BASKETBALL – THE Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) made its mark in the kingdom last night with the league’s first-ever official game between two of this season’s hottest teams.
Rain or Shine Elasto Painters powered to a resounding 101-92 victory over Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots in front of a large crowd of adoring fans at Khalifa Sports City Arena in Isa Town.
The Elasto Painters pulled away from their opponents in the second half, when they led by as many as 16 points in the third period following back-to-back three-pointers from veteran guard Stanley Pringle. The Hotshots tried valiantly to fight back and got to within single digits late in the fourth, but Gian Mamuyac came up big in the clutch, scoring five straight points for the victors to help restore a double-digit advantage and virtually seal the win.
The game was part of the ongoing PBA Philippine Cup in the league’s landmark 50th anniversary season.
With the result, the Elasto Painters secured a highly coveted twice-to-beat advantage in the conference’s quarter-finals, having improved to an 8-2 win-loss record for first place on the Philippine Cup standings with only one assignment remaining in this stage. That will be their second fixture in Bahrain, to be played tomorrow against Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, who are the third visiting PBA team this week.
Tomorrow’s contest between the Elasto Painters and Barangay Ginebra is scheduled for a 7pm tip-off. Barangay Ginebra are aiming to cement their hold on a spot in the quarters, and also have two games remaining.
“We will now relax for a little bit – maybe for the next 24 hours – but then it’s back to work as we try to finish strong against Ginebra,” the Elasto Painters’ superstar forward Gabe Norwood told the GDN last night post-game. “We’ve secured that top four spot and the twice-to-beat, and we’ll now go into the quarter-finals and try to be as healthy as we can and focus on our game.
“We’re not looking too far ahead – we will take it one step at a time and try to win our next game, and we’ll go from there.”
The Hotshots dropped to a 6-4 mark with yesterday’s defeat, but are also already assured of a berth in the elite eight.
In attendance during last night’s contest were PBA commissioner Willie Marcial, who arrived in the kingdom on Sunday night as a special guest of the Bahrain Basketball Association (BBA). BBA president Shaikh Mohammed bin Ahmed Al Khalifa was also on hand, along with other BBA officials.
Jhonard Clarito finished as the game’s leading scorer with 21 points for the Elasto Painters, while Mamuyac and Caelan Tiongson chipped in with 14 apiece. Adrian Nocum added 13 and Pringle had nine in the win.
For the Hotshots, Mark Barroca had 14 in the losing effort while Pedro Alfaro contributed 13 and Javier Gomez de Liano 12.
The Elasto Painters held a slim 27-24 lead at the end of the opening period, with Clarito already in double figures with 12. They then stretched their advantage in the second and remained in control with their suffocating defence.
The Hotshots tried to stay in the fight and long-time star Paul Lee brought them to within 47-49 with just over two minutes left before the break. But the victors replied with back-to-back baskets to restore a six-point cushion at 53-47 heading into the locker rooms.
The Elasto Painters carried over their fine form into the third and charged ahead 81-69 going into the final frame. There, the Hotshots gradually chipped away at their deficit and came within five, 80-85.
But with their rivals knocking on the door, Mamuyac answered and fired in a triple that made it 99-91 with little over two minutes remaining, before adding a driving lay-up to put the game away.
Tomorrow’s second PBA game in the kingdom between the Elasto Painters and Barangay Ginebra is scheduled for a 7pm tip-off.
Like last night’s affair, it will be broadcast live on Filipino channel TV5, giving fans the opportunity to follow all the action in the kingdom worldwide.
patrick@gdnmedia.bh
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