RAIN OR SHINE big man Beau Belga (left) thwarts a shot by Barako Bull’s Denok Miranda, typifying the defensive intensity the Painters applied all game long. AUGUST DELA CRUZ
RAIN or Shine gave up just seven first quarter points to Barako Bull and played virtual round-robin ball the rest of the way for a 99-71 victory in the PBA Philippine Cup eliminations last night at Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.
National team gunner Jeff Chan scored 23 points and four others dropped 10 or more for the Elasto Painters, who rose to 3-2 with the win and dealt the Energy a fourth straight loss flush on the kisser.
Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao is in Hong Kong and left the reins to assistant Caloy Garcia. But after their loss to Talk ‘N Text earlier in the week, Guiao left a stern message to his players that probably fueled their desire to play better.
“Today, the players came out strong, the effort was there,” Garcia told reporters later.
Garcia said that Guiao told the players that the team would be forced to trade some of the players if their performances didn’t improve.
“Basically, coach Yeng told them that if they cannot perform, and the effort is not there, why keep them,” Garcia said. “The first four games, we haven’t been able to play our game.”
Chan also completed a double-double with 10 rebounds.
Talk ‘N Text completed a night of routs in the second game by blowing KIA Motors off the floor, 85-62, to also rise to 3-2. The Sorento lost for the fourth straight time after an opening day win against Blackwater.
The Tropang Texters wriggled out of a tight first half by holding the Sorento to two points in the first six minutes of the third quarter and, ultimately, to just nine points in that frame.
Meanwhile, San Miguel Beer, whose myth of invincibility was pricked by Alaska on Wednesday, tries to get back on track today when the Beermen clash with NLEX in a Petron Saturday Special game at Mindanao Civic Center in Tubod, Lanao del Norte.
The Beermen were held to their lowest output this season in a 63-66 loss to the Aces, who shut down reigning MVP June Mar Fajardo to just 10 points.
San Miguel can claim solo second with a win in its 5 p.m. clash where Fajardo is again expected to have his hands full against man-mountain Asi Taulava.
The 41-year-old Taulava had 24 points and 11 rebounds in the last game for the Road Warriors, a 75-90 loss to sister squad Meralco.
The scores:
First Game
RAIN OR SHINE 99—Chan 23, Tang 12, Cruz Jervy 11, Teng 10, Quiñahan 10, Uyloan 9, Cruz Jericho 8, Lee 7, Norwood 4, Almazan 3, Belga 2, Ibañes 0, Tiu 0, Araña 0.
BARAKO BULL 71—Intal 12, Wilson 12, Pennisi 11, Miranda 10, Garcia 8, Lastimosa 6, Fortuna 5, Salvador 2, Salva 2, Pascual 2, Marcelo 1, Paredes 0, Lanete 0.
Quarters: 25-7, 55-28, 72-48, 99-71
Second Game
TALK ‘N TEXT 85—Williams 13, Fonacir 12, Castro 11, Espiritu 10, Washington 8, Seigle 8, Reyes 6, Rosser 6, Alas 5, Alapag 2, De Ocampo 2, Aban 2, Carey 0, Reyes 0.
KIA 62—Dehesa 14, Lingganay 11, Cervantes 8, Webb 7, Buensuceso 6, Revilla 4, Pascual 4, Jaime 3, Raymundo 3, Thiele 2, Alonzo 0, Saldua 0, Padilla 0, Alvarez 0.
Quarters: 17-14; 39-35; 59-44; 85-62