Jhonard Clarito starred as Rain or Shine completed a massive turnaround and left NLEX a frustrated bunch, 124-105, to stay unblemished in the PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup, Wednesday night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
He shot a perfect 9-for-9 from the floor and led the way with 24 points, three rebounds, four assists, and five steals in 27 minutes.
And his performance helped the Elasto Painters overhaul an early 45-24 deficit toward their third win in as many outings.
“We just tried to recover from the shock of their 40-point first quarter where they were making their treys. Nakakabigla,” head coach Yeng Guiao said post-game. “Sabi namin, let’s weather the storm, and play our game.”
Gian Mamuyac was solid as well with 22 points as he and Clarito scored nine points apiece in the second chapter to lead the fightback from a tepid start.
That period saw Guiao’s wards unleash an 18-0 attack as momentum began to gravitate towards the crew before ending the half in their favor.
The Elasto Painters would go on to build an 82-66 edge during the third, and then sealed the W through a strong finish behind Clarito, Andrei Caracut, and Aaron Fuller.
The three combined for a 9-0 run for a 121-103 lead with 1:30 left.
“Laking bagay nitong good start,” said Guiao after taking the solo lead in Group B with a pristine 3-0 record. “Kasi nag start na kami nang 0-5, nag-start na kami nang 0-4. Parang nasa ibang mundo kami, nag-start kami nang 3-0.”
Fuller finished with 21 points and 20 rebounds in another 20-board outing, while Caracut fired 17, including a four-pointer. Rookie Caelan Tiongson chipped in 10 as all but two players scored at least one in the triumph.
Rain or Shine will look to make it four straight against the debuting Le’Bryan Nash and Phoenix on Friday, August 30, in the same venue.
Robert Bolick, on the other hand, had 22 points for NLEX as he took the scoring cudgels after import Myke Henry got shackled in the second half.
Henry delivered 16 points in the first half but only had five in the last two quarters as he was hounded by foul trouble, incurring five personal fouls.
Ritchie Rodger had 16 points. Michael Miranda made 15 on two four-pointers, while rookie Jonel Policarpio added 13 for the Road Warriors.
Up next for Coach Jong Uichico’s wards, who absorbed their first loss after a 2-0 start, is San Miguel on Saturday in a battle set in Cagayan de Oro.
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.
Quarterscores: 24-40, 58-54, 91-83, 124-105.
