by Jonas Terrado
Game Today (Calasiao, Pangasinan)
5 p.m. – TNT KaTropa vs San Miguel
The struggling Columbian Dyip pulled off a shock 100-84 victory over the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters last night to end their miserable losing skid in the PBA Governors’ Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
Import Akeem Wright, Jerramy King, Rashawn McCarthy, Ronald Tubid and Andreas Cahilig scored in double figures as the Dyip displayed poise despite blowing an 11-point halftime lead to barge into the win column after a 0-9 start in the season-ending conference.
Coach Johnedel Cardel earned his first win since being tasked by Columbian management to take over the role vacated by Ricky Dandan after the Commissioner’s Cup.
“Medyo natanggal na sa akin yung tinik sa dibdib kasi di na ako sanay manalo,” said Cardel.
Columbian snapped a streak of 24 consecutive defeats in the Governors’ Cup, winning for the first time since the then-Mahindra franchise beat TNT KaTropa, 107-104, last Aug. 26.
The victory also gave the Dyip a rare season sweep of the Elasto Painters, having beaten them in the eliminations of the Philippine Cup and Commissioner’s Cup.
Wright had 23 points and 12 rebounds, King continued his outstanding season by posting 18 points, Tubid and McCarthy posted 16 points apiece and Cahilig added 13 for the Dyip.
Terrence Watson produced 18 points and 10 rebounds but Rain or Shine failed to win its third in a row and drop to 2-5 in the tournament.
Rain or Shine, which played for the fifth straight game minus disgruntled center Raymond Almazan, also wasted a golden chance at tying idle San Miguel Beer for eighth place before the latter faces TNT to today’s Petron Saturday Special contest in Calasiao, Pangasinan.
With the help from the Dyip, the Beermen go into the 5 p.m. match carrying solo eighth spot with a 3-4 slate.
COLUMBIAN 100 – Wright 23, King 18, McCarthy 16, Tubid 16, Cahilig 13, Reyes 5, Corpuz 4, Celda 3, Ababou 2, Khobuntin 0, Escoto 0.
RAIN OR SHINE 84 – Watson 18, Ahanmisi 16, Norwood 11, Ponferada 9, Yap 8, Belga 7, Washington 6, Borboran 5, Daquioag 4, Nambatac 0, Tiu 0.
Quarters: 24-21, 50-39, 68-63, 100-84.
