By Adrian Stewart Co
Rain or Shine Elasto (RoS) Painters halted its losing skid in the 2020 PBA Philippine Cup following an 82-71 win over Blackwater Elite on Sunday at the AUF Sports Arena & Cultural Center in Pampanga.
Javee Mocon finally broke his shooting slump with double-double 19 points and 13 rebounds, while Beau Belga added 14 markers as the Painters moved up to 5-4 win-loss slate.
The Painters put an end to its three-game losing skid despite the absence of veteran Negrense James Yap due to sore left calf and the second quarter exit of Rey Nambatac due to right ankle sprain.
Trailing 16-20 after the opening quarter, the Painters got it shots to fall in the second period behind Belga, Mocon and Gabriel Norwood as they took a slim 38-34 halftime edge.
The Painters broke away from the Elite in the third quarter with three-point conversions from Belga and Adrian Wong and inside shots from Mocon and Ryan Araña for its largest lead at 65-45.
Blackwater, however, threatened in the final quarter as it trimmed the deficit to 54-65 but Rain or Shine responded with conversions from Mocon and Ilonggo Clint Doliguez for a 75-56 advantage.
Antiqueño Rey Mark Belo finished with 14 points, while Shej Roi Sumang and Rommel Niño Cañaleta added 11 markers apiece as the Elite bowed out of playoffs contention with its 2-7 win-loss slate.
In the second game, Chris Newsome scored on a buzzer-beating basket as Meralco Bolts escaped with a 95-93 win over TerraFirma Dyip. The Bolts now moved up to 6-4 win-loss slate, while Dyip dropped to 1-8.
BOX SCORE:
RAIN OR SHINE 82 – Mocon 19, Belga 14, Arana 8, Doliguez 8, Borboran 7, Norwood 7, Nambatac 5, Onwubere 5, Wong 5, Torres 4, Rosales 0, Ponferrada 0, Tolentino 0, Rivero 0.
BLACKWATER 71 – Belo 14, Sumang 11, Canaleta 11, Escoto 10, Tolomia 4, Gabriel 4, Salem 3, Dennison 3, Dario 3, Golla 2, Daquioag 2, Magat 2, Trollano 1, Shaw 0.
Quarterscores: 16-20, 38-34, 63-45, 82-71./ASC, WDJ