Hayden Blankley knocked in 47 points and 10 rebounds for the Bay Area Dragons as they put away the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, 126-96, on Friday to become the first team to reach the Philippine Basketball Association Commissioners’ Cup semifinals at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.
Blankley sank 11 of his total points in the first half to help the Dragons take a 60-44 lead.
He then went into overdrive the rest of the way to give the visiting Bay Area the win that clinched for it the first seat in the next round.
Blankley’s charities in the last 4:25 handed the Dragons a 34-point edge, 84-51.
Bay Area coach Brian Goorjian said Blankley made the difference in this game.
“It’s different playing with a guard, as opposed to playing with a big guy,” said Goorjian.
Blankley’s big game came following the return of Andrew Nicholson, who struck with 32 points on 57-percent shooting from the floor, to go with eight rebounds.
Rey Nambatac made 19 points for the ousted Elasto Painters.
Goorjian is now keenly awaiting the result of the San Miguel Beer-Converge playoffs.
He believes that his team will be meeting the Beermen in the semifinals.
Bay Area converted 46 out of its 83 attempts from the field, including 21-of-41 from the three-point line.
