RAIN or Shine guard Adrian Nocum skied for an uncontested layup in the fourth quarter and looked surprised there was little to no resistance from NorthPort’s defense. It was that kind of a night.
Propped up by a blistering start and a sustained charge, the Elasto Painters mauled the Batang Pier 127-107 to taste the feeling of winning anew in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig.
Nocum’s basket stretched Rain or Shine’s lead to 116-96 with 4:02 to go and left NorthPort flabbergasted.
Foreign guest team Eastern collides with winless Terrafirma today while Ginebra squares off with TNT at the same venue.
Painters coach Yeng Guiao said his reminders to his charges were plain and simple—forget about their two straight losses, counting a 96-103 setback to the Converge FiberXers last Tuesday.
“Iyong nangyari noong last two games, nagco-collapse kami sa second quarter. We were able to hold on to this game and maintain control of the whole game. So, before we came out of the locker room, sinabi ko lang unburden ourselves at the losing streak,” Guiao said. “Huwag na natin isipin iyong losing streak. Isipin lang natin mag-compete lang tayo. We can win at our best.
“If we’re competing at our best, that’s really the time that we’ll win. But, iyong mga last games namin kapag nawala kami ng focus bumabagsak iyong laro namin. Ang objective lang namin today is to keep our focus, just compete. At the end of the game, we’ll go back to the locker room,” he added.
Import Deon Thompson turned in 27 points, 11 rebounds, and two assists for Rain or Shine while Nocum chipped in 16 markers, 10 boards, and seven dimes.
Five other Painters also scored in double figures led by Leonard Santillan (16), Andrei Caracut (13), Anton Asistio (12), Keith Datu (11), and Beau Belga (10) as Guiao’s side rose to 6-3 for a share of fourth with Eastern, the Kings, and Meralco.
NorthPort fell for the second time in a row, counting a 94-111 setback at the hands of the Bolts also last Tuesday for a 7-3 record.
Rain or Shine erected a 62-44 edge at the halfway mark and was comfortable ahead 96-75 entering the final 12 minutes.
A Nocum four-pointer padded the Painters’ advantage to as much as 121-96 in the last 3:17.
Reinforcement Kadeem Jack totaled 39 points and 11 caroms for the Batang Pier while Arvin Tolentino and Joshua Munzon got 19 and 17 markers, respectively.
Guiao is keeping his fingers crossed their mini-slump can continue to galvanize them.