Beau Belga reset his career-high in points as Rain or Shine added NorthPort’s struggles, 115-105, to notch its fifth straight win in the PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup, Wednesday evening at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
The veteran bruiser finished with 28 points, including 10 in the first quarter alone as he helped the Elasto Painters to a 22-3 start to set the tone for the wire-to-wire win that continued their run as one of the hottest teams in the tilt.
He shot an efficient 12-of-17 from the floor, including a 3-of-5 clip from beyond the arc, and collected 13 rebounds, seven assists, and two steals as RoS improved to 5-4, elevating itself to the sixth spot in the conference standings.
“Natutuwa kami dahil consistent si Beau, kailangan niya mag-double time kasi kulang kami sa malaki,” said head coach Yeng Guiao.
Jhonard Clarito punched in 17 points and seven rebounds. Rookie guard Adrian Nocum brought in 16 points, regaining his rhythm after being almost non-existent in their last two outings as he was coming off an illness.
Mark Borboran added 12 points for Rain or Shine, who will try to stretch its winning streak to six — and clinch a quarterfinal spot — against Magnolia on Saturday, April 20, 6:15 p.m. at the Tiaong Convention Center in Quezon.
Carrying the fight for NorthPort, meanwhile, were young guns Zav Lucero and Allyn Bulanadi in the loss, which is now their third in a row.
Lucero finished with a season-high 29 points while Bulanadi tallied a career-high 26 as they helped the Batang Pier get to as close as four points during the third after being down by as many as 22, but couldn’t overtake their foes.
The rookie forward out of UP and the 2019 Gilas draftee stepped up as main man Arvin Tolentino got held to only 11 points on eight shots, and veteran guard Paul Zamar went scoreless for the first time in this conference.
Kris Rosales was the only other double-digit scorer for a NorthPort side that played without JM Calma, who will be sidelined for 10-12 months after being diagnosed with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.
Coach Bonnie Tan and Co. have now lost three in a row and will try to end its skid against San Miguel on Sunday, April 21, 6;15 p.m. at the Philsports Arena.
The Scores:
Rain or Shine 115 – Belga 28, Clarito 17, Nocum 16, Borboran 12, Caracut 8, Asistio 7, Mamuyac 6, Santillan 5, Ildefonso 5, Belo 5, Demusis 4, Paredes 2.
NorthPort 105 – Lucero 29, Bulanadi 26, Rosales 12, Tolentino 11, Flores 9, Amores 8, Munzon 6, Navarro 4, Paraiso 0, Yu 0, Zamar 0, Cuntapay 0, Adamos 0.
Quarterscores: 24-14, 48-38, 81-72, 115-105.
