Powerade ends skid at Shopinas’ expense

This appears in inthezone.com.ph

Powerade ends skid at Shopinas’ expense

by rick olivares pic by brosi gonzales

November 25, 2011

Smart Araneta Coliseum

In the midst of Shopinas’ 12-game losing streak, head coach Franz Pumaren and assistant Tonichi Yturri reminisced. “Ganito ba kahirap manalo noon,” asked the head coach who was referring to their 2-10 finish in the season ending Open Conference in 1986. That was when Pumaren and Yturri made their pro loop debuts with the Magnolia Cheesemakers after a sterling amateur stint with the legendary Northern Consolidated Cement squad. “We hope we can break the losing streak,” said Yturri on his way onto the floor before tip-off against Powerade.

In the midst of Powerade’s four-game losing streak, the Tigers, according to head coach Bo Perasol, “were asking questions on what they needed to do to get a win.” Thought power forward-center Doug Kramer, “It sounds so cliché-ish but we have to dig deep and take it one game at a time. We have a better team and we know that. This is the time to believe in one another.”

Following a neck-and-neck first quarter that saw both teams remain tied at 28-all, the Tigers began to put some distance between them and the Clickers in the second period behind the three-point shooting of Celino Cruz who drilled a pair while Will Antonio, and Marcio Lassiter nailed one trey each. Their marksmanship allowed Powerade to take a 50-43 lead at the half.

Come the third quarter, Lassiter and Kramer added eight and seven points respectively while the latter began to dominate inside. With Shopinas playing matador defense, the Tigers clawed their way to an 84-64 lead at the end of the third period.

While James Sena and Paolo Hubalde tried their best to bring Shopinas back in the game, the lack of scoring support from their teammates eventually told on their chances. The Tigers arrested their four-game slide with a morale boosting 102-84 win for their fourth win in 12 matches.

Lassiter led Powerade with 21 points but had to leave in the fourth period after a hard foul by Shopinas’ Ogie Menor. Kramer, who relishes the challenge of going up against taller forwards and centers, said that he has made a conscious effort to be consistent on the boards. “I’m taking advantage of the opportunities I am getting here,” said the former Ateneo Blue Eagle who finished with 17 points and 10 rebounds although he shot a poor 7-15 from the line. “This is the most that I am playing in terms of minutes. And since we’re not a very tall team so I will do what I can to help. I try to get at least 10 rebounds a game because that puts us in a position to score more points.”

Hard-luck Shopinas, with its bevy of recently graduated college basketball stars, fell to a deep 0-12 hole. And for the Clickers’ coaching staff, they’re hoping that lightning will strike twice for after their inaugural PBA conference where they bombed out, they came back the following season with a pair of third place finishes and one championship . Even if the lightning strikes 25 years later.

Powerade 102 – Lassiter 21, Kramer 17, David 16, Cruz 9, Antonio 9, Adducul 8, Casio 6, Crisano 6, Anthony 5, Vanlandingham 3, Lingganay 2, Martinez 0, Allera 0.

Shopinas 84 – Sena 19, Espiritu 12, Escobal 12, Hubalde 12, Sison 7, Menor 5, Duncil 4, Daa 4, Ritualo 4, Jazul 2, Se 2, Canta 1, Bagatsing 0, Aquino 0.