The Rain or Shine Elasto Painters finally scored a win in the 2019 PBA Commissioner’s Cup, blasting defending champions Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, 104-81, Friday night at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
Sophomore guard Rey Nambatac exploded for a career-high 30 points — spiked by seven three-pointers — on top of two rebounds and an assist to lead the Elasto Painters, who have improved to 1-2 following the blowout victory.
Not to be outdone is import Denzel Bowles as he filled the stat sheet with 25 points, 17 rebounds, six assists, two blocks, and two steals to score a win over his former coach Tim Cone, whom he played for before with Purefoods.
Bowles’ free throws with less than three minutes left to play gave Rain or Shine its biggest lead of the game, 102-77.
“I told them everybody becomes better when you play against Ginebra. First of all, they’re the defending champions this conference and what better way to get out of a slump is to try to beat Ginebra,” said Rain or Shine head coach Caloy Garcia.
Rookie Javee Mocon produced 11 points, six assists, five rebounds, and two steals in the triumph.
The Elasto Painters shot 48.1 percent from the field, including an 11-of-34 clip from beyond the arc. It was a marked improvement as they only shot 38 percent in their two losses, including a measly 21 percent from three.
“I felt that we played good in the first two games except that we couldn’t hit our outside shots. I told them if you wanna go and win lots of games in this league, we have to be consistent in hitting outside shots,” Garcia said.
Justin Brownlee led the Gin Kings with 30 points and 17 rebounds in the loss that dragged them down to 2-2.
Japeth Aguilar chimed in 17 markers on 8-of-10 shooting, with four rebounds. Scottie Thompson only scored four points on 10 attempts, but he still almost registered a double-double as he collected 10 assists and nine caroms.
Rain or Shine will next face Phoenix Pulse Fuel Masters this Sunday, June 9, at Ynares Center in Antipolo City. The Gin Kings, meanwhile, will look to recover when they take on TNT KaTropa on June 12, Wednesday, still at the Big Dome.
The Scores:
Rain or Shine 104 – Nambatac 30, Bowles 25, Mocon 11, Belga 9, Yap 8, Norwood 5, Daquioag 5, Borboran 4, Alejandro 4, Torres 3, Ponferada 0, Rosales 0, Onwubere 0.
Ginebra 81 – Brownlee 30, Aguilar 17, Tenorio 8, Mercado 5, Mariano 4, Thompson 4, Slaughter 4, Ferrer 3, Teodoro 3, Devance 2, Caperal 1, Cruz 0.
Quarterscores: 26-25, 54-45, 75-66, 104-81
