RAIN OR SHINE MAKES IT FIVE STRAIGHT WINS BY DOMINATING NORTHPORT

RAIN or Shine stretched its winning streak to five, defeating NorthPort, 115-105, on Wednesday in the PBA 48th Season Philippine Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Beau Belga hit another personal milestone, scoring a career-high 28 points while also grabbing 13 rebounds and dishing out seven assists as the Elasto Painters continued their rise after a 0-4 start.

Jhonard Clarito added 17 points, while Adrian Nocum added 16 points for Rain or Shine, which now has the same win total as league-leader San Miguel, NLEX, and Barangay Ginebra.

The Elasto Painters though are still in middle of the field as they have inferior winning percentage, having already played nine games.

The Batang Pier have lost three straight games and now have an even win-loss record of 4-4 as they played their first match without JM Calma, who has been diagnosed with an ACL tear that will keep him out for 10 to 12 months.

Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao cited the team’s hot start where they had a 12-0 lead and a 22-3 advantage in the first quarter.

The Elasto Painters were already up by 22, 40-18, midway in the second quarter.

"Primarily, this win was because we had a very good start. Nung first quarter, lumamang kami ng 22. From there, nagkaka-streak sila, nakakabalik kami, naalagaan na namin (‘yung lamang)."

"But if not for that good start, talagang makikipag-kayuran ka hanggang sa huli sa NorthPort dahil kumpleto sila sa materyales," said Guiao.

Zav Lucero had 29 points, his best in his young career with NorthPort, along with seven rebounds, while Allyn Bulanadi added 26 points.

Rain or Shine will play another Saturday game, an out-of-town affair against Magnolia in Tiaong, Quezon.

NorthPort, meanwhile, faces a tough challenge in its next outing as it goes up against unbeaten San Miguel on Sunday at the Philsports Arena.

The scores:

Rain or Shine 115 – Belga 28, Clarito 17, Nocum 16, Borboran 12, Caracut 8, Asistio 7, Mamuyac 6, Ildefonso 6, Belo 5, Santillan 5, Demusis 4, Paredes 2.

NorthPort 105 – Lucero 29, Bulanadi 26, Rosales 12, Tolentino 11, Flores 9, Amores 8, Munzon 6, Navarro 4, Yu 0, Zamar 0, Cuntapay 0, Paraiso 0, Adamos 0.

Quarters: 24-14; 48-38; 81-72; 115-105.

2024-04-17T12:18:04Z dg43tfdfdgfd