Rain or Shine Elastopainters’ Adrian Nocum during a game against Blackwater Bossing in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Rain or Shine continued to pile up victories against lowly opposition after taking down Blackwater, 122-106, Wednesday in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
Adrian Nocum dropped 18 of his 22 points in the second half to emerge as among the prominent figures in the Elasto Painters’ fifth straight triumph since dropping their opening assignment in the midseason conference.
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It was the third straight game Rain or Shine faced a team below .500, having beaten Magnolia and winless Terrafirma before the holiday break.
Import Deon Thompson topscored with 25 points on top of 16 rebounds and four assists for Rain or Shine.
Santi Santillan added 20 points, four rebounds and four assists with Anton Asistio posted 18 points, four rebounds and seven assists after being given the starting role by coach Yeng Guiao.
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The Elasto Painters rolled to a 23-point lead late in the first quarter before preventing a fierce Bossing rally anchored by Nocum, whose baskets came mostly off transition plays.
Blackwater fell to 1-6 that put to naught another big scoring night from import George King, who finished with 35 points.
A three by Rey Suerte got the Bossing to within seven, 66-59, with barely eight minutes remaining in the third.
But Rain or Shine didn’t falter and restored its double-digit lead before the end of the period, with Nocum dropping nine.