ANDREI Caracut got Rain or Shine off to a scorching start on the way to a wire-to-wire, record-shattering 151-95 win over Blackwater on Tuesday in the PBA 50th Season Commissioner's Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Caracut scored 18 of his 22 points in the first quarter, which the Elasto Painters ended with a 42-15 lead. They were never threatened after that, posting a 56-point victory that broke a 46-year record in the pro league for biggest winning margin.
READ Blackwater wants to see import Robert Upshaw III lose some weight
The victory broke the previous record for biggest winning margin of 55 points set by U-Tex when it defeated Great Taste, 154-99, last July 12, 1980.
Rain or Shine now enters the Holy Week break with the solo lead on a 4-0 win-loss record, while dealing Blackwater its third loss in four matches.
No less than 14 of the 16 players fielded in by coach Yeng Guiao scored for the in-form Elasto Painters, who made 18 of 40 three-point attempts and two of three from the four-point area, making 54 percent of their shots overall.
Eight Rain or Shine players scored in double figures, including rookies Jun Roque and Deo Cuajao. The Elasto Painters also scored way more fastbreak points, 38-9, than the Bossing and their overweight import Robert Upshaw.
“That is our identity. We like to get out quickly in transition, try to find our rhythm on the open court. Mabuti pumasok ‘yung mga unang tira namin, nagka-momentum kami sa umpisa pa lang.
"Alam namin na medyo nagdidieta pa ‘yung import sa kabila, baka may size pa kami sa side na ‘yun na we are able to outnumber them in transition,” said Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao.
Jaylen Johnson made his return from serving a one-game suspension for a punching incident with TNT's Glenn Khobuntin, finishing with 20 points, nine rebounds, and one block.
Cuajao had 15 points, while Roque had 12 points, three rebounds, and four assists.
The scores:
Rain or Shine 151 – Caracut 22, Johnson 20, Mamuyac 15, Cuajao 15, Roque 13, Nocum 12, Asistio 12, Santillan 12, Clarito 6, Manaytay 6, Lemetti 6, Villegas 5, David 4, Malonzo 3, Tiongson 0, Belga 0.
Blackwater 95 – Upshaw 24, Ilagan 14, Barefield 12, Escoto 9, Murrell 9, Tratter 9, Una 5, David 5, Guinto 4, Panopio 2, Jopia 2, Zamar 0, Mendoza 0, Cruz-Dumont 0, Andrade 0, Mallillin 0.
Quarters: 42-15; 75-44; 104-67; 151-95.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
