The Rain or Shine Elasto Painters are still unbeaten in PBA Season 49.
This, after the Yeng Guiao-coached squad overcame a 21-point NLEX Road Warriors lead en route to a 124-105 win during their Governors’ Cup tango at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila.
Jhonard Clarito was the hero for the Painters, putting up all-around numbers of 24 points, five steals, four assists, and three rebounds as they remained spotless in Group B.
He was also perfect from the field and shot 9-of-9, all from the two-point area.
Also contributing in their third straight win in as many games were Gian Mamuyac, who had a stellar showing of 22 points and six rebounds, Aaron Fuller, who had a monster 21-point, 20-rebound game, while Andrei Caracut and Caelan Tiongson, who respectively scored 17 and 10.
On the other hand, Felix Lemetti continued his solid outing and posted nine points, which was built on 3-of-5 shooting from three-point country.
“Nagpasensya lang kami. We just tried to recover from the shock sa 40 points nila sa first quarter. Sabi namin, ‘Let’s just weather the storm and play our game.’ Masama ‘yung depensa namin ‘yung una, at nagulat kami kay Myke Henry nung una,” explained Guiao after the game.
Guiao was explaining how they overcame the 40-point outing of the erstwhile unbeaten Road Warriors in the opener, who leaned on the 14-point outburst of Myke Henry in the same frame.
The Painters then rallied in the second canto and outscored Jong Uichico’s boys, 34-14, and they also got Henry in foul trouble as the 31-year-old entered the last 24 minutes of action with four personal fouls.
Rain or Shine further took advantage of this, with Clarito, Caracut and Mamuyac doing damage in the paint as the trio scored seven, eight and seven, respectively, in the third. This eventually helped them not only overtake their opponents but also lead by as much as 19 in the second half and never look back.
Meanwhile, NLEX, who were led by Robert Bolick’s 22 points, seven rebounds and four assists, and Henry’s 21-point, six-rebound game, now sits at 2-1 and absorbed their first loss of the season.
Also helping out for the Road Warriors were Richie Rodger, Mike Miranda and former De La Salle University ace Jonnel Policarpio, who had 16, 15 and 13, respectively. (ABS-CBN News)
RAIN OR SHINE 124 — Clarito 24, Mamuyac 22, Fuller 21, Caracut 17, Tiongson 10, Lemetti 9, Datu 6, Santillan 3, Nocum 3, Asistio 3, Escandor 3, Ildefonso 2, Norwood 1, Villegas 0, Belga 0.
NLEX 105 — Bolick 22, Henry 21, Rodger 16, Miranda 15, Policarpio 13, Fajardo 9, Amer 6, Nieto 3, Valdez 0, Semerad 0, Marcelo 0, Herndon 0.
Quarterscores: 24-40, 58-54, 91-83, 124-105.