Painters stop slump, Energy in Dubai tiff
DUBAI – Rain or Shine gained a big break on Dermarr Johnson’s early ouster due to an injury, topping Barako Bull, 99-95, to snap a losing run in the first game of the PBA Dubai series at the Al-shabab Sports Club here Thursday night (early Friday in Manila).
Johnson could well be out for the rest of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup with a groin injury, his exit just seven minutes into the game, helping the Elasto Painters check a losing skein dating back to their Philippine Cup semifinal showdown with the Powerade Tigers.
“It’s really a huge break and that’s really the story of the game,” said Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao.
“They kept the game close and they had the chance to win at endgame. You have to give credit to that effort. Good thing, we pulled through and we need that badly as we play another game here against Ginebra,” Guiao added.
The Elasto Painters hope to build on their Barako victory as they go for a two-game sweep of the Dubai series versus the Kings at 7 p.m. Friday in the same venue.
The two matches here will be shown on AKTV tonight.
The Energy must be back in Manila around that time and look for a replacement to Johnson.
“It takes time to heal a groin injury. It’s such a bad break for us,” said Barako coach Junel Baculi.
The Barako import, a highly touted player drafted by the Atlanta Hawks sixth overall in the 2000 NBA draft, was helped by his teammates to the bench just seven minutes into the game and failed to return to the floor.
Still, the Energy put up a gallant stand, dragging the Elasto Painters in a rugged, fierce battle marked by nine deadlocks, 10 lead changes and flagrant infractions.
Frontline tandem Duke Crews and Beau Belga combined for 47 points and 22 rebounds with Jeff Chan, Ronjay Buenafe and Paul Lee delivering clutch baskets at the finish as the Elasto Painters held off the Energy for their first win in three starts in the mid-season tourney.
The Energy even set the pace in the first 40 minutes of the game, riding high on the exploits of Mick Pennisi, Willie Miller and Don Allado as they enjoyed an 11-point spread at 50-39.
Eventually, Johnson’s loss took its toll on Barako at endgame, though. The Energy dropped to the cellar with a 1-3 win-loss slate.
“Good thing, we scraped through. We need that boost. It’s going to be tiring as we’re playing a second game. The worst to play that game is coming off a loss,” Guiao said.
The Elasto Painters and the Kings meet in a grudge match after the former eased out the latter in their best-of-three quarterfinal matchup in the last Philippine Cup.
Crews and Belga used their size to pile up 27 and 20 points, respectively. The former also grabbed 14 rebounds and the latter collected eight caroms.
Pennisi paced the Energy with 19 points on 5-of-9 three-point shooting. Miller, Allado, Jondan Salvador and Wynne Arboleda added at least 10 points each.
Pennisi banged away three triples to highlight a 24-6 exchange that enabled the Energy to enjoy an 11-point advantage, 50-39, with a minute left in the first half.
The Elasto Painters, however, overhauled that deficit in the second half, pressing their bid at the finish to avoid what could have been a 0-3 start in the tourney.
“We’re really not satisfied the way we played but we’ll no longer dwell on the negative,” said Guiao. The scores: Rain or Shine 99 – Crews 27, Belga 20, Lee 13, Chan 12, Buenafe 9, Arana 9, Ibañes 2, Cruz 2, Matias 2, Quinahan 2, Norwood 1, Jaime 0.
Barako 95 – Pennisi 19, Miller 17, Allado 14, Salvador 13, Arboleda 10, Najorda 8, Tubid 7, Johnson 3, Peña 2, Lanete 2.
Quarterscores: 27-22, 43-50, 68-71, 99-95