PBA: Sizzling Rain or Shine buries Meralco in three-pointers
MANILA, Philippines—It rained treys for Rain or Shine all night.
Rain or Shine came within a triple-shy of the all-time record in the 135-95 destruction of Meralco to claw back to the top in the 2011 PBA Philippine Cup Sunday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
More than half of the squad joined the three-point shooting fray, including the Elastopainters’ big as they teamed up to unleash 22 triples—13 in the first half.
Talk N’ Text holds the record for 23 three-pointers set in 2008 and 2009.
Ronjay Buenafe was quick to heat up with 24 points on five triples in just 21 minutes while marksman Jeff Chan added 20 points for Rain or Shine, which claimed its fifth victory.
Rookie Paul Lee furnished an overall game with 19 points, seven rebounds and six assists while the burly center Beau Belga amazingly nailed all of his four triples.
Behind Buenafe’s efforts, it was in the second period when the the Elastopainters started breaking away and doubling the lead—which even went as high as 44 points.
Even with Sol Mercado and Mac Cardona back in fold, the Bolts hardly had any counter for the Elastopainters’ hotshooting.
Cardona snared a game-high 25 points for Meralco, which ended a two-game win streak, while Nelbert Omolon, Sol Mercado and Gabbie Espinas each pitched in double digits in scoring.
THE SCORES:
RAIN OR SHINE 139 – Buenafe, 24; Chan, 20; Lee, 19; Belga, 14; Cruz, 10; Matias, 10; Quinahan, 10; Norwood, 7; Rodriguez, 7; Arana, 6; Ibanes, 5; Jaime, 4; Uyloan, 3.
MERALCO 95 – Cardona, 25; Omolon, 13; Mercado, 12; Espinas, 12; Isip, 9; Hugnatan, 9; Lanete, 4; Faundo, 3; Yee, 3; Macapagal, 3; Ballesteros, 2; Taulava, 0; Borboran, 0.
QUARTERSCORES: 33-20, 68-41, 106-64, 139-95
