Boosters overwhelm Batang Pier; Kings up

MARCIO Lassiter of Petro Blaze penetrates the Globalport defense of Gary David (left) and Vic Manuel in last night’s game. AUGUST DELA CRUZ

Petron Blaze played its best game against newcomer Globalport and came off with the most lopsided result of the PBA Philippine Cup eliminations with a 110-81 win last night at Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City.

Arwind Santos scored nine points in the first quarter alone and the Boosters built leads of as many as 26 points right in the first half on the way to their second straight win for a

5-6 record.

Meanwhile, Mark Caguioa struck hardest in the fourth quarter for Barangay Ginebra, shooting the last 13 points of his game-high 24, including the go-ahead floating jumper with 43 seconds left that keyed a 96-93 decision of Alaska in the second game.

Caguioa, who turns 33 today, got a lot of help from Billy Mamaril, who had 16 points on top of 12 rebounds, the last when he tipped in a Willy Wilson miss that tied it up at 93.

Ginebra got back to a level 5-5 card with its third straight win, while the Aces, who played without super rookie Calvin Abueva because of a nasal infection, fell to 5-6 after losing for the fourth straight time.

Globalport lost its sixth consecutive game for 1-9 overall, but this one was easily the ugliest in its young PBA existence—a rout winning coach Olsen Racela didn’t expect.

“We caught Globalport in its worst game,” Racela told reporters. “We were expecting a close fight because they have been playing pretty well. I was surprised with the big margin (in the end).”

Chris Lutz went on to lead the Boosters with 22 after shooting 10 of his total in the second quarter, with Santos winding up with 20 that went with 13 rebounds in just 25 minutes of action.

Three more Boosters scored in double figures and all 12 men that Racela fielded finished with at least four points.

This season’s top rookie pick June Mar Fajardo returned to active duty and fired 14 points that went with seven rebounds in a 25-minute stint which Racela described as a “break-in” period for the hitherto-injured 6-foot-10 center.

Racela said their win over Rain or Shine last week was the key to the team’s resurgence.

“It’s hard when you’re in a losing streak,” said Racela, whose wards dropped three straight games before the win over the Elasto Painters.

The scores:

First Game

PETRON 110—Lutz 22, Santos 20, Fajardo 14, Lassiter 10, Washington 10, Mallari 6, Duncil 6, Yeo 5, Cabagnot 5, Faundo 4, Lanete 4, Miranda 4.

GLOBALPORT 81—Guevarra 14, Vanlandingham 10, David 10, Mandani 8, Lingganay 6, Miller 6, Manuel 5, Al-Hussaini 5, Salvador 5, Antonio 5, Yee 4, Deutchman 3, Vergara 0, Adducul 0.

Quarters: 27-15, 58-34, 81-53, 110-81

Second Game

GINEBRA 96—Caguioa 24, Mamaril 16, Ellis 12, Tenorio 10, Espiritu 9, Maierhofer 8, Wilson 6, Hatfield 4, Taha 3, Labagala 2, Helterbrand 2.

ALASKA 93—Baracael 21, Casio 16, Jazul 10, Espinas 10, Thoss 10, Baguio 9, Hontiveros 7, Eman 6, Reyes 2, Dela Cruz 2, Belasco 0.

Quarters: 21-18, 46-42, 68-73, 96-93