By ADRIAN STEWART CO

The Rain or Shine Elasto Painters secured their breakthrough win in the 2024 PBA Philippine Cup after a 100-85 triumph over the Phoenix Fuel Masters at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City on Sunday, March 17.

Rookie Adrian Nocum led the way with 28 points, including five three-point conversions, to go with seven rebounds, six assists and two steals as the Painters improved to a 1-4 win-loss slate.

Beau Belga chipped in a double-double of 21 markers and 11 rebounds, while Jhonard Clarito contributed 19 points, with nine coming in the crucial part of the fourth quarter, for the Painters.

Holding to a 78-66 lead after three quarters, the Painters were surprised by a huge fourth quarter run by the Fuel Masters to cut the deficit to 80-86 after a three-pointer by Rodolfo Alejandro, Jr.

The Painters responded with back-to-back triples from Andrei Caracut and Clarito, and three consecutive inside conversions from Clarito to establish the biggest lead at 100-83.

Ricci Rivero top-scored with 16 points, RJ Jazul added 11 markers, while Kenneth Tuffin and Raffy Verano contributed 10 points apiece as the Fuel Masters fell to a 1-3 win-loss record.

Meanwhile, the defending champion San Miguel Beermen managed to foil the comeback try of the TNT Tropang Giga for a 91-89 victory.

The Tropang Giga fell to a 2-2 record.

Leading by as much as 15 points in the first half, the Beermen were threatened by a furious fourth quarter uprising by the Tropang Giga, as the deficit was cut to 89-90 on a split free throw by Kelly Williams.

Ilonggo Jericho Cruz also split his free throws to make it a 91-89 Beermen lead before Tropang Giga’s Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser missed on a three-point attempt at the buzzer.

June Mar Fajardo led the way with a double-double of 15 points and 17 rebounds, while Cruz, Marcio Lassiter and Celedonio Trollano ended with 12 markers apiece for the Beermen./ASC, WDJ

RAIN OR SHINE 100 — Nocum 28, Belga 21, Clarito 19, Santillan 8, Caracut 6, Belo 5, Mamuyac 4, Borboran 4, Norwood 3, Ildefonso 2, Asistio 0, Demusis 0.

PHOENIX 85 — Rivero 16, Jazul 11, Tuffin 10, Verano 10, Manganti 7, Mocon 6, Alejandro 6, Muyang 5, Garcia 5, Daves 4, Salado 3, Camacho 2, Lalata 0.

Quarterscores: 22-29, 47-41, 78-66, 100-85.