By Jay R. Gotera
Saudi Gazette
MANILA — The San Miguel Beermen assured themselves of a Top 4 finish with a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals as they frustrated the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, 82-75, in the PBA Governors’ Cup Saturday night.
SMB improved to a 7-3 win-loss card, behind Barangay Ginebra (7-2) and TNT ((8-1).
ROS remained stuck at ninth place after skidding to 4-6 and in danger of missing the playoffs for the first time in 13 conferences.
Despite playing under the weather, import Mike Singletary paced the Beermen with 23 points and 12 boards while Arwind Santos played his most productive game yet of the tournament with 20 points and nine rebounds. June Mar Fajardo added 11 markers.
Fiery point guard Alex Cabagnot missed the game due to a viral infection.
The result spoiled the debut of new ROS import Josh Dollard, who led his team with 18 points, nine rebounds, and six assists in 35 minutes off the bench. Jewel Ponferada added 12 markers, while Mark Cruz and J.R. Quinahan chipped in with 10 apiece.
The Painters trailed for most parts of the game, but pulled to within two, 76-74, with about three minutes left in the game.
But the Beermen went on a 6-1 run to finish off the Painters.
Alaska 103, Phoenix 87
The Alaska Aces rolled to their third straight victory, getting past the Phoenix Fuel Masters, 103-87, to stay in contention for a quarterfinals berth.
Alaska improved to a 5-5 win-loss record, forcing a four-way tie for fifth to eighth places with Phoenix, NLEX and Meralco.
The Aces’ triumph also sent Star and GlobalPort crashing out of the tournament, leaving the four teams tied at 5-5 plus Rain or Shine (4-6), fighting for the last four slots in the eight-team quarterfinals cast. Already assured of a top 4 finish are TNT KaTropa, Barangay Ginebra, San Miguel Beer and Mahindra.
R.J. Jazul and Calvin Abueva led a balanced Alaska offense. Jazul posted a team-high 19 points, six assists, three boards, and two steals, while Abueva finished with 18 points and 21 rebounds.
Import LaDontae Henton added 15 points, 20 rebounds, three assists and four steals. Sonny Thoss and Chris Banchero chipped in 11 points apiece while JVee Casio had 10 markers.
Import Eugene Phelps once again led Phoenix with 34 points and 24 boards, but he drew little help from his local teammates.
Cyrus Baguio posted eight points, three assists, two rebounds, and two steals in 30 minutes in his first game against his former team, which traded him before the start of the tournament.
Games Sunday: Mahindra Enforcers (6-4) vs. Meralco Bolts (5-5); and Star Hotshots (2-7) vs TNT KaTropa (8-1).
