Rain or Shine whips Air21

In control practically all game, Rain or Shine matched the finest start of its PBA life last night after a clinical 106-92 dismantling of Air21 to stay in the lead in the Governors’ Cup eliminations at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Jamelle Cornley scattered 21 points and pulled down 14 rebounds and three locals, led by Jeff Chan’s 16, scored in twin digits for coach Yeng Guiao.

“This is exactly what we prepared for (in the off-season), and so far, everything is falling into place,” Guiao said.

Chan hit 5-of-9 attempts from beyond the arc, Gabe Norwood finished with 13 points  and Ronjay Buenafe had 11.

This is just the second time in franchise history that the Painters have gone 3-0 to start a conference, the first coming in the Commissioner’s Cup last year.

Zachary Graham paced the Express (1-2) with 37 points and 20 rebounds.

In the second game, Talk ‘N Text defeated Petron Blaze, 102-87, for its first win in three outings. The Boosters dropped to 2-1.

Meanwhile, Powerade hired Omar Sneed to replace for original import choice Rashad MacCants.

The scores:

First Game

RAIN OR SHINE 106—Cornely 21, Chan 16, Norwood 13, Buenafe 11, Lee 9, Cruz 9, Arana 8, Ibanes 8, Matias 4, Tang 3, Belga 2, Quiñahan 2.

AIR21 92—Graham 37, Hubalde 10, Ritualo 9, Espiritu 8, Menor 8, Omolon 8, Sena 6, Bagatsing 2, Faundo 2, Isip 2, Salamat 0, Sison 0, Escobal 0.

Quarters: 23-22, 53-46, 84-68, 106-92

Second Game

TALK ‘N TEXT 102—Harris 27, De Ocampo 23, Dillinger 15, Aguilar 10, Williams 9, Peek 7, Reyes 5, Fonacier 3, Alapag 3, Raymundo 0, Aban 0.

PETRON 87—Basden 19, Lutz 19, Cabagnot 15, Santos 12, Ildefonso 6, Lanete 4, Washington 4, Pena 4, Yeo 3, Miranda 1, Reyes 0.

Quarters: 30-21, 46-41, 76-64, 102-87