Shorthanded ROS stuns Meralco

ANTIPOLO CITY, Philippines — Short in manpower but not lacking in heart.

Rising to the challenge after Caelan Tiongson joined the growing list of injured players, Rain or Shine stunned titleholder Meralco, 128-116, in the PBA Philippine Cup last night at the Ynares Center.

Later, twin towers Justin Arana (22-11) and Justin Baltazar (21-12) and explosive guards Schonny Winston (19) and Alec Stockton (19) struck hard as Converge toppled TNT, 100-94, for two straight wins and a 3-2 card. The grand slam-seeking Tropang 5G fell to 0-2.

With Tiongson out on back spasm and giving Beau Belga (vertigo), Keith Datu (calf) and Luis Villegas (ACL) company on sick bay, it was up to coach Yeng Guiao’s “Healthy 10” to take the cudgels for ROS.

And leading the charge was 40-year-old veteran Gabe Norwood, who turned back the hands of time and netted 12 points and five rebounds in an extended 37-minute duty as a “converted big man.”

ROS’ youth brigade – Leonard Santillan (27 points), Gian Mamuyac (24), Adrian Nocum (24), Felix Lemetti (13) and Jhonard Clarito (10) – similarly stepped up to get it done.

As they posted an impressive followup to their 113-96 win over NorthPort and went up to 2-1, the Elasto Painters extended the woes of the Bolts, who reeled to their third straight defeat after a 2-0 start.

Meanwhile, commissioner Willie Marcial reported that Universal Canning, Inc., one of the biggest manufacturers of canned sardines, is interested in joining the PBA.

He said Tippy Kaw, whose family owns the Zamboanga-based company that produces Family’s Brand Sardines and Master Sardines, expressed their intention during Saturday’s game between Magnolia and Phoenix at the Zamboanga City Coliseum.