Jervy Cruz of Rain or Shine loses his balance and possession as Meralco’s Cliff Hodge (partly hidden) slips under him in last night’s game. Sol Mercado tries to assist Hodge. AUGUST DELA CRUZ
Rain or Shine was so good on a night Meralco was so bad, even as Barako Bull snapped a three-game slide in the PBA Philippine Cup eliminations before a mammoth crowd yesterday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Elasto Painters grabbed a piece of second place after waltzing to a 106-81 victory over the Bolts, whom they held to just nine points in the second period and 28 overall in the first half.
After building leads of as many as 33 in the fourth quarter, the Painters wound up with the most lopsided victory in the season-opening tournament as they rebounded from a sorry loss to league-leader Talk ‘N Text last week.
Earlier, Barako Bull won the first game of a rare tripleheader with Ronald Tubid hitting a short stab with 18 seconds left in a 95-94 decision of newcomer Globalport.
The Energy improved to 3-5 overall while dealing the Batang Pier their seventh loss in eight outings.
“Meralco is one of the hottest teams in the league and I am really surprised that we beat them in the manner that we did,” Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao said after dealing the Bolts their third loss in seven game. “I was looking forward to a tight endgame struggle.
“But I think early on, we just got our rhythm both on offense and defense.”
Rain or Shine backed up its defense with a huge offensive effort, blasting the Bolts with a 39-point third quarter.
The scores:
First Game
BARAKO 95—Tubid 19, Villanueva 18, Pennisi 13, Najorda 11, Anthony 9, Urbiztondo 9, Yap 9, Kramer 4, Alvarez 3, Ballesteros 0.
GLOBALPORT 94—Yee 20, Miller 17, Manuel 12, Deutchman 11, Lingganay 10, Vanlandingham 7, Vergara 7, Al-Hussaini 5, Antonio 3, Adducul 2, Mandani 0, Guevarra 0.
Quarters: 22-18, 49-48, 77-74, 95-94
Second Game
RAIN OR SHINE 106—Ibanes 23, Belga 16, Arana 15, Quinahan 10, Tang 9, Cruz 8, Chan 7, Rodriguez 7, Norwood 6, Matias 5, Uyloan 0, Jaime 0.
MERALCO 81—Cardona 20, Salvacion 14, Buenafe 11, Hodge 9, Mercado 9, Hugnatan 6, Bulawan 5, Borboran 4, Reyes 3, Belencion 0, Ross 0, Sharma 0, Artadi 0.
Quarters: 25-19, 41-28, 80-53, 106-81