The Rain or Shine Elasto Painters outscored the Barako Bull Energy Cola by ten during the second period, which helped them in their 103-91 victory for their fifth win of the conference held at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. The win earned them solo second in the rankings as of presstime.
Wayne Chism sizzled early in the opening period as he scattered 15 points with three long-ranged baskets. Despite the hot start offensively, Barako Bull hung on with their defense against the locals of the Painters. Dave Marcelo was a force down low during the opening frame as he tallied five points and grabbed four boards in the first six minutes of the quarter.
Three perimeter jumpers courtesy of one by Ryan Araña, and two coming from JR Quinahan, were drained in for Rain or Shine in the dying minutes of the first period to give them a five-point lead. However, the Energy Cola were still on par in the close encounter due to their four rebound advantage at the end of the first 12 minutes.
With both squads parading their subs at the start of the second period, jumpers continued to swish in for the Elasto Painters as TY Tang scored from 15-feet to build the first double-digit lead, 37-27. From that point on, Rain or Shine pounced on Barako Bull with good momentum coming from a Raymond Almazan slam.
The lead ballooned to a high score of 20, as the running and transition game worked for the Painters. Barako Bull inserted reinforcement Sol Alabi back in the lineup, that triggered a 9-2 run in the last three minutes of the first half to help the Energy Cola cut the deficit to 13 heading into the break.
Despite the rally, Rain or Shine still put up the points to reinsert another 20-point lead at 62-42 capped by a basket by Chism. Barako had no answers in any rallies as they struggled to barge into the 15-point lead mark. The Energy Cola did not capitalize on a three-minute stretch in which the Painters remained scoreless. The former only scored three points in the last part of the third period.
Rain or Shine dominated the assists, 29-16 and hit nine more three-pointers compared to Barako Bull. Their transition game was also on point, as they scored more on the fastbreak, 19-14.
Wayne Chism led all scorers with 32 points, including 7-of-13 shooting from downtown, and 7 boards. Paul Lee played well off the bench with 16 markers, six rebounds and six assists.
On the other hand, Alabi led Barako with 23 points and 13 rebounds.
The scores:
RAIN OR SHINE 103 – Chism 32, Lee 16, Quinahan 12, Chan 11, Norwood 7, Cruz 7, Tang 6, Almazan 4, Uyloan 3, Belga 3, Araña 2, Ibañes 0, Teng 0.
BARAKO 91 – Alabi 23, Intal 19, Lanete 14, Marcelo 11, Mercado 9, Lastimosa 6, Garcia 4, Matias 3, Pascual 2, Chua 0, Hubalde 0, Salva 0, Paredes 0, Sorongon 0.
Quarters: 30-27, 53-40, 77-62, 103-91
