Rain or Shine import Deon Thompson.–PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines–Rain or Shine dodged the upset ax on Sunday night, fending off a Terrafirma side playing without pressure, 124-112, in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
The ElastoPainters leaned on the one-two punch of import Deon Thompson and Adrian Nocum to overhaul a 12-point deficit at PhilSports Arena in Pasig City and capture a win that had the club rising to 4-1 in the race.
“We’re about to have a Christmas dinner also. So I’m just glad that the mood wasn’t going to change. Or else we won’t be able to eat well,” Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao said with a smirk.
READ: PBA: Rain or Shine blows lead, rallies past Magnolia
Thompson had 23 points and 17 rebounds, while Nocum had 21 and seven as the young blue-collar crew extended their winning ways to four games. They are now at No. 2 in the conference behind NorthPort.
Andrei Caracut chipped in 15 points, while Santi Santillan and Anton Asistio delivered twin-digit scores in the effort that kept the Dyip winless in seven meetings.
Import Brandon Edwards had 26 points and 10 rebounds, while Louie Sangalang tossed in 21 in what could’ve been the league doormat’s first win after being in control for the first three quarters.
The Scores:
RAIN OR SHINE 124 – Thompson 23, Nocum 21, Caracut 15, Santillan 11, Aistio 10, Malonzo 8, Clarito 7, Datu 7, Lemetti 6, Tiongson 6, Escandor 5, Norwood 2, Ildefonso 2, Belga 1, Demusis 0
TERRAFIRMA 112 – Edwards 26, Sangalang 21, Paraiso 16, Manuel 12, Hernandez 9, Melecio 7, Catapusan 7, Nonoy 7, Pringle 3, Olivario 2, Ramos 2, Ferrer 0
Quarterscores: 28-37, 66-62, 98-95, 124-112.