Joel Wright starred in the endgame to lift Rain or Shine past the Columbian Dyip, 96-90, for their first win in the 2019 PBA Governors’ Cup Sunday evening at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
The returning import strapped the Elasto Painters on his back, scoring seven straight of the team’s last nine points of the match to tow his side up from an 87-89 deficit with 1:59 left in the match.
Wright finished with 30 points, 10 rebounds, two assists, and two blocks in the win that saw him buck foul trouble. The American cager already had four personal fouls in the first half.
“It’s a good win for us. We were disappointed with how we played the last game, so I told the players the only way that we can come back is to win today’s game,” said coach Caloy Garcia.
Rey Nambatac had 17 points, three rebounds, three assists, and three steals. Javee Mocon flirted with a double-double with 10 points and eight caroms. Ping Exciminiano also scored 10.
Import Khapri Alston produced 23 points, 15 rebounds, and five assists to lead Columbian, who fell to 1-1.
Rookie CJ Perez registered a double-double as well with 22 points and 10 rebounds with four assists and two steals, while Glenn Khobuntin chimed in 14 markers in the defeat.
Rain or Shine (1-1) will next face the debuting TNT KaTropa on Saturday, September 28. Meanwhile, Columbian will battle the NorthPort Batang Pier on October 2. Games will still be at the Big Dome.
The Scores:
Rain or Shine (96) — Wright 30, Nambatac 17, Exciminiano 10, Mocon 10, Borboran 9, Daquioag 8, Torres 7, Norwood 2, Rosales 2, Ponferada 1, Onwubere 0, Yap 0, Belga 0.
Columbian (90) — Alston 23, Perez 22, Khobuntin 14, Tiongson 10, McCarthy 9, Cahilig 5, Camson 3, Calvo 2, Flores 2, Celda 0, Reyes 0, Gabriel 0, Faundo 0, Gabayni 0.
Quarterscores: 23-14, 44-44, 66-63, 96-90.
