2012 PBA Philippine Cup Roundup: November 14, 2012

Arwind Santos (L) muscles up against Larry Rodroguez (R)
as the Boosters defeated the Painters yesterday.

Boy, when the Petron Blaze Boosters are on, they are ON.

They opened up a tight game in the third period, outscoring the Elasto-Painters, 33-12, and then cruised to an easy win – only their fourth in ten games.

Former Smart-Gilas standout Chris Lutz was on fire here, hitting 7 of his 11 field goals, including 4 triples. He also grabbed 5 rebounds and dished out 5 assists to punctuate a good all-around performance. Arwind Santos had a monster double-double line consisting of 16 points and 15 boards while frontcourt mate Jay Washington, who has been the meat of recent trade rumors, had 14 markers and 6 caroms. Three other Boosters finished in double-digits.

Despite having a depleted frontline, the Boosters held their own against the vaunted Extra Rice Boys of Rain or Shine. Beau Belga, JR Quiñahan, Jervy Cruz, and Larry Rodriguez all actually finished in double-figures, but this was offset by the Painters’ anemic outside shooting. They made good on just 18% of their threes and shot just 36% overall from the floor. This is only the third loss for the Painters, who are in solo third place behind Talk N Text and San Mig Coffee.

Game Recaps:

AIR 21 EXPRESS over ALASKA ACES, 104-103

Mark Isip played an unfamiliar role Wednesday night, drilling in the game-winning basket and leading the Air 21 Express to their third straight victory of the season following a tense 104-103 squeaker over the hard-fighting Alaska Aces in the PBA Philippine Cup at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum.

The 6-foot-4 forward received a pass from Mike Cortez, who was double-teamed on his way to the basket. Isip unleashed a short jumper over the outstretched arms of Sonny Thoss and his shot bounced off the rim before going in, giving the Express the marginal basket.

“Our play was for our guards to create something going to the basket. Good thing Mike had the presence of mind to pass it out to an open Mark Isip,” said Air 21 coach Franz Pumaren, who posted the first three-game winning streak of his PBA coaching career.

More importantly, the Express’ victory put them into a tie for sixth to seventh spots of the team standings.

The Aces, on the other hand, absorbed their third straight loss after a string of five consecutive victories. They fell to an even 5-5 record.

Alaska, however, fought back from double-digit deficits in the second half and appeared to be headed to complete a come-from-behind behind the solid games of Mac Baracael and rookie Calvin Abueva, who had six straight points in the span of one minute.

“I’d like to give credit to Alaska. They refused to quit, but it’s a good thing we were able to keep our poise down the stretch,” added Pumaren.

A21 104 – Canaleta 21, Wilson 13, Isip 12, Cortez 12, Sena 11, Custodio 11, Omolon 9, Baclao 7, Reyes 6, Arboleda 2, Atkins 0

ALA 103 – Baracael 24, Abueva 17, Espinas 16, Reys 8, Casio 8, Jazul 7, Thoss 7, Hontiveros 6, Baguio 5, Eman 3, Laure 2, Dela Cruz 0

QS: 34-20, 61-48, 84-76, 104-103.

Mike Cortez continues to play well as the main playmaker
for the Express.

Niño Cañaleta had one of his best games of the
season against the Aces.

Rob Reyes lets rookie Calvin Abueva know what
facepalm really means.

PETRON BLAZE BOOSTERS over RAIN OR SHINE ELASTO-PAINTERS, 96-86

Playing with a sense of urgency, Petron Blaze faced a real test against emerging contender Rain or Shine.

And the short-handed Boosters responded to the challenge.

The Boosters had six players that finished in double figures with Chris Lutz leading the way, but it was Petron’s defense against one of the hottest teams in the tournament that proved to be the difference in their 96-86 triumph in the PBA Philippine Cup at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday.

“Uso ang bull session sa mga teams na nag-struggle,” said Petron coach Olsen Racela. “We reminded each other to stop talking, but it’s time to start to play.”

“The key to this win is that we limit the No. 2 offensive team. We held them down tonight,” he added.

The Boosters came out of the halftime break fresh and full of energy as they clamped down on the Elasto Painters’ big guns. Petron limited Rain or Shine to just 12 third-quarter points, while unloading 33 points at the other end to turn an expected tight struggle into a rout.

Rain or Shine trailed by 22 points, 57-79, entering the last quarter. They made a huge run in the fourth, but simply ran out of time.

“We needed a win badly, not just for the team standings, but also to get our confidence back,” said Racela. “I was also having doubts myself after we lost three straight games, but the players helped me and I got my confidence back.”

In snapping a three-game slide, the Boosters improved their record to 4-6.

Lutz finished with 19 points followed by Arwind Santos’ 16. Jay Washington contributed 14 markers while Marcio Lassiter chipped in 12.

Alex Cabagnot had 11 and Denok Miranda added 10 in a display of balanced firepower by the undermanned Petron squad.

PET 96 – Lutz 19, Santos 16, Washington 14, Lassiter 12, Cabagnot 11, Miranda 10, Faundo 6, Yeo 6, Duncil 2, Ildefonso 0

ROS 86 – Chan 20, Belga 14, Quinahan 11, Cruz 10, Rodriguez 10, Tang 8, Ibanes 6, Matias 4, Norwood 3, Arana 0

QS: 25-15, 46-45, 79-57, 96-86.