BMEG Derby Ace Llamados' Road in the Fiesta Cup Conference

I haven't really watched Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) that much since Kerby Raymundo is out due to injury. But still, I cheer for BMEG Derby Ace Llamados (DAL).

ELIMINATIONS

Their import, Clif Brown, overwhelms me with his monster performance against the Barako Coffee Masters, 43 points and 20 rebounds in their last game of the eliminations. And that gave them a play off against the San Miguel Beermen (SMB) for that outright semifinals berth. Unfortunately, they lost; thus they landed to the third spot, just good for a quarterfinals (QF) berth. Anyhow, I thought to myself, If Brown could maintain such performance, a great match up could be seen in the semis when he meet Gabe Freeman (SMB's import) .

QUARTERFINALS

Rain or Shine Elasto Painters (RoS) made the QF too difficult for the DAL. They were down 2-1 despite Raymundo being able to share a few minutes in the hard court. Raymundo has the will to play, but his body is not yet ready. Coach Ryan Gregorio made the toughest decision before Game 4 of the QF. They had Brown in the injured list and had their third import in Tony Washam Jr.

Initially, I am against that idea. Brown may not be contributing that much on statistics, but the energy and chemistry he had with the group is something worth keeping. But Washam's debut game of 29 points and 13 rebounds convinces me that DAL needed him. And he saved DAL in the QF by scoring 49 out of 105 points in the do-or-die Game 5 of the QF.

SEMIFINALS

SMB is a tough team. With their all-star roster plus the former Best Import Freeman, it's hard to think how the DAL could win a game or two against them. Hence, it does not surprise me at all when they lose the first game of the semifinals. DAL had been playing the most number of games in this conference, in this season. They were tired (but their hearts are not).

They were able to come back in Game 2; but lost in Games 3 and 4. SMB is just a game away to defend their title as the Fiesta Conference Champions. But I guess DAL still can give another shot, another chance for a back-to-back championship. They got back to have the series 3-2, still in favor of SMB.

In Game 6, a must win for DAL, my heart breaks to see on how incompetent DAL can be against the SMB. They ALMOST got it, ALMOST. During those times when they're down 4 or 6 points with less than a minute to play, it makes me miss Raymundo sooooo much. If only Raymundo is playing, he could still create a situation to tie the game and bring it to overtime; and finally win it just like what he did against Talk N' Text Tropang Texters.

Photo Credits: Len Pestano

Down by 10 points, with more or less 30 seconds left in the fourth quarter, I don't want to lose hope. Coach Gregorio called a time out. And just when I thought they would be orchestrating a play, they just dribbled the ball until the time expires. Well, Roger Yap did make a basket; but that was just when there were only 5 seconds (I guess) in the shot clock. To me, I just realize that Coach Gregorio just knew when to fight and when to, *sigh*, give up. It just saddens me. I don't know, but it is painful to see them giving up - after all that they've been through. Like what I had told my PBA friends, it is more painful that the loss of Boston Celtics in Game 7 of the 2010 NBA Finals.

But like what the commentator had said, there's nothing that DAL should be ashamed of. And yes, I'm still proud of DAL. I will always be. They give their best, they really do.