RAIN or Shine made the most of a lucky break to overcome NorthPort, 113-96, Wednesday and get on track in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Gian Mamuyac scored 13 of his 22 points in the opening quarter, sparking the Elasto Painters' early breakaway against the Batang Pier who played minus injured top gunner Arvin Tolentino.
Leonard Santillan led those who also played vital roles in the win with 17 points and 10 rebounds while Andrei Caracut did his part with 12 of his 15 points in the fourth frame that helped Rain or Shine fully pull away to the bounce-back win from a 95-109 loss to NLEX last Saturday.
"We feel na kung nakapaglaro siya mag-iiba complexion ng laro talaga," said E-Painters coach Yeng Guiao of Tolentino, who injured his right hip flexor in the course of a 19-point, 12-assist performance in a 97-75 conquest of Terrafirma also last Saturday.
Making the victory more impressive is the fact Rain or Shine was without big men Beau Belga (vertigo) and Keith Datu (right calf strain) but still wound up with a 66-54 advantage off the boards, including 27-15 off the offensive glass.
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"Napakalaking bagay din nu'ng offensive rebounding," noted Guiao, obviously pleased with the way his E-Painters shot a dismal 7-of-48 from three points but more than made up for that with 27 second chance points.
"We were actually missing shots, shots that were open I felt we could have made, especially open 3s. But what made the day for us was our offensive rebounding," said Guiao. "It's a testament to the hard work. Alam naming maliit kami going to this game."
Staying for the rest of the game despite picking up his fourth foul midway in the third period, William Navarro wound up with a second straight double-double of 22 points and 12 rebounds to lead NorthPort.
Joshua Munzon had 14 points and seven assists while the comebacking Jio Jalalon finished with 11 and six, but could not provide enough lift for the Batang Pier. They sure did try.
After falling behind by 6-24 and 33-51 early, NorthPort fought on and whittled the deficit to just 48-56 at the half. The difference even got chopped further at 73-80, before Mamuyac and Santillan conspired to give Rain or Shine an 86-75 cushion going to the final frame.
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Refusing to be sidetracked by the chippy plays between Caelan Tiongson and Sydney Onwubere, Santillan and Caracut then hooked up to stretch the E-Painters' lead to as much as 104-85.
Tiongson wound up with 15 points and eight boards while Gabe Norwood fell just shy of a double-double with nine points to go with 10 rebounds. (NC)
The Scores :
RAIN OR SHINE 113 - Mamuyac 22, Santillan 17, Caracut 15, Tiongson 15, Nocum 10, Norwood 9, Asistio 9, Malonzo 7, Clarito 5, Borboran 4, Escandor 0, Lemetti 0.
NORTHPORT 96 - Navarro 22, Munzon 14, Jalalon 11, Nelle 11, Onwubere 10, Flores 8, Bulanadi 6, Yu 5, Taha 5, Miranda 4, Tratter 0, Cuntapay 0.
QUARTERS: 31-17, 56-48, 86-75, 113-96
