Wright lifts ROS at endgame

Games Wednesday (Smart Araneta Coliseum)

4:30 p.m. – TNT KaTropa vs Blackwater

7 p.m. – San Miguel Beer vs Phoenix Pulse

MANILA, Philippines — Joel Wright made the right moves in the clutch as Rain or Shine outsteadied Columbian Dyip in a roller-coaster affair, 96-90, for its first win in the PBA Governors’ Cup last night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Forced out of action in the third due to foul trouble, Wright came back in with a vengeance and dropped 10 points in the fourth, including eight straight in the last four minutes to  power the Elasto Painters to the bounce-back victory from their 94-99 setback to NorthPort last Friday.

“Good win for us. We were disappointed with how we played last game and the only way to come back is to win this game and stay within striking distance of the leaders in the standings,” said ROS coach Caloy Garcia, who pulled opening night winner Columbian down to 1-1.

Wright finished with 30 points and 10 rebounds in 31 minutes on the floor to pace the E-Painters.

“I think with Joel, he has to learn how to preserve his fouls. It’s been two games that he’s been fouling so he has to control his emotions too. He’s a good import but we need him to play longer,” said Garcia.

Wright was slapped his fourth personal in the second quarter, forcing Garcia to rely on an all-Filipino crew as ROS engaged Columbian in a nip-and-tuck contest.

“Nice thing, the locals stepped up and we actually played better in the third without him. But still, it’s hard to play without an import so he has to learn to at least last longer in the game,” said Garcia.

Rey Nambatac (17), Ping Exciminiano (10), Javee Mocon (10) and subs Mark Borboran (nine) and Ed Daquioag (eight) backed up Wright.

Later, Barangay Ginebra kicked off its quest in swashbuckling fashion, ripping Alaska to shreds, 102-83.

Justin Brownlee delivered 30-22-4 plus five steals to lead a line of heroes for the debuting Gin Kings, who joined NLEX, Meralco and NorthPort in the early lead while sending the Aces to 0-2.

The victory was dampened by the injury of Japeth Aguilar, who got accidentally poked by his teammate Stanley Pringle in the eye during an offensive sequence and was rushed to the hospital immediately after the game for treatment and tests.

Meanwhile, San Miguel Beermen, the last Philippine team standing in the East Asia Super League’s Terrific 12 Tournament, settled for fourth after losing to Zheijiang Guangsha in the third-place battle, 89-91, yesterday over at the Tap Seac Multisport Pavilion in Macau.

Notes: Coach Tim Cone is keen on taking the head coaching position for Gilas in the SEA Games. Cone admitted he had initial discussion with SBP president Al Panlilio and is set to fully talk about it today. “If I do get the position, I fully realize it’s just a stop gap measure, I’m just filling in (for the SEA Games) until they find the guy they want and I’m pretty okay with that. I’ll do what I can to help however I can,” he said, adding it has the blessing of SMC officials.

The scores:

First Game

Rain or Shine 96 – Wright 30, Nambatac 17, Exciminiano 10, Mocon 10, Borboran 9, Daquioag 8, Torres 7, Norwood 2, Rosales 2, Ponferada 1, Yap 0, Belga 0, Onwubere 0.

Columbian 90 – Alston 23, Perez 22, Khobuntin 14, Tiongson 10, McCarthy 9, Cahilig 5, Camson 3, Flores 2, Calvo 2, Faundo 0, Reyes 0, Celda 0, Gabriel 0, Gabayni 0.

Quarterscores: 23-14, 44-44, 66-63, 96-90

Second Game

Ginebra 102 – Brownlee 30, Slaughter 16, Dela Cruz 12, Pringle 10, Thompson 9, Tenorio 9, Aguilar J. 8, Sargent 4, Chan 3, Mariano 1, Caperal 0, Caguioa 0, Aguilar R. 0, Teodoro 0.

Alaska 83 – Watts 22, Manuel 14, Banchero 9, Tratter 9, Casio 8, Enciso 8, Galliguez 6, Thoss 3, Pascual 2, Ayaay 2,  Babilonia 0.

Quarterscores: 29-13, 52-32, 77-58