Rain or Shine tops Magnolia
Games Today (Smart Araneta Coliseum) 4:30 p.m. – Alaska vs NLEX 6:45 p.m. – Ginebra vs TNT KaTropa
Rain or Shine played as if the distractions that marred its campaign in recent weeks have already been settled and foiled Magnolia’s bid to regain the top spot last night with a 101-95 victory in the PBA Philippine Cup in Calasiao, Pangasinan.
Raymond Almazan displayed the form that made him one of the league’s best centers with 23 points, six rebounds and two blocks as the Elasto Painters led by as much as 21 while making it difficult for the Hotshots to make a serious comeback in the Petron Saturday Special game held before a receptive crowd at the Calasiao Sports Complex.
James Yap had 13 points, five rebounds and three assists, Gabe Norwood and Maverick Ahanmisi scored 12 points apiece and Chris Tiu produced 11 points and six assists that gave Rain or Shine a 5-3 record to tighten its grip on fourth place in the team standings.
The Elasto Painters also moved a game behind co-leaders San Miguel Beermen and Alaska Aces – teams sharing identical 6-2 records – despite dealing with Jericho Cruz’s desire to be traded after four seasons with the club.
Sources said Rain or Shine opted not to include Cruz in its trip up north while continuing to entertain potential trade offers.
Magnolia absorbed its second straight defeat and dropped to third at 6-3. Aldrech Ramos scored 27 points for the Hotshots, who once again missed Paul Lee for the third straight game despite participating in warmups prior to tipoff.
Meanwhile, struggling Alaska looks to formalize its entry to the quarterfinals against a rejuvenated NLEX squad while Barangay Ginebra San Miguel and TNT KaTropa eye crucial wins that will enhance their own playoff bids today at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Aces go for their seventh straight win after a 0-2 start while gaining an inside track at a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarters in the 4:30 p.m. duel with the Road Warriors, who two nights ago escaped with an 87-85 victory over the Meralco Bolts on Kiefer Ravena’s gamewinning shot.
But the curtain raiser will likely be overshadowed by the 6:45 p.m. meeting between crowd-favorite Ginebra and TNT, sharing identical 4-4 slates with NLEX and Phoenix. Both teams hope to use the match as a springboard to make a late surge in the elimination round of the season-opening conference.
Alaska seeks to continue its impressive run that saw coach Alex Compton’s charges go unbeaten since the start of 2018 behind the efforts of Vic Manuel, Calvin Abueva, Chris Banchero, Sonny Thoss and rookie Jeron Teng.
The Road Warriors’ latest win, which kept them inside the race for a top eight finish, came after Ravena scored seven of the team’s last nine points, including a turnaround shot off former Ateneo teammate Chris Newsome with 0.9 seconds left.
Meanwhile, Ginebra is treating its remaining matches in the elims as if the playoffs had already began, especially after a string of dismal performances.
Kings coach Tim Cone hopes to capitalize on the perceived advantage his team has with Greg Slaughter, Tenorio, Scottie Thompson and Japeth Aguilar with the KaTropa still smarting from a heartbreaking 74-72 setback to the Phoenix Fuel Masters.