MANILA, Philippines - Rain or Shine continued to play with tremendous energy and intensity, whipping Barako Bull, 100-90, and improving its front-running record in the PBA Governors Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum last night.
As they’ve been doing all tournament long, the Elasto Painters worked well on both ends of the floor to dominate the Energy even with prolific rookie Paul Lee going out early with an injured shoulder.
So dominant were the Elasto Painters that coach Yeng Guiao had the luxury of resting import Jamelle Cornley through the last quarter.
Cornley and Lee both welcomed the much-needed break and watched the Elasto Painters build a pair of 19-point spreads early in the fourth quarter.
It was all Rain or Shine show after the Elasto Painters wiped out an early seven-point deficit, 11-18, and established control at 52-35 in the second canto.
“We played good defense overall and we shot a lot better from the outside today than the last time. The guys have regained their confidence to shoot,” said Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao as they chalked up their sixth win against a lone defeat.
“I expected to do well but not as well as we’re doing now,” said Guiao on their showing in the tourney.
“We prepared well. We brought in Jamelle early to acclimatize and get to know well his teammates and our plays. That’s the key in this format,” Guiao pointed out.
Jeff Chan, Cornley, Gabe Norwood and Jireh Ibanes delivered double-digit outputs to lead the Elasto Painters past the Energy.
“We’re having a hard time matching up with the tough teams,” rued Barako coach Junel Baculi as they suffered a third loss against three wins.
The Energy controlled the rebounding, 56-32, only to yield precious possessions on 20 turnovers as against the Elasto Painters’ nine.
Leroy Hickerson committed the most number of errors with five and struggled for only 24 points after averaging 35 in his first two games with Barako this conference.
“We prepared hard against Hickerson, and Gabe and Jireh both did a good job alternately defending against the Barako import,” said Guiao.
Guiao is quite familiar with Hickerson since he handled the player in his previous stint in the local pro loop two years ago.
Jay Washington came through with 29 points and nine rebounds and Eddie Basden piled up 22 markers and 11 boards as Petron Blaze checked its two-game losing skein with a 92-80 win over B-Meg in the nightcap.
“We treated the game as a do-or-die and we decided to give all we’ve got,” said Washington after leading Petron to a fourth win in seven outings.
It was a highly emotional game marred by the ejection of Jojo Duncil in the second period for tripping Josh Urbiztondo who was chasing a loose ball in front of the Petron bench.
Duncil was just back in the Petron roster. He was not playing when he committed the flagrant infraction.
The scores:
First Game
Rain or Shine 100 – Chan 19, Cornley 18, Norwood 15, Ibanes 11, Buenafe 9, Cruz 6, Tang 6, Quinahan 6, Lee 4, Belga 4, Matias 2, Jaime 0.
Barako 90 – Hickerson 24, Kramer 16, Najorda 12, Allado 8, Miller 7, Cruz 6, Cervantes 4, Sharma 4, Vergara 3, Tubid 3, Pennisi 3.
Quarterscores: 30-27, 57-43, 76-59, 100-90
Second Game
Petron 92 – Washington 29, Basden 22, Miranda 10, Lutz 8, Yeo 8, Santos 7, Cabagnot 6, Peña 2, Hontiveros 0, Ildefonso 0.
B-Meg 80 – Blakely 28, Yap 15, Reavis 12, Simon 9, Urbiztondo 8, Pingris 4, Intal 2, De Ocampo 2, Barroca 0, Villanueva 0.
Quarterscores: 23-23, 50-41, 75-62, 92-80