MANILA, Philippines – B-Meg flashed a more fluid game in repulsing a slow-starting Powerade squad, 97-80, Wednesday night in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
PJ Simon shot 21 points and James Yap contributed 20 as the Llamados, using a fiery start and a strong finish, tied their victims with a 2-3 card.
“We decided to shelve our unconventional lineup so that everybody could get back to their comfort zone,” said B-Meg coach Tim Cone.
“We had a point guard out there all the time and that gave PJ the freedom to score.”
Starting at the point guard spot for most of the season, Simon was pushed to the two-spot as Cone opted to insert Josh Urbiztondo at the point.
The ploy paid dividends as the Llamados zoomed to a 24-9 lead at the end of the first quarter with Simon and Yap combining for 14 points.
Urbiztondo also dished out a solid game of nine points, five rebounds and a season-best 10 assists, while Joe De Vance came off the bench to add 10 points and 10 rebounds.
Another point guard, rookie Mark Barroca, also shone for the Llamados with 11 points.
Cone also hailed his squad’s defensive effort, which saw the Llamados limit the Tigers to a season-low 25 points at the half.
“We talked about putting a good one together,” said Cone. “I hope we can still play better than we did today. We are pleased with our effort especially on defense.”
Shadowed by Simon for almost the entire game, Powerade leading scorer Gary David was held to just seven points, ending an 18-game double-digit scoring streak for the Tigers’ leading scorer.
Top rookie pick JVee Casio, in only his second game back from injury, also groped for form, managing just five points on 1-of-9 shooting.
Powerade’s other rookie Marcio Lassiter couldn’t get his offense going early on, before finishing with 15, including 12 in a late surge that had the Tigers coming within nine points with 6:54 remaining after trailing by as many as 29 points early in the third period.
Urbiztondo and Simon nailed back-to-back treys to quell the uprising, 80-65.
“We had the freedom to be more aggressive and that worked out pretty well,” said Cone, who has been using the Triangle Offense—a ploy that led to success with his former team Alaska—with B-Meg.
In the second game, Barangay Ginebra fought back from five points down in the final 55 seconds of regulation before pouring it on in the overtime period to hold off Shopinas.com, 94-90.
In a performance reminiscent of their 73-72 win over Powerade last Sunday, Jay-jay Helterbrand buried a three with 15 seconds remaining in regulation to force overtime at 79-all, before icing the victory with two clutch free throws with five seconds remaining in overtime.
The Gin Kings improved to 3-2, while sending the Clickers to their fifth straight defeat.
The scores:
First Game
B-MEG 97—Simon 21, J. Yap 20, Barroca 11, De Vance 10, Urbiztondo 9, Raymundo 7, Pingris 6, R. Yap 6, Reavis 5, Maierhofer 2, Acuna 0.
POWERADE 80—Lassiter 15, Anthony 13, Kramer 8, Cruz 8, Lingganay 7, Vanlandingham 7, David 7, Adducul 7, Casio 5, Antonio 3, Calimag 0, Crisano 0.
Quarters: 24-9, 46-25, 68-48, 97-80
Second Game
GINEBRA 94—Intal 16, Caguioa 16, Villanueva 9, Helterbrand 9, Canaleta 8, W. Wilson 8, De Ocampo 7, Tubid 5, Cortez 5, Wilson J. 3, Cervantes 2, Labagala 2, Aquino 2, Menk 2.
SHOPINAS.COM 90—Jazul 15, Espiritu 13, Hubalde 11, Sena 9, Canlas 7, Menor 7, Daa 6, Mirza 5, Ritualo 5, Hermida 4, Aquino 4, Sison 2, Se 2.
Quarters: 24-15, 35-38, 55-55, 79-79, 94-90