Coming off an embarrassing loss to the Blackwater Elite last Wednesday, the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters vented their ire on reigning, four-time Philippine Cup champs San Miguel Beermen, 108-98, Friday night at the Ynares Center.
Rain or Shine lost hold of the 18-point lead it built in the third quarter as San Miguel knocked within three early in the final period, but they did well enough afterward to send the Beermen to their second straight defeat.
The Elasto Painters have improved to 3-1 for solo second while dragging San Miguel down to 2-3.
“It feels really good to beat the top team but yun nga sabi ko before the game, remember the loss against Blackwater,” said head coach Caloy Garcia. “We played two good games then we lost against Blackwater.
“Parang we were sent back down to Earth. Basically, I told them if we want to go far in this tournament, we have to play good consistently. Today, we played good and yun, iba yung desire nila this game compared against Blackwater,” he added.
James Yap had 21 points to pace the Elasto Painters, who have now beaten two San Miguel Corporation-owned teams this conference, the first one being Barangay Ginebra (83-80) last January 26 in Calasiao, Pangasinan.
Rookie Javee Mocon continues his stellar play with 18 points and 17 rebounds with four assists.
“Hats off to Javee Mocon. He played his best game as a rookie. He never stops working, that’s the nice thing about the kid,” lauded Garcia of the former San Beda Red Lion, whom they picked at sixth in the 2018 Rookie Draft.
It was actually San Miguel who started hot early as they posted a 25-13 lead late in the first quarter, but Rain or Shine gained its bearings and made a 19-2 run to turn a six-point deficit to a 44-33 lead with 4:55 left in the second frame.
The Elasto Painters continued to sizzle all the way to the third quarter, and Yap’s basket put them up by 18, 66-48, with less than five minutes remaining.
The Beermen though rallied afterwards and eventually knocked within three, 86-89, after a Von Pessumal triple with 10:29 to go in the final frame, but Yap, Mocon, and Maverick Ahanmisi restored order, 100-92, with 4:25 left to play.
Ahanmisi finished with 17 points. Norbert Torres shot a perfect 5-of-5 from the field — 3-of-3 from beyond the arc — en route to 15 points, while Jewel Ponferrada chimed in 12 markers, four boards, and three assists.
Marcio Lassiter led the Beermen with 27 points. June Mar Fajardo supplied 24 points and 14 rebounds.
The loss spoiled the return of guard Terrence Romeo from an ankle injury. The six-year pro failed to finish the game as he fouled out late in the fourth quarter, and he exited with 11 points, five rebounds, and four assists.
San Miguel missed the services of Arwind Santos due to gastroenteritis.
Rain or Shine will next face the debuting Alaska Aces this Sunday, February 3, while San Miguel will look to return to the win column versus Blackwater Elite on February 6, Wednesday. Both games are at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
The Scores:
Rain or Shine 108 – Yap 21, Mocon 18, Ahanmisi 17, Torres 15, Ponferada 12, Belga 8, Norwood 6, Rosales 6, Almazan 5, Daquioag 0, Nambatac 0.
San Miguel 98 – Lassiter 27, Fajardo 24, Pessumal 12, Romeo 11, Nabong 10, Tubid 2, Ross 0, Zamar 0, Mamaril 0.
Quarterscores: 23-27, 54-42, 86-80, 108-98.
