RAIN or Shine has finally solved the puzzle that is San Miguel.
The Elasto Painters broke an 12-game losing streak against the Beermen, 122-112, on Thursday to gain solo lead in Group B of the PBA 49th Season Governors’ Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Rain or Shine improved its record to 7-2, beating a San Miguel squad that was coming off a 49-point beating of Barangay Ginebra.
The Elasto Painters also avenged their earlier defeat in the conference to the Beermen when June Mar Fajardo hit a buzzer-beating long two to spoil rookie Felix Lemetti's coming out party.
SMB monkey off RoS' back, at long last
Rain or Shine hasn’t won against San Miguel since September 12, 2021 during the Bacolor Philippine Cup bubble when it came out on top courtesy of Rey Nambatac's game-winner.
Rain or Shine did almost everything right in the game.
Six players scored in double figures with Andrei Caracut leading the way with 20 points and eight assists for the Elasto Painters. Aaron Fuller had 17 points and 11 rebounds, while Beau Belga and Adrian Nocum each had 16 points respectively.
The bench once again produced for Rain or Shine by scoring 57, but also kept up with San Miguel’s starters as they were only outscored by six points, 71-65.
The running game of Rain or Shine was also no match for San Miguel, with the Elasto Painters scoring more fastbreak points, 37-10.
The Elasto Painters also limited eight-time MVP June Mar Fajardo to 14 points and 12 rebounds, enough for them to secure the win.
“Nag-tulungan lang kami sa depensa,” said Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao, who days before the game joked that the Elasto Painters might lose to the Beermen by 80 points. “June Mar is really a handful for us. Aaron did an excellent job just putting a body on June Mar the whole, pinagtulungan nila ni Beau ‘yung role na ‘yun. I think June Mar is the key.”
CJ Perez had 27 points, six rebounds, and six assists but fouled out late in the fourth. Terrence Romeo had 24 points while Jordan Adams also had 24, but sustained an injury in the final quarter.
The scores:
Rain or Shine 122 – Caracut 20, Fuller 17, Belga 16, Nocum 16, Mamuyac 12, Norwood 10, Lemetti 8, Clarito 7, Santillan 6, Ildefonso 5, Tiongson 3, Asistio 2.
San Miguel 112 – Perez 27, Romeo 24, Adams 24, Fajardo 14, Trollano 6, Cruz 5, Manuel 4, Lassiter 3, Ross 3, Teng 2.
Quarters: 33-32; 61-59; 97-88; 122-112.
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