Rain or Shine finally broke through into the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup win column, foiling Phoenix Super LPG’s bid to win a fourth straight game by way of a 105-98 decision on Tuesday night at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
Aaron Fuller showed the way with 28 points and 16 rebounds, helping out in the Elasto Painters’ strong finish after the Fuel Masters threatened by chopping down a double-digit lead to a single possession, 102-98, through an 8-0 run.
Andrei Caracut stopped the bleeding with a split, then came their veteran import with the insurance basket off an Adrian Nocum to seal the deal and win no.1 after back-to-back losses to start the tourney.
(C) PBA Images
“Medyo malapit na kaming maging desperado. Kailangan na namin talagang manalo,” said head coach Yeng Guiao, visibly relieved they got on board.
Nocum finished with 16 points, six rebounds, and eight assists as the star slasher showed how willing he is to be a facilitator in the wire-to-wire win.
Mike Malonzo made 12 points and six rebounds. Meanwhile, captain Caelan Tiongson added 11 markers in the win that got them in the race in Group B.
And together, they one-upped their former comrade in Gian Mamuyac, whom they faced for the first time since last Thursday’s stunning trade.
Their former captain still came off the bench and contributed eight points, two rebounds, two assists, and a steal in the 21 minutes and 55 seconds. However, that wasn’t enough to help Phoenix achieve its goal of going 4-0.
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BJ Johnson top-scored for the Fuel Masters with 27 points and 11 rebounds. Kenneth Tuffin continued his solid play with 16 points and eight rebounds.
Jason Perkins made 13 points while Tyler Tio added 12 in the loss, which saw the team lose star guard Ricci Rivero in the third due to technical fouls.
Rain or Shine will try to win one more versus Ginebra this Sunday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum in a rematch of the last Commissioner’s Cup semis.
Phoenix, on the other hand, will look to get back on track quickly when it takes on Blackwater on Tuesday, July 28, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
The Scores:
Rain or Shine 105 – Fuller 28, Nocum 18, Malonzo 12, Tiongson 11, Villegas 9, Caracut 9, Asistio 8, Cuajao 5, Manaytay 3, Clarito 2.
Phoenix Super LPG 98 – Johnson 27, Tuffin 16, Perkins 13, Tio 12, Santos 9, Mamuyac 8, Delos Santos 5, Ballungay 4, Rivero 4, Reavis 0, Chua 0.
Quarterscores: 30-25, 60-50, 80-73, 105-98.
