UPHOLDING his reputation as a clutch player, Gary David matched a six-year old record while spoiling another one.
David exploded for 30 points as Powerade roared to a third straight victory at the expense of Rain or Shine, 104-98, last night in the PBA Governors’ Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
David helped the Tigers jack up their record to 3-2 while snapping the Elasto Painters’ four-game winning run, which was a franchise best.
David has now scored at least 20 points for the 19th straight game, matching the streak of Danny Seigle with San Miguel Beer (Petron) in the 2006 Philippine Cup.
The 6-foot-2 gunner also breached the 30-point mark for the 18th time in 43 games.
Powerade import Omar Sneed also produced a terrific effort with 24 points and 20 rebounds, keeping a perfect slate since replacing Rashad McCants. Sneed’s layup that beat the shot clock with 14 seconds remaining sealed the victory for the Tigers, 104-98.
“What’s important is that those who we expected to deliver delivered, particularly Gary (David) and Omar (Sneed),” said Powerade coach Bo Perasol. “We had extra motivation for beating the only undefeated team in the tournament.”
Earlier, returning import Leroy Hickerson shrugged off jet lag to power Barako Bull to a 111-107 triumph over Petron Blaze for a share of fourth spot.
Hickerson finished with 33 points and grabbed eight rebounds aside from issuing seven assists in 38 minutes in his first game as replacement to Jamine Peterson.
“I’m tired, but it’s good to play for a team that showed a lot of heart,” said Hickerson, who played for the Express in 2010.
“We were lucky,” said Baculi, whose squad joined Ginebra with a 2-2 record. “It’s good that Leroy has played here before and he knows some of the local players on the team. He was like a coach on the court. There was a point in the game when he let the locals take over.”
The Boosters lost for only the second time in five games.
The scores:
BARAKO BULL 111—Hickerson 32, Kramer 17, Tubid 17, Miller 16, Najorda 10, Allado 9, Weinstein 3, Pennisi 3, Cervantes 2, Gatumbato 2, Sharma 0, Cruz 0.
PETRON BLAZE 107—Basden 23, Washington 23, Lutz 16, Cabagnot 12, Yeo 8, Santos 8, Ildefonso 8, Pena 7, Miranda 2, Reyes 0.
Quarters: 34-30, 64-52, 91-84, 111-107
Second Game
POWERADE 104—David 30, Sneed 24, Casio 12, Tugade 11, Al-Hussaini 9, Guevarra 6, Salvador 4, Martinex 3, Lingganay 2, Calimag 2, Vanlandingham 0, Anthony 0.
RAIN OR SHINE 98—Cornley 31, Lee 15, Cruz 15, Chan 12, Araña 9, Norwood 6, Quinahan 5, Buenafe 4, Ibañes 1, Matias 0, Tang 0, Belga 0.
Quarters: 23-19, 48-37, 74-71, 104-98