PBA: NLEX signs up former Star

import for Commish Cup

by Waylon Galvez

Missing out on the PBA Philippine Cup playoffs apparently isn’t the end of the road for NLEX and
coach Yeng Guiao.

Star Hotshots’ Tony Mitchell (MB photos | Rio Leonelle Deluvio)

The Road Warriors hit the ground running after their exit, tabbing the services of former Star
Hotshots import Tony Mitchell for the mid-season Commissioner’s Cup.

NLEX coach Yeng Guiao bared yesterday that the 6-foot-9 Mitchell will be suiting up for the Road
Warriors, two seasons after he played for Star, now the Magnolia Hotshots, during the 2017
Commissioner’s Cup.

“We like what he brings to the table. From the management standpoint, and particularly the
coaching staff, we’re confident that he’ll be able to help us,” said Guiao.

“He works hard every practice and every game, and knowing coach Yeng, that’s what he wants from
a player. We’re just excited to have him soon after he finishes his stint in Taiwan,” he added.

Mitchell is currently playing for the Fubon Braves in Taiwan’s Super Basketball League (SBL), and
with averages of nearly 18 points and 11 rebounds per game, Mitchell has helped the Braves reach
the semifinal round of the tournament.
Guiao said the 27-year-old Mitchell, picked by the Detroit Pistons during the 2013 NBA Draft, would
only be available for NLEX after his stint in the SBL.

Mitchell played eight games for the Hotshots, compiling a 6-2 record, before he was replaced by
Ricardo Rattliffe, who helped Star reach the semifinal round.

In eight gams he played, Mitchell averaged 27.5 points and 18.1 rebounds for the Hotshots.

Known for his rebounding prowess and defense inside the painted area, Guiao believes that Mitchell
will be a big help for the frontline rotation of NLEX, which has JP Erram, JR Quinahan and Asi
Taulava.

PBA: San Miguel downs Phoenix

for 2-0 lead
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Published April 16, 2019, 12:00 AM

by Jonas Terrado

Game Tuesday (Smart Araneta Coliseum)

7 p.m. — Rain or Shine vs Magnolia
(Rain or Shine leads series 2-0)

Game Sunday (Smart Araneta Coliseum)

6:30 p.m. — Phoenix Pulse vs San Miguel

San Miguel Beer displayed championship composure for the second straight game and overhauled
Phoenix Pulse’s double-digit lead to prevail 92-82 for a 2-0 lead in their PBA Philippine Cup semifinal
series at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Terrence Romeo, Alex Cabagnot, Chris Ross, Marcio Lassiter made crucial baskets in the latter
stretch of the fourth to help the Beermen escape despite losing Christian Standhardinger to a
second quarter ejection.

Standhardinger faces a likely fine and a possible suspension after a Flagrant Foul 2 for an incident
with Calvin Abueva in the second quarter.
Jason Perkins of Phoenix and June Mar Fajardo of San Miguel Beer try to position for a rebound. (PBA
Images)

Lassiter finished with 24 points, including a three-pointer with 2:01 left in the fourth that made it
84-80 for the Beermen while Fajardo added 19 points and 18 rebounds.

The Beermen go for a commanding 3-0 lead on Easter Sunday at the Big Dome when the best-of-
seven series resumes from the Holy Week break.

Phoenix can only hope for a resurrection by that time as it tries to figure out ways to bounce back
from a two frustrating defeats.

The Fuel Masters led 40-28 in the second quarter but failed to sustain their form with the Beermen
knotting the count at 63-all going into the fourth.

Romeo’s one-hander put San Miguel in front, 74-72, setting up a final stretch that favored the
Beermen.

Cabagnot scored a layup and Ross knocked down a three for 81-76 San Miguel. Phoenix threatened
for the final time on four straight points which ended on a baseline jumper by Jason Perkins.

Lassiter’s three gave the Beermen the needed cushion even as the Fuel Masters unraveled with
Abueva committing his sixth foul after hacking Fajardo with 1:37 to go.

A frustrated Abueva went straight to the locker room, prompting officials to give Phoenix a technical
foul for delay of game.
Abueva finished with 16 points, 10 rebounds and six assists but had seven turnovers.

Scores:
San Miguel 92 – Lassiter 24, Fajardo 19, Romeo 14, Cabagnot 8, Pessumal 8, Santos 7, Ross 7,
Tubid 3, Standhardinger 2, Rosser 0, Nabong 0,

Phoenix 82 – Abueva 16, Wright 13, Perkins 12, Chua 12, Jazul 12, Mallari 8, Intal 4, Marcelo 2,
Kramer 2, Mendoza 1.

Quarters: 13-21, 37-46, 63-63, 92-82.

UST’s Rondina is UAAP Player of

the Week
By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA

Sisi Rondina displayed leadership and character in bringing University of Santo Tomas back to the
UAAP women’s volleyball Final four to emerge as the tournament’s Chooks To Go-Collegiate Press
Corps Players of the Week.

The graduating spiker erupted for 20 points to steer the Tigresses to their 25-21, 25-12, 26-24 win
over the University of the Philippines Lady Maroons on Wednesday then returned on Sunday with a
21-point explosion in edging the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws, 25-23, 25-18, 25-23 to
formalize their Final Four stint.
UST’s Cherry “Sisi” Rondina (MB photo | Rio Leonelle Deluvio)

In those two matches, Rondina showed her prowess behind the net with 34 spikes.

“Nangangarap akong umabot sa championship. Lagi kong ire-remind sa kanila yun. Gagawin ko ang
mga kailangang gawin para ipakita na gustong kong maglaro para sa UST and kailangan kong
lagyan ng actions yan,” said Rondina, 22. (I dream of making into the championships. I always
remind my teammates of that. I’ll do what it takes to show that I love playing for UST)

Rondina, however, downplayed her efforts and was quick to credit her teammates.

“Ang maganda kasi, sobrang responsible ng mga bata, nakikinig sila at nagtutulungan kami kaya ito
ang bunga ng lahat ng set plays namin, lumalabas,” Rondina said. (What’s nice is that my
teammates are responsible and we work together and it showed in our matches.)

The Tigresses, actually, entered the match already assured of a semis seat after also-ran National
University the Lady Maroons from the Final Four contention but it didn’t distract the Rondina and the
rest of UST from their focus of building momentum heading into the postseason wars.

The Espana-based squad (9-4) can snatch a semis advantage if it hurdles the Lady Bulldogs on April
27 and three-time defending champion De La Salle University (9-3) drops all of its remaining games.
UST can also force a playoff for a Final Four edge if it wins its last game and the Lady Spikers lose
one of their last two outings.

Rondina edged out rookie Princess Robles of NU, DLSU freshman Jolina Dela Cruz and University of
the East’s Judith Abil and Mean Mendrez for the weekly honors given by online, tabloid and
broadsheet scribes covering the beat.