Another giant has been taken down
Just like last conference, the Columbian Dyip wielded the upset axe successfully and ended the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters’ three-game winning streak, 104-96, to return to the win column, Wednesday evening at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, Pasay.
The Dyip has now collected their third win in the 2018 Commissioner’s Cup. Moreover, they have also racked up their second straight win over Rain or Shine this season — they stunned the Elasto Painters last January 20, 98-94, in the Philippine Cup.
“That’s the way to bounce back from a really bad loss against Alaska,” said Columbian head coach Ricky Dandan, remembering their nightmarish Friday last week where the Dyip got whipped by the Alaska Aces by 31, 103-134.
Import John Fields III proved that the Dyip made the right decision in fielding him as the replacement for CJ Aiken, powering his side with 34 points — his second straight 30-point outing — along with 11 rebounds and five assists.
Guards Rashawn McCarthy and Jerramy King made up for their lackadaisical showing against the Aces by stepping up in the win. The former finished with 23 points and six boards, while the latter had 13 markers and 10 caroms.
The Dyip imposed its’ will in the second frame and led by 11, 58-47, with 1:20 to go. But Rain or Shine made a 12-0 run abridging the second and the third frame to snatch the lead, 59-58, thus setting up the back-and-forth battle all through out.
Rain or Shine had a chance to come back late in the fourth when they trimmed a seven-point lead to just three, 94-97, but Roider Cabrera’s jumper and Fields’ deuce from the line widened Columbia’s lead again, 101-94, 1:25 left.
The Dyip, from that point, locked down their foes the rest of the way to preserve the win and improve their card to 3-2.
“I told them that they didn’t show up against Alaska — Alaska took us to school and we learned. We had no choice but to learn from that horrible loss and this is the result of that,” added Dandan on the victory.
Reggie Johnson had 30 points and 17 rebounds to lead the now 3-1 Elasto Painters. Ed Daquoiag supplied 17 points and five boards, while Raymond Almazan had a double-double of his own witg 16 points and 14 rebounds.
Columbian will face another giant in Magnolia Hotshots next Wednesday, May 16, 4:30 PM at the SMART Araneta Coliseum, while Rain or Shine will look to bounce back versus San Miguel Beer on Sunday, May 13, 6:45 PM, still at MoA Arena.
The Scores:
Columbian 104 — Fields 34, McCarthy 23, King 13, Cahilig 8, Celda 7, Lastimosa 7, Tubid 4, Cabrera 3, Corpuz 2, Sara 2, Camson 1, Escoto 0.
Rain or Shine 96 — Johnson 30, Daquioag 17, Almazan 16, Tiu 9, Belga 7, Norwood 6, Yap 4, Ahanmisi 3, Torres 3, Nambatac 1, Washington 0.
Quarterscores: 31-28, 58-53, 82-80, 104-96.
