The Rain or Shine Elasto Painters rattled off an all-time PBA-best 16-0 start then protected that advantage the rest of the way to upset the San Miguel Beermen, 87-83, in the 2020 PBA Philippine Cup at the Angeles University Foundation gym, Clark Smart Giga City yesterday, Tuesday, October 13.
The defending champion Beermen came really close but the Elasto Painters outlasted them in the end.
Terrence Romeo penetrated into the paint then kicked out the pass to Moala Tautuaa who drained a three-pointer to cut the Rain or Shine lead to just three points, 81-78, with 58 seconds left to play.
Kris Rosales split his charities to extend the Rain or Shine lead to four, 82-78, with 29 seconds left.
The Beermen came out of a time out to set up Romeo who drilled a triple to cut the Rain or Shine lead to a point, 82-81, with 27 seconds to go.
At the other end Rain or Shine struggled to set up a play but Rey Nambatac recovered the loose ball then drilled the trey as the shot clock expired to extend the Rain or Shine lead to four, 85-81.
Romeo scored a field goal to cut the gap, 85-83.
In the final play Javee Mocon was fouled in a throw-in play and finalized the count on two free throws, 87-83.
The Beermen gained some traction early in the fourth putting together points capped by a corner triple by Marcio Lassiter to cut the Rain or Shine advantage to eight points, 71-63, with 8:41 to go in the game.
Rain or Shine jumped out to a surprising 16-0 start (which matched the all-time PBA best start in a game) off the 10 points by Mocon and triples from Mark Borboran and Gabe Norwood.
The quarter ended with Rain or Shine ahead 25-20 after 12 points from Mocon who played a little over six minutes in the first. Mocon split time in the quarter with James Yap who had zero points in that span.
The Beermen came roaring back in the second behind the hot shooting of Marcio Lassiter who drained three triples to cut the gap to one point, 38-37, for Rain or Shine.
The Elasto Painters soon recovered their bearings with Beau Belga converting a triple and a pair of field goals to push Rain or Shine to a 46-41 advantage at halftime.
Rain or Shine again took control of the game in the third extending their lead to as high as 16 points before going on to post a 13-point, 67-54, advantage after three quarters.
The scores:
Rain or Shine Elasto Painters 87 – Javee Mocon 25, Kris Rosales 15, Beau Belga 12, Mark Borboran 9, Jewel Ponferada 7, Rey Nambatac 4, Gabe Norwood 3, Norbert Torres 4, Clint Doliguez 2, Sydney Onwubere 6, James Yap 0, Adrian Wong 0.
San Miguel Beermen 83 – Marcio Lassiter 20, Alex Cabagnot 18, Moala Tautuaa 17, Terrence Romeo 11, Riego Gamalinda 5, Chris Ross 4, Billy Mamaril 3, Arwind Santos 2, Russel Escoto 2, Von Pessumal 1, Paul Zamar 0.
Quarter scores: 25-20; 46-41; 67-54; 87-83.