ROS still unblemished after erasing 21-point NLEX lead
Rain or Shine Elasto Painters wiped out an early 21-point deficit to pummel the NLEX Road Warriors, 124-105, on Wednesday night and became the lone undefeated team in the PBA 49th Season Governors’ Cup.
The Elasto Painters fell behind early, 45-24, but managed to still take the lead at the half 58-54 on their way to a 19-point victory at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila.
Rain or Shine fell behind, 40-24, at the end of the first quarter and went on an 18-0 run at one point in the second quarter to turn it around and finished the game with a convincing victory.
“Nagpasensya lang kami,” said Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao. “We just tried to recover from the shock - 40-point quarter, they were making all of their threes. Medyo nakakabigla ‘yung first quarter, pero sabi namin, let’s just weather our storm and play our game.”
Season 48 Most Improved Player Jhonard Clarito led the Elasto Painters with 24 points on 9-of-9 shooting from the field. He also had three rebounds, four assists and five steals.
Gian Mamuyac added 22 markers and six dimes for ROS while import Aaron Fuller still showed his dominance in the paint by scoring 21 points and grabbing 20 rebounds.
Two more ROS players tallied double figures in scoring: Andrei Caracut scored 17 together with his four rebounds and seven assists, while 10 markers were chipped in by rookie Caelan Tiongson, who also defended the Road Warriors import Mark Henry to his lowest output of the tournament of 21 points and forced him to be in foul trouble.
"Maganda ang start ni (NLEX import Myke) Henry, buti na foul-trouble. And Caelan Tiongson did a good job shutting him down, the same way that he did against Justin Brownlee," said Guiao on the play of his prized rookie.
“We were also able to contain Bolick although marami pa rin siya ginawa but he was not as dominant as he usually will be,” Guiao added.
Robert Bolick had 22 points, four rebounds, and seven assists while Richie Rodger added 16 points for NLEX.
The scores:
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.
Quarters: 24-40; 58-54; 91-83; 124-105.
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Sedrick Barefield paced Blackwater with 15 points, while Richard Escoto added 14. The Bossing, despite falling short in the finals, had an impressive run in the preliminaries, including a comeback win over NLEX, 95-90, earlier in the tournament.
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