Bullock ends Rain or Shine skid in nipping of Kia

J’Nathan Bullock. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/ INQUIRER.net

J’Nathan Bullock made an immediate impact in his first game in a Rain or Shine jersey, towing his side to a 94-86 win over Kia Sunday in the 2017 PBA Governors’ Cup at Mall of Asia Arena.

The 30-year-old forward didn’t shy away from the spotlight, tallying 20 points, 10 rebounds, two steals, and two blocks to help halt the Elasto Painters’ two-game losing skid for an even 2-2 slate.

Coach Caloy Garcia, though, noted that there’s still a lot to be desired in the Elastopainters’ performance after they let a 7-point advantage, 76-59, dwindle down to five, 87-82, courtesy of a Markeith Cummings jumper with 1:57 to play.

“We played sloppy in the second half, turned the ball over a lot, and it’s just that our import took too much outside shots,” said Garcia.

“[Bullock] only started attacking the basket in the last six minutes of the game and that was the only time we started getting to the line. I know our import can shoot from the outside, but in our game today, maybe he became tight. But once he gets used to it, he’ll be ok,” said Garcia.

Chris Tiu got going with 3-of-5 from beyond the arc to wound up with 13 markers, eight assists, and five boards, while Beau Belga had 12 points and three rebounds before getting ejected at the 6:50 mark of the third for incurring a technical foul and a flagrant foul penalty one.

New acquisitions Ed Daquioag and Mark Borboran also had decent showings in their first game for Rain or Shine, nabbing a combined 13 markers and seven boards.

Cummings almost carried Kia to its first win of the conference, but Glenn Khobuntin was whistled for a foul within the last two minutes, allowing Tiu to can two freebies to quash the Picanto run, before Bullock ultimately doused that uproar with his dagger baseline jumper in the final 1:16.

Cummings paced the still winless Kia (0-6) with 30 points, seven rebounds, two assists, and two steals, while Reden Celda got 15 markers, six boards, and three steals.

The Scores:

RAIN OR SHINE 94 – Bullock 20, Tiu 13, Belga 12, Daquioag 8, Ponferrada 7, Trollano 6, Maiquez 6, Yap 5, Borboran 5, King 5, Cruz 4, Ahanmisi 3.
KIA 86 – Cummings 30, Celda 15, Revilla 11, Corpuz 10, Deutchman 10, Nimes 3, Khobuntin 3, Yee 2, Ballesteros 2, Paniamogan 0, Galanza 0, Caperal 0, Jaime 0.

Quarters: 21-17, 44-36, 71-59, 94-86.