Rain or Shine finished strongly to keep Phoenix listless, 122-107, for a quick bounce-back in the PBA Governors’ Cup, Tuesday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Showing how much they’ve learned from that 113-112 heartbreaker to June Mar Fajardo and San Miguel last week in the same venue, the Elasto Painters broke away in the fourth quarter to improve to 5-1 and stay on top of Group B.
“We think that it’s a loss we can learn a lot from, and kaya namin tanggapin ‘yung mga ganong talo,” offered head coach Yeng Guiao post-game.
Six players finished in double figures in the win, with Adrian Nocum leading the way with 16 points and 10 rebounds for his first career double-double,
Aaron Fuller finished with 16 as well, alongside 11 rebounds. Gian Mamuyac made 14 points on three triples, while Anton Asistio had 13.
Andrei Caracut and the returning Caelan Tiongson finished with 12 apiece as the two joined hands with Mamuyac for the game-changing run in the fourth.
Rain or Shine trailed by a field goal early in the period but the trio strung together a 12-0 run, ending in back-to-back treys by Mamuyac.
That pushed the team to a 107-97 lead with 5:24 remaining in the game before cruising to the victory.
“We kept the pace going. That’s our natural pace, actually. The guys come off the bench, and as soon as they go to the court, they go at one speed,” Guiao said.
“Tingin namin nakalasabay ‘yung Phoenix sa’min ng three quarters, pero nung fourth, ‘yung pace ng game nako-control namin,” he added.
Brandone Francis, on the other hand, led Phoenix with 31 points, 19 of which he made in the first half to lead his side to an early lead.
Still, his efforts were not enough to give the Fuel Masters their first win of the season, ultimately falling to their sixth loss in as many outings.
Jason Perkins had 22 points and 10 rebounds, while rookie big man Kai Ballungay added 11 markers in the defeat.
The Scores:
Rain or Shine 122 – Nocum 16, Fuller 16, Mamuyac 14, Asistio 13, Caracut 12, Tiongson 12, Lemetti 12, Clarito 10, Ildefonso 6, Santillan 5, Borboran 2, Datu 2, Escandor 2, Belga 0.
Phoenix 107 – Francis 31, Perkins 22, Ballungay 11, Rivero 9, Garcia 8, Siyud 8, Jazul 4, Muyang 4, Alejandro 3, Tio 2, Mocon 2, Verano 2, Salado 1, Manganti 0, Tuffin 0, Daves 0.
Quarterscores: 31-33, 64-57, 87-85, 122-107.
