ONE and done.
Rain or Shine exploded in the opening quarter and right there and then, it was a done deal as it sent Phoenix crashing back to earth, 120-99, in the 2018 Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum last night.
Counting on their well-spread and balanced attack, the Elasto Painters proved to be too hot to handle for the Fuel Masters.
Rain or Shine drew a game-high 21 points, five rebounds and five assists from Ed Daquioag, while James Yap came off the bench to have his most productive game in a while, scoring 20 markers of his own.
Five more Rain or Shine chargers scored in twin-digits, with Dexter Maiquez scoring 18, Chris Tiu chalking up 17, Rey Nambatac hitting 11. Jewel Ponferrada and Maverick Ahanmisi each added 10.
Rain or Shine improved to 2-2, tying Phoenix in the process as the Fuel Masters had their two-game winning streak halted.
The Elasto Painters came out like a squad itching to get back to its winning ways.
Right out of the gates, Rain or Shine charged in full steam, manhandling Phoenix, 39-11, in the first period to astonishingly take a gigantic 28-point cushion heading into the second frame.
That was the game right there.
The Elasto Painters’ whopping lead proved to be insurmountable as the Fuel Masters were unable to pull off a comeback after failing to get going.
“We had a great start and we were able to build on that. The guys showed how much they wanted to win,” said Rain or Shine coach Caloy Garcia.
It was an astounding offensive display by the Painters to emphatically break the game wide open after just 12 minutes of play.
Phoenix was able to slice its deficit to 17 points, 40-57, at the half, but was still unable to impose a serious threat in the second half as Rain or Shine once again surged further ahead to close out well.
It actually got worse in the second half, where the Painters established their largest lead of 39 points, 86-47, following a 12-2 run midway in the third after a triple from Tiu.
Matthew Wright and Jason Perkins led the Fuel Masters with 17 points, each.
Phoenix never saw the daylight as Rain or Shine never stopped pouncing from start to finish.
The scores:
RAIN OR SHINE 120—Daquioag 21, Yap 20, Maiquez 18, Tiu 17, Nambatac 11, Ponferada 10, Ahanmisi 10, Borboran 4, Norwood 4, Trollano 3, Matias 0.
PHOENIX 99—Wright 17, Perkins 17, Alolino 12, Chan 11, Dehesa 11, Intal 10, Eriobu 7, Kramer 5, Jazul 5, Wilson 2, Mendoza 2, Chua 0, Revilla 0.
Quarters: 39-13, 57-40, 98-67, 120-99.