2014 PBA Governors’ Cup: ROS nails win #1 even as the Mixers stumble against the Beermen!

Jeff Chan (left) and June Mar Fajardo (right) came up big
as their respective teams won last night.

First Game:
With just two losses and nothing else to show for entering this game, the Rain or Shine Elasto-Painters were hungry for a win, and they got exactly what they wanted. Behind an inspired shooting display and great transition offense, ROS finally notched a win this conference, blowing out the GlobalPort Batang Pier, 119-97. Not surprisingly, Arizona Reid led the way for the Painters again, shooting 11/16 from the two-point area on his way to a game-high 30 points. Reid also grabbed 13 rebounds, handed out 8 assists, got 2 steals, and blocked 2 shots in an impressive all-around performance.

When a PBA team’s main frontline is composed of Jewel Ponferada, the over-the-hump Eric Menk, the inefficient Yousef Taha, the one-dimensional Jondan Salvador, and the inconsistent Jay Washington, it’s reasonable to expect very little, and, well, that’s exactly what GlobalPort got in this game. I applaud the 13-point, 9-rebound effort of J-Wash, but the others didn’t really do much else. The Batang Piwer were outrebounded, 52-49, and managed just 1 block the entire game. They were outplayed by the ROS bigs, who were already missing the services of JR Quiñahan and enjoyed just 3 minutes of action from the hobbling Jervy Cruz.

Lighting it up!: After suffering through another cold spell this season, Jeff Chan lit up the scoreboard for 19 points in this game. He made 3/5 threes on his way to his best offensive game in weeks. The Gilas Pilipinas wingman also dished out 4 dimes and had 0 turnovers. For his part, Paul Lee, another Gilas Pilipinas hopeful, also found the mark, dropping 17 points on the strength of 3 triples. Should both guys continue shooting this well, we will probably see the Painters rise significantly up the standings.

Second Game:
Despite giving up 20 points-off-turnovers, the Beermen still prevailed in this one thanks mainly to torrid and clutch outside shooting. With the Mixers providing a stiff challenge, San Miguel leaned on its perimeter players to provide the final touches in a really tight affair. Chris Ross, Chris Lutz, and Reggie Williams all hit big shots in the fourth quarter to help SMB to its second win in three games. Williams was awesome here, hitting 5 triples on his way to 29 points. He also hauled down 9 boards and had 6 dimes.

Once again, SMB couldn’t get much from its starting backcourt of Marcio Lassiter and Sol Mercado. Lassiter, unfortunately, injured his shin as he collided with steel chairs early in the game. He was rushed to the hospital after he sustained a 6-inch gash from that incident. Mercado, however, didn’t really have any excuse. The former Gilas Pilipinas player (2012 Jones Cup) missed all four of hsi three-point tries on his way to a paltry 3 points in 24 minutes. He also had 0 assists.

Lost it: With his team down 2 points and only seconds to go, Marqus Blakely had the chance to tie the game with a strong drive to the basket, but last year’s Govs’ Cup Best Import lost the handle and, consequently, the opportunity. Now the Mixers are 1-1 in the standings, and they’re mired in the middle of the pack. They still have a good shot of getting that Grand Slam, of course, but it’s clear that it will be an uphill climb all the way.

Game recaps by Rey Joble/InterAKTV:

RAIN OR SHINE over GLOBALPORT, 119-97

The Rain or Shine Elasto Painters nailed their first win in the PLDT Home Telpad Governors’ Cup in emphatic fashion with a 119-97 victory over GlobalPort on Sunday at Mall of Asia Arena.

Arizona Reid, Jeff Chan, and Paul Lee led the charge for the Elasto Painters, who turned a tight first half into a laugher in the second half.

“We just shot the ball well in today’s game. It’s been a long time since we shot the ball this way,” said Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao.

“It’s a high-scoring ballgame every time we play GlobalPort, it works for us.”

Rain or Shine exploded for 39 points in the third quarter to completely break away from the Batang Pier.

The win pushed Rain or Shine to a tie with GlobalPort with identical 1-2 records.

Reid finished with 30 points, Chan had 19, while Lee added 17 for the Elasto Painters.

“The best thing about this game is not just the import scoring, but the guys contributing,” said Guiao.

With the win, Guiao said the team’s goal is still to place in the upper half of the playoff bracket to get a twice-to-beat bonus.

“We’re still looking to make the top four. Our objective before this game into the win column,” said Guiao. “Di kami pwedeng mangarap ng masyadong mataas, kailangan isa-isahin muna.”

ROS 119 – Reid 30, Chan 19, Lee 17, Rodriguez 13, Arana 11, Almazan 7, Norwood 6, Tang 5, Uyloan 4, Teng 3, Belga 2, Tiu 2, Cruz 0, Nuyles 0, Ibanes 0.
GLO 97 – Romeo 22, Cabagnot 21, Hickerson 20, Washington 13, Menk 8, Macapagal 6, Garcia 5, Salva 2, Matias 0, Taha 0, Ponferada 0, Salvador 0, Sharma 0.
QS: 25-25, 50-45, 89-70, 119-97

Arizona Reid continued his strong play, and ROS finally got a W this conference.

Jeff Chan gets the easiest two points of his
19-point effort last night.

Terrence Romeo had another strong showing for GlobalPort, but it was
all for naught as the Batang Pier fell to the Painters.

SAN MIGUEL BEER over SAN MIG SUPER COFFEE, 92-90

The San Miguel Beermen pulled out a thrilling 92-90 victory over the San Mig Super Coffee Mixers in the PLDT Home Telpad Governors Cup action on Sunday at Mall of Asia Arena.

Chris Ross sparked the fourth quarter uprising for the Beermen, who improved their record to 2-1.

San Mig Coffee suffered its first loss in the tournament to drop to 1-1.

“It feels good when you end up on top, but we have a very long way to go,” said San Miguel Beer consultant Todd Purves.

The Mixers were still in control, 71-63, early in the fourth quarter, before Ross nailed a corner three-pointer that touched off the Beermen’s assault. A 16-4 run for San Miguel Beer gave them a 79-75 advantage.

San Mig Coffee fought back, regaining the driver’s seat, 83-82, on a slam dunk by Marc Pingris.

But back-to-back three-pointers from Chris Lutz and import Reggie Williams put the Beermen back on top, 88-83, with less than two minutes left.

San Miguel Beer still nursed that five point advantage into the final minute before James Yap buried a clutch three-pointer with 5.6 seconds to put San Mig Coffee closer, 92-90.

Williams missed two free throw attempts, but San Mig Coffee import Marqus Blakely lost the ball on a potential game-tying drive to allow the Beermen to escape.

“Williams really pushed himself minutes-wise, he just kept battling,” said Purves of is import. “He takes good care of his body before and after games.”

SMB 92 – Williams 29, Fajardo 18, Ross 15, Santos 13, Tubid 6, Lutz 6, Mercado 3, Kramer 2, Maierhofer 0, Duncil 0, Lassiter 0, Chua 0.
SMC 90 – Blakely 31, Barroca 13, Pingris 12, Yap 11, Devance 8, Simon 8, Reavis 5, Mallari 2, Maliksi 0, Sangalang 0, Melton 0.
QS: 19-21, 40-44, 60-67, 92-90