E-Painters resume final bid vs Bolts

Manila, Philippines -  Pacesetting Rain or Shine, stopped by Petron Blaze Friday, tries to immediately get back on track as it tangles with a Meralco side that is again fighting for dear life just in the third play date of the PBA Governors Cup semifinal round at the Smart Araneta Coliseum tonight.

Barangay Ginebra and Petron Blaze clash in the other game in this special weekend double-header laced with the retirement of cage legend Robert Jaworski’s jersey No. 7 in formal rites.

The Elasto Painters and the Bolts slug it out at 3:30 p.m. then the Kings and the Boosters mix it up at 6:30 p.m. The retirement ceremony is held in between games.

“A victory is the best gift we could offer to coach Robert Jaworski,” said Ginebra coach Siot Tanquingcen.

“We have our own motivation. We have a goal to pursue,” said Petron coach Ato Agustin.

The Kings are likely to work extra hard to keep their clean record versus the Boosters in this very day.

More crucial is the Rain or Shine-Meralco tiff.

“Our season in on the brink. We must win to stay alive,” said Meralco coach Ryan Gregorio.

Losing their first game in the semis to the Gin Kings and falling further behind at 4-6, the Bolts must sweep their four remaining games to gain a playoff shot at the last finals berth via the “4-of-5 incentive rule.”

“We know Meralco is desperate, and a desperate team is a dangerous team. But we are as dangerous coming from a loss,” said Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao.

The Elasto Painters fell short in a bid to overhaul a 23-point deficit Friday night, suffering a 90-88 loss to the Boosters.

“Even if we lost, I saw positive signs about the team’s character in dealing with adversity,” said Guiao.

Marcus Blakely churned out 26 points, 20 rebounds, five steals, four blocks and three assists in a monster performance, powering B-Meg to a come-from-behind 94-91 win over Talk n Text in the league’s first game held at the MOA Arena in Parañaque last night.

The Llamados bucked injuries to James Yap and JC Intal and closed in on the Elasto Painters with a 6-3 card.

Talk n Text moved on the brink of elimination at 5-5.

Meanwhile, Pwersa ng Bayaning Atleta party-list Rep. Mark Sambar said the PBA’s decision to penalize Barako Bull player Don Allado has failed to clear the pro league from the game-fixing controversy.

“We saw heavy smoke coming out from the professional basketball arena. We are sorry but the PBA decision to impose stiff fines on Allado did not smother the fire at all but instead gave us more reason to find it,” said Sambar, the vice chairman of the House committee on youth and sports development.

The scores:

B-Meg 94 – Blakely 26, Urbiztondo 14, Pingris 12, Reavis 12, De Ocampo 10, Simon 8, Barroca 7, Villanueva 5, Yap 0.

Talk n Text 91 – Harris 24, Alapag 17, Castro 15, Williams 13, Fonacier 9, Aguilar 8, De Ocampo 3, Reyes 2, Aban 0, Lao 0, Peek 0.

Quarterscores: 19-27, 39-49, 67-67, 94-91