Jericho Cruz. PBA IMAGES
Rain or Shine stepped on the gas early and waylaid Blackwater, 103-81, in the Petron Saturday Special to force itself on a three-way tie at the top spot in the 2016 Smart Bro PBA Philippine Cup at Cuneta Astrodome.
The win allowed the Elasto Painters to bring themselves on level with San Miguel and Alaska with identical 4-1 records.
“In the first quarter, we were just trying to find our bearings, but in the second half, we got our momentum, our conditioning back,” said Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao.
From a 16-all deadlock, the Elasto Painters broke off with a 9-0 run to end the first period to grab the 25-16 lead.
It was all cruise-control from as Rain or Shine closed the third frame on an 8-0 spurt for commanding 19-point edge, 80-61, that ballooned to as high as 24, 101-77, on a Jeric Teng trey with under three minutes left in the game.
“I guess we’re just excited to get back playing again after our heartbreak loss to GlobalPort. Gusto namin makabalik at makalaro para makabawi din, but we did not take (Blackwater) for granted. We were not going to be complacent in this game, that’s why the energy level was high, especially in the second half,” Guiao said.
Jericho Cruz was stellar anew for Rain or Shine, pouring 14 of his career-high 23 points in the third quarter breakaway.
Jewel Ponferrada also made the most of his minutes with 15 markers while rookie Maverick Ahanmisi impressed with eight points, nine rebounds, and six assists.
Beau Belga and JR Quinahan combined for 23 points and 13 boards in the rout for Rain or Shine.
Art dela Cruz paced Blackwater (1-4) with 15 points, four rebounds, and four steals even as JP Erram had a hard time getting to his 14 markers and 11 boards output.
The Scores:
RAIN OR SHINE 103 – Cruz 23, Ponferrada 15, Belga 12, Quinahan 11, Ahanmisi 8, Almazan 8, Teng 6, Tiu 6, Matias 5, Nimes 4, Chan 3, Trollano 2, Ibanes 0, Norwood 0.
BLACKWATER 81 – Dela Cruz 15, Erram 14, Cervantes 9, Lastimosa 7, Gamalinda 6, Melano 6, Cortez 5, Ballesteros 4, Golla 4, Reyes 4, Sena 3, Agovida 2, Vosotros 2, Canada 0.
Quarters: 25-16, 47-39, 80-61, 103-81.