ANTIPOLO - Rain or Shine finally registered a win in the PBA 50th Season Governors’ Cup at the expense of Gian Mamuyac and Phoenix Super LPG, 105-98, on Tuesday night at the Ynares Center.
Aaron Fuller and Adrian Nocum provided the spark for the Elasto Painters, who lost their first two games of the season-ending conference but held on to win this one after Phoenix came storming back from a double-digit deficit.
Phoenix suffered its first loss after a 3-0 start in Group B in the two teams' first meeting since the trade that sent Mamuyac to the Fuelmasters for a future first-round pick.
Rain or Shine looked relieved after avoiding a 0-3 start.
“Medyo malapit na kami maging desperado, kailangan na naming manalo,” Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao.
Rain or Shine led from start to finish, even posting a 20-point lead, 78-58, during the third quarter.
The Elasto Painters also caught a break when Ricci Rivero, who starred in Phoenix’s previous win over Barangay Ginebra, was ejected after being called for a technical foul with still 8:13 left in the third quarter on top of an unsportsmanlike foul that was issued against him during the second quarter.
Phoenix later got it to within four points, 102-98, on a Kenneth Tuffin lay-up with 1:34 left but couldn’t break through. Fuller sealed the win with a lay-up with 9.4 seconds to settle the score.
Fuller had 28 points and 16 rebounds, while Nocum had 18 points, six rebounds, and eight assists.
Mamuyac had eight points on 3-of-8 from the field, two rebounds, two assists, and one steal in his first game since being traded by Rain or Shine along with a Season 53 second round draft pick to Phoenix for a Season 53 first round selection.
BJ Johnson had 27 points and 11 rebounds, and Kenneth Tuffin had 16 points, but Rivero’s offense was sorely missed.
The scores:
Rain or Shine 105 – Fuller 28, Nocum 18, Malonzo 12, Tiongson 11, Caracut 9, Villegas 9, Asistio 8, Cuajao 5, Manaytay 3, Clarito 2.
Phoenix Super LPG 98 – Johnson 27, Tuffin 16, Perkins 13, Tio 12, Santos 9, Mamuyac 8, Delos Santos 5, Rivero 4, Ballungay 4, Reavis 0, Chua 0.
Quarters: 30-25; 60-50; 80-73; 105-98.
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