The Rain or Shine Elasto Painters continued their good start to the 2016 Smart Bro PBA Philippine Cup with a win over defending champions San Miguel Beermen. The result handed Rain or Shine a 3-0 record, while San Miguel had to make do with their first loss this conference at 2-1.
San Miguel started the first quarter well but Raymond Almazan stepped up to help Rain or Shine keep up with the Beermen. Both sides ended the first quarter level at 22-22.
It was the same story in the second quarter as San Miguel began hot with a 9-0 to lead 22-31 over Rain or Shine. Jay-R Reyes’ free throws extended San Miguel’s lead to 22-33 amidst the Beermen earning their points in transition.
A three from Gabe Norwood cut the deficit for Rain or Shine to 25-33, but baskets from Junemar Fajardo and Gabby Espinas brought the initiative back to San Miguel, 27-36. Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao incurred a technical for profane language, for which Alex Cabagnot scored the free throws to hand San Miguel a 27-37 advantage. Undeterred, Rain or Shine cut the lead to 41-44 at halftime due to the efforts of Almazan, Norwood, and Beau Belga.
After the break, Rain or Shine played catch up to San Miguel until Chris Tiu equalized the ball game at 49-49 via a three. It was all Rain or Shine from that point and they unleashed a 10-0 streak, going up 59-49 from a Belga trey. Jeff Chan sank another one from beyond the arc to prolong Rain or Shine’s dominance, 69-53. Rain or Shine ended the third quarter in dominant fashion after they attained a huge 71-58 lead in the end.
Chan restored Rain or Shine’s lead to thirteen after Fajardo sank two free throws. Rookie Maverick Ahanmisi then lifted his team to an insurmountable 80-69 lead. Ross and Marcio Lassiter scored to keep San Miguel within touching distance at 78-86, but a Norwood three put it beyond the Beermen. Belga delivered once again from beyond the arc to assure Rain or Shine a comprehensive win over San Miguel.
The final score of the game was 99-84 in favor of Rain or Shine.
Almazan top scored for his team with 15 points while Cabagnot did the same for San Miguel at 15 markers.
The next game of Rain or Shine will be against Globalport Batang Pier on November 13, 2015 (Friday) in Philsports Arena, while their opponents San Miguel shall play on November 11, 2015 (Wednesday) at the same venue versus Blackwater Elite.
The Scores:
Rain or Shine (99) – Almazan 15, Belga 15, Chan 15, Ahanmisi 14, Norwood 14, Ponferada 8, Tiu 8, Ibanes 6, Cruz 3, Quinahan 1, Trollano 0.
San Miguel (84) – Cabagnot 16, Fajardo 13, Lassiter 12, Santos 12, Espinas 10, Ross 10, Tubid 5, Lutz 4, Reys 2, Arana 0, De Ocampo 0, Heruela 0.
Quarterscores: 22-22, 41-44, 71-58, 99-84.
