ROS snaps Phoenix’s win streak, makes Final 8
Credit to Author: EDDIE G. ALINEA| Date: Mon, 11 Feb 2019 16:15:41 +0000
The Rain or Shine (ROS) Elasto Painters needed an extra five minute-extension to cut short the Phoenix Fuel Masters’ winning run to five, 98-94, on Sunday to become the first team to make it to the quarterfinal round of the PBA Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The victory, the Painters’ sixth in seven times up, likewise, catapulted coach Caloy Garcia’s boys past the Fuel Masters to the top of the 12-team standing besides giving them a well-deserved respite after seeing action six times in a stretch of 10 days from January 30.
ROS plays the Magnolia Hotshots on Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena, but will see action next 24 days from that day on March 6 against Columbian Dyip at the Big Dome.
Arwind Santos, meanwhile, made the most of the only second time his coach Leo Austria gave him as a starter by leading the defending champion San Miguel Beermen to their fourth triumph in seven outings at the expense of sister team Hotshots Pambansang Manok, who they overwhelmed by 21 points, 113-92.
Relegated to second fiddle man with the arrival of Filipino-German Christian Standhardinger last season and hot-shooting Terence Romeo this year, the 2013 MVP showed he still have what it takes to be relied upon by pouring in seven-of-eleven attempts from beyond the arc on the way to matching his jersey number and a game-high 29 points.
Santos, called “ The Spider Man” by fans came up the only player to score in all four quarters – seven in the first, 3 in the second, 11 in the third and 8 in the fourth, beside hauling down four rebounds issuing two assists and blocking a shot that more than made up for a single turnover.
Besides sealing a seat in the Final Eight, Rain of Shine, too, extended its wining run to four following a mere loss 99-111 to the Elite last January 30.
Rey Nambatac shattered a 92-all deadlock in overtime while Mark Borboran converted a running floater from the backdoor with the shot clock running down to seal the win.
Big Boy Beau Belga heaved and drove for 16 points, grabbed nine rebounds and assisted his teammates seven times, while Kris Rosales shot 16 points in his best game wearing the Elasto Painters jersey.
“Good win,” said coach Caloy sighed after his hard-earned win. “They Phoenix) were able to come back, but we had a good lead, they didn’t stop. That’s probably why they are on top. They never gave up and they fought their hearts out.”
A mighty 14-0 run blast gifted the Painters their biggest 70-56 advantage, but the Fuel Masters came surging back with Jason Perkins converting a lay-up with 13.1 seconds left in the match to tie the game at 87.
Phoenix’s first loss in six games somewhat tainted Perkins’ career-high 27-point output for the Fuel Masters. Calvi
It was the Fuel Masters’ third overtime game of the young season. They needed five extra minutes in their first two wins of the conference, over Meralco and TNT.
Phoenix Pulse’ 5-0 streak to open the Philippine Cup was the best start in franchise hist
SMB’s Alex Cabagnot achieved two milestones as moved up to 8th in the PBA all-time assists category tying Crispa’s Philip Cezar with 3,130. The speedy sentinel also climbed to 9th spot in the steals department, moving past Cyrus Baguio.
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