Joel Wright lifts Rain or Shine over Columbian

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Rain or Shine banked on import Joel Wright to weather tough-fighting Columbian, 96-90, in the PBA Governors’ Cup in Sunday night’s curtain-raiser at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Wright scored seven of the Elasto Painters’ last nine points down the stretch to finish with a game-high 30 points that went with 10 rebounds.

“He’s a good import, but we still need him to play longer minutes,” coach Caloy Garcia said of his reinforcement who delivered despite grappling with foul trouble early.

Good thing for the Painters, their locals–especially their second unit–filled the hole in the third quarter when Wright was benched due to fouls.

Rey Nambatac scored 20 points, while Javee Mocon and Mark Borboran tossed in 10 and nine off the bench to help Rain or Shine get back on track after a narrow loss to NorthPort also last Friday.

Import Khapri Alston led the way for Columbian with 23 points while CJ Perez added 22 more in the losing stand.

Rain or Shine takes on last conference’s finalist TNT on Saturday while Columbian goes on a nine-day break before resuming its campaign against NorthPort on October 2.

The scores

Rain or Shine 96 — Wright 30, Nambatac 17, Exciminiano 10, Mocon 10, Borboran 9, Daquioag 8, Torres 7, Norwood 2, Rosales 2, Ponferada 1, Onwubere 0, Yap 0, Belga 0.

Columbian 90 — Alston 23, Perez 22, Khobuntin 14, Tiongson 10, McCarthy 9, Cahilig 5, Camson 3, Calvo 2, Flores 2, Celda 0, Reyes 0, Gabriel 0, Faundo 0, Gabayni 0.

Quarters: 23-14, 44-44, 66-63, 96-90.