RAIN or Shine gave Alaska a rude reception in its first game of the season, running away with an 85-72 victory on Sunday in the 2019 PBA Philippine Cup at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The Elastopainters went to Rey Nambatac and Beau Belga to pull away early against an Alaska side that is short of personnel and looked rusty in its season debut.
Nambatac finished with 12 points to lead a balanced scoring attack for Rain or Shine, which won its second straight game - and fourth in five games overall.
Beau Belga had 11 points, six rebounds, and five assists, while Raymond Almazan played major minutes and contributed 10 points.
“It’s a good win for us. We are lucky that Alaska didn’t come with a full lineup and at the same time, first-game jitters lang siguro sa kanila,” said Rain or Shine coach Caloy Garcia.
Jeron Teng had 15 points, while Jake Pascual had 12 points and nine rebounds for Alaska, which was without injured stars Simon Enciso and Vic Manuel.
Rain or Shine outscored Alaska, 48-30, in the first half, and opened a 55-33 spread in the third quarter on a basket by Raymond Almazan.
The Elastopainters were never seriously threatened from there.
The scores:
Rain or Shine 85 – Nambatac 12, Belga 11, Almazan 10, Yap 9, Ahanmisi 8, Torres 7, Norwood 5, Mocon 5, Daquioag 4, Maiquez 4, Ponferada 4, Rosales 3, Borboran 3, Onwubere 0.
Alaska 72 – Teng 15, Pascual 12, Banchero 11, Galliguez 9, Thoss 6, Exciminiano 6, Ayaay 6, Baclao 4, Cruz 2, Potts 1, Babilonia 0.
Quarters: 25-14; 48-30; 64-51; 85-72.
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