Llamados log fifth victory
MANILA—Peter June Simon shot 25 points and Jonas Villanueva made two crucial baskets in the endgame as Derby Ace clinched its fourth straight win with a 94-86 decision of Rain or Shine last night in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Cuneta Astrodome.
Simon scored eight straight points in one crucial stretch of the fourth period to power the defending champion Llamados to its fifth win in 10 matches.
Villanueva sealed the deal for the Llamados, hitting a three-pointer and then a looping layup in a 45-second span that moved Derby Ace safely ahead, 91-83.
The Elasto Painters (4-5) played without Solomon Mercado, who is on loan to the national team in the Asian Games, and lost for the first time in three games.
In the opener, Ronjay Buenafe hit eight straight points in the final two minutes of regulation and led Air21 to a 98-94 overtime win over Powerade.
Buenafe sealed the game for Air21, now 4-6, with two free throws, time down to 12.6 seconds. Powerade dropped to 3-7.
Meanwhile, the three referees who officiated the Barangay Ginebra-Barako Bull contest last Wednesday were suspended a combined 23 days by the Commissioner’s Office for failing to call an obvious goal-tending violation by the Kings in a 90-78 victory.
The scores:
First Game
AIR21 98—Al-Hussaini 22, Buenafe 14, Quinahan 13, Gonzales 13, Matias 8, Najorda 8, Guevarra 6, Urbiztondo 5, Arboleda 3, Baclao 2, Arellano 2, Sharma 2, Rodriguez 0.
POWERADE 94—David 36, Espino 14, Rizada 8, Antonio 8, Macapagal 7, Gonzales 6, Reyes 5, Enrile 4, Ritualo 3, Mendoza 3, Anthony 0.
Quarters: 27-31, 50-51, 66-70, 90-90 (reg.), 98-94 (OT)
Second Game
DERBY ACE 94—Simon 25, Villanueva 17, Yap J. 15, Maierhofer 12, Yap R. 12, Gaco 5, Salvador 4, Adducul 4, Canaleta 0, Allado 0.
RAIN OR SHINE 86—Reyes 15, Norwood 12, Tang 9, Chan 9, Jazul 8, Rodriguez 8, Arana 7, Kramer 7, Ibanes 5, Cruz 4, Ferriols 2, Uyloan 0.
Quarters: 21-22, 46-39, 71-68, 94-86
