Petron proves there's life after Balkman

Sonny Thoss can kiss his default
"Best Center in the Philippines" title goodbye

In their first outing after the whole Renaldo Balkman episode that has reached global proportions, the Petron Blaze Boosters finally looked like the team that they were supposed to be considering their elite local starpower.

Playing in front of a sold out Panabo City crowd (controversy, as the years will tell you, creates monetary opportunities for all), the Boosters were able to take solo 2nd in the ongoing PBA Commissioner's Cup by beating the Rain or Shine Elastopainters, 87-79. At the forefront of the victory were rookie Junemar Fajardo who finished with a stellar 20 points and 13 rebounds output and sophomore Marcio Lassiter who chipped in 14 points (12 in the deciding 4th quarter to finally breakaway from the E-Painters).


Although the game should be reviewed for a lot of spotty, one-sided officiating, we won't deprive the Boosters with the credit that they are due. They rallied behind each other, played together for what appears to be the first time in recent memory and were just making the right plays each time down the floor.

We're also loving Coach Olsen Racela's "defense-first" starting unit of Denok Miranda, Ronald Tubid, Marcio Lassiter, Arwind Santos and Dorian Pena. Although we'd take out Pena and put start with Fajardo from the get go the next time around to get the rookie big man going much earlier. Racela was probably holding his prized Cebuano giant back to ensure that he doesn't get into early foul trouble versus the E-Painters 7"3 import Bruno Sundov.

What was also telling about yesterday's game was that Alex Cabagnot came off the bench to play some point guard and mostly shooting guard (sharing backcourt duties with Chico Lanete). It was an odd ploy to say the least owing to Cabagnot's lack of scoring prowess (not to mention that both point guards are notorious over-dribblers who start plays when there's only 7 seconds or less left in the shot clock), but it worked nevertheless (hey, they won right?).

But then again, we're going back to the things that worked for the Boosters-- primarily, the rotation that did the heavy lifting. The starting unit, Lanete and Fajardo-- those guys scrapped and fought for the victory. Cabagnot, Joseph Yeo and Jay Washington did their fair share, with Cabagnot not forcing any shots or playing hero ball and Washington's touches coming almost exclusively in the paint (he had a nifty post-up fade away jumper go in for him).

Also, Santos was keeping the three-balls in check, shooting jumpers that were at least two steps within the three point line. Fortunately for the vastly talented Cabalen, his shots were going in and that helped spread the floor for the Boosters.

With replacement import Rodney White expected to come in their next game, we hope that the Boosters' locals continue playing at this level and keep sharing the basketball. They've won in the Philippine Cup had their stars not to overdo the "hero ball" so much and just keep looking for the mismatch and open guys on the floor. They did just that versus the E-Painters and we expect more from here on out.