Boosters make Painters 2nd victim in Philippine Cup

The much-maligned Barako Bull made Rain or Shine its second victim in the ongoing KFC-Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup. Chad Alonzo came through with a double-double effort while Leo Najorda and Alex Crisano – yes the tattooed PBA journeyman known for his court antics rather than his playing skills – lit up the scoreboard as the Energy Boosters swung the upset axe against the Tigers, 89-81, Wednesday night at the Big Dome.

Alonzo, the former Adamson Falcon, scored 15 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in his best game as a two-year pro to lead the Boosters’ to their second stunning win. Najorda and Crisano, who started his professional basketball career with the Nueva Ecija Patriots in the now defunct Metropolitan Basketball Association (MBA), added 14 each in the team’s second win in four outings. Barako Bull shocked the Asi Taulava-led Coca-Cola Tigers, 81-73, last week for its first win of the season. “Sabi nga nila underdog kami this tournament, so enough motivation ‘yun para sa amin to give our best," said the bruising 6-foot-4 Alonzo that the Boosters acquired from Burger King last conference. A back-breaking second quarter decided the outcome of the game keeping the Elasto Painters still winless after four outings in the All-Filipino meet. Trailing by four after one quarter, the Energy Boosters suddenly caught fire and outscored their opponents, 38-13, in the next 12 minutes. In the wink of an eye, Barako Bull was already up, 64-43, by halftime. Compounding the Elasto Painters’ situation was the 15 turnovers they committed in the first two quarters as against the Energy Boosters’ eight, while their bench was likewise badly outscored, 33-13. “We had a great first two quarters. And if you’re going at the locker room up by 21 points at halftime, you know may insurance ka na," said Barako Bull coach Leo Isaac. “In the long run, masyadong malaki yung lamang naming." The Elasto Painters, coming off a first ever semifinals stint in the league last conference, made one last stand in the final period coming to within nine (80-71). But Aries Dimaunahan nailed down a triple and Don Belano connected on a running shot with 4:36 left to play, pushing Barako Bull back on safer grounds, 85-71. Surprisingly enough, Barako Bull outrebounded Rain or Shine (51-38), including a 19-6 advantage in offensive rebounds. “Iba kasi pag ginusto ng puso," said Isaac. Gabe Norwood led the Painters with 17 points and Sol Mercado added 14 behind a 5-of-14 field goal shooting and a 4-of-8 trips at the free throw line. Marcy Arellano came off the bench to score nine for the Elasto Painters, who are in their worst start after three Philippine Cup conferences. – GMANews.TV