BRGY. GINEBRA KINGS

WELCOAT SCORES FIRST VICTORY; GINEBRA REMAINS WINLESS

dennis PRINCIPE

Monday, 21 April 2008 Source: www.sportsnews.ph

NOT only did Welcoat score their first win, the Dragons have also found a way to protect what is considered by more established teams a safe lead in the dying minutes of a game. Welcoat finally notched their first ever victory this conference by defeating Purefoods TJ Giants, 110-103 in the resumption of the Smart-PBA Fiesta Conference Sunday night at the Araneta Coliseum. Welcoat import Marquis Gainous topscored for the Dragons with 25 points but it was rookie Joe Devance who did the damage as he scored a personal conference high 16 points, nine of which in the final period to conclusively bring glee, at least last night, to what seemed to be a gloomy beginning for the Dragons. Before the win the Dragons lost its first four games this conference as well as all its last 15 games dating back to the previous Philippine Cup. Their last two defeats could have been easily a victory for the Wellbest franchise lost come-from-behind efforts by opponents Coca-Cola Tigers (98-96) last April 9 and to the Alaska Aces (92-90) last Wednesday. The Hawaii-born Devance, 26, drilled in a three-pointer minutes into the final canto to give Welcoat an 81-80 lead which they never relinquished from then on. Welcoat surprised Purefoods with a blistering 17-6 attack to give the Dragons a 98-86 lead under four minutes remaining in the game. Welcoat's frenzied assault somewhat simmered down after Purefoods import Darius Rice connected a three-pointer entering the three minute mark. Welcoat’s new recruit Mark Isip who was part of the trade that sent Nic Belasco to Coke, converted a baseline jumper to give the Dragons its last taste of a double-digit lead, 100-89. Purefoods guard Peter June Simon completed a fast break to pull within, 100-91. After an offensive miscue by Welcoat, Purefoods again closed the gap as Rice, fouled by Devance from beyond the three-point arc, converted three free throws. Purefoods was able to steal the leather after those three free throws by Rice but the Giants failed to convert two attempts from outside the three-point area. In what turned out to be the game’s turning point, Rob Wainwright, inbounding in front of their bench, found rookie Ryan Arana cutting from the baseline who then converted a quick undergoal stab to give Welcoat a 102-94 edge. Arana, who missed one game after he fell and hit his head on the floor in their losing cause against Air21 last April 9, added nine points, six in the pivotal fourth canto. Purefoods had their last gasp as veteran guard Roger Yap (22 points, 15 in the 4th) completed a three point play off a foul by Marquis Gainous but Wainwright, who contributed 15 points for the Dragons, drilled in a three-pointer, his only basket in the final quarter. Rice had 28 points for the Giants but what compounded their woes was the mediocre performance of former MVP James Yap who could only contribute seven markers, his lowest output in his last 105 games dating back to the 2006 Philippine Cup. Meanwhile in the second game Magnolia extended their winning streak to three and handed Ginebra its fifth straight loss via a 95-92 squeaker. In an out of town game over in Laoag Saturday night Red Bull downed Alaska Aces in overtime, 100-97 First Game: Welcoat 110 -- Gainous 25, De Vance 16, Santee 15, Wainwright 15, Isip 10, Arana 9, Salangsang 7, Reyes 6, Ibanes 5, Tangkay 2, Dulay 0, Baguion 0, Sta. Maria 0. Purefoods 103 -- Rice 28, Yap R. 22, Simon 15, Raymundo 15, Villanueva 8, Yap J. 7, Lanete 4, Salvador 2, Yee 2, Evangelista 0. Quarterscores: 25-30, 52-51, 74-73, 110-103. Second Game Magnolia 95 – Watkins 20, Seigle 15, Tugade 12, Cortez 10, Hontiveros 10, Racela 9, Ildefonso 9, Pingris 5, Pena 3, Villanueva 2, Tolomia 0, Calaguio 0. Ginebra 92 – Brown 18, Helterbrand 18, Caguioa 16, Valenzuela 10, Tubid 9, Mamaril 9, Artadi 6, Crisano 6, Salvacion 0. Pablo 0. Quarters: 42-47, 68-70, 95-92. Laoag Game Red Bull 100 – Baguio 24, Parada, 19, Cruz 19, Hrabak 9, Sharma 8, Alvarez 7, Najorda 6, Robinson 4, Adriano 2, Ybanez 2, Pennisi 0. Alaska 97 – Holcomb 29, Miller 14, Cariaso 14, Thoss 11, Tenorio 9, Dela Cruz 4, Ferriols 4, Laure 4, Hugnatan 2, Fonacier 0, Cabatu 0, Quinahan 0. Quarters: 22-16; 39-30; 53-55; 82-all, 100-97.