INQUIRER Photo/ AUGUST DELA CRUZ
MANILA, Philippines—Powerade pushed Shopinas.com on the threshold of a league record no PBA club wants to own.
Marcio Lassiter fueled an explosive breakaway in the second half and Doug Kramer poured most of his 17 points and 10 rebounds in that run as the Tigers whipped the Clickers, 102-84, Friday night in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Lassiter had seven of his team-high 21 points in the third period where Powerade opened a 20-point lead that ended the Tigers’ frustrating four-game slide and extended the Clickers’ losing streak to 12.
“We struggled the past five games. But my players stayed focused and didn’t give up despite the record,” said Powerade coach Bo Perasol.
The Tigers’ fourth victory against seven losses gave them some breathing room in their tight race for the eighth and final quarterfinal spot with the Alaska Aces (3-8).
They’ll have to take two more in their succeeding matches against Talk ‘N Text, Meralco and Barako Bull to advance in the next round.
“It’s like going through the proverbial eye of the needle. We hope to ride the confidence that we got in this win,” said Perasol.
With their 12th straight defeat, the Clickers tied Welcoat Paints’ record of futility in the 2007-08 Philippine Cup.
One more setback and the Clickers will match the 0-13 stinkers of Great Taste (1982 Reinforced Conference) and Country Fair in 1984 of the same conference.
PJ Simon’s three-pointer from the corner with 56.6 seconds left keyed B-Meg’s 102-100 squeaker over Rain Or Shine in the second game.
James Yap erupted with 32 points while Simon and rookie Mark Barroca added 16 and 14 markers as the Llamados nailed a fifth straight win, tying the Elasto Painters and the Meralco Bolts at third place with identical 7-4 records.
The scores:
First Game
POWERADE 102—Lassiter 21, Kramer 17, David 16, Cruz 9, Antonio 9, Adducul 8, Casio 6, Crisano 6, Anthony 5, Vanlandingham 3, Lingganay 2, Martinez 0, Allera 0.
SHOPINAS.COM 84—Sena 19, Espiritu 12, Escobal 12, Hubalde 12, Sison 7, Menor 5, Duncil 4, Daa 4, Ritualo 4, Jazul 2, Se 2, Canta 1, Bagatsing 0, Aquino 0.
Quarters: 28-28, 50-43, 84-64,102-84
Second Game
B-MEG 102—Yap J. 32, Simon 16, Barroca 14, Urbiztondo 11, Raymundo 11, Pingris 10, De Vance 3, Reavis 3, Yap R. 2, De Ocampo 0.
RAIN OR SHINE 100—Lee 21, Buenafe 12, Matias 10, Rodriguez 9, Arana 9, Tang 8, Norwood 7, Belga 7, Chan 6, Quinahan 6, Cruz 4, Ibañes 1.
Quarters: 30-13, 51-49, 79-77, 102-100