Games Tomorrow (Mall of Asia Arena)
4:15 p.m. – Kia vs Star
7 p.m. – GlobalPort vs Meralco
Rain or Shine kept its slim hopes of securing a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals alive while spoiling the final games of Dondon Hontiveros and Tony de la Cruz by crushing Alaska, 112-82, last night in the PBA Governors’ Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
Import J’Nathan Bullock led three players in double figures with 14 points while Chris Tiu produced nine points, eight rebounds, five assists and two steals as the Elasto Painters improved to 6-4, one game behind NLEX and TNT KaTropa – two teams sharing third and fourth at 7-3 – a half-game off San Miguel for fifth.
The Elasto Painters play the Blackwater Elite on Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“Wala naman kaming control sa ibang games, we’ll just try to beat Blackwater,” said Rain or Shine coach Caloy Garcia.
Alaska ended another disappointing campaign with a 3-8 record, playing its final game of the season by resting key players Calvin Abueva, Sonny Thoss and Chris Banchero.
The Aces, who missed the quarterfinals for the second straight conference, fell behind by a high of 37 points, denying Hontiveros and De la Cruz a chance to come out victorious before retiring.
De la Cruz, the 39-year-old who started his career in 2000 as direct-hire Fil-Am of Shell before joining Alaska in 2005 following the Turbo Chargers’ disbandment, was put in the starting lineup by coach Alex Compton and had 12 points and six rebounds in 33 minutes.
The shot marked an end to the 19-year professional career of Hontiveros, who debuted in 1998 for the hometown Cebu Gems in the now-defunct Metropolitan Basketball Association.
First Game
RAIN OR SHINE 112 – Bullock 14, Cruz 12, Belga 12, Trollano 11, Tiu 9, Robles 9, Borboran 9, Almazan 7, Yap 6, Ahanmisi 5, Matias 4, King 4, Daquioag 4, Norwood 3, Maiquez 3, Ponferada 0.0
ALASKA 82 – Henton 20, Dela Cruz 12, Enciso 9, Manuel 9, Pascual 8, Casio 5, Exciminiano 5, Baclao 4, Cruz 3, Galliguez 3, Hontiveros 2, Mendoza 2, Racal 0.
Quarters: 29-23; 63-41; 92-61; 112-82.
Second Game
SAN MIGUEL 109 – Watson 26, Fajardo 24, Cabagnot 24, Santos 15, Lassiter 13, Rosser 4, Espinas 3, Ross 0, Tubid 0.
PHOENIX 107 – Brown 30, Chan 18, Intal 12, Eriobu 10, Alolino 9, W.WIlson 8, Dehesa 7, Wright 5, Lanete 4, Kramer 2, Jazul 2, J. Wilson 0, Hayes 0, Miranda 0, Ababou 0.
Quarters: 23-28, 56-52, 86-77, 109-107.
