Games Saturday
(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
4:30 p.m. — Alaska vs Blackwater
6:45 p.m. — Ginebra vs Rain or Shine
By JONAS TERRADO
Columbian Dyip overcame the explosive debut of new import Alonzo Gee and defeated Phoenix Pulse, 106-104, to snap a two-game slide in the PBA Governors’ Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Import Khapri Alston and rookie CJ Perez provided big numbers while Rashawn McCarthy made key baskets in the fourth that enabled the Dyip to raise their record to 4-4 for solo sixth in the standings.
Coach Johnedel Cardel’s Dyip are in a good position to make their first quarterfinal stint since the 2016 Governors’ Cup but will be hard-pressed to beat tough opponents in their last three assignments.
Columbian faces defending champion Magnolia on Sunday, Meralco on Nov. 8, and Barangay Ginebra San Miguel on Nov. 15.
“This time we had to win. Kasi if we lose this game, masyado kaming mababaon sa ilalim,” said Cardel, whose team blew a nine-point lead in a 113-107 defeat to San Miguel Beer last Sunday.
Alston finished with 30 points, 19 rebounds, four steals, and three blocks, Perez scored 25 points while adding eight rebounds and four steals, and McCarthy added 16 points.
Jackson Corpuz posted 18 points and six rebounds in his best game since returning from four-month absence due to a knee injury.
The Dyip won despite blowing a 14-point lead in the third when Gee, who replaced Eugene Phelps after seven games, flaunted his NBA pedigree led a furious Fuel Masters rally to gain the driver seat.
But Gee and the Fuel Masters couldn’t sustain their form and fell to 2-6 with three games remaining on their schedule.
Gee produced 45 points, nine rebounds, and six steals for Phoenix. He had 16 in the third highlighted by a dunk that gave the Fuel Masters a 70-69 lead after trailing 56-42.
But McCarthy hit 11 in the fourth, including five straight points that put Columbian in front 102-92 over three minutes to go.
The scores:
COLUMBIAN 106 – Alston 30, Perez 25, Corpuz 18, McCarthy 16, Cahilig 7, Tiongson 4, Calvo 4, Khobuntin 2, Agovida 0, Camson 0, Celda 0, Faundo 0.
PHOENIX PULSE 104 – Gee 45, Perkins 20, Mallari 11, Gamboa 8, Marcelo 6, Jazul 6, Napoles 3, Chua 2, Kramer 2, Garcia 1, Potts 0.
Quarters: 28-20; 54-42; 74-76; 106-104.
