Doug Kramer of San Miguel Beer tries a semi-hook off Ginebra’s Greg Slaughter in last night’s game at Smart Araneta Coliseum. EDWIN BELLOSILLO
MANILA, Philippines — Thirty-two points, 21 rebounds, three assists, two blocks, a ton of effort, and San Miguel Beer is now having second thoughts of replacing the man responsible for those numbers.
Josh Boone, with someone already set to take his job, gave San Miguel Beer the lift it needed for the second straight game as the Beermen remained perfect in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup with a 112-96 plastering of Barangay Ginebra Sunday night at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“We have a big problem ahead of us; it’s a good problem anyway,” San Miguel coach Biboy Ravanes told reporters when pressed if Kevin Jones would still replace Boone as scheduled in their next outing. “Josh has been very professional and we will deliberate (on his status).”
A legitimate NBA veteran, Boone, scattered 25 of his total in the first three quarters and towed the Beermen to several imposing leads before resting briefly early in the fourth and coming back to totally blow the Gin Kings away and deal Ginebra its first loss in two games.
“I can’t say enough about his (Boone’s) professionalism, knowing that he is in an adverse situation,” active assistant Todd Purves said, though he was very cautious in answering queries from scribes and not pre-empting management.
“He had a good game tonight and he is professional beyond belief,” Purves said.
“I will speak with management tonight and everyone (in the media) will be informed of the direction we will take.”
Kinks in Rodgers’ armor
Arwind Santos scattered 18 points and Marcio Lassiter and Sol Mercado combined for another 29 as San Miguel played with command practically all night and exposed all the kinks in the armor of Ginebra’s Leon Rodgers.
Rodgers made most of his 33 points from the free-throw line, going 9-of-27 from the field including zilch-for-seven from three-point land as Ginebra crashed back to earth after a rousing overtime victory over Barako Bull last Friday. “I’m happy with the final score,” said Purves.
“It’s just the second game. We can’t go too high or too low. They (players) are showing me that they are willing to work hard, and that is inspiring.”
The Energy, after that heart-rending defeat to the Kings, bounced back in a big way by rallying from 16 points down in the second quarter to nip Rain or Shine, 110-106.
Key for Energy Josh Dollard proved the key for the Energy, finishing with 44 points that went with 18 boards in another strong display of brilliance that carried Barako Bull past the Elasto Painters.
“I told him that when you get the ball and there’s no one to pass to, then just attack the basket,” said Barako Bull coach Bong Ramos of Dollard, who fired 45 points against the Kings but had a crucial endgame blunder that helped Ginebra forge overtime.
Willie Miller, a former two-time MVP, fired 19 points and Dennis Miranda and Ronjay Buenafe contributed 13 and 11, respectively, to Barako Bull’s cause.
Import Alexander McLean led Rain or Shine with 21 points and 16 rebounds and four locals had at least 10 points each.
The scores:
First Game
BARAKO 110—Dollard 44, Miller 19, Miranda 13, Buenafe 11, Pennisi 9, Intal 7, Lastimosa 2, Wilson 2, Marcelo 2, Isip 1, Jensen 0, Fortuna 0, Pena 0.
RAIN OR SHINE 106—McLean 21, Lee 15, Chan 14, Belga 11, Norwood 10, Uyloan 9, Almazan 9, Tiu 5, Arana 4, Rodriguez 4, Cruz 2, Nuyles 2, Tang 0, Teng 0, Ibanes 0.
Quarters: 22-24, 46-53, 79-79, 110-106
Second Game
SAN MIGUEL BEER 112—Boone 32, Santos 18, Lassiter 15, Mercado 14, Hubalde 9, Ross 7, Kramer 5, Maierhofer 4, Lutz 4, Tubid 3, Duncil 1, Marata 0, Taha 0.
GINEBRA 96—Rodgers 33, Caguioa 15, Slaughter 13, Ellis 10, Tenorio 8, Helterbrand 5, Aguilar 4, Baracael 2, Reyes 2, Urbiztondo 2, Mamaril 2, Ababou 0. Quarters: 37-23, 58-44, 78-68, 112-96