In honor of Baby Dalupan, Barangay Ginebra topples Rain or Shine

MANILA, Philippines – On a night when the memory of late legendary coach Virgilio “Baby” Dalupan was honored with a final buzzer, Barangay Ginebra San Miguel toppled the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, 101-87, in the 2016 PBA Governors’ Cup on Sunday, August 21 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Tim Cone, a longtime fan of “The Maestro,” offered the game to the coach he once lost to in 1990.

“I’m honored that we were able to do this on Baby’s tribute day and get the win,” Cone said after the game. “Except for my father, about the only other person that I would want to emulate in terms of life, in terms of accomplishments, and in terms of the kind of person he was, Baby Dalupan is a real second.”

“The more I got to know him the more I realized the kind of person he was,” added Cone, who surpassed Dalupan’s 15 PBA titles when he won his second Grand Slam in 2014 for 18 total championships.

Dalupan’s tribute before the game was followed by a thrilling match-up with import Justin Brownlee leading the charge, scoring 31 points with 13 rebounds, 7 assists, 6 steals, two blocks, and only two turnovers.

After a scoreless opening quarter, Sol Mercado from long range for 19 points on 5-of-6 3-point shooting off the bench, to go with 4 assists.

Sol Mercado (@M3rcMyWords) drains this triple for his 19th point. @barangayginebra up 94-80 with 2:51 left #PBA2016 pic.twitter.com/kfNFGmKWMc

— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) August 21, 2016

LA Tenorio finished with 15 points, 4 boards, and 9 dimes as the Gin Kings pulled away with a crucial spurt midway in the fourth quarter. Japeth Aguilar, who slamed home a momentum-clinching dunk in that final frame, added 14 markers, 6 rebounds, and 3 blocks.

“I’m really we were able to honor him (Dalupan) with a win tonight,” said Cone, whose team improved to a 5-2 record. “It was a tough one. Nothing comes easy from Rain or Shine. It was a battle all the way through.”

Jeff Chan came off the bench to lead the Painters with a 19-point, 5-rebound performance while Jericho Cruz added 11 points and 4 rebounds.

Import Dior Lowhorn had limited production, attempting only 9 from the field to finish with just 10 points on top of 8 rebounds in almost 32 minutes of play.

Coach Yeng Guiao was thrown out for the second straight game after incurring his second technical foul with 2:51 left in the game.

Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao waves goodbye to the crowd after getting thrown out for 2nd straight game #PBA2016 pic.twitter.com/SSCOoX9Syh

— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) August 21, 2016

He was slapped with a technical for disrespecting an official. Guiao was complaining about a non-call on what he believed was a goal tend on Lowhorn.

Rain or Shine fell to an even 3-3 record. – Rappler.com