By Jay R. Gotera
Saudi Gazette
MANILA — The Rain or Shine Elasto Painters snapped a two-game losing streak by downing the giant-killer Mahindra Enforcers, 103-88, in the PBA Governors’ Cup Friday night.
With newly arrived import replacement Jason Forte still adjusting to his new team, the Painters relied on big men Raymond Almazan and Beau to deliver the goods on both ends of the court, finishing with 14 and 13 points, respectively while muzzling prolific Mahindra import James White.
The Painters also took advantage of the absence of KG Canaleta, Mahindra’s top gunner, who had to undergo an appendectomy.
Rain or Shine thus improved to a 4-4 win-loss mark, tying Phoenix at sixth to seventh place in the team standings.
The Enforcers suffered only their third loss in nine games, dropping them to fourth spot.
TNT KaTropa (7-1) remains at the top with Barangay Ginebra and San Miguel Beer tied at second to third spot. Both with a 6-2 card.
The Painters thus remained one of only two teams, the other being Ginebra, that Mahindra has not yet defeated since it joined the league last season.
Phoenix 106, Star 93
The Phoenix Fuel Masters saw their 20-point lead evaporate but managed to regain their bearing in the endgame for a 106-93 thrashing of the hapless Star Hotshots.
Their fourth win in eight games assured Phoenix of a ticket in the quarterfinals with a chance for a Top Four finish that would guarantee them a twice-to-beat advantage.
While it was sweet victory for the Fuel Masters, the loss was most bitter for the Hotshots who tumbled to their fifth straight defeat—their longest losing streak in a conference in the last 11 years—and seventh overall in eight games to move closer to outright elimination. If Star fails to make it to the playoffs this conference — and chances are high for that — it would shatter the franchise streak of 15 consecutive playoff appearances dating back to the 2011 Commissioner's Cup.
Import Eugene Phelps was on fire all night long for Phoenix, pouring a game-high 45 points on top of 17 boards. Willy Wilson scattered 13 markers while former Alaska gunner Cyrus Baguio finished with 11 points, eight of them scored when it mattered most in the final quarter. Ronjay Buenafe also added 11 markers.
Phoenix led 77-57 lead halfway through the third quarter when Star sparked a 19-0 run bridging the last two quarters.
The Fuel Masters then awoke from their slumber and ignited an 11-2 run of their own to finish off the Hotshots.
New import Joel Wright finished with 29 points and 11 boards, while Mark Barroca and PJ Simon add 12 and 11 markers, respectively, in a losing effort for Star.
Game Saturday: TNT KaTropa (7-1) vs. San Miguel Beermen (6-2).
