Kings hardly miss Caguioa

AFTER six failed tries this season, Rain or Shine finally conquered Talk ‘N Text.

The Elasto Painters dealt the powerhouse Tropang Texters a beating they’ve never had this year—a 116-85 rout at Smart Araneta Coliseum last night that lifted Rain or Shine to a share of the Commissioner’s Cup lead.

Earlier, Vernon Macklin and LA Tenorio plugged the scoring holes left by Barangay Ginebra’s foremost gunner and towed the Gin Kings to their fourth straight win with a 96-89 decision of Barako Bull.

“I was kind of aware of that,” Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao said about their 0-6 record against the Texters this season, counting a sweep in the Philippine Cup Finals.

Bruno Sundov keyed a jackrabbit start for the Painters, who took the first quarter at 30-18 before eventually leading by as many as 36 points late in the third en route to a tie for the lead with idle Alaska at 7-3.

Talk ‘N Text dropped to 5-5 after being held to just 58 points in the first three periods.

Macklin scattered 33 points despite missing 14 free throws, and Tenorio added 27 as Ginebra took complete command in the second half in repeating over the Energy and hiking its record to 5-5.

Mark Caguioa, who averaged 22.8 points per game—the best among locals and fourth overall in the tournament—suffered a slight tear on his left MCL on Friday. But he was hardly missed by the Kings, who even had the luxury of missing 27 free throws—the most by any team in the last 10 seasons at least.

The scores:

First Game

GINEBRA 96—Macklin 33, Tenorio 27, Raymundo 10, Baracael 9, Ellis 7, Hatfield 7, Mamaril 2, Labagala 1, Jensen 0, Espiritu 0, Helterbrand 0.

BARAKO 89—Maliksi 22, Brock 20, Seigle 12, Urbiztondo 8, Villanueva 7, Macapagal 6, Anthony 5, Pennisi 5, Kramer 2, Allado 2,  Duncil 0, Intal 0.

Quarters: 25-19, 46-43, 75-67, 96-89

Second Game

RAIN OR SHINE 116—Sundov 27, Norwood 19, Tiu 15, Lee 10, Cruz 9, Matias 6, Chan 6, Rodriguez 6, Arana 6, Quinahan 6, Uyloan 3, Belga 3, Jaime 0, Tang 0, Ibanes 0.

TALK N’ TEXT 85—Castro 19, Harvey 17, De Ocampo 13, Gamalinda 8, Al-Hussaini 7, Alapag 7, Fonacier 4, Raymundo 3, Reyes 3, Aban 2, Williams 2, Alvarez 0, Ferriols 0, Carey 0.

Quarters: 30-18, 59-42, 94-58, 116-85