PBA: Columbian vs Rain or Shine. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
ANTIPOLO—Columbian put a positive stamp in its dreary conference after frustrating Rain or Shine, 100-84 and ending its nine-game skid in the PBA Governors’ Cup Friday at Ynares Center here.
The Dyip, who are already out of the playoff picture, improved to 1-9 while dampening Elasto Painters’ quarterfinals hopes as they stayed at the ninth seed with a 2-5 card.
This is the Dyip’s first win in the third conference after going on a 25-game losing streak that lasted for more than two years.
Columbian’s last victory in the Governors’ Cup was in the 2015-2016 season when it was still called Mahindra Enforcer and had James White as the import.
Dyip head coach Johnedel Cardel said the win was a huge sigh of relief for him after he told team management that he was prepared be let go if the team doesn’t start winning.
“It’s as if a thorn was taken out of my chest,” said Cardel in Filipino. “I felt like giving up and I told the bosses that if we don’t win I’m fine if the team shuffles everything up and that’s fine with me.”
“They told me that they won’t do that and they support me so that was a morale booster for me.”
Columbian lost a 11-point halftime lead and trailed 61-57 midway the third quarter, but responded with an inspired 34-9 blitz to turn the game back to its favor.
Jerramy King capped off the comeback with a booming triple for a 91-70 lead with 3:07 left in the game.
Akeem Wright led the Dyip’s charge with 23 points and 12 rebounds while King added 18 points, and six rebounds.
Rashawn McCarthy orchestrated Columbian’s offense with 16 points, seven rebounds, and six assists while Ronald Tubid also had 16 points and Philip Cahilig pitching in 13 points.
Terrence Watson put up 18 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for the Elasto Painters who are 0-3 against the Dyip this season.
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