Got a tip? Send it to us at manila@coconuts.co.
MANILA, Philippines – The Rain or Shine Elasto Painters clinched the top speed in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup after routing the KIA Carnival, 119-99, Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum.
The Elasto painters drained 15 triples en route to a third consecutive victory, which put their record at 8-3. They are tied with the Purefoods Hotshots, but took the top spot by virtue of a superior quotient.
Import Wayne Chism led the Elasto Painters with 28 points and 12 rebounds, while five other Rain or Shine players scored in double-digits as well.
Rain or Shine withstood a 45-point, 21-rebound performance from KIA import PJ Ramos, who saw his team drop to 4-7 although they are still in playoff contention.
“Sobrang hirap,” said ROS’ big man Raymund Almazan when asked of his experience in defending the towering Ramos. “Kung ‘yung mga import na malalaki, lalo na si PJ Ramos, ibang level na. Kailangan dagdagan ang pagiging competitive mo kasi sobrang laki talaga.”
The Elasto Painters pulled away after a sensational second quarter that saw them outscore KIA, 41-20. Their three-point shooting played a big role, with Chris Tiu, Chism and Gabe Norwood all finding their mark from beyond the arc.
The lead ballooned to as much as 27 points in the second period, but the Carnival were able to trim the deficit to as low eight points, 88-96, in the final quarter after a jump shot by Reil Cervantes.
Rain or Shine was only ahead by nine points, 99-90, after Ramos made a bucket, with still over seven minutes to go when Almazan sparked a furious run that allowed the E-Painters to take control again.
A basket by Almazan touched off a 17-2 run – capped by a three-point play from the former Letran big man – to give Rain or Shine a 107-92 lead with 5:45 to go in the game.
KIA would not threaten again, and the E-Painters stretched the lead to 24 points off another triple by TY Tang before settling for the 20-point victory.
“We had problems vs. Ramos, but we were able to limit the contributions of the KIA locals,” said Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao after the game.
Only two other KIA players – LA Revilla with 1 points and Karl Dehesa with 10 – finished in double digits for the Carnival, who made only three of their 18 attempts from beyond the arc.
“Going forward, we’ll watch the remaining games and start preparations for the playoffs,” said Guiao.
The Elasto Painters will have a twice-to-beat advantage against whoever they play in the quarter-finals.
The scores:
RAIN OR SHINE 119 – Chism 28, Almazan 16, Lee 14, Tiu 13, Arana 13, Norwood 10, Belga 8, Tang 7, Cruz Jericho 4, Chan 4, Quinahan 2, Uyloan 0, Ibanes 0, Teng 0.
KIA 99 – Ramos 45, Revilla 15, Dehesa 10, Cervantes 9, Ighalo 8, Cawaling 2, Thiele 2, Alvarez 2, Pascual 2, Yee 2, Avenido 2, Buensuceso 0, Bartolo 0.
Quarters: 30-26, 71-46, 92-80, 119-99
Photo: Nuki Sabio/PBA
This story was republished with permission from ABS-CBNNews.com
