By ADRIAN STEWART CO
Beau Belga continued his stellar run for the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters as they scored a 115-105 victory over the NorthPort Batang Pier in the 2024 PBA Philippine Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Malate, Manila on Wednesday night, April 17.
The former Philippine Christian University Dolphins center finished with a career-high of 28 points to go with 12 rebounds and seven assists as the Painters improved to a 5-4 win-loss slate.
Belga credited the trust of Painters head coach Joseller “Yeng” Guiao in him for his stretch of strong performances in their five-game winning streak.
“‘Yung kumpiyansa ni coach sa akin [ay nakatulong sa maganda kong laro],” Belga said.
“Everytime I suggest something, pinapakinggan naman niya ako and nag-aadjust naman siya,” he added.
Guiao, for his part, also commended Belga for stepping up for the Painters, who are short in their frontline following injuries to their rookie centers Keith Datu and Luis Villegas.
“Natutuwa kami na consistent si Beau. Kailangan niya mag-double time kasi kulang kami sa mga bigs,” Guiao said.
“Kondisyon naman siya kaya madaming paghuhugutan,” he added.
Jhonard Clarito added 17 markers, Adrian Nocum finished with 16 points while Mark Borboran contributed 12 points for the Painters, which led by as much as 22 points before holding off the Batang Pier.
Zavier Lucero tallied a career-high of 29 points, Allyn Bulanadi added 26 markers, while Kris Rosales and Arvin Tolentino ended with 12 and 11 points, respectively, for the Batang Pier (4-4).
Meanwhile, the Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots continued their uprising in the season-ending conference after an 81-77 triumph over the Blackwater Bossing.
The Hotshots improved to 4-2, while the Bossing dropped to 3-5.
Andy Mark Barroca anchored the Hotshots’ offense with 19 points. Calvin Abueva chipped in a double-double of 10 points and 13 rebounds to go with one block, while Ian Sangalang and Paul Lee also contributed 10 markers apiece./ASC, WDJ
RAIN OR SHINE 115 — Belga 28, Clarito 17, Nocum 16, Borboran 12, Caracut 8, Asistio 7, Mamuyac 6, Santillan 5, Ildefonso 5, Belo 5, Demusis 4, Paredes 2.
NORTHPORT 105 — Lucero 29, Bulanadi 26, Rosales 12, Tolentino 11, Flores 9, Amores 8, Munzon 6, Navarro 4, Paraiso 0, Yu 0, Zamar 0, Cuntapay 0, Adamos 0.
Quarterscores: 24-14, 48-38, 81-72, 115-105.