MANILA, Philippines – B-MEG Derby Ace, minus main man James Yap and four other key players, bucked the odds, tripping erstwhile unbeaten Smart Gilas Pilipinas, 98-90, in overtime in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Araneta Coliseum last night.
The Llamados put up a brave stand in the first three quarters then pounced on the sidelining of Marcus Douthit, who limped out of the court and failed to return with a sprained ankle late in the third period.
Marc Pingris and Kerby Raymundo came through with huge double-double games, dominating the boards in giving the Llamados a big boost in stopping the Nationals’ stirring five-game run.
Shamari Spears, PJ Simon and KG Canaleta also had their shining moments as Derby Ace checked a two-game skid and improved its win-loss record to 3-4.
Spears put in 26 points and eight rebounds in what could be his farewell game in the local pro league. A prospective replacement in Courtney Beasly, Southern Mississippi, is arriving Friday or Saturday.
“Our idea was to keep it close and try to win it in the end. We’re able to do just that,” said Derby Ace coach Jorge Gallent.
“It helped that we played good defense, had a good rotation and had a big break with Smart Gilas losing Douthit,” Gallent added. “We’re able to go to the posts with Douthit no longer on the floor.”
Pingris and Raymundo led Derby Ace’s good board work resulting to a huge 19-point advantage, 23-4, by the Llamados on the second-chance production.
The Llamados, also minus Rico Maierhofer, Jonas Villanueva, Don Allado and Rafi Reavis, outrebounded the Nationals, 70-49, with Pingris accounting for 19 and Raymundo 12.
Spears, Simon and Canaleta helped with at least seven rebounds each and did the biggest damage on Smart Gilas with key baskets at the finish.
Meralco sustained the momentum of its 89-86 win over Derby Ace Friday, improving to joint seventh place with Air21 following a 111-88 rout of Powerade in the nightcap.
“We survived another do-or-die game and I believe we’re slowly learning how to play with one another. The big reason why we succeeded tonight was the tandem of Macmac Cardona and Sol Mercado beginning to jell,” said Meralco coach Ryan Gregorio.
Nelson Beltran, Philippine Star
