D’Vauntes (Smith-Rivera) and Markel (Starks) are going to sleep well tonight. The effort that they had dealing with that pressure at both ends of the court. Everyone always talks about VCU’s defense, but they always have five guys on the court that can attack and score. They always have five guys on the court that when we’re on defense can put pressure on you. I thought the key to the game wasn’t necessarily handling their pressure, I thought it was making it hard for them to score.”

“I think we just settled down. The way they play, they make runs, they’re going to make a run. I think to have success against them you have to limit those runs, and for the most part I think that was there run of the second half. We settled down a little bit and were able to score.”

“With the way that the games are being officiated now, games are going to be longer. In theory, the thought process is, if we call the touch fouls and clean up the game, they have more flow and higher scoring games. You probably are having higher scoring games, but the games are uglier. We shot 37 foul shots, they shot 47 foul shots. That’s slowing the game down.”

“Aaron Bowen was very, very good today. I thought Aaron gave us some very good minutes, hustle plays, energy plays. Reggie (Cameron) was in there Reggie was good, Moses (Ayegba) was good. The guys we put in there we either have confidence in or are rapidly gaining confidence in.”

Georgetown Guard D’Vauntes Smith-Rivera: “The biggest thing was taking care of the ball. We had 27 turnovers. Come tournament time, or even the next game, that has to come to a limit. A team like that, that’s what they feed off of. At certain times, when the team needed me to be there to score, I just felt the need to step up and make plays along with Markel (Starks) who did the same today. Like I said, just being a leader on the team and taking care of business today.”

“For this team, Markel (Starks) and I have to be aggressive a lot of the time. We do have other guys on our team who need to be more aggressive, make more plays and continue to drive. Today was a time where we both needed to make plays for our team. Down the stretch, that’s what we did. We knocked down free throws and made plays at crucial times.”

Georgetown Guard Markel Starks: “As we were going to the line in crucial moments, D’Vauntes (Smith-Rivera) and I would look at each other and say, ‘6 a.m.’ because that’s the time of the morning he and I often get up. Those consistent mornings of getting up extra shots showed up today. The free throws, it’s the mental part of the game. Especially with the free throws. You can consistently work on them, which he and I both do – as coach mentioned the two of us were 15 for 16 from the line. I’m not saying I’m going to go through the rest of the season and not miss a free throw in a crucial moment, but the consistency and mental drive to put those in is important. How the game is being officiated, you’re going to shoot a lot of free throws.”

VCU Coach Shaka Smart: “The number one thing we learned down here in Puerto Rico is that we have to get better. I think we already knew that, but now we’ve been smacked across the face with it. If there’s any silver lining, it’s that there should be a very clear realization that right now after these three games that there’s a lot of improving to do individually and collectively. We’re excited to get back to Richmond and work on that.”

“I want to be careful what I say as it relates to the way the game is officiated, but I will say it is very difficult to continue to play aggressively when all of the sudden the game is called much closer than it had been earlier in the game. So I would that’s probably a factor. You’ve got to give Georgetown credit. They’ve got two really good guards in (Markel) Starks and (D’Vauntes) Smith-Rivera. They did a nice job down the stretch handling the ball. But I think the foul trouble, getting in the double bonus so early, that’s the fastest I’ve ever seen a team get into the double bonus, ever. It was a combination of things.”

“I don’t think a game like that is entertaining. I think between Georgetown and VCU, there’s some very good players on the court this afternoon. As much as possible, when you let those players play, that’s what creates basketball that’s fun to watch. That second half was the opposite of that. You had 62 free throws from both teams in the second half. They did a better job of making free throws, I thought that was a factor down the stretch. It’s a choppy game when there’s so many fouls called, and I didn’t think it was particularly physical game relative to other ones we’ve played.”

“We’ve got a lot of good shooters. We have not shot the ball well down here in Puerto Rico. You always have to give some credit to your opponents, but at the same time I think we had some really good looks that didn’t go down. Our best three scorers are Juvonte Reddic, Treveon Graham and Rob Brandenberg; those guys combined were six for 28. They were good shots they were getting for the most part. Juvonte forced a couple but they were pretty good shots, we just didn’t make enough of them.”

VCU Guard Briante Weber: “The shooting percentage was in the front of everybody’s mind. They were passing up open shots that they would normally take and sometimes that forced turnovers when they’re not taking the open shots that they were given. The ball not going in in this tournament really affected how we played.”

VCU Guard Rob Brandenberg: “We just have to get better. It was definitely a reality check coming down here. We didn’t accomplish our goals. There’s a lot of season left. Our guys, we won’t hang our heads, we’ve just got to get back in the lab and get better. Watch some film, and have the urgency to get better.”

Georgetown prevails over VCU in “choppy” game slowed by 84 free throws

By Cary Estes, www.puertoricotipoff.com 

San Juan, Puerto Rico, November 24 – They kept whistling while Georgetown and VCU were trying to work on Sunday. The two teams were called for a combined total of 61 fouls and paraded to the free-throw line 84 times in their final-round matchup in the Puerto Rico Tip-Off.

Georgetown made more of the foul shots when it counted most, going 30-of-34 from the line in the second half (compared to 20-of-28 for VCU), enabling the Hoyas to emerge with an 84-80 victory in a game that took 2 hours and 41 minutes to play.

“It was a choppy game,” VCU coach Shaka Smart said.

Despite all the fouls, the Rams (4-2) still were able to use their pressure defense to force Georgetown into 26 turnovers. But after VCU used a quick 8-0 run to take a 48-41 lead with less than 14 minutes to play, the Hoyas (3-2) did a better job of handling the ball down the stretch.

“VCU is going to make runs,” Georgetown coach John Thompson III said. “To have success against them, you have to limit those runs. That was their run, and we were able to settle down a little bit after that.”

Georgetown guards D’Vaunt Smith-Rivera and Markel Starks were primarily responsible for the Hoyas’ improved play in the second half. The duo scored 36 of their combined 49 points in the second half, with Starks making all 10 of this free-throw attempts.

“These guys are going to sleep very, very well tonight, from dealing with that pressure at both ends of the court,” Thompson said. “Everyone always talks about VCU’s defense, but they always have five guys on the court who can attack and score. So the key wasn’t necessarily handling their pressure. The key was making it hard for them to score.”

It definitely was hard for VCU’s three best scorers to find their shooting touch, as Juvonte Reddic, Trevon Graham and Rob Brandenberg went a combined 6-of-28 from the floor.

“Shooting percentages were in the front of everybody’s mind, and that affected how we played,” said Reddic, who finished with seven points, five below his average.

While the Hoyas bounced back from an opening-round upset loss to Northeastern to win their next two games in the Puerto Rico Tip-Off, 10th-ranked VCU leaves the island with a surprising 1-2 tournament record.

“The main thing we learned in Puerto Rico is we have to get better,” Smart said. “We already knew that, but now we’ve been smacked across the face with it.”

PUERTO RICO TIP-OFF

GAME 11: FSU VS. NORTHEASTERN 62-60

Florida State Coach Leonard Hamilton: “For most of the game Northeastern out-played us. They had a tremendous game plan, they were patient, they executed very well. They were energized and played with tremendous focus. For the majority of the game they probably out-played us. We were very fortunate to win the game at the end. These are the kind of games you look back at the end of the season and say, ‘wow.’ This is a very, very good team. They’re going to give a lot of folks a lot of problems; you can ask Georgetown about that. So we were very fortunate to find a way to win there at the end. The game could have gone either way.”

“We didn’t seem to have an answer for their big guy (Scott Eatherton). He was very smart in how he played and he was very energized; he might have had six offensive rebounds the first half. We didn’t do a very good job. Our guys would rotate over to try to catch one of their penetrating guards and he would just crash the glass. None of our guards were picking him up on the outside. That’s a very smart headed player who is taking advantage of the opportunities that are available. For the most part, a team like this, we were very fortunate we were able to make the adjustments. When you run into a big guy who is as mobile and agile as Eatherton, sometimes it negates our size and we have to go with a smaller lineup. He was a little too quick for our two seven footers.”

“You’ve got to give these guys credit…they did a great job and had a great game plan. We were just fortunate to have the ball in our hands with the clock running down. Whoever had that ball with the clock running down probably was going to have a chance to win.”

“We haven’t been out-rebounding people all that much. I’ve said all along, I think we’re a work in progress. I think we’ve got potential that we could be a pretty good basketball team, but we have not been as consistent as we need to.”

“The game could’ve gone either way. Northeastern is a high-caliber team. I don’t know who they’ve lost to, but I know they played awful well down here. If they continue to play throughout the year as well as they’ve played in this tournament, somebody’s in for a handful. I can guarantee you that.”

“We could not have had a better situation in Puerto Rico, other than I would have loved to play in the Championship game. I don’t think we could have asked for better competition to get us ready for our conference race.”

Northeastern Coach Bill Coen: “We came down to this tournament to find out about ourselves and compete. In that sense, we’ll consider our trip to Puerto Rico a success. I know we didn’t get the victories we were looking for, but I couldn’t be more proud of my team with their effort, their intensity and their togetherness. We told our team in the locker room that is we can build on that, we could end up having a special year. If we can keep believing in each other, keep competing and trying to improve each and every day, we’ll get where we want to go. Right now we’re obviously a little disappointed; we thought we played a winning effort but really just didn’t earn the win. You’ve got to give credit to Florida State, they made some great plays down the stretch and we lost to a terrific basketball team.”

“They have an extremely athletic club, they’re athletes up and down their lineup. They have great size and rim protection, so they have everything they need to be a post-season team. I thought some of those turnovers and errors were self-inflicted. We had a few things where we mishandled the basketball. That’s the wear down effect of the pressure. They put a lot of pressure on our guards. For the most part, I thought we executed fairly well, but we had a couple possessions that we could improve upon for sure.”

“We’re an execution basketball team. We’re not going to out-athlete anybody, we’re going to compete. As the year goes on, we need our execution to get better and I thought during this tournament it did. We were able to run our sets a bit better, a little more crisply and get the ball to Scottie (Eatherton) where he can do something with it. He was able to deliver. I thought he had an outstanding tournament against some of the best teams in the country. He’s played as well as you possibly play in three games.”

Northeastern Forward Scott Eatherton: “I think that we realized how good we can actually be playing at this competition and actually being able to compete. Our effort, if we can have the effort for every game no matter who the team is, I think we can be a really good team. I’m excited to get back and practice and get ready for the next game, and I think the rest of our team is too.”

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – Considering that Michigan was the runner-up in
last season'’s NCAA Tournament, it was expected that the Wolverines would
have a good chance to advance to this season'’s championship game of the
Puerto Rico Tip-Off.

Charlotte, on the other hand, was not expected to be there. Not with a
field that included VCU, Georgetown and Kansas State. But the 49ers proved
that they more than belonged in Sunday night'’s title game by upsetting the
14th-ranked Wolverines 63-61.

Charlotte nearly gave the game away, blowing a five-point lead in the
final minute when Michigan’'s Mitch McGary made a layup to tie the game at
61-61 with only eight seconds remaining.

But the 49ers quickly pushed the ball downcourt, where Terrence Williams
missed a layup but got his own rebound and put it back for the
game-winning basket with only 0.4 seconds left.

  PUERTO RICO TIP-OFF

GAME 12: CHARLOTTE VS. MICHIGAN 63-61  

Charlotte Coach Alan Major: “you almost don’t know what to say after that one; that was one of the most incredible basketball games I’ve ever been a part of. I just can’t say enough about these kids. Every game got sticky, all three games of this tournament got sticky. Teams have gone on runs and guys don’t come to the time outs with their heads hanging, they maintain their poise. The thing that’s been the most fun and encouraging for me to watch is just them coming together down here and being a team. It’s the hardest thing to do in sports these days is to legitimately root for the next guy on your team and not care what happens for you. They’re really trying to be a team so I’m just really thankful to God for them. They’re a tremendous bunch and they deserve this. A lot of conditioning in the fall, a lot of running and weight room stuff, everything that they’ve done – they deserve it. Hats off to this crew.”

“We just figured we’d let them play. Pierriά (Henry) did a good job of finding Terrence (Williams) on the back door, they do it all the time. Terrence just kind of had a nose for it, was almost probably shocked how open he was at first but he stayed with it and put the thing back in.”

Charlotte Guard Terrence Williams: “I saw Pierriά (Henry) driving down the lane, so I stepped down on the baseline and as he dumped it off to me I missed the layup. I just stayed with it.”

Michigan Coach John Beilein: “Well, another March game played in November. Charlotte was really good; I was really impressed with their personnel and defense. They played a terrific game. Pierriά Henry did a great job on Nik Stauskas. He’s a really, really good defender. I think he’s one of the best defenders in the Atlantic 10. We’re embracing this and saying, ‘What a great opportunity to grow?’ We had adversity tonight like we hadn’t had, and we just kept plugging away, it’s all good. I know that sounds crazy, but it’s all good to come into that environment, play as hard as we did and fight back to have a chance to win.”

“We had two starters out for most of the game. The first two fouls on Caris (LeVert) were a tough break for us, then Glenn (Robinson III) goes down, then we can’t make a shot. Here’s what I like: I like that Zak Irvin didn’t stop shooting even though he couldn’t make a shot, because he hit a huge one for us late and in the first half. So these are all things that I see positive from the loss.”

“Jordan Morgan went in there and played his tail off. He had five offensive rebounds, he worked so hard. He had a big bucket for us and made two huge foul shots. I’m really happy for him becauase finding playing time with Mitch in there is tough.”

“I don’t know if I’ve seen a better offensive rebounder in all these years. That kid (Willie Clayton) is unbelievable, number 21, Clayton.”

Michigan Guard Nik Stauskas: “The injury was tough, especially defensively, because they noticed it real quick and whoever I was guarding just started running around a bunch of screens. It was definitely difficult just to move around and put pressure on them, I was kind of limited.”

“We had to play solid defense, I think our big helped up a little bit and the guy (Terrence Williams) got an open layup. Luckily he missed it, but we couldn’t capitalize on a rebound and he put it back in on the buzzer.”

“We were right there at the end and gave ourselves an opportunity to win; it just didn’t work out for us.”

Michigan Forward Jordan Morgan: “We just take one possession at a time. We know it’s a game of runs and they’re going to go on their run, but there was a lot of time left. We just take it one play at a time, one stop at a time so we can have a chance at it.”

“I thought it was going in, I just wanted to be there in case the free throw did come off, and it did.

Photo Credit: ESPN/Phil Ellsworth

 

NBA en Directo-25 de noviembre del 2013

NBA en Directo

Por Daniel “Mr. Clutch” Mercado Castro

            Lunes: Un segundo cuarto de 37-17 fue suficiente para que los Warriors vencieran 98-87 a los Jazz. Stephen Curry anotó 22 con 8 asistencias mientras que David Lee coló 14 puntos con 14 rebotes. Los Warriors se fueron de 22-13 de la línea de los tres puntos. El querendón de Ponce y Puerto Rico, Mike Harris, echó seis puntos con tres rebotes. Portland ganó su séptimo al hilo al vencer 108-98 a los Nets. Aldridge lideró con 27 puntos y Matthews le siguió con 24 puntos en la victoria. Los Bulls ganaron su quinto corrido al vencer 86-81 a los Bobcats gracias a 21 puntos de Deng. 38 puntos de Durant junto a 30 puntos con 12 rebotes y 7 asistencias de Westbrook, fueron suficientes para que los Thunder vencieran 115-113 a Denver. Ty Lawson anotó 29 puntos y repartió 8 asistencias en la derrota. Chris Paul empató la marca de Magic Johnson al lograr comenzar la temporada con 11 double-double. Paul anotó 18 puntos y repartió 11 asistencias en la derrota 106-102 de sus Clippers ante Memphis. Paul recibió una patada de Tony Allen en la cara, en una jugada difícil de creer que fuera intencional. Zach Randolph anotó 26 y cogió 15 rebotes mientras que Marc Gasol coló 23 puntos con 9 rebotes y 8 asistencias en la victoria. Dallas venció 97-94 a los 76ers gracias a 24 con 10 asistencias de Monta Ellis.

            Martes: Los Heat ganaron su cuarto juego corrido al vencer 104-88 a os Hawks gracias a 19 puntos de Bosh y 17 de Ray Allen. Los Wizards sorprendieron 104-100 a los Wolves guiados por 25 puntos de Beal y 14 puntos con 16 asistencias de Wall. Love anotó 25 con 11 rebotes en la derrota. Con 21 puntos de Rodney Stuckey viniendo del banco, los Pistons vencieron 92-86 a los Knicks por primera vez desde el 2011. Terrence Jones estableció una marca personal con 24 puntos junto a 9 rebotes y dos tapones en la victoria 109-85 de Houston sobre Boston. DeMarcus Cousins anotó 27 con 13 rebotes, cuatro robos de balón y dos tapones en la victoria 107-104 de sus Kings ante los Suns.

            Miércoles: Los Pelicans vencieron 105-98 a los Jazz guiados por 22 puntos y 8 tapones de Anthony Davis. El novato de Utah, Trey Burke, hizo un buen debut con 11 puntos, un rebote, una asistencia y un robo de balón en 12 minutos. Mike Harris anotó 2 puntos. Los Heat le dieron una paliza 120-92 a los Magic gracias a 21 punto con 7 asistencias de LeBron. Afflalo anotó 30 en la derrota mientras que Odalipo debutó como iniciador con 20 puntos y 8 turnovers. Los Bobcats vencieron 95-91 a los Nets gracias a 31 puntos de Kemba Walker. Deron Williams volvió a lastimarse el tobillo y tuvo que salir del juego. Beal con 26 puntos e Hilario con 24 puntos fueron la clave de que los Wizards vencieran 98-91 a los Cavs. Los Pacers vencieron 103-96 a los Knicks en tiempo extra gracias a tres tiradas libres de George para provocar el tiempo adicional. George anotó 35 y se robó cinco balones mientras que Melo Anthony no recibió el beneficio de la duda de los árbitros en los segundos finales del tiempo regular y terminó con 30 puntos. De Rozan coló 33 puntos en la victoria 108-98 de sus Raptors sobre los 76ers. Millsap coló 19 puntos y Teague 18 en la victoria 93-85 de los Hawks sobre los Pistons. Portland ganó su octavo al hilo al vencer 91-82 a los Bucks con 21 puntos de Aldridge. Chris Paul estableció una nueva marca en la NBA al comenzar una temporada con 12 double- double. Paul coló 20 puntos y repartió 11 asistencias más robo cuatro balones en el triunfo 102-98 de sus Clippers sobre los Wolves. Los Spurs ganaron su octavo juego al hilo al vencer 104-93 a Boston. Tony Parker coló 19 puntos con 5 asistencias. Isaiah Thomas anotó 23 puntos en la victoria 113-106 de los Kings sobre los Suns. Dallas vino de atrás para vencer 123-120 a Houston. Monta Ellis coló 37 puntos y Nowitzki 35. Dallas ganó el cuarto parcial 36-19. Nowitzki pasó a Reggie Miller con 25, 220 puntos en la posición 15 de todos los tiempos. Houston botó el mejor juego de la temporada para Howard con 33 puntos, 11 rebotes y 13-9 del tiro libre. El hijo del pelotero Barry Larkin, Shane Larkin, fue clave con 8 puntos y 2 robos de balón. No faltaron las comparaciones con José Juan Barea.

            Jueves: Los Thunder vencieron fácilmente a los Clippers 105-91 gracias a 28 puntos de Durant. Blake Griffin 27 puntos con 10 rebotes en la derrota. Nate Robinson coló 11 puntos para ayudar a Denver vencer a su antiguo equipo de los Bulls por marcador 97-87. Jordan Hamilton lideró Denver con 17 puntos.

            Viernes: Dallas venció 103-93 a los Jazz gracias a 26 puntos de Ellis. Channing Frye coló 20 puntos con 5 bombazos en la victoria 98-91 de los Suns sobre los Bobcats. Milwaukee perdió por séptima vez al hilo al caer 115-107 en tiempo extra ante Philadelphia. Spencer Hawes provocó el tiempo adicional con un bombazo faltando un segundo y luego Evan Turner tomo control del tiempo extra al anotar 8 de los 13 puntos de los 76ers. Caron Butler echó 38 puntos en la derrota. Wall anotó 37 puntos en la derrota 96-88 de sus Wizards ante los Raptors. Paul George coló 27 en la victoria 97-82 de los Pacers sobre Boston. Jeff Teague con 18 puntos y 9 asistencias junto con 17 puntos y 11 rebotes de Al Horford, fueron suficientes para que sus Hawks vencieran 96-89 a los Pistons. Los Spurs ganaron su noveno corrido al vencer 102-86 a Memphis gracias a 20 puntos de Tony Parker. Anthony Davis anotó 17 con 13 rebotes y tres tapones en la victoria 104-100 de sus Pelicans sobre los Cavaliers. Los Wolves le dieron una salsa 111-81 a los Nets con Kevin Love colando 17 puntos con 16 rebotes. Portlando ganó su noveno corrido al vencer 98-95 a los Bulls gracias a 28 puntos de Wesley Matthews. D-Rose salió lastimado del juego y al otro día se reveló que necesitará cirugía en su rodilla derecha, por ende, estará fuera indefinido. Sigue Rose con su mala suerte y los Bulls cojos de una súper estrella. Pau Gasol anotó 24 puntos con 10 rebotes en la victoria 102-95 de sus Lakers sobre los Warriors. En este juego los Warriors perdieron indefinidamente a Iguodala al tener un tipo de desgarre en su hamstring izquierdo. Marc Gasol perderá tiempo indefinido por una lesión severa en su rodilla izquierda. Los Warriors han perdido 10 seguidas en la casa de los Lakers.

            Sábado: LeBron James encestó el canasto de la victoria faltando 15 segundos para guiar a sus Heat a una victoria 101-99 sobre los Magic. Wade anotó 27 y LeBron 22. Los Clippers vencieron 103-102 a los Kings gracias a 22 puntos con 9 asistencias de Paul. Con eso termina en 13 la racha de double-double de Paul. Lo curioso del juego fue ver como Cousins evitó que Isaiah Thomas le diera la mano a Paul al finalizar el juego. ¡Muy Mal! Roy Hibbert coló 27 puntos con 13 rebotes y 6 tapones en la victoria 106-98 de sus Pacers sobre los 76ers. Michael Carter-Williams anotó 29 con 7 robos de balón en la derrota. Los Knicks perdieron su quinto juego al hilo al caer 98-89 ante 31 puntos de Wall y sus Wizards. Boston paró la racha de seis derrotas corridas al vencer 94-87 a los Hawks. Houston sin Harden venció 112-101 a los Wolves gracias a 26 puntos con seis bombazos en siete intentos de Aaron Brooks. Al Jefferson con 19 puntos fue clave en el triunfo 96-72 de sus Bobcats sobre los Bucks. Nadie anotó en doble dígitos del cuadro inicial de los Bucks. Danny Green coló 17 puntos para darle el decimo triunfo corrido a los Spurs por marcador 126-96 sobre los Cavs. Ty Lawson con 20 puntos y nueve asistencias ayudó a Denver vencer a Dallas 102-100. Nowitzki echó 27 en la derrota. Portlanda vino de atrás, superó la botada de juego de Matthews por dos técnicas y el revolú del amague de pelea, para ganar su decimo corrido y vencer 113-101 a los Warriors. Aldridge lució inmenso con 30 puntos, 21 rebotes y 3 tapones.

            Domingo: Los Thunder le dieron una pela 95-73 a los Jazz en el día de descanso de Westbrook. Durant coló 19 puntos e Ibaka logró 17 puntos con 11 rebotes y tres tapones. Los Pistons le propinaron la quinta derrota al hilo a los Nets al vencerlos 109-97. Rodney Stuckey coló 27 puntos viniendo del banco. Los Clippers le dieron una salsa asquerosa a los Bulls por marcador 121-82. Chris Paul anotó 16 y repartió 17 asistencias. Goran Dragic anotó 23 y repartió 13 asistencias en el triunfo 104-96 de sus Suns sobre los Magic. Los Lakers vencieron 100-86 a los Kings gracias a 20 puntos con 10 rebotes de Pau Gasol y 21 puntos de Xavier Henry.

            Rincón Boricua: Barea coló 12 puntos con 7 asistencias y dos rebotes ante los Wizards, anotó 8 con 2 asistencias en 15 minutos ante los Nets, anotó 2 puntos con un rebote y 3 asistencias ante los Clippers, y coló 3 puntos con 2 rebotes, una asistencia y un robo de balón en 18 minutos ante Houston. Carmelo Anthony coló 25 puntos con 7 rebotes, una asistencia y dos robos de balón ante los Pistons, anotó 30 con 18 rebotes, 3 asistencias y dos tapones ante los Pacers, y echó 23 puntos con 12 rebotes y 2 asistencias ante los Wizards. Maurice Harkless coló 5 puntos con 2 rebotes, 3 asistencias y cuatro robos de balón ante los Heat en Orlando, coló 5 puntos con 6 rebotes, un robo de balón y un tapón ante los Heat en Miami, y 5 puntos, 2 rebotes con 2 tapones ante los Suns.

            Tabla de Posiciones:

 Atlantic-Toronto (6-7), Philadelphia (6-9), Boston (5-10), Knicks (3-9) y Nets (3-10).

 Central-Pacers (12-1), Bulls (6-6), Detroit (5-8), Cavs (4-10) y Bucks (2-10).

 Southeast-Heat (10-3), Hawks (8-6), Bobcats (7-7), Wizards (5-8) y Magic (4-9).

 Northwest-Blazers (12-2), Thunder (9-3), Wolves (8-7), Denver (6-6) y Jazz (1-14).

 Pacific-Clippers (10-5), Warriors (8-6), Suns (7-6), Lakers (7-7) y Kings (4-9).

 Southwest-Spurs (12-1), Dallas (9-5), Houston (9-5), Memphis (7-6) y Pelicans (6-6).

Pelota Isleña-25 de noviembre del 2013

Pelota Isleña

Por Daniel “Mr. Clutch” Mercado Castro

          Lunes: Mayagüez vence 4-1 a Ponce gracias a cuadrangulares solitarios de Daniel Ortiz, Randy Ruiz y Jerry Sands. Para Sands es el tercero de la temporada. El relevista Steve Smith se apuntó su cuarto triunfo, Alex Claudio cargó con su tercera derrota y Tyler Herron se adjudicó su sexto salvado de la temporada.

          Martes: Ponce vence 4-3 a Caguas gracias sencillo remolcador de dos carreras de Christian Colon, y sencillo remolcador de Iván De Jesús. Colon bateo tres hits con dos dobles y De Jesús dos hits con una anotada. Andy González se fue de 5-5 por Caguas. Adalberto Flores se apuntó su segundo triunfo, John Brownell se apuntó su primera derrota y Peter Parise salvó su segundo juego. Santurce salió de la mala racha al vencer 8-2 a los Indios con cuatro carreras en la sexta entrada. Víctor Mateo se apuntó el triunfo y Matt Magill perdió su segundo juego. Jonathan Singleton sacó cuadrangular. Neftalí Soto remolcó dos carreras, conectó cuadrangular y bateo un doble. Jack López y Jeff Domínguez ambos conectaron dos hits en el juego.

          Miércoles: Carolina vence 8-2 a Caguas con un rally de cinco carreras en la octava entrada. Enrique Hernández bateo cuadrangular de dos carreras en la tercera entrada y remolcó tres carreras. Jesús “Motorita” Feliciano bateo dos hits y remolcó una carrera en la octava entrada con sencillo. Shuhei Fukuda se fue de 5-2 con doble y dos remolcadas. Orlando Alonso ganó el juego sobre Luis Cruz. Ponce venció 3-1 a los Indios al anotar las tres carreras en la octava entrada producto de cuadrangulares consecutivos de Jon García y Jordan Lennerton. Fray Martínez se apuntó el triunfo mientras que Nelvin Fuentes cargó con su primera derrota luego de botar el juego.

          Jueves: Ponce dejó en el terreno a Santurce con una victoria 6-5 en 11 entradas gracias a un “walk-off single” de Reymond Fuentes. Rubí silva empató a 5 en la entrada 11 con sencillo remolcador. Jack López sacó cuadrangular y triple por Santurce. Billy Hamilton se fue de 6-3 con cuatro bases robadas, tiene 10 en lo que va de temporada. Fernando Cruz cargó con la victoria y Xavier Cedeño se llevó la derrota. Caguas necesito de siete carreras en la segunda entrada para vencer 10-8 a Mayagüez. Andy González sacó un “grand slam homerun” mientras que Roberto Peña bateo dos dobles y remolcó tres carreras. Eddie Rosario sacó su primer cuadrangular y Michael Taylor bateo cuatro hits. Andrés Santiago ganó su primer juego, Freddie Cabrera cargó con la derrota y Miguel Mejía se adjudicó el salvado.

          Viernes: Mayagüez le barrió el doble choque a Caguas. Primero le ganaron 3-1 gracias a un triple remolcador de un par de carreras de Eddie Rosario. Jeremy Kehrt lanzó cinco solidas entradas como relevista para la victoria sobre Shaun Garceau. Los Indios blanquearon 1-0 en el segundo gracias a una excelente labor de seis relevistas y un sencillo remolcador de Daniel Ortiz. Randy Fontanez se apuntó el triunfo sobre Efraín Nieves mientras que Tyler Herron logró su séptimo salvado de la temporada. Carolina blanqueo a Santurce 7-0 gracias a una joya monticular de 11 ponches de Nag Higashikawa. Víctor Mateo cargó con el triunfo.

          Sábado: Carolina venció 5-3 a los Indios 5-3 gracias al tercer cuadrangular de la temporada de Anthony García y dos hits con una remolcada de Enrique Hernández. Bobby Bramhall se apuntó el triunfo sobre Héctor Hernández y Justin Souza de adjudicó su tercer salvado. Kenny Vargas sacó un cuadrangular por los Indios. Ponce venció 10-8 a Caguas con tres carreras en la séptima entrada y tres carreras en la octava entrada. Ponce contó con cuadrangulares de dos carreras de Jordan Lennerton y Jan Vázquez. Henry Ramos completó el back to back con Lennerton con un clase de palo en la séptima entrada. Miguel Abreu la sacó por Caguas mientras que Ramón Castro ya tiene 12 carreras remolcadas. Eddie Camacho se apuntó el triunfo ante José De La Torre. Pete Parise logró su tercer salvado.

          Domingo: Santurce aprovechó un error costoso de Andy González para vencer 4-3 a Caguas. Billy Hamilton bateo dos hits, se robó una base y remolcó una carrera. Andy González sacó cuadrangular de tres carreras en la derrota. Jan Velásquez se apuntó el triunfo sobre Bryce Stowell. Arik Sikula se adjudicó su cuarto salvado. Ponce se apuntó su quinto triunfo consecutivo al vencer 4-2 a Mayagüez. Rubi Silva remolcó una con un doble, Christian Colon hizo lo propio con un sencillo y Jordan Lennerton remolcó dos carreras con tres hits y dos dobles. Yuki Egararashi se apuntó el triunfo mientras que Matt Magill cargó con su tercera derrota. Pete Parise logró su cuarto salvado.

          Tabla de Posiciones: Carolina (10-4), Mayagüez (9-8), Ponce (9-9), Caguas (8-11) y Santurce (6-10).

Link para ver Survivor Series

http://www.viponlinesports.eu/boxing/191754/3/wwe-survivor-series-2013-live-stream-online.html

Regreso victorioso de Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao por Daniel "Mr. Clutch" Mercado

Y está de regreso el viejo Manny Pacquiao. Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao (55-5-2 con 38KO) se gano la faja Welter Internacional de la WBO/OMB al vencer por decisión unánime (120-108, 119-109 y 118-110) al mexicano Brandon "Bam Bam" Ríos ( 31-2-1 con 22KO). Esto fue una clase de boxeo de principio a fin, donde parecía que Pacquiao estaba tomando de "punching bag" a Rios. Aunque yo vi la pelea 119-109, no hay duda que esto fue una chiva asquerosa de Manny a Brandon.

En el primer asalto Pacquio lo dominó con fuertes izquierdas al rostro de Ríos. Hubo una caída inadvertida al resbalar y tropezar Ríos con el pie de Manny. Ríos salió al segundo asalto súper agresivo con ganchos al rostro y fuertes golpes al cuerpo de Manny. Pacquiao se sacudió los golpes, intercambio combinaciones y cerró con fuertes golpes el round. Manny comienza a moverse más en el tercer round y conectar combinaciones que llegan al rostro de Brandon. Ríos sigue estático en el cuarto asalto mientras Manny sigue penetrando sus combinaciones sobre la defensa de Ríos. Manny comienza su ataque en el quinto asalto con fuertes izquierdas que le sacan una sonrisa a Ríos. Sigue las combinaciones de Pacquiao llegando a Ríos en el sexto asalto. Fuertes izquierdas de Manny provocan corte en el ojo izquierdo de Ríos. Manny sigue haciendo fallar a Ríos y evitando que contrareste sus fuertes golpes en el séptimo asalto. En los asaltos ocho y nueve fue todo Manny Pacquiao dando cátedra de suprema ofensiva, veloz defensa y dominio boxístico. Manny sigue contestando todo lo mejor que puede dar Brandon en el décimo asalto con mejores y más fuertes golpes. Manny sigue penetrando la defensa de Rios con buenas combinaciones a gusto y gana. Nada que hacer que no sea sobrevivir en el undécimo asalto para Ríos. Llegamos al asalto 12 y la historia continua igual. Manny termina una casi chiva, demostrando que está de regreso al boxeo y listo para vencer al que le echen.  Ríos lo único que hizo fue sobrevivir el round para que su ego se alimente de que Manny no lo tumbó ni lo KO. Al menos hay que darle crédito de que nunca se quitó y que intentó hasta con golpes detrás de la cabeza parar a Pacquiao. Manny Pacquiao is back!!!!!!!!!!

Fotos cortesía de Top Rank Boxing

El Diamante Verdejo se apunta otra victoria-Por Daniel "Mr. Clutch" Mercado Castro

El boricua Félix "El Diamante" Verdejo (9-0 con 6KO) venció por decisión unánime (las tres tarjetas fueron 60-53) al tailandés Petchsamuthr Duanaaymukdahan (8-2 con 1KO) en una pelea pautada para seis asaltos en el lightweight. Verdejo demostró gran domino de boxeo, atacando sin piedad pero con el cuidado que debe tener quien le guste aplicarse el arte de dar pero que no te den. Nunca se desesperó, nunca fue detrás de un KO, nunca perdió el control de la pelea, nunca se salió del plan de trabajo. Sin duda alguna este es El Diamante que cuando se pula será campeón Mundial de seguro. Va por buen camino, cada pelea luce mejor, tiene una buena defensa y un boxeo exquisito. Por fín una nota buena para Puerto Rico...cuna de campeones en el boxeo. Esta pelea fue la telonera de la gran estelar de Manny "Pacman" Paquiao (54-5-2-38KO) ante Brandon "Bam Bam" Ríos (31-1-1-22KO) desde China. Foto cortesía de Top Rank Boxing.

Link para ver la pelea de Pacquiao vs Rios

http://firstrowus1.eu/watch/223268/1/watch-boxing-:-manny-pacquiao-vs-brandon-rios.html

Análisis Luchístico-TNA Turning Point 2013

Análisis Luchístico- TNA Turning Point 2013

Por Daniel “Mr. Clutch” Mercado Castro

            Y TNA regresa a Orlando para darle gratis a todos sus “fans” otro de sus tradicionales eventos pague por ver. Turning Point no estuvo nada mal aunque parecía un Impact más, en especial cuando no hubo ninguna correa envuelta. Se nota que TNA hay problemas y que su venta parece eminente. Los creativos parecen buscar cerrar todas las historias y cada vez se ven menos luchadores del “roster” en los programas televisados. Aparte de eso, vuelven a su casa en Orlando, los eventos paguen por ver son gratis excepto uno que otro como Bound for Glory  y los baratillos en su tienda online son increíbles. Una solución  a esto puede ser volver a sus orignenes, con su antiguo ring, con sus luchadores voladores, con sus show en Universal Studios en Orlando, y dejando que sean los luchadores los que hablen con su “in-ring performance”. Tal vez hay otras soluciones, yo solo doy las más costo económica. Veremos que pasa.

            Turning Point comienza con una tremenda lucha Falls Count Anywhere de Samoa Joe contra Magnus. Se dieron duro de principio a fin. La lucha comenzó tras bastidores y continuó hasta el ring. No hay lucha de Samoa Joe que no sea física, pero Magnus se ajustó muy bien. El final fue algo flojo, Samoa Joe se achoca con una silla que estaba en la parte de afuera de un esquinero, y es planchado por Magnus. ¡No good! Magnus pasa a enfrentar a Kurt Angle en la continuación el Championship Tournament. Joseph Park sale para enfrentar a su hermano Abyss. Abyss nunca apareció, cosa que aprovechó Bad Influence para humillarlo y hasta echarle un supuesta sangre encima. Yo tenía fe de que ahí terminarían la historia barata de Park y Abyss; pero parece que esto va para largo. En el segundo “Open Challenge” de Gail Kim, la misma venció fácilmente y contundente a la desconocida Candice Larea. Esta historia de los retos abiertos esta tan gastada que aburre. En la mejor lucha de la noche, Bobby Roode venció a James Storm cuando Gunner tiró  la toalla para proteger de que Roode no tirará a Storm en alambre de púas. Estos dos muchachos se dieron con todo y el momento de la guerra con las tapas de zafacón fue único. La gente se metió en la lucha y hasta Storm sangró. Buena lucha semi-hard core llamada Florida Death Match. Asumo que el final es para crear una riña con Gunner y romper la pareja. Que mal si así es, pero Storm tiene potencial solo.

            La semi-estelar de la noche fue EC3 (Ethan Carter III) vs el mal imitador de Stone Cold conocido como Shark Boy. Es obvio que ganó EC3, pero lo que quiero mencionar es el talento, la imagen y el potencial que tiene este muchacho. Este luchador podría ser fácil una fuerza como “heel” o rudo, y a su vez, ser una versión de Randy Orton de TNA. Un diamante que si se pule vale oro. Llegamos a la estelar entre Mr. Anderson y Bully Ray. Si Ray gana Anderson se retira, si Anderson gana se desmantela Aces & Eights. Esta lucha estuvo súper buena y la reacción de la gente es el mejor testigo. Ambos veteranos se metieron al publico en el bolsillo con sus ocurrencias. El final llega cuando Brooke le lanza el martillo por error a Anderson, este le pega a Bully y luego le aplica el Mic Check para el conteo 1, 2 y 3. Adiós a lo que quedaba de la facción de Aces & Eights, luego de 18 meses en TNA. No estuvo mal este evento gratuito de TNA, pero más de una C no le puedo dar. Un Impact más.