Jervy Cruz with a career game to tow Rain or Shine.
ANTIPOLO—Rain or Shine led practically all the way in turning back upset-conscious newcomer Globalport, 94-83 for its third win in the PBA Philippine Cup eliminations Saturday night at the Ynares Center here.
The Elasto Painters, the reigning Governors’ Cup champions, outscored the Batang Pier in every quarter to pound out the close win and rise to 3-1 overall.
Globalport, which came into the game seeking a followup to a breakthrough pro win, fought hard all night and earned praise from Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao.
“We played steady in the endgame,” Guiao said. “I think it’s the maturity we learned from playing in the Finals (of the Governors’ Cup), finishing the game in a solid manner the way we did tonight.”
“Globalport is a very good team, their new guys can really play,” added Guiao. “They just need a little time to jell, to know their roles. And they will be more dangerous in the middle of the tournament.”
Jervy Cruz, the former UAAP MVP with Santo Tomas who got married last Sunday, already had 14 points in just 16 minutes in the first half as the Elasto Painters finished the second quarter strong for a 46-42 lead.
The 6-foot-5 Cruz went on to lead all Rain or Shine shooters with 22 points, with Jeff Chan, the national team gunslinger, rebounding from a lukewarm first half to finish with 13 markers.
Jason Deutchman, a left-handed rookie whose two late triples against Meralco last Wednesday keyed an 89-88 win, paced the Batang Pier with 18 points even as former two-time MVP Willie Miller struggled to finish with just 10.
Miller, who came into the contest fresh from a 33-point night against the Bolts, had just six points in the final two periods.
The Painters were able to keep their heads above water in the first two periods even with usual heavy scorers Chan and Gabe Norwood struggling as Ronnie Matias came off the bench to shoot nine.
Fil-American rookie Alfred Mandani, meanwhile, was already in twin digits with 10 at the end of the first half.
The scores:
RAIN OR SHINE 94—Cruz 22, Chan 13, Matias 11, Quinahan 11, Norwood 9, Tang 8, arana 8, Rodriguez 6, Belga 4, Ibanes 2.
GLOBALPORT 83—Deutchman 18, Mandani 17, Guevarra 13, Miller 10, Al Hussaini 7, Vanlandingham 6, Manuel 5, Antonio 3, Lingganay 2, Cruz 2, Yee 0, Adducul 0.
Quarters: 27-24, 46-42, 70-63, 94-83