Mark Macapagal and RJ Rizada did a good job containing James Yap. But Powerade coach Bo Perasol
didn’t find someone good enough to handle Rico Maierhofer and Roger Yap.

Maiehofer and Roger Yap shared scoring honors with 18 points apiece – conference high for both
players – to power B-Meg derby Ace past Powerade, 85-73, Friday night in the PBA Philippine Cup at
the Araneta Coliseum.

It was the third consecutive “W” for the Llamados, a remarkable turnaround for a team which
didn’t look playoff material after losing five of its first six games.

Maierhofer asserted his energy and his youth in the third quarter to spark a 16-6 run that
catapulted the Llamados ahead after trailing the Tigers by 10 points after one quarter and by 35-42
at halftime.

Maiehofer, the recipient of most of Jonas Villanueva feeds, had six points in that turnaround
spurt. Roger Yap capped that run with a 3-pointer and an 8-foot jumper before providing the
finishing touches with his clutch shooting.

“We’re just lucky again. James (Yap) is kinda off now but other guys stepped up,” said Derby
Ace coach George Gallent in reference of Maierhofer, Roger Yap and Jonas Villanueva, who had 13
points and six assists.

The Llamados had another bad start but picked up the pace in the second and sustain the rhythm the
rest of the way, something that pleases Gallent.

“I hope we could keep playing this way,” he said.

Maierhoffer, named Rookie of the Year last season, also had 13 rebounds for his first double-double
of the conference while Roger Yap added nine rebounds and six assists for the Llamados, who held the
Tigers to 7 of 20 shooting in the fourth and 28 percent (11 of 38) shooting from the field in the
second half.

It was another bitter loss for the Tigers, who played so well in the first half but poor shooting
and bad defensive execution in the second betrayed their cause.

Gary David finished with 17 points but was held to just five in the last three quarters by
Villanueva and Roger Yap. Rizada came off the bench to score 12 points and Macapagal added 10 for
the Tigers, who picked up their third straight loss and and fourth in nine games overall.

A 3-pointer by reserve guard Ronjay Enrile pulled the Powerade within 65-68 with 7:58 to play. But
the Llamados quickly responded with a 15-3 blast to seal the win. Roger Yap had seven in that blast.
(DBC)

The scores:

B-Meg Derby Ace 85 - Yap R. 18, Maierhofer 18, Simon 16, Villanueva 13, Yap J. 10, Salvador 4, Gaco
2, Canaleta 2, Allado 2, Adducul 0.

Powerade 73 - David 17, Rizada 12, Macapagal 10, Espino 9, Lanete 6, Enrile 5, Reyes 4, Gonzales 4,
Reyes 2, Antonio 2, Laure 1, Ritualo 1, Calimag 0.

Quarters: 16-26, 35-42, 60-56, 85-73