(From Business Mirror)
B-MEG Derby Ace foiled Rain or Shine’s gallant bid with a pulsating 105-100 overtime win on Sunday night to advance into the semifinal round of KFC-Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Fiesta Cup at the jam-packed Araneta Coliseum.
Import Tony Washam was a point shy of reaching the 50-point plateau and came up with two crucial defensive stops in the extra period to help the Llamados win Game Five and wrap up the best-of-five quarterfinal series, 3-2.
The victory sent the Philippine Cup champion to a best-of-seven semifinal duel against San Miguel Beer.
“It’s really an incredible series. Every time we face Rain or Shine, they always push us to the limit,” said Derby Ace coach Ryan Gregorio, who admitted this was the toughest and most emotional in his more than 300 games in the league.
Washam, son of former Gilbey’s Gin import and namesake Tony Washam, was impressive on both ends and finished with a season-high 49 points, including six-of-nine treys.
Washam’s efforts were complimented by timely contributions from Rafi Reavis and Nino Canaleta in the final five minutes, where he was held to just a free throw.
Washam blocked a driving Sol Mercado and drew an offensive foul from Eddie Laure that set the tone for the Llamados’ domination in overtime, where they scored the first six points for a 96-90 lead.
Rain or Shine last threatened at 98-100 on Gabe Norwood’s drive. Reavis had huge putback and James Yap sealed the victory for the No. 3 seed Derby Ace with two free throws, 104-100, 10.1 ticks left.
Rico Maierhofer added 17 points, 15 he made in the first half, and together with Washam’s 27 markers, Derby Ace took a commanding 58-40 halftime.
Mercado took charge in the second half and almost single-handedly sent his team to the next round.
“Sol was an incredible athlete tonight,” said Gregorio on the Rain or Shine sophomore guard, who was limited to just one point in the first half but exploded for 22 in the third and fourth periods.
Mercado’s triple gave the Elasto Painters an 86-84 advantage, their first taste of the lead since 5-3 early in the first, with 2:45 left in regulation.
Rain or Shine clung to an 89-87 lead, when Canaleta hit a crucial three-pointer to put to give the lead back to the Llamados, 90-89, 47.3 seconds left.
Mercado had the chance to give the lead back to the Elasto Painters but split his free throws off Canaleta’s foul, 90-all.
Washam muffed a hurried three-pointer in the next Derby Ace possession and Mercado missed a step-back triple to send the game to overtime.
Norwood led Rain or Shine with 25 points, while Mercado added 23. Rod Nealy had a quiet 12 points as he took only eight shots and converted half of them.
B-MEG Derby Ace foiled Rain or Shine’s gallant bid with a pulsating 105-100 overtime win on Sunday night to advance into the semifinal round of KFC-Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Fiesta Cup at the jam-packed Araneta Coliseum.
Import Tony Washam was a point shy of reaching the 50-point plateau and came up with two crucial defensive stops in the extra period to help the Llamados win Game Five and wrap up the best-of-five quarterfinal series, 3-2.
The victory sent the Philippine Cup champion to a best-of-seven semifinal duel against San Miguel Beer.
“It’s really an incredible series. Every time we face Rain or Shine, they always push us to the limit,” said Derby Ace coach Ryan Gregorio, who admitted this was the toughest and most emotional in his more than 300 games in the league.
Washam, son of former Gilbey’s Gin import and namesake Tony Washam, was impressive on both ends and finished with a season-high 49 points, including six-of-nine treys.
Washam’s efforts were complimented by timely contributions from Rafi Reavis and Nino Canaleta in the final five minutes, where he was held to just a free throw.
Washam blocked a driving Sol Mercado and drew an offensive foul from Eddie Laure that set the tone for the Llamados’ domination in overtime, where they scored the first six points for a 96-90 lead.
Rain or Shine last threatened at 98-100 on Gabe Norwood’s drive. Reavis had huge putback and James Yap sealed the victory for the No. 3 seed Derby Ace with two free throws, 104-100, 10.1 ticks left.
Rico Maierhofer added 17 points, 15 he made in the first half, and together with Washam’s 27 markers, Derby Ace took a commanding 58-40 halftime.
Mercado took charge in the second half and almost single-handedly sent his team to the next round.
“Sol was an incredible athlete tonight,” said Gregorio on the Rain or Shine sophomore guard, who was limited to just one point in the first half but exploded for 22 in the third and fourth periods.
Mercado’s triple gave the Elasto Painters an 86-84 advantage, their first taste of the lead since 5-3 early in the first, with 2:45 left in regulation.
Rain or Shine clung to an 89-87 lead, when Canaleta hit a crucial three-pointer to put to give the lead back to the Llamados, 90-89, 47.3 seconds left.
Mercado had the chance to give the lead back to the Elasto Painters but split his free throws off Canaleta’s foul, 90-all.
Washam muffed a hurried three-pointer in the next Derby Ace possession and Mercado missed a step-back triple to send the game to overtime.
Norwood led Rain or Shine with 25 points, while Mercado added 23. Rod Nealy had a quiet 12 points as he took only eight shots and converted half of them.
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