MANILA – Beau Belga recorded his first career triple-double as the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters scored a dominant 110-90 victory over the Converge FiberXers in the PBA Philippine Cup on Wednesday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The former Philippine Christian University Dolphins center finished with 25 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists as the Painters notched their second consecutive win for a 2-4 win-loss slate.
Belga also became the first local player for the Asian Coatings franchise to tally a triple-double, and he also became the oldest player to tally a triple-double at 37 since Ramon Fernandez (38) had the feat with the San Miguel Beermen in 1992.
Leonard Santillan backed up Belga offensively with 23 points to go with 11 rebounds, Andrei Caracut and Shawn Ildefonso contributed 15 markers apiece, and Gian Mamuyac ended with 10 for the Painters.
Painters head coach Joseller “Yeng” Guiao is hoping that his wards will become consistent in limiting their opponents to less than 100 points after they did it in the past two matches.
“We are still not sure about the consistency, how far can we go from this, but we will keep trying to do this (limiting opponents to less than 100 points) every game,” Guiao said in a post-game interview.
“We know we can score, if I am not mistaken, we are the highest scoring team in the league, but we really need to make stops on the other side of the court,” added the seven-time PBA champion coach.
Justin Arana top-scored for the FiberXers with 20 points and nine rebounds, Deschon Winston added 14 markers, while Alec Stockton and Bryan Santos ended with 13 and 12 points, respectively. They remained win-less in five outings.
Meanwhile, Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots veteran Calvin Abueva was slapped with a one-game suspension and P20,000 fine after he flashed a “dirty finger” to a fan during their game against Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings last Sunday.
PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial said Abueva’s suspension takes effect immediately during the Hotshots’ game against NLEX Road Warriors on Saturday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium./PN
BOX SCORE:
RAIN OR SHINE 110 – Belga 25, Santillan 23, Caracut 15, Ildefonso 15, Mamuyac 10, Demusis 6, Borboran 4, Clarito 4, Concepcion 3, Asistio 3, Norwood 2, Belo 0, Paredes 0.
CONVERGE 90 – Arana 20, Winston 14, Stockton 13, Santos 12, Delos Santos 7, Caralipio 7, Melecio 7, Zaldivar 3, Balanza 3, Nieto 1, Ambohot 0, Maagdenberg 0, Fleming 0, Fornillos 0.
Quarterscores: 24-24, 52-47, 75-63, 110-90.
