RAIN or Shine gained a share of the early lead in the 2021 PBA Philippine Cup after a 71-62 win over Blackwater on Sunday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
Rey Nambatac had 21 points and 12 rebounds to lead the way for the Elastopainters, who are now tied with Meralco at the top on 2-0 win-loss cards.
The Elastopainters allowed the Bossing to score the first five points of the game before taking over for good, sending their opponents to a second straight defeat.
“We knew Blackwater was going to come in, great deal of fight, effort and energy after their first game against Alaska,” said Rain or Shine coach Chris Gavina, who is now off to a great start since replacing Caloy Garcia.
."I tip my hat off to coach Nash [Racela], their guys were ready. We knew we had to fight with every ounce of our resiliency on both ends of the floor."
Nambatac shows way
Norbert Torres had 13 points and five rebounds, while JV Mocon had a double-double of 12 points, 12 rebounds, and two blocks. Beau Belga added eight points and 10 rebounds.
Nambatac scored seven points right in the first quarter, helping the Elastopainters take an 11-point lead, 35-24.
The Letran product and Torres combined for 16 points as Rain or Shine continued to pounce on in the third quarter, 61-45. The lead reached as high as 20 points, 68-48, in the final period.
The loss spoiled a superb effort by Kelly Nabong, who 18 points for Blackwater.
The scores:
Rain or Shine 71 – Nambatac 21, Torres 13, Mocon 12, Belga 8, Borboran 4, Santillan 4, Asistio 3, Guinto 2, Norwood 2, Ponferada 2, Wong 0, Tolentino 0, Caracut 0.
Blackwater 62 – Nabong 18, Daquioag 10, Enciso 7, Canaleta 6, Amer 6, Magat 4, Desiderio 4, Paras 2, Torralba 2, Escoto 2, Semerad 1, Tolomia 0, Dennison 0.
Quarters: 19-14; 35-24; 61-45; 71-62.
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