Bonjings Trip Cobras In Another Wild Finish!

Undermanned, RBK Cobras could have just given up knowing they just have 5 players on their roster against Tondo Bonjings,

Nonetheless, these Cobras fought gallantly until the end. It was not in the cards for the Cobras to earn a victory.

Nikki Fazekas, the younger brother of Nick Fazekas of Petron who wears a silly cap when playing basketball, proved to be the decisive man to haunt Cobras for this game. Fazekas scored the final 4 pivotal points for Bonjing, including a wild reverse layup to seal the win for Bonjings, 111-108 over the over-achieving RBK Cobras.

With Cobras leading 108-107, Fazekas first drained a tough inside shot over Christian Queng. Down to their last play to win the ballgame, the Cobras went to Michael Kent for an isolation against Fazekas. Kent, criticized often during the game for attempting too many shots, drove past Fazekas and passed the rock to Queng who was blocked on his first try. Queng, nicknamed Ninong, recovered the loose ball and gave the ball back to Kent.

Again, Kent drove past Fazekas and dished the ball upon seeing the double team of Jun Bonjing and Fazekas.

Queng was wide open for the game winner. The problem is, he faked the shot.

Bonjing recovered to put pressure on Queng, which he missed the shot and Fazekas drove the baseline for the game winner.

"We played with just 5 players on our team and we nearly pulled one off" Benedick Lim said. Lim returned after a month layoff. "I was rusty but the heat was just too much." Tensions rise in the first half as Cobras teammates, Carlos Chan and Arnold Tsai, were seen frustrated of not having the ball in their hands and blames Kent. "I was open for those open jumpshots plus the fact i tried to drive and dish the ball out. With the defense that Bonjing were giving us, I have to be aggressive on those plays otherwise, we'll have a hard time scoring." Kent said.

RBK Cobras connected on 10 of their 28 attempts from the three point line, with Chan accounting for 5, Kent connecting 3 and Lim made 2. "This is our main weapon, and we'll keep on shooting no matter what." Chan said.

NOTES: Arnold Tsai left the game in the fourth quarter on what was described as pulled index finger. Upon asking for substitution, Tsai was ignored by everybody. Cobras started hot, drilling their first 4 out of 5 attempts from the three point line. Queng scored a season high 6 points. Kent has no rebounds for the first time in his career.

Cobras Leaned On A Emotional Kent To Victory!

If being rejected brings out the best in Michael Kent, then please keep on rejecting him.

Michael Kent uncorked 37 points, on top of 5 rebounds and 11 assists in leading RBK Cobras past an undermanned Barangay Goldies 130-126. Kent, playing his second game after suffering another emotional blow, continued his tear following his 39 point output last game around. The basketball player who plays the game not for run but redemption continued his chance of redemption, hitting shots after shots that put the fighting spirit of the Goldies away.

Despite struggling in the first half, including 5 airballs in 7 attempts, Kent picked up in the second half. With Cobras nursing a slim 61-57 advantage, thanks largely to inspired play of Nissan guy, Kent went wild. His 11 point spurt in a span of 10 minutes gave Cobras the entire cushion they needed. Hitting three triples and one wild step back shot that put Joewell Chan up on its feet, little did Goldies knew that they were being blown away by just one single guy, the guy who is nursing his wounded emotions. Score by that time, 83-65 with 15 minutes to play.

Goldies battled back, keeping the game close and within reach. With Kent scoring at will, Nissan guy gave him the box one defense.

Little did he know that Kent can pass the rock too.

By the time Goldies battled back thanks to their box one defense on Kent, he unloaded 6 of his 11 assists to Arnold Tsai and Carlos Chan. His patented drive and dish went ballistic as both Chan and Tsai put on the finishing touches to a game that Kent considered his redemption game. After the game, Kent went into the conference room with little emotion. “We won the game, and it’s nice. We played with just 4 regulars yet we played well.” Asked about his performance, Kent answered confidently. “I just want to be the guy who is not afraid to take big shots. A guy who is not scared to be the goat or hero. I will win games for our team, and I will definitely lose games for us too. But confidence-wise, I just want to be the guy that opponents fear or gave me the ultimate respect in defense. Like I’ve said, my game is maturing. Probably my leadership is also growing. I want to finish strong. This has been a tough year for me again but I’ll be strong enough to face these adversities on my own.

Asked about what he is feeling now, Kent answered in one word.

“Numb”

Carlos Chan backed Kent with 6 triples of his own as Cobras hit 13 triples for the game, 6 from Kent and Chan and one from newly developed shooter in Arnold Tsai. “They were just tough. That guy went ballistic in the second half. They even played without ace guard Ben Lim yet they withstand the pressure.” Joel Lim said.

Goldies played without Sherman Uy. Uy, who leads the team with 23 PPG, sat out due to personal reason. But the story of this game belongs to Michael Kent, a player who vowed redemption on each game. “He has not felt this way ever since we known him. It’s his time. It is his time to really show the whole world who Michael Kent is.” Arnold Tsai said.

Cobras-Campers Preview

Heat check anyone?

RBK Cobras guns for their 11th straight victory on Sunday as they face off with another class-A team in Boy Scout Campers at YMCA gym. Fresh from a demolishing a Johen Sy led Dexter Quackies, Cobras now must deal with star point guard Aries Enriquez and his veteran laden guys. "We know they're riding a 10 game run. This will test our mettle. We have to shut down their offensive game because they play like the Orlando Magic. Full offensive firepower." Enriquez said.

It's easier said than done.

With 2 pioneer of Cobras playing inspired basketball, Cobras are again favored to win this game. Carlos Chan, who is playing probably his first season with a girlfriend, is out to prove critics wrong. After a slow start the last time around, Chan responded with timely triples during the Quackies game that shoveled the opponents rally.

And another pioneer of Cobras playing inspired basketball, Michael Kent.

2 years after thrown into limelight, and reviving it again this year due to their winning run, Kent is waxing hot the past 6 games. During the last games, Kent has knocked down at least 4 triples in 5 out of 6 games and compiling average close to 29 PPG, a dissimilar sight he put up last 2 years ago during the Cobras 9 game run. Sources say that Kent have found someone to inspire him, outside of Sheila Gaw.

"It's over. I don't even remember her." Kent said.

"We'll bring our A game tomorrow. We know with the lineup we had, we have a distinct advantage against this team and expect us to use it to our might." Kent said. Cobras, who have yet to lose with Ronald Ke and Kendrick Chua on board, has been immortal in the past 4 months, averaging 125 PPG, a rare sight in YBA(YMCA BAsketball Association).

"They are just so goo din putting up numbers on offensive end. They added inside force, enabling Kent turn into a natural wingman and Chan into a natural Shooting guard. Peewa has been everything for them and Lim quarterbacking the team. We just have to labor so hard to get the W." Enriquez said.

ODDS: Campers +5 VS Cobras

Cobras Match Longest Winning Streak! Rip Quackies!

YMCA(AP) - By halftime, Quackies were already celebrating, knowing they're halfway of snapping RBK Cobras 8 game winning run.

But on the Cobras side, all players are thinking quietly, saying "this ain't over".

RBK Cobras leaned on a strong second half surge to rip Dexter Quackies, 130-118 to match the franchise longest winning run at 9 games. With utmost confidence and sheer determination, Cobras eat up the chunk of Quackies lead in just 3 minutes, using a blistering 27-7 run that turned a 61-50 deficit into a 77-68 lead that Cobras never looked back. "Again, another wild finish. We started slow but we recovered in time." Chain said.

"We blew this one away. We had the game under control but somehow lost it in the second half." Michael Ginaysy said. After a slow first half, Cobras were stunned as they were in a thick of a game then suddenly, Potpot and Andison Kaw catch fire that turned a close 33-32 lead into a 61-50 advantage by halftime.

But destiny would not hinder Kent's bid for redemption. Not on the day he had been waiting for a very long time.

Kent responded, firing 19 of his 33 points in the decisive second half. Playing without Ben Lim, Kent was shipped into a playmaker in the first half. But when Cobras needed offense, he lit up by knocking down 5 triples for the game, the most he had during the 9 game run. He and Ronald Ke combined forces that gave Cobras it's biggest lead of the game at 91-77 with 6 minutes remaining in the pay-off period.

"This is one game wherein we can see their depth. They played without Lim yet they still came out on top. Arguably, they can be the best team in the league right now. We just can't match up with them like what we did last year. Unbelievable." Kaw said.

With one more victory, Cobras can claim history. Another rematch against Quackies will do the trick. "We know we can take on these guys. Peewa, Ronald and the rest of the guys are playing well and we know over-confidence is our only enemy. So, let's get it on." Chan said.

NOTES: Kent notched his first double double in points and assists this season, finishing with 33 points and 12 assists. Cobras paraded a new center, Kendrick Chua. Details to be followed. :)

Game Preview: Cobras-Quackies

YMCA (AP) - If there is one guy on the Cobras roster who wants RBK to equalize their longest winning streak so bad is Michael Kent.

2 years ago, Cobras was on the same trail, notching 9 straight victories before bowing to CKSC Rabbits. It was also the same Michael Kent who critics say, it was the period wherein we saw Kent playing unselfish basketball, which is uncharacteristic of him. 2 years ago, he has Sheila Gaw as his inspiration. 2 years later, he is just playing great.

"I just want it so bad. So bad that it could somehow serves as my redemption." Kent said.

2 years after his rejection moment, Kent is back in a familiar moment, not in rejection mode but his team is playing extreme basketball. Fresh from a magnificent come from behind victory over PSBA Santas, Cobras are back on a verge of tying the franchise longest winning streak.

"This is personal. There's no doubt that I would like to erase all the bad memories of 2008. Now that the season is similar to 2008 season, we as a team would like to achieve more." Kent said.

Cobras are undefeated since acquiring Ronald Ke. His shot-blocking and inside presence has been the missing piece of this team. GM Cheng finally found a gem in Ke. And Ke delivers all the intangibles, leaving the usual scoring to the RBK scorers. "They've improved a lot since last year. They've got great shooters and the addition of Ke brings another dimension into their game." Santa said.

Quackies are next in line for Cobras, hoping to be the jinx to snap their 8 game run. Dubbed as their rivals for the past 2 years, Quackies is the best team to snap Cobras run because of their familiarity. "We know their game. We know who their scorers is and how they run their offensive sets." Johen Sy said. "But with the addition of Ronald Ke, we don't know how to react to their adjustment because he is a great player."

Cobras will have to play without Ben Lim, who is out due to personal reasons. "We just have to double our efforts. But this does not hinder our plan of going for 9. We're doing it with or without Lim." Kent said. "And there's no doubt in my mind that we can do it because we have a great team with great players without egos and dedicated to team play."

Again, all basketball gods will be watching. Destiny is now picking which side he'll be at. RBK Cobras have just done the impossible and there's no questioning the team's desire to win. "The team's hungry. We want that streak." As for Kent, this is another game wherein he can place his legacy and greatness, if ever he can help the team to win. A deja-vu of 2008, Kent is all fired up.

"Winning record on the line and no opponent is better for us to face than our rivals in Quackies. There's no stopping us now, not even the absence of Lim. My sheer will and determination could play a big role for this game and I hope it could inspire the rest of the guys." Kent said.

"Again, I don't see us losing this game. Simple as that."

Cobras Push Win Streak To 8!

Trailing by 6 points with less than 2 minutes remaining, RBK Cobras winning streak seems to be in jeopardy.

And with just one final basket needed to snatch their first win of the season, Santas did everything they could to at least preserve the victory.

Miracles happen in basketball, my friends.

RBK Cobras scored the final 8 points in regulation in a miraculous fashion to grit out a come-from behind victory over PSBA Santas 120-118. In what the basketball gods called as a gut-wrenching comeback, Cobras delivered it with style on a game wherein their winning run was at stake. And for Santas, this loss hurts so badly that even their calm star player Anthony was seen frustrated at the bench after the final buzzer.

Greatness. This is what critics described Cobras at the height of their 8 game winning streak.

Trailing 118-112, Kent misfired on a triple but a follow-up by Ronald Ke trims the lead to 4. Santas, desperate for theie first victory, went to Anthony only to have his shot blocked by Ke. Feeling confident, Santas never came back on defense. Kent brought the ball upcourt and sees Chan wide open from the right corner.

Swish.

With the lead slowly evaporating for Santas, 118-117, again desperate for victory went to Anthony again, only to have his shot blocked once again. This time, Ronald Ke ran the ball on a fastbreak play. Needing a triple, he faked but he heard someone whispers "Sa Likod mo".

It was Kent.

As he released a three-point shot with 2 feet far from the normal 3 point line, all eyes were watching the ball whether it would give Cobras their 8th game winning run. Nerves and tension ran through the veins of Santas, knowing they've let Kent have an open look for a game winner. Cobras hold their breathe as they await the outcome of the shot.

Swish. As Kent would say, Game over.

RBK Cobras continued their mastery over PSBA Santas, thanks largely to those 2 juggernaut triples by Kent and Chan to seal the deal. "Unbelievable. We thought our run was over." Lim said.

Not this night. Not with all the basketball gods are sealing Cobras destiny of equalizing their franchise longest run. Not on a night wherein Kent, who was the anchor of the longest run 2 years ago, would be the goat but rather as a hero. Not on a game wherein Ke gave his all out effort for those 2 humongous blocks.

"This loss hurts, no doubt. We have our foot in the door. All we have to do is to close the game. Unbelievable. They've done it with fashion." Santa said.

"This win gave us confidence towards our next game. We're hoping we can match it on Sunday. We want it and we will get it." Chan said.

With what happened on this game? There's no doubt that destiny is siding with the Cobras.

Game Preview: Cobras-Santas

YMCA(AP) -The hottest team of the league is simply going for another juggernaut.

Riding on a superb seven game winning streak, RBK Cobras aims to continue their strong push as they tries to win their 8th game in a row and solidifying their chase for the team's longest winning run at 9 games. Victories over Quackies, Santas and Guchitoids have this team feeling good of their chances of reaching or even surpassing the longest winning run that was set last 2008. Their next opponent? PSBA Santas.

And no one remember's the last 9 game winning run better than Michael Kent.

It was during that stretch that Kent's learned his fate 2 years ago. It was also that torrid stretch that Kent played his best basketball of his entire career. It was also during that stretch wherein Cobras became the best team for the year.

Now, it's happening all over again. And Kent avoids history to repeat itself.

Also riding on a torrid shooting, Kent is averaging close to 28 PPG in his last 6 games, an average that resembles 2 years ago. What made Cobras a lot better is the addition of Ronald Ke in their fold and the solid play of their key core players. "We're simply hot. We're firing on all cylinders and honestly, I don't see us losing tomorrow." Chan said. "Once this team starts rolling, ego flatten, then we're a hard team to beat."

With a lineup that is so balance from inside to outside game, Cobras possess all the arsenal that Santas need. The continuous rise of Ben Lim have given Cobras enough hope to win it all over this year. Kent has been the playing solidly for the last 6 games, a perfect timing to play well during the midseason. "If Boston has Paul Pierce, Boston needs the truth. Well for us, we need the tooth. Pierce drives and draws fouls, hoping to get free points from the line. For Kent, it's the same thing. He's peaking nicely and hopefully he continues to play like this." Tsai said.

"This is the perfect time to see us play, see how hard it is to stop a team like RBK Cobras. We have the tools. We have everything. We've never been so confident before so let's get it on." Kent said.

Santas? Edward Santa has to do a better job of playing the point guard position as Lim outplayed him the entire game during their last meeting. "We've got to stop their offensive game. They've got real scorers. They've got a lot of shooters. So, we just have to come out and bring our A-game." Santa said. Santas will rely on Anthony and 2 chawis to impose their running game.

Reality wise, is their any chance that Santas will win tomorrow's game? "No way in hell. That's how confident I am." Kent said. "This is the stretch that I once lose 2 years ago. This is the stretch that best resembles what happened 2 years ago. I will not let history repeat itself."

ODDS: FULLTIME- SANTAS +20 VS COBRAS

ODDS: HALFTIME- SANTAS +25 VS COBRAS