TNT added to the sorrows of Meralco, 113-96, to improve to .500 in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup, Saturday night at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.
Gian Mamuyac and Mike Nieto starred with 21 points apiece as the young guns shined in the victory that placed the Elasto Painters back on the right track after being blown out by Jayson Castro and TNT last October 15.
“I’m really impressed with our young guys. Malalaki ang puso, marunong lumaban. Pinakita naman nila ngayon ‘yan,” lauded coach Yeng Guiao.
The Ateneo products provided the perfect support for the comebacking Steve Taylor Jr., who finished with 22 points and 15 rebounds to lead the way.
Out versus the Tropang Giga due to health and safety protocols, the American cager joined hands with the two to spark the second-quarter onslaught that saw the crew erupt for 31 points to turn the game around in their favor.
“We needed to get back after our slide, ‘yung dalawang talo. It’s also partly swerte kami, kasi alam namin nag-struggle ‘yung Meralco,” said Guiao.
RoS indeed took advantage of Meralco’s tough breaks, including losing Aaron Black at the 7:23-mark of the third quarter after catching an inadvertent elbow to the face while defending counterpart Rey Nambatac.
“They suffered another bad break — Aaron Black was injured,” lamented the champion bench tactician. “The chips just fell on our side. Ganda nung nilaro ni Gian, ganda nung nilaro ni Mike Nieto, the rest of the guys.”
Now at 3-3, the Elasto Painters will try to get another win against the surging Phoenix on October 26, Wednesday, 3 p.m. at the Ynares Center.
Meralco, on the other hand, definitely hopes to end the struggles after suffering its third loss in a row, fifth overall in the conference.
The Bolts did receive a 30-point outing from Johnny O’Bryant after he scored just seven against the Fuel Masters last Wednesday but it sure wasn’t enough as they dropped to 1-5 in the team standings.
Meralco will face San Miguel next Saturday. October 29, also in Antipolo in an aim to snap out of a funk it hasn’t been in for years.
The Scores:
Rain or Shine 113 – Taylor Jr. 22, Mamuyac 21, Nieto 21, Caracut 10, Nambatac 10, Asistio 9, Torres 8, Belga 6, Santillan 4, Ponferrada 2, Borboran 0, Norwood 0.
Meralco 96 – O’Bryant 30, Almazan 20, Quinto 19, Caram 14, Maliksi 7, Black 4, Banchero 2, Hodge 0, Pasaol 0, Pascual 0.
Quarterscores: 26-34, 57-50, 89-77, 113-96
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The second game of each PBA gameday is live-streamed on SMART Sports.
