Adrian Nocum starred this time as Rain or Shine overcame another tepid start before subduing an import-less Phoenix, 116-99, to remain unscathed in the PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup, Friday evening at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
The sophomore guard scored 19 of his 21 points in the second quarter alone, producing more than half of his team’s 36-point output to give themselves the momentum after staring at a 25-13 deficit during the opening chapter.
He would have a hand in their late-game breakaway as well, scoring off a foul for the 101-90 advantage with 6:20 to go as the Elasto Painters led by double digits all the way to the end for their fourth win in as many games.
“Nag-worry na ako nung una eh, kasi if you give them the feeling that they can stay with you even without an import? Delikadong kalaban ‘yon eh,” offered head coach Yeng Guiao, relieved as they aced the tough test by their foes.
“At a certain point, you have to put some distance between you and them. Mabuti sa fourth quarter, nakalayo kami,” the champion mentor added.
Their 4-0 start, according to league stats chief Fidel Mangonon III, equals the franchise’s all-time best start in a conference since the 2012 Governors’ Cup, when it won its first-ever PBA title with Jamelle Cornley as import.
And that was thanks to yet another balanced attack by the crew, led by Aaron Fuller with game-highs of 28 points and 22 rebounds. It was the American forward’s third consecutive game where he hauled down 20 boards.
Jhonard Clarito overcame early foul trouble and finished with 15 points, nine rebounds, two assists, two steals, and a block without a turnover.
Andrei Caracut chipped in 13 points, including a four-pointer, together with five rebounds and four assists to help RoS stay as the only unbeaten team in the conference. It also retained Group B leadership following the win.
The Elasto Painters will put their perfect slate at stake against San Miguel Beer on September 5, Thursday, 7:30 also at Ninoy.
RJ Jazul and JJ Alejandro, meanwhile, had 12 points each to lead the Fuel Masters, who were forced to play all-Filipino after Le’Bryan Nash, the supposed replacement for Jay McKinnis, went above the 6-foot-6 height limit,
Phoenix will play Blackwater on September 3 at the SMART Araneta Coliseum, hoping of course that it will have a reinforcement by then.
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.
Quarterscores: 19-29, 55-55, 84-76, 116-99.
