EUGENE Phelps was an unstoppable force for Phoenix. SHERWIN VARDELEON
RAIN OR SHINE broke in a new import and broke down Mahindra using the weapon that has made the Elasto Painters a traditional PBA power—their local core.
Raymond Almazan led six players in twin digits last night as the Painters broke away late for a 103-88 ripping of the Enforcers that got them back in the playoff hunt in the Governors’ Cup while dealing Mahindra its worst beating this conference at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“We had to do most of the work—going all-Filipino [most of the game],” Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao said as Jason Forte arrived just a day ago and got in just one practice with the team. “Obviously, we knew we couldn’t expect much from him.
Forte came in on Thursday morning to replace Dior Lowhorn and finished with 10 points and six rebounds in just 16 minutes. But the Painters hardly felt that as they opened up 18-point leads early before blowing by the Enforcers again in the fourth period.
Rain or Shine improved to 4-4 and dealt the Enforcers a loss that could tell in Mahindra’s drive for a top four slot.
While both imports in the nightcap struggled, Eugene Phelps scored 45 points and grabbed 17 rebounds to lead Phoenix Petroleum to a 106-93 victory over Star that enhanced the Fuel Masters’ chances of advancing to the playoffs.
Phelps drilled in 15 of his total in the fourth period when the Fuel Masters fended off several uprisings by the Hotshots, who trailed by as large as 20 before coming to within 77-76 after a 19-0 run.
Phoenix rose to a 4-4 record and virtually slammed the door on the Hotshots, who slipped to 1-7 and could miss the playoffs for the first time in the last 16 conferences.
The scores:
First Game
PHOENIX 106—Phelps 45, Wilson W. 13, Baguio 11, Buenafe 11, Lee 8, Cruz 6, Lanete 4, Enciso 3, Urbiztondo 3, Miranda 2, Borboran 0, Caperal 0, Torres 0, Wilson J. 0.
STAR 93—Wright 29, Barroca 12, Simon 11, Sangalang 8, Garcia 7, Yap 7, Maliksi 5, Brondial 4, Mallari 4, Melton 2, Pascual 2, Pingris 2, Reavis 0.
Quarters: 32-19, 56-47, 77-72, 106-93
Second Game
RAIN OR SHINE 103—Almazan 14, Belga 13, Cruz 12, Lee 12, Chan 10, Forte 10, Norwood 7, Quinahan 7, Ahanmisi 6, Trollano 5, Ponferada 4, Matias 3.
MAHINDRA 88—Ramos 17, White 16, Guinto 12, Yee 12, Revilla 8, Taha 6, Agovida 5, Digregorio 5, Aguilar 4, Bagatsing 2, Ballesteros 1, Elorde 0, Jaime 0, Pacquiao 0, Webb 0.
Quarters: 20-15, 46-44, 68-63, 103-88