Caelan Tiongson wasted no time reintroducing himself as Rain or Shine blew past Blackwater, 110-97, for a triumphant PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup debut, Tuesday evening at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
The well-traveled forward finished with 15 points, including 11 in the second quarter alone to lead the Elasto Painters to a 59-50 lead entering the halftime break that set the tone for their third-quarter breakaway.
Tiongson shot 50-percent and also had five rebounds and two assists in 20 minutes, overcoming a bum stomach he had hours prior to the game.
“I was a little worried kanina kay Caelan,” admitted head coach Yeng Guiao post-game. “Caelan called in sick this morning, I think he had a fever.”
Then again, all those worries went away when Tiongson helped bring the victory that enabled RoS to become the first to break through in Group B.
But it wasn’t just Tiongson who impressed in his PBA debut, with fellow first-round pick Felix Lemetti making a good account of himself with 11 points on three triples, together with three rebounds and two assists.
The comebacking Aaron Fuller top-scored for the Elasto Painters with 24 points and 19 rebounds. He scored half of his output in the opening frame and then played a major role in a run that saw them end the third up big, 83-62.
Santi Santillan chipped in 12 points as a good mix of new faces and usual suspects brought the win, much to the delight of Guiao.
“I think this is a good lineup that we have,” said Guiao. “It’s basically an upgrade from our last lineup in the All-Filipino and sa All-Filipino naka-semis kami.
“So, kung tama calculations namin na upgrade ito at naka-semis kami from the last one — and we have a good import — I think we can contend,” he added. “We can give the strong teams a run for their money.”
Rain or Shine will take on a big test ahead as it welcomes Justin Brownlee and Ginebra on Saturday, August 24, 6 p.m. in Candon, Ilocos Sur.
No. 2 pick Sedrick Barefield, meanwhile, led the Bossing with 18 points. James Kwekuteye had 17 as the locals stepped up on a night Ricky Ledo struggled.
The former NBA cager missed his first 12 shots and went just 4-of-23 from the field, including 0-for-5 from four. He finished with 12 points and eight rebounds.
Ledo and the Bossing will look to bounce back quickly as they take on Robert Bolick and NLEX on Thursday, 5 p.m. still at the Big Dome.
The Scores:
Rain or Shine 110 – Fuller 24, Tiongson 15, Santillan 12, Lemetti 11, Mamuyac 10, Asistio 9, Nocum 8, Clarito 8, Ildefonso 4, Villegas 4, Datu 3, Belga 2, Caracut 0, Norwood 0.
Blackwater 97 – Barefield 18, Kwekuteye 17, Guinto 15, Ledo 12, Rosario 10, David 7, Chua 6, Casio 5, Tungcab 3, Suerte 2, Jopia 2, Montalbo 0, Ponferrada 0, Hill 0, Michell 0.
Quarterscores: 30-26, 59-50, 83-62, 110-97.
