Game Preview Number 6: Cobras(3-2) Vs Quackies(2-3)

YMCA (AP) - After their winning streak had been snapped, RBK Cobras aims to start a new winning run anew.

But they'll have to do it without Arnold Tsai.

Tsai would not be available Sunday as RBK Cobras hosts Dexter Quackies at YMCA gym. Tsai, who sprained his right ankle in the third quarter of their last encounter, still felt soreness on his injury and decides to rests his ankle at least one more game. "It's the right thing to do. Be smart. Do not force the injury. It's way too early for the seaon." Lim said.

Without Tsai, the responsibilities of rebounding falls unto Peewa Abrencillo and Roger Chan. "Those two guys must step up. Both are good-caliber rebounding players and we hope that these two are enough to offset the loss of Tsai." Kent said. In their last encounter, Jigger took advantage the injury of Tsai to post a career-high 42 points in leading Quackies to a 130-124 victory. "We've got to stop Quackies from dominating the board. That's just one way of controlling the tempo." Kent added.

For Quackies, they must limit the scoring punches of Kent and Lim. The duo are reviving the old Great Wall of China days as both combined for 78 of the 124 points of Cobras the last time around. "One thing those two guys have that we don't is their familiarity. The two have been playing together for years and it's no wonder these two jive with each other." Kaw said. "If we want to win tomorrow, at least we must contain either one of them."

Another rising guard for Quackies is Potpot, who is norming 16 PPG in his last 3 games. This also marks the first game of post-Dexter Sze era of Quackies. "Potpot has been playing well and hopefully, he can sustain and become the perfect replacement of Dexter." Sy said. "We know we still have to adjust but we know we'll be fine."

ODDS: Cobras + 4 VS Quackies

Game Recap Number 5: Jigger Leads Quackies Past Cobras!

YMCA (AP) - Dexter Sze gave Quackies something to celebrate before leaving for Vigan for good.

Dexter Quackies rolled past RBK Cobras 130-124 behind Jigger's career night and making Sze's farewell game more eventful. Snapping a 3 game skid without Johen Sy, Quackies leaned on Jiger and Dexter Sze as the duo frustrated Cobras, dispatching any rallies set by Cobras. "We know once we got the big lead in the first half, it won't last long since they're top gunners aren't performing to the level we know they can. It turns out we were right and luckily we were able to fend off their multiply rally attempts." Kaw said.

Leading 60-42 in the first half, Cobras went to work. Ben Lim and Michael Kent, reviving the "Great Wall of China" duo days, started the rally. Lim scoring 20 of his 37 points in the payoff period while Kent complementing 25 of his 36 points that got Cobras rolling. Trailing 82-62, Kent and Lim started a furious rally that saw the 20 point deficit shrink to 6 points in the final 2 minutes of the game, 124-118. Off-setting the injury of Arnold Tsai, Peewa dominated the rebounds and intense interior defense that held Quackies scoreless for 3 minutes. "We're just started slow, that made the lead insurmountable. We're able to cut down the lead but in the end, we ran out of gas." Kent said.

Dexter Sze, who will be leaving for Vigan this Tuesday, played like there's tomorrow. Playing leech-like defense on the hottest player of Cobras, Kent, Sze also scored 20 points but mosre importantly, holding down Kent to 9/20 shooting, his first game with 20 or more attempts. "We're just trying to pressure him. He added dimension to his game and there's no better way than to limit him is to play man to man defense with our best defender." Kaw said.

But it was PotPot and Jigger putting the finishing kicks for Quackies.

"We're doing fine. We just have to start strong. This game, we dug ourselves in a hole. They played great without Johen Sy. We'll be fine." Kent said.

Notes: When Arnold Tsai was injured, 3 of his closest friends namely Kent, Djangs and Lim were seen smiling. It was only revealed than Chan was laughing out loud. Quackies's kaw, who ran earlier morning at Century Tuna Fun run, played and nailed a key 3-pointer to put the game out of reach.

Game No. 5 Preview: RBK Cobras(3-1) VS Dexter Quackies(1-3)

Credit Dexter Sze for being a martyr on this one.

Despite rumors that Sze would leave Quackies for Vigan, Sze returns to the hard court on more time wearing a Quackies uniform as they tries to avoid fourth straight defeat on the hands of red-hot RBK Cobras this Sunday at YMCA gym. Blessed that his trip was cancelled, Sze aims to lead the slumping Quackies against their rivals for almost 3 years, the Cobras. "If there's one bright spot for us is my departure was cancelled." Sze recalled.

"This year, we're not playing to our expectations."

After winning the opening game convincingly, Quackies suffered three straight defeats, all against Cobras as they slumped to a dead-last record of 1-3. Worst, Johen Sy will not play this Sunday due to an apparent injury.

Now, it's up to Sze to live up to his hype.

"We need the guy now. Without Johen, we're hard pressed to snap out of this losing streak." Kaw said. "We're in a hole. Facing this team makes it even tougher." One thing that Cobras got going is their outside shots.

Carlos Chan seems to break out of slump, hitting 25 points including 7 triples the last time around. After 3 subpar games, Chan busts out and played his best game of the season. "Chan took over the last time around. We must do a better job defending their perimeter shooters." Kaw said. Gerald and Peewa also played their share during the run, with Ge running the offense and Peewa playing solid defense. "Those 2 as we all agreed are their X-factors. If those 2 played well, they're unstoppable. As evident to last game, those 2 came in and provided energy and their whole team running at full speed."

With Ben Lim out due to personal reason, all eyes will be on Michael Kent as the latter has been playing his best basketball of his career. 2 games into the season, Kent has been flirting with a triple double, the best statline of his whole career. Averaging 20.5 PPG 8 RPG 8 APG on 45% shooting while attempting 70% from the foul line, Kent has been on-track of his mission of proving critics wrong. "This is his game. It's his true test. Playing without our point guard and distributor, this game will be his mark if he's ready to be marked as the same level with Johen Sy, Rhyan Williams and Boy Putok." Tsai said. "Nonetheless, we know he can handle everything thrown at him. Just like we've been telling him before, confidence. Now, he's had that, there's no stopping the tooth."

Notes: Valentines Day was just around. We asked random Cobras how they spend their Valentines and luckily, we picked Kent. He answered. "Spent my Valentines at home watching the NBA all star. Then watched PBA, wherein my 500 flew away.. lecheng Tubid yan. Then spent my entire night biting my nails as I finally won 1000 thanks to Mike Cortez. Carlos Chan also win 1400 in ending, thanks to Cortez again.

Recap Game Number 4: CHAN SPOILS SZE'S FAREWELL GAME!

YMCA(AP) - So long Dexter Sze.

Playing his last game before going to Vigan for good, Carlos Chan made sure that his final game will be a bitter one.

After critics criticized his shooting, Chan responded with a season high 25 points, on top of 7 3-pointers to propel the hot shooting RBK Cobras past Dexter Quackies 131-119 for their second straight victory. Coming into the ballgame shooting just 25% from the 3-point line, Chan proved doubters that his best game has yet to come.

Did he ever showed why he's the all time franchise leader in three-pointers made.

Chan went 7/11 from the 3-point line, including 5 straight in the first half to turn a 31-27 deficit to a commanding 61-55 lead at the half. His shooting off-set another poor shooting performance from Arnold Tsai as he single-handedly lead the team turn a deficit. His shooting also created openings for Kent, Peewa and Lim to drive the lane as the trio combined for 32 points in the first half alone.

"The guy's just so hot that Gerald, Ben and Waps continued to drive the lane. When we clogged the middle, this guy killed us literally with his outside shots." Sy said. Sze, playing his final game, finished with a 21 points as he struggled offensively from the tenacious defense of Cobras. "They gave us the outside shots. They know that our gameplay is to drive the lane so they decided to give us outside shots. We just can't convert any." Sze said.

If Quackies can't buy an outside shot, Cobras has earned a lot from outside shooting, thanks particularly to Chan.

"What a game. He responded big time despite the off-court issue that is haunting him." Kent said. "Tsai played a terrible game and this guy carried us offensively. What more can i say from our shooting guard."

In their first matchup since losing the MVP race to Johen Sy last year, Kent continued to back his prediction of being a less-crocky player as he flirted with a triple-double, a feat he last accomplished 2 years ago. Finishing with 19 points 8 rebounds and 9 assists on top of 8/17 shooting, this marks the second consecutive game that the latter attempted less than 20 shots. "Obviously, this guy is really on a mission. He kept telling us that he plans to attempt less shots and create plays during the game and that's what he did. If Chan and Kent plays like the way they did tonight, we'll have a season to remember." Lim said.

"He's like a man-possessed right now. That's all I can say. I'm having chills seeing him develop the extra pass." Lim said.

As for Sze, this might be his last game of the season. "It's sad to see Dexter leave the team. We're playing well and he's having a special season. It's unfortunate for the team having a player such as Sze to leave the team. We're short-handed but we'll be fine. The loss of Sze will not stop us from fighting and giving out 100% of our effort." Kaw said.

Recap Game Number 3:COBRAS WIN SECOND STRAIGHT! NIPS QUACKIES!

YMCA (AP) – Heading into 2010 season, Michael Kent have been confident, claiming this year could be one of the best years in his basketball career.

After 2 weeks of speculation, Michael Kent is back in a big way.

Kent made his season debut yesterday, hitting the game winning layup over Jigger to propel RBK Cobras to their second straight victory over Dexter Quackies 121-119. Back with a new mentality, Kent has been eager to prove to everyone that his game has became more mature, taking lesser shots and making his teammates more involved.

And this time around, he proved that he score despite taking less shots.

Kent took only 14 shots throughout the game, a rare sight for a guy who was dubbed as “King Crocky” last year. In another rare sight, Kent finished with 22 points 8 rebounds and 8 assists, dishing out to open teammates when needed and taking over when the team needs his scoring. “This is the first step. Critics were at me last season calling me “Crocky” or “No-Extra pass guy”. This season, I’ll prove to those critics that this guy have matured enough to win ballgames. There’s no better way to lit the fire by adding wood. Those critics are the wood that lit the fire up in me.” Kent said.

“Critics such those people who dumped me, People who called me names such as “Mongy” before. Now, we’ll see who has the last laugh. Sheila Gaw, you’ll regret the day May 10. Sally Velasco, take a closer look on who you’re calling Mongy. If Michael Jordan has a guy named Lee Roy Smith as his inspiration, well I have both of those 2 loser girls as my motivation to prove them wrong.” Kent said.

Cobras led 97-87 before Quackies made one final push that almost broke the hearts of Cobras. Quackies, led by Potpot and Sze, unleashed a 22-9 run that gave them a brief lead, 109-106 with 3 minutes remaining. Arnold Tsai then scored 6 straight points, including a 3-point play off Jeff Tan to give Cobras a 117-112 lead with 58 seconds remaining.

“It feels great to have this kind of victory. It was ugly but it’s worth it.” Lim said. “We felt we have a better ball movement. Despite Chan’s injury, we buckled down the stretch when Quackies were making a run. Good thing the guys responded.” Lim said.

“They played with a sense of urgency. They played the way we know they’re capable of playing. We’ve got to defend the lane. We didn’t play with enough energy and that costs us the ballgame.” Kaw said. Dexter Sze led Quackies with a game high 32 points while Potpot added 22.

NOTES: Tsai made another RBK record by attempting 6 shots in Cobras first 6 attempts. Ben Lim completed a fantastic boo-boo by boxing out Michael Kent, his teammate. Again, no crazy player in any league have ever done this crazy antic.

Game No. 4 Preview: RBK Cobras(2-1) VS Dexter Quackies(1-2)

With Dexter Sze's departure in the radar, Dexter Quackies are bracing for a rough season.

And what makes it more rougher is that they have to face RBK Cobras for the fourth straight week.

Dexter Quackies tries to split their first 4 games, all against the rod-hot RBK Cobras with a distracting rumor swirling around the team. Second leading scorer Dexter Sze, who is having a terrific season, is nearing on leaving the team for good as he departs for Vigan due to personal reason. "It's tough. We know we can't lean on Johen Sy every game. That's why this guy is stepping up big time. We're having natural second scorer behind Johen and suddenly the guy will depart. It's frustrating." Kaw said.

What makes the matter worst is that they have to face RBK Cobras for another week.

"We just lost 2 straight against a quality team. We were able to win the opening game but they have dominated us the following games. We ca't take this team lightly. They(Cobras) have been our rivals for 2 straight years. We know their gameplay and to lose Sze permanently, is like putting an icing on the cake on our season." Sy said.

If Quackies are dealing problems off-court internally, Cobras also possess one problem related to off-court. And that's Carlos Chan.

After a successful 2009 season, Chan's 2010 season is in jeopardy as his play is affected by another off-court issue. Chan is shooting just 25% from the 3-point line, a far cry from his 33% mark last year. "Basically, he need to get his bearings back. He's better than this." Tsai said. "Whatever must happens, let's hope it happens soon because the guy is better than what we're seeing through right now." Tsai said. "We have the utmost confidence that Chan can bounce back. We need his outside shooting to complement our gameplay." Kent said.

One bright spot for Cobras is the recent play of Kent, who vowed this year to be less crocky and be more mature on his gameplay. Motivated after seeing the only girl he ever cared for gone to a monster, Kent is on attack mode to prove every critics wrong as he scored the game winning basket the last game against Quackies. "This year, I will not let myself down. Confidence is the name of my game and motivation has been my calling to perform better. It's only one game but I'm confident heading into the season." Kent said.

Perhaps a match-up against Johen Sy can push Kent's limit to its peak?

"Whatever it takes for the team to win, I'll gladly do. If it takes me to score just 1 point for the team to win, I'll do it."

ODDS: Cobras @ Quackies + 5