Rain or Shine stuns SMBeer

Javee Mocon came up huge for Rain or Shine, firing 16 points in a 91-85 upset of San Miguel Beer on Saturday in a PBA Governors’ Cup Petron Saturday Special at Hoops Dome in Lapu-Lapu City in Cebu.

The Painters logged just their third win in 10 outings, but it was enough to keep their playoff aspirations alive.

Mocon and import Rich Ross both had 16 to pace the Painters, while Rey Nambatac and skipper Gabe Norwood tossed in 15 each in a game where the Painters led by as many as 22.

John Holland, who came in as a temporary replacement to an injured Dez Wells, had a rather underwhelming debut, finishing only with 10 points.

The loss dropped the Beermen to fifth spot at 6-4 and look headed to a first-round showdown with sister-team Barangay Ginebra in the first round of the playoffs.

And NLEX and Meraclo can help make that scenario a reality with crucial games on Sunday.

Coach Yeng Guiao hopes NLEX comes out of a 12-day break sharper than ever as the Road Warriors battle dangerous Magnolia at 6:45 p.m. at Ynares Center in Antipolo City.

Meralco will also figure in a key duel against NorthPort in the 4:30 p.m. curtain-raiser. The Bolts are hoping to stay out of reach of fourth-running Barangay Ginebra in the race to the playoffs and leave the Gin Kings loitering at fourth place.

Wins by the Road Warriors and the Bolts will also keep teams of the Smart/PLDT group in the top three, and stay behind twice-to-beat protection in the quarterfinals.

Manny Harris is expected to take a central role anew, but Guiao stressed that he will have to continue leaning on his locals as the conference plods along.