Rain or Shine Elastopainters’ Deon Thompson in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup. –PBA IMAGES
Rain or Shine dealt shorthanded Hong Kong Eastern its first taste of defeat in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup on the debut night of import Deon Thompson after pulling away for a 99-81 win Wednesday at Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Thompson had 21 points, 15 rebounds, three assists, three steals and two blocks after the Elasto Painters bounced back after dropping their opening assignment to the Meralco Bolts minus his services.
READ: PBA: Meralco overcomes Rain or Shine for share of early lead
The Ivory Coast naturalized player wasn’t available for Rain or Shine in the previous game as he had yet to complete his work papers in order to play.
Santi Santillan had 18 points and five rebounds while Keith Datu put up 10 points and eight rebounds for the Elasto Painters, who eventually turned the game wide open in the fourth quarter.
Adrian Nocum was also instrumental for Rain or Shine when he scored all eight in the third where the Elasto Painters got a firm grip of the match.
Eastern fell to 2-1 after missing main guard Glen Yang, who is dealing with passport issues.
Sources, however, said that the problem may be resolved in time for Eastern’s match Friday against debuting TNT, weeks removed from capturing the Governors’ Cup title.
Import Cameron Clark tried to carry the load for Eastern, eventually finishing with 30 points and 12 rebounds, but it wasn’t enough.
The Hong Kong side also dealt with the struggles of Hayden Blankley, who only got seven points on 1-of-15 shooting.