Boone stars anew, tows Beermen over Kings

Games Wednesday (Smart Araneta Coliseum)

5:45 p.m. – Alaska vs Meralco

8 p.m. – San Mig Coffee vs Globalport

MANILA, Philippines - To change or not to change.

San Miguel Beer is now faced with this dilemma on import Josh Boone’s status after the Beermen roared to their second straight win with the former New Jersey Net in tow, toppling the Barangay Ginebra Kings, 112-96, in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum last night.

Boone came up with another solid showing with 32 points and 21 rebounds as the Beermen scored a follow-up to their 94-76 blasting of the Meralco Bolts Friday to tie the Talk n Text Tropang Texters in the early lead at 2-0.

The 6-foot-10 UConn product continued to play A1 basketball even as supposed replacement Kevin Jones has arrived.

“We have a problem ahead of us. But it’s a good problem,” said San Miguel coach Biboy Ravanes. “We’ll deliberate on this, then we’ll hear from the management.”

“Josh is professional beyond belief. I can’t say enough about Josh whatever the outcome of the management decision,” said San Miguel Beer consultant Todd Purves.

The Gin Kings, who outlasted the Barako Bull side in overtime last Friday, dropped to 1-1.

Earlier, Barako Bull, leaning on Joshua Dollard’s second straight 40-plus performance, pulled off a first-ever victory over Rain or Shine in eight meetings as the Energy Cola drubbed the Elasto Painters, 110-106.

In a follow-up to his 45-point PBA debut against Barangay Ginebra Friday, Dollard piled up 44 markers on 13-of-26 field shooting and 17-of-21 free throws, and also snared 19 rebounds to power Barako Bull to their first win over Rain or Shine over seven conferences.

A mere replacement to Dwayne Chism, the former Auburn Tiger became the first player to put in back-to-back 40-plus games since Tony Mitchell delivered the same feat with Talk n Text in the same conference last year.

“Our first choice is taller and is also very good but he had a contractual problem with his previous team in Hungary. It turned out to be a blessing in disguise,” said Barako Bull coach Bong Ramos.

“The team has become more versatile with Dollard. The problem is that we’re using limited plays with him. He’s not used to playing with so many options. He’s confused,” Ramos also said.

“Pag nakakalimutan niya ang play namin (If he forgets our play), blessing in disguise din because he just goes one-on-one. That’s what I’m telling him ‘if you forget the play, don’t stop playing and just attack the basket,” the Barako Bull bench chieftain added.

Dollard poured in 17 of his 44 points in the payoff period, and the Energy Cola made a decisive run from 85-88 down to post their first win after placing sixth in the Philippine Cup.

The Energy Cola stunned the E-Painters – the all-Filipino losing finalists – by overcoming a flat start and a 16-point deficit at 26-42 late in the second quarter.

“Basketball is a game of adjustment. We kept on making adjustments until we found the right formula in the third quarter,” said Ramos.

Ronjay Buenafe scored all of his 11 points in the third period with his second of three triples knotting the count at 66-all.

Dollard pressed his attack in the fourth quarter and the Energy Cola seized control at 101-91 with 4:11 left to play.

The E-Painters mounted their own rally at the finish, but Willy Wilson entered the floor in the dying seconds to knock in the game-clinching free throws.

Willie Miller, playing limited minutes in their first game against Barangay Ginebra Friday, saw action for 33 minutes last night and produced 19 markers, eight boards and five assists.

Denok Miranda contributed 13 points, three rebounds and two steals against four turnovers.

Alex McLean paced the losing team with 21 points and 16 boards. isi 9, Intal 7, Lastimosa 2, Wilson 2, Marcelo 2, Isip 1, Jensen 0, Fortuna 0, Pena 0.

Rain or Shine 106 – McLean 21, Lee 15, Chan 14, Belga 11, Norwood 10, Uyloan 9, Almazan 9, Tiu 5, Arana 4, Rodriguez 4, Cruz 2, Nuyles 2, Tang 0, Teng 0, Ibanes 0.

Quarterscores: 22-24, 46-53, 79-79, 110-106

Second Game

San Miguel Beer 112 – Boone 32, Santos 18, Lassiter 15, Mercado 14, Hubalde 9, Ross 7, Kramer 5, Maierhofer 4, Lutz 4, Tubid 3, Duncil 1, Marata 0, Taha 0.

Ginebra 96 – Rodgers 33, Caguioa 15, Slaughter 13, Ellis 10, Tenorio 8, Helterbrand 5, Aguilar 4, Baracael 2, Reyes 2, Urbiztondo 2, Mamaril 2, Ababou 0.

Quarterscores: 37-23, 58-44, 78-68, 112-96