RAIN or Shine once again overcame an early first-half deficit to beat Phoenix, 116-99, on Friday and remain undefeated in the PBA 49th Season Governors’ Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Adrian Nocum scored 19 of his 21 points in the second quarter to lead the comeback after the Elasto Painters surprisingly trailed by 12 points, 25-13, late in the first against a Phoenix team that played without an import.
Two days after overcoming a 21-point deficit to beat NLEX by 19 points, Rain or Shine rolled to a 4-0 mark and the solo lead in Group B.
The win also enabled Rain or Shine to match the best start in franchise history, which it set during the 2012 Governors’ Cup where the team eventually won its first-ever league title, according to PBA statistics chief Fidel Mangonon.
Rain or Shine struggled in the early going against a desperate Phoenix team that played without an import after Le’Bryan Nash, a replacement for Jayveous McKinnis, was found to be over the height limit days before the game.
Phoenix dropped to 0-3.
“Mahirap talaga kalaban ang team na you know that they are going to try their best and compensate for the absence of their import,” said Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao.
“Phoenix is a good team, they have the materials, and they are well-coached. Nag-worry na ako nung una na when you give them the feeling that they can stay with you even without an import, delikadong kalaban ‘yun.
“At a certain point, you have to put some distance between you and them. Mabuti sa fourth quarter, nakalayo kami. Pero kung hindi kami nakalayo, we will have a long night against Phoenix even if they don’t have an import,” said Guiao.
Aaron Fuller had his third 20-20 night as he finished with 28 points and 22 rebounds for Rain or Shine. Jhonard Clarito added 15 points and nine rebounds, as Andrei Caracut had 13 points.
RJ Jazul and Jayjay Alejandro each had 12 points but the absence of an import showed during the second half.
With Nocum’s offensive burst in the second quarter, Rain or Shine was able to tie the game at 55 at the half. Fuller had back-to-back baskets and Santi Santillan nailed a free throw as the Elasto Painters ended the third with an 84-76 lead.
Rain or Shine went on to lead by 20 in the fourth quarter, 116-96.
The scores:
Rain or Shine 116 – Fuller 28, Nocum 21, Clarito 15, Caracut 13, Mamuyac 9, Tiongson 8, Santillan 6, Datu 6, Belga 5, Ildefonso 4, Asistio 1, Lemetti 0, Villegas 0.
Phoenix 99 – Jazul 12, Alejandro 12, Ballungay 11, Rivero 10, Muyang 9, Tio 8, Salado 8, Perkins 8, Verano 7, Tuffin 5, Mocon 5, Daves 4, Garcia 0, Soyud 0, Manganti 0.
Quarters: 19-29; 55-55; 84-76; 113-96.
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