Cebu Daily News / Sports

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Whoppers finish 3rd By Calvin Cordova Cebu Daily News Posted date: July 02, 2009 The Burger King Whoppers made sure that they won't end the 34th PBA Fiesta Conference without a trophy as they made short work of the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, 132-118 in their battle for third in the import-flavored tournament last night at the Araneta Coliseum. Arwind Santos led the Burger King with 27 points and 13 rebounds. The wiry cager went 11-for-20 from the field. Santos got ample support from six other teammates who scored in double figures. Gary David pitched in 16 points, import Shawn Daniels contributed 16, Erick Rodriguez chipped in 15, Aaron Aban and Carlo Sharma donated 13 each, while workhorse Mark Yee submitted 10. Despite falling short in their campaign, Burger King head coach Yeng Guiao, whose squad was beaten by the San Miguel Beermen in their best-of-seven semis duel, 2-4, still noticed some improvement in his team. Guiao said finishing third could still be considered an accomplishment following the arrival of several new players, who needed to adjust with the team. It was also Guaio's first full conference as Burger King head coach. Guiao said they are optimistic of their chances in the next conference especially that they own the number one pick in the Rookie Draft. One of the bright prospects in the upcoming draft is six-foot-10 cager Japeth Aguilar. The fourth place finish, on the other, was the Painters' best finish in franchise history, eclipsing their previous best of sixth in the 2009 Philippine Cup. Mark Isip showed the way for the Painters with 29, while Ryan Araña and Eddie Laure added 24 and 17 markers, respectively. The Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings and the Beermen, meanwhile, were still completing Game One of their best-of-seven championship showdown as of this writing. BOX SCORES BURGER KING (132)- Santos 27, David 17, Daniels 16, Rodriguez 15, Aban 13, Sharma 13, Yee 10, Billones 8, Belga 6, Arboleda 4, Cruz 3. RAIN OR SHINE (118)- Isip 29, Araña 24, Laure 17, Lewis 14, Andaya 9, Tang 8, Ibañes 7, Salangsang 5, Dulay 3, Ejercito 2.QUARTERSCORES: 36-23, 71-50, 101-80, 132-118.