Rain or Shine keeps David, Bolts winless
SCORING hasn’t been a problem for Gary David in his new team. The thing is, his solid production has yet to translate into victories.
David and the Meralco Bolts suffered another heartbreaker as they stumbled at the finish against the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, 89-94, last night in the 39th PBA Philippine Cup at the Cuneta Astrodome.
Acquired from GlobalPort during the season-break, David fired a game-high 24 points but his solid outing went to naught again with the Bolts tasting a second straight loss.
David was stellar in his debut for Meralco, producing a game-high 26 points in their 80-89 loss to the Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters last Sunday at the Cebu Coliseum.
With the close win, the Painters grabbed the solo number one spot with their second straight triumph following a successful opening day campaign against the Alaska Aces, 87-74, also last Sunday in Davao City.
Big man Beau Belga tied his career-high in scoring with 20 points and also pulled off seven rebounds.
Belga and Paul Lee delivered the needed baskets for Rain or Shine in the closing minutes.
Meralco took an 89-87 lead in the final minutes but Lee converted a three-point play to give the Painters the lead for good, 90-89, with 35 seconds left. David missed a three-point shot in the next play before Belga dropped two free throws.
Belga iced the win for Rain or Shine as he added two more freebies after Jared Dillinger’s missed three-point attempt.
Ryan Araña tallied 14 markers, while Larry Rodriguez, Lee and Jeff Chan also submitted in double figures with 13, 12 and 11 markers, respectively.
Meralco still fumbled despite getting balanced production as Rabeh Al-Hussaini, Reynel Hugnatan, Mike Cortez and John Wilson also wound up in twin digits and combined for 45 points.
BOX SCORES:
RAIN OR SHINE (94)- Belga 20, Arana 14, Rodriguez 13, Lee 12, Chan 11, Norwood 7, Cruz 6, Tang 5, Ibanes 3, Nuyles 2, Teng 1, Almazan 0.
MERALCO (89)- David 24, Al-Hussaini 14, Hugnatan 11, Cortez 10, Wilson 10, Dillinger 8, Hodge 7, Guevarra 5, Salvacion 0, Allado 0, Mandani 0./EDITORIAL ASSISTANT CALVIN D. CORDOVA
