E-Painters sink Batang Pier

MANILA, Philippines — Chris Tiu returned to play in the last 3:20 mark with a busted lip and knocked in clutch baskets as Rain or Shine outfought GlobalPort, 96-90, in a fight-marred setto to reclaim the solo lead in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum last night.

Tiu scored the first basket upon the resumption of play after a melee that caused the ejection of GlobalPort center/forward Kelly Nabong and Rain or Shine guard Maverick Ahanmisi.

Then at 89-83, Tiu buried a three-pointer that gave the Elasto Painters a cushion they preserved in notching a fifth win against a lone defeat.

The Batang Pier tote an even 3-3 mark heading to the All-Star Week with separate festivities in Digos, Davao del Sur on Wednesday, in Batangas City on Friday and Iloilo City on Sunday.

“It’s good that we’re at No. 1 but it’s a long way to go. We’re just halfway through the eliminations,” said ROS coach Caloy Garcia.

The E-Painters clearly outmaneuvered the Batang Pier, though, in the match that saw a lot of elbows flying and bodies sprawling all over the floor.

With Eugene Phelps already battling cramps on the bench, reserve center Justin Chua came in to hit the dagger shot as Phoenix Petroleum outlasted Barangay Ginebra, 103-98, in a gripping double-overtime battle in the nightcap.

The Kings forced the two extension plays on three-point shots by Japeth Aguilar and Joe Devance, but blew the game in the end on crucial errors.

The scores:

First Game

Rain Or Shine 96 – Johnson 18, Yap 14, Ahanmisi 13, Almazan 12, Tiu 10, Ponferada 9, Daquioag 7, Belga 6, Norwood 5, Torres 2, Nambatac 0.

GlobalPort 90 – White 21, Pringle 15, Anthony 14, Nabong 13, Tautuaa 8, Elorde 8, Grey 4, Javelona 3, Sargent 2, Guinto 2, Araña 0, Teng 0.

Quarterscores: 26-30, 45-45, 67-62, 96-90

Second Game

Phoenix 103 – Phelps 25, Chan 22, Wright 19, Perkins 12, Jazul 12, Chua 4, Kramer 4, Intal 3, Wilson 2, Revilla 0.

Ginebra 98 – Aguilar 25, Garcia 19, Thompson 17, Slaughter 14, Devance 10, Tenorio 9, Taha 2, Mariano 2, Caguioa 0, Ferrer 0. 

Quarterscores: 21-16, 46-30, 64-62, 85-85, 92-92, 103-98 (2OT)