THE PBA held a game at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium for the first time after more than a decade on Saturday, featuring Rain or Shine against Blackwater, and Magnolia opposite NLEX.
The Elasto Painters came from behind to nip the Bossing, 110-103, for their third straight win in the Philippine Cup, while the Road Warriors surprisingly coasted to an 87-74 win over a listless Hotshots side.
Ironically, Rain or Shine and the Purefoods franchise were two of the four teams that last played at the same Manila venue located inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex back in 2011 during the Fiesta Conference. The doubleheader 13 years ago featured the Elasto Painters against the Barangay Ginebra Kings, and San Miguel opposite Magnolia (then carrying the B Meg brand).
Below are takeaways from Saturday’s special twinbill.
1. Rain or Shine got the better of its former star player Rey Nambatac in their first meeting since the Elasto Painters traded the Letran guard to the Blackwater Bossing. The Elasto Painters held Nambatac to 13 points on 5-of-14 shooting before fouling out with 1:40 left to play after committing three fouls in the last five minutes of the game. Rain or Shine now has won three games in a row and improved to No. 8 with a 3-4 record, while Blackwater skidded to its a third straight loss in six outings and is now in a three-way tie at No. 5 with Meralco and Terrafirma.
2. Robert Bolick remained the top gun for NLEX, but Anthony Semerad played big in the Road Warriors’ fourth straight win for a second best 5-1 record. The former San Beda Red Lion torched Magnolia for 22 points on 5-of-9 shooting from three-point range while adding 10 rebounds. It was Semerad’s most productive output since also hitting for 22 points in an 81-80 win over Meralco in Game 1 of the 2021 Philippine Cup quarterfinals.
3. Mark Barroca played through the pain of a wrist injury to keep alive his streak of most consecutive games played. The veteran guard has played in 567 straight games. He is now just 30 games from taking second spot from current Magnolia team manager Alvin Patrimonio with 596. He finished with 10 points, four rebounds, and four assists in a losing cause against NLEX as Magnolia suffered a second straight loss and now stands at 1-2.
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