RAIN or Shine finally made it to the win column of the PBA Commissioner's Cup by defeating Blackwater, 115-110, on Saturday night at the Philsports Arena.
The Elasto Painters were in control for the most part of the game, before thwarting a late Bossing rally behind the clutch baskets of Andre Caracut and rookie Adrian Nocum.
READ Rain or Shine locals' impressive play gives Guiao hope
The victory stopped the bleeding for Rain or Shine, now with a 1-5 record which left Converge as the only team without a win in the conference.
"We're not giving up. This is the spark that we need," said Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao, obviously relieved the Elasto Painters finally scored their breakthrough win.
Caracut paced Rain or Shine with 17 points, a week after scoring a career-best 32 points in a losing cause against defending champion Barangay Ginebra.
I only his second PBA game, Nocum registered a new career-high of 14 points including 10 in the fourth period.
Import Demetrius Treadwell had a near triple-double of 14 points, 18 rebounds, and seven assists for the Elasto Painters, who missed the services of Gian Mamuyac and veteran Beau Belga.
The game also marked the return of former MVP James Yap to active duty, a performance he highlighted with two three-pointers in the third period. He finished with six points in eight minutes of action.
The loss was the fifth straight for Blackwater (1-5) and spoiled the 46-point, nine-rebound effort of import Chris Ortiz.
Rey Suerte and Troy Rosario were the others to finish in double figures for the Bossing with 12 and 10, respectively.
The scores:
Rain or Shine (115) - Caracut 17, Nocum 14, Treadwell 14, Santillan 14, Clarito 11, Borboran 10, Belo 8, Ildefonso 7, Norwood 6, Yap 6, Nambatac 6, Demusis 2, Asistio 0.
Blackwater (110) - Ortiz 46, Suerte 12, Rosario 10, Ilagan 9, Ular 8, Digregorio 7, Ayonayon 6, David 4, Amer 3, Escoto 3, Guinto 2, Hill 0, McCarthy 0, Banal 0.
Quarterscores: 37-27; 61-54; 86-80; 115-110.
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.
