SPORTING a new look with its retooled line-up, Rain or Shine is back in the groove in the PBA Governors’ Cup.
The Elasto Painters flexed their muscles just hard enough as they subdued Kia Picanto, 94-86, to bounce back from back-to-back setbacks and pick up their second win Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The Painters got something positive from their recent move that resulted into the acquisition of three new players in Mark Borboran, Ed Daquioag and a change in import as well.
“They only played one week together, but I think mabilis naman sila naka-pick up,” said ROS coach Caloy Garcia after the game.
J’Nathan Bullock knocked in 20 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in a remarkable debut for the Painters, who also got yeoman job from Chris Tiu and Beau Belga.
Bullock, who replaced JD Weatherspoon, also had two blocks and two steals as the Painters sent the Picanto reeling to their sixth straight loss in the season-ending tournament.
Tiu, now taking a bigger role following the departure of Jeff Chan, lived up to the task by providing the needed quarter-backing for the Painters, more so during the spirited rally by the Picanto late in the game.
Tiu finished with 13 points, eight assists, five rebounds and one steal while committing just one turnover inside 31 minutes off the bench as he easily became the most consistent among the locals.
Borboran and Daquioag – the newest members of the team — also fared quite well in their first game for the Painters.
Daquioag made the most of his limited time inside as he struck for eight points that went with two rebounds, while Borboran chipped in five points, five rebounds, one assist, one block, and zero turnover in almost 24 minutes.
Belga was the other ROS player in double-digit, scoring 12 points to go with three boards and one assist in less than 13 minutes of play as the veteran enforcer got ejected halfway through the third quarter following a flagrant foul on Jason Ballesteros.
Markeith Cummings led the Picanto with a game-high 30 points, including two on a jumper that pulled Kia to within five points, 87-82, with a little less than two minutes remaining in the game, although that was the closest they got.
The scores:
RAIN OR SHINE 94 – Bullock 20, Tiu 13, Belga 12, Daquioag 8, Ponferada 7, Trollano 6, Maiquez 6, Yap 5, Borboran 5, King 5, Cruz 4, Ahanmisi 3.
KIA 86 – Cummings 30, Celda 15, Revilla 11, Corpuz 10, Deutchman 10, Nimes 3, Khobuntin 3, Yee 2, Ballesteros 2, Paniamogan 0, Galanza 0, Caperal 0, Jaime 0.
Quarters: 21-17, 44-36, 71-59, 94-86.
Games Friday (Smart Araneta Coliseum)
4:15 p.m. – Meralco vs. Phoenix
7 p.m. – NLEX vs. Blackwater
