Rain or Shine blows lead, holds on to beat San Miguel

Javee Mocon leads Rain or Shine’s early attack. PBA IMAGES

MANILA, Philippines — Rain or Shine went on a blistering start but needed to hold off San Miguel Beer down the stretch for a 87-83 win in the PBA Philippine Cup Tuesday at AUF Sports Arena & Cultural Center in Pampanga.

Javee Mocon caught fire early with 12 of his career-high tying 25 points coming in the opening quarter.

Mocon set the tone for his team, scoring 10 during the Elasto Painters’ 16-0 run in the first two minutes of the game.

“[My confidence] is always high kasi I’m playing with James Yap, Gabe Norwood and Beau Belga so you can’t really ask for more that’s why my confidence is always high,” said Mocon, who went 7-of-9 from the field and grabbed six rebounds.

Still, Rain or Shine had to weather a late rally by San Miguel, which pulled to within one, 82-81, after a quick triple by Terrence Romeo off the inbound with 27.3 seconds remaining.

Fortunately for the Painters, Rey Nambatac came through with his lone field goal of the game—a clutch 3-pointer—to make it a four-point game and put the Beermen away with 13 ticks to go.

Mo Tautuaa had another double-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds for San Miguel Beer, which dropped to 1-1 after beating Magnolia in the opener last March before the pandemic.