Rain or Shine Elasto Painters end winless start in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup. –PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines–Rookie Adrian Nocum and Andrei Caracut took turns in crunch time on Saturday night as Rain or Shine slipped past Blackwater, 115-110, to end its winless start in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
The pair of young guards scored 13 of the Elastopainters’ last 15 points to repel the Bossing, who were just as eager to end their slide in the tournament.
“We look at this as a good start, looking at this like a spark. We still have a chance (to make the playoffs). We still have five games left and you never know, we might sweep the next five. Miracles do happen,” said coach Yeng Guiao whose side improved to 1-5 in the standings.
Caracut, who erupted for a career night in a losing stand to defending champion Ginebra a week ago, delivered 17 points to lead all of Rain or Shine. Nocum wound up finishing with 14 to tie Santi Santillan and import Demetrius Treadwell, who also plucked 18 boards in the contest.
Blackwater drew 46 points from Puerto Rican import Chris Ortiz. Rey Suerte chipped in 12 while Troy Rosarion 10 more in yet another narrow loss for the perennial whipping boys.
The Bossing threatened inside the last 11 seconds on a Mike DiGregorio and-one play, but the club wasn’t able to make the most out of that chance, ultimately dropping to 1-5.
Rain or Shine’s breakthrough victory thus leaves Converge as the lone winless team in the conference.