Basketball
Rain or Shine beats up Petron in Dumaguete, fortifies hold on top spot
AKTV file photo/Pranz Kaeno Billones
Rain or Shine brought its A-game to Dumaguete City, defeating the Petron Blaze Boosters, 103-82, Saturday at the Lamberto Macias Sports and Cultural Center.
Jireh Ibanes played his best game of the tournament, tallying 15 points while hounding Petron import Eddie Basden to just nine points.
Ibanes’ big game was more than enough to make up for the absence of Paul Lee, who sat out the game because of a dislocated shoulder.
Four other players finished in double figures for the Elasto Painters led by import Jamelle Cornley’s 22 points. Gabe Norwood and Jeff Chan each contributed 16 points while Jervy Cruz added 14 points for the Elasto Painters, who outscored the Boosters 30-19 in the fourth period.
“We showed great character and I’m really happy with the way we played because we know Petron is one of the stronger teams in the league right now. They were playing at their best before this game,” said Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao.
Petron was red hot from beyond the arc in the first half, but Rain or Shine tightened the screws on defense after the break.
“We felt we were playing good basketball. Despite the fact that they were able to hit 10 three-pointers, we were only down by three at the half,” said Guiao.
Rain or Shine remained in first place with its seventh win in eight games, while Petron’s win-loss record fell to 4-4.
The scores:
Rain or Shine (103) — Cornley 22, Norwood 16, Chan 16, Ibanes 15, Cruz 14, Matias 5, Belga 4, Tang 4, Buenafe 3, Quinahan 2, Arana 2.
Petron (82) – Washington 19, Santos 18, Lutz 10, Basden 9, Yeo 8, Cabagnot 7, Hontiveros 6, Lanete 3, Baclao 2, Pena 0, Miranda 0, Reyes 0.
Quarters: 27-25, 44-47, 73-63,103-82
