PBA: Rain or Shine pounces on Phoenix to stay unbeaten

Rain or Shine Elastopainters’ Jhonard Clarito in the PBA Governors’ Cup. –PBA IMAGES

Rain or Shine made the most out Phoenix’s manpower woes on Friday night, hacking out a 116-99 victory to stay perfect in the PBA Governors’ Cup.

The ElastoPainters, buoyed yet again by their young standouts Adrian Nocum and Jhonard Clarito, captured their fourth-straight victory at Ninoy Aquino Stadium (NAS) in Malate, Manila, to stay atop Group B play and remain the lone undefeated squad in the import-laden showcase.

“It’s really tough to go up against a team that you know will try their best to compensate for the absence of their import. Phoenix is a good team; they have the materials, and they’re well-coached. I was worried at first. If you give them the feeling that they can keep up with you even without an import, that’s a dangerous opponent,” said head coach Yeng Guiao in Filipino.

READ: PBA: Jhonard Clarito continues to prove worth for Rain or Shine

“It’s good that we were able to pull away in the fourth quarter, but if we hadn’t, it would’ve been a long night with Phoenix,” he added, referring to the opposition, who couldn’t field a replacement for Jay McKinnis as Le’Bryan Nash was ruled over the 6-foot-6 height limit.

Nocum had scored 19 of his total 21 points in the second quarter, while Clarito annexed a second solid scoring performance at NAS with 15 points.

Import Aaron Fuller topscored with 28 points and 22 rebounds as the ElastoPainters matched their franchise-best start, which last happened 12 years ago, when the club, led by Jamelle Cornley, won its first title by ruling the Governors’ Cup.

READ: PBA: Yeng Guiao likes what he sees in Rain or Shine’s 3-0 start

RJ Jazul and JJay Alejandro both finished with 12 points, while rookie Kai Ballungay and Ricci Rivero chipped in at least 10 points each in the losing effort as Phoenix stayed winless after three meetings.

Rain or Shine having handily beaten Barangay Ginebra last week, will figure in another character test when it battles San Miguel next on Sept. 5.

“I keep reminding the guys we’re 4-0 but all this is fragile no. You lose two… all of that is going to dissolve, and we’ll just be another regular team again. Lahat ‘to temporary. We’re hoping to stretch this win. Ang habol talaga namin anim na panalo, kasi tingin namin anim na panalo pasok ka na,” said Guiao.

Phoenix, meanwhile, tries to tab its first win of the season when it plays another winless squad in Blackwater on Sept. 3.