ADRIAN Nocum erupted for a game-high 30 points as Rain or Shine back repulsed Phoenix, 109-99, on Wednesday to get back to its winning ways in the PBA 49th Season Philippine Cup at the Philsports Arena.
Jhonard Clarito added 20 points and 10 rebounds for the Elasto Painters, who improved to 5-3 while bouncing back from last week’s defeat to TNT.
In that loss, Nocum only had eight points on 3-of-12 shooting from the field, but made sure to atone for it by going 10-of-20 to set a new career high.
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The Rain or Shine win also enabled NLEX, San Miguel, and Converge to clinch quarterfinal berths, joining early qualifiers Magnolia after Phoenix dropped to 2-6.
Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao said the team’s defense that limited Jason Perkins and Kai Ballungay to a total of 16 points enabled his team to survive after their lackluster 60 percent shooting from the free-throw line.
“Overall, ‘yung bilis ng laro, ‘yung ball movement namin. Just being able to attack the basket, get to the free throw line, and the good thing about it is we survived a bad free throw shooting night. We shot 52 percent on free throws. We also survived a bad night in terms of turnovers, 19, that is also what gave them those fastbreak points. Pero maganda ‘yung three-point shooting namin.”
Rain or Shine took over the game for good after two Nocum baskets and a Clarito three formed part of a 9-2 run for a 107-95 lead.
Caelan Tiongson had 14 points, eight rebounds, and four assists, while Santi Santillan had 12 points for Rain or Shine.
With Perkins and Ballungay not getting their usual numbers, Kenneth Tuffin led Phoenix in scoring with 15 points, while Tyler Tio and Raffy Verano had 14 apiece for the Fuelmasters, who have now lost three straight outings.
The scores:
Rain or Shine 109 – Nocum 30, Clarito 20, Tiongson 14, Santillan 12, Caracut 8, Mamuyac 6, Asistio 5, Lemetti 4, Norwood 3, Ildefonso 3, Datu 2, Malonzo 2, Borboran 0.
Phoenix 99 – Tuffin 15, Tio 14, Verano 14, Jazul 11, Perkins 10, Garcia 8, Ballungay 8, Camacho 6, Daves 5, Manganti 3, Cullar 3, Soyud 2, Alejandro 0, Ular 0.
Quarters: 30-25; 57-43; 90-75; 109-99.
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