THOSS STEADY, CAGUIOA HOT, E-PAINTERS ON FIRE
Definitely the biggest news the past week an import’s outburst that everyone wished shouldn’t have happened. Arguably the most talented among his peers, he was on his way to make his mark in the PBA before he snapped. His actions overshadowed the winning streak of one team, a breakout game from a rookie and veteran guard, a statement game from the reigning MVP, and steady performance from an experienced slotman and his teammate who is slowly but surely getting the job done.
HITS
Rain or Shine – The Elasto Painters of coach Yeng Guiao continue to deliver the goods.
The team has extended its winning streak to five to become the hottest team in the tournament. By keeping their winning ways, the Elasto Painters fortified their hold of second spot (5-1) and stayed on track for yet another playoff run.
Chris Tiu – This hardcourt heartthrob played the best game of his young PBA career, tallying 16 points in the ROS’ 103-95 triumph over GlobalPort, 103-95, Friday night.
Tiu had three triples, including two in the crucial stretch of their game, lifting the Elasto Painters to yet another important win and putting them in good position for a spot in the next round.
Mark Caguioa – When the Spark is at his best, expect the Baragay Ginebra San Miguel Kings to win.
The reigning Most Valuable Player was at the forefront of his team’s offense, scoring 25 points in leading Ginebra to an all-important win over the San Mig Coffee Mixers.
Caguioa made all but two of his seven three-point attempts, including two pressure-packed baskets that doused cold water on the rallying Coffee Mixers.
Sonny Thoss – For the week that passed, you can call this veteran Alaska slotman Steady Sonny.
Indeed, he was a steady presence both offensively and defensively as he averaged 13.5 points and four rebounds while also doing the difficult task of limiting the production of his counterparts be it imports or locals.
In Alaska’s latest win over Petron Blaze, Thoss finished with 14 points on 7-of-9 shooting from the field. This he did while also outplaying his rival, rookie June Mar Fajardo, who was held to only three points.
LA Tenorio – It’s been awhile since we saw this heady court general doing what he does best: playmaking.
In the Kings’ big win over the Mixers, Tenorio was back in his role as ace playmaker, setting directions for his squad while making big time plays against his former coach Tim Cone.
Tenorio had 13 assists in Ginebra’s 96-88 triumph over San Mig Coffee, his best mark for the conference.
Robert Dozier – Silent, but effective.
That’s the perfect description for the hardworking 6-foot-9 center/forward who is proving to be the epitome of a role model import.
The Alaska import finished with 18 points and 26 rebounds while taking Petron Blaze import Renaldo Balkman completely out of his game. The latterwas held to only six points, causing an endgame meltdown.
Although Dozier’s team suffered its first loss at the hands of San Mig Coffee last Wednesday, the former Miami Heat draftee still managed to come up with decent numbers of 16 points and 18 rebounds.
MISSES
Renaldo Balkman – This former NBA vet was on his way to fame and his name was already being mentioned whenever talk centers on the Commissioner’s Cup Best Import award.
In one night, everything changed for this flashy forward, whose frustration got the best of him and found himself gone for good from the PBA following a ban issued by Commissioner Chito Salud for choking his own teammate in full view of the public.
GlobalPort – For the second straight week, GlobalPort made it to the list.
Still missing is the fire that saw the Batang Pier win two of their first three games.
Now they have lost five in a row and he possibility of another early vacation looms in the horizon.
Justin Williams – He had another sub-par game and became the second import to be sent home.
An NBA veteran, Williams ended up with only six points in 25 minutes in his final game in the PBA.
June Mar Fajardo – The next most important big man in the PBA has showed a lot of promise for the Blaze Boosters’ winning run.
But on a night when their streak was halted by the Alaska Aces, June Mar Fajardo also took a day off.
He was held to only three points in his team’s 83-73 loss.
Barako Bull – For the third straight game, there was not enough energy for the once bullish Barako Bull.
The Energy Colas absorbed their third straight defeat in Saturday’s Phoenix PBA On Tour game against the Talk N Text Tropang Texters, 98-101. (RJ)
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