ADRIAN Nocum dished an assist to Aaron Fuller for the marginal basket with 39.4 seconds left and Rain or Shine held on to beat Meralco, 85-83, on Sunday in the PBA 50th Season Governors’ Cup at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
Fuller’s basket broke an 83-83 deadlock and capped the Elasto Painters' comeback from a late deficit on the way to their fourth straight victory, which was only secured after Bong Quinto missed two free throws with 2.5 seconds left.
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Undermanned Meralco still had a chance to tie the game after Quinto was fouled by Nocum off an inbound play. But after he misfired on the first free throw, he intentionally missed the second, only to see Rain or Shine control the rebound.
Rain or Shine is now in second place behind Phoenix Super LPG (4-1) in Group B.
Outside of unbeaten NLEX, Rain or Shine is the hottest team in the league after stretching its winning streak, although it wasn’t exactly their best game of the conference.
“It’s not really a nice game to watch. Low scoring, maraming mga messy plays. But ang importante, na-limit namin sila sa 36 percent field goal shooting. That’s way below their average. It became a defensive game, just finding ways to win,” Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao said.
After scoring a career-high in points just two days ago, Nocum could only come up with six points on 3-of-9 from the field, but dished out eight assists including that pass to Fuller that turned out to be the winning play.
Nocum also survived an injury scare when his knee collided with Cliff Hodge's at the 4:06-mark of the third quarter, but managed to come back in the contest and play in the final stretch.
Fuller had 25 points, 13 rebounds, and two steals, just enough for Rain or Shine to pick up the win.
Meralco, which was without key players including top scorer CJ Cansino, has now lost two in a row in a three-day stretch to drop to 2-4.
The scores:
Rain or Shine 85 – Fuller 25, Cuajao 12, Clarito 11, Tiongson 11, Asistio 7, Nocum 6, Manaytay 5, Villegas 5, Malonzo 2, Caracut 1.
Meralco 83 – Newsome 16, Hester 15, Hodge 14, Mocon 14, Black 7, Quinto 6, Maliksi 6, Banchero 2, Rios 2, Bates 1.
Quarters: 25-18; 48-47; 68-75; 85-83.
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