Chris Tiu erupted for a career-high 23 points to lead his Rain or Shine Elasto Painters past the NorthPort Batang Pier, 120-98, for their second straight win in the 2018 PBA Governors’ Cup, Wednesday night at Cuneta Astrodome.
The veteran guard – who only scored a total of 12 points in the first five games of the season-ending conference – shot an excellent 9-of-12 from the field. He also had three assists, two rebounds, a steal, and a block in his stat line.
Tiu also played a huge role in the final frame when NorthPort was coming back. When the Batang Pier knocked within eight, Tiu scored 10 of the Elasto Painters’ finishing 15-6 blitz that put them up 113-96 with 1:41 left to play.
“He gave us the lift in the fourth quarter,” lauded Rain or Shine head coach Caloy Garcia of the 33-year-old, as Tiu scored 15 in final frame alone.
But it wasn’t just Tiu who had a solid outing, as three more Elasto Painters finished with 20-plus points, with slotman Beau Belga scattering 21 points on 8-of-8 field goal shooting along with 12 rebounds and three assists.
Terrence Watson continues to prove his worth for Rain or Shine as he had 21 points, four rebounds, four assists, amd five blocks. James Yap, who has returned to the fold following a trip overseas, added 20 markers.
Maverick Ahanmisi had 13 points and nine dimes, while Gabe Norwood supplied 10 markers.
“We played back-to-back good games,” praised Garcia, whose Rain or Shine are coming off an impressive 104-97 upset of the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel last Saturday, which snapped their funk. “Sana tuloy-tuloy yung ganitong laro namin.”
Rain or Shine are still missing the services of Raymond Almazan.
Rashad Woods had 30 points – 15 in the fourth – and seven rebounds to lead NorthPort, who failed to extend their winning streak to three. Sean Anthony produced 17 points and 15 rebounds, while Paolo Taha added 14.
Stanlet Pringle almost had a triple-double with 12 assists, nine points, and nine rebounds.
Rain or Shine will look to extend their streak when they take on the Columbian Dyip on Friday, October 19, at the Ynares Center in Antipolo, while NorthPort will next face the San Miguel Beermen next Wednesday, October 24, still at Cuneta.
The Scores:
Rain or Shine 120 – Tiu 23, Belga 21, Watson 21, Yap 20, Ahanmisi 13, Norwood 10, Ponferada 5, Borboran 3, Torres 2,Daquioag 2, Washington 0.
NorthPort 98 – Woods 30, Anthony 17, Taha 14, Pringle 12, Guinto 10, Javelona 7, Grey 6, Espinas 3, Elorde 2, Gabayni 0, Arana 0, Fortuna 0.
Quarterscores: 35-19, 63-43, 87-71, 120-98.
