RAIN or Shine wiped out an early 21-point deficit to wallop NLEX, 124-105, on Wednesday and remained the lone undefeated team in the PBA 49th Season Governors’ Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
The Elasto Painters fell behind early, 45-24, but managed to still take a 58-54 lead at the half on their way to a 19-point victory - their third in as many games in the season-opening conference.
“Nagpasensya lang kami,” said Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao. “We just tried to recover from the shock - 40-point quarter, they were making all of their threes. Medyo nakakabigla ‘yung first quarter, pero sabi namin, let’s just weather our storm and play our game.”
COLUMN: Danny I learns real talk comes at a high cost in PBA
Jhonard Clarito had 24 points to help Rain or Shine post its best start since the 2021 Philippine Cup where the team also won its first three games of the conference, according to PBA statistics chief Fidel Mangonon.
Rain or Shine fell behind, 40-24, at the end of the first nut went on an 18-0 run at one point in the second quarter to turn it around.
Clarito was perfect from the field on a 9-of-9 clip while scoring nine points in the second quarter to spark the Rain or Shine the comeback. He also had three rebounds, four assists, and five steals.
Gian Mamuyac added 22 points and six assists while Aaron Fuller was once again a dominant force around the paint by scoring 21 points and hauling 20 rebounds.
Andrei Caracut had 17 points, four rebounds, and seven assists, while Caelan Tiongson had 10 points while defending NLEX import Myke Henry, whose 21 points were a far cry from his 34-point scoring average entering the game.
It didn’t help NLEX’s cause that Henry was in foul trouble for much of the game as the Road Warriors dropped to 2-1 in Group B.
“Offensively, we were not bad pero medyo masama ‘yung depensa namin nung una. Nagulat kami kay Myke Henry, maganda ‘yung start niya pero na-foul trouble siya," said Guiao.
"Also, Caelan Tiongson did an excellent job of shutting him down… We were also able to contain Bolick although marami pa rin siya ginawa but he was not as dominant as he usually will be."
Robert Bolick had 22 points, four rebounds, and seven assists while Richie Rodger added 16 points for NLEX.
The scores:
Rain or Shine 124 – Clarito 24, Mamuyac 22, Fuller 21, Caracut 17, Tiongson 10, Lemetti 9, Datu 6, Santillan 3, Nocum 3, Asistio 3, Escandor 3, Ildefonso 2, Norwood 1, Villegas 0, Belga 0.
NLEX 105 – Bolick 22, Henry 21, Rodger 16, Miranda 15, Policarpio 13, Fajardo 9, Amer 6, Nieto 3, Valdez 0, Semerad 0, Marcelo 0, Herndon 0.
Quarters: 24-40; 58-54; 91-83; 124-105.
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.
