Rain or Shine routs Meralco for solo lead in PH Cup

The Rain or Shine Elasto Painters clamped down on the Meralco Bolts, 85-72, to take solo possession of the top spot in the 2021 PBA Philippine Cup at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig on Saturday, July 24.

With the win, the Painters rose to a clean 3-0 record in the new conference, while the Bolts slipped with their first loss at 2-1.

Javee Mocon led the balanced attack with an all-around line of 18 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists, while savvy veteran Beau Belga chipped in a 17-marker, 10-board double-double.

“I’m really grateful that our best players set the standard from day one,” said head coach Chris Gavina after the win. “I’ve said it before, when your best players are your hardest workers, your culture gets set organically.”

After a decent first quarter for Meralco where they led, 18-13, Rain or Shine then seized control of the game after a big 13-2 run to start the second for the 26-20 lead after a Belga layup at the 7:46 mark.

Although the Bolts fought tooth-and-nail well into the third period, the Painters made another key 14-2 run capped by an Andrei Caracut triple at the four-minute mark to extend their lead to 15, 61-46.

It was all Rain or Shine from there on as Mocon sank an and-one layup with 4:21 left in the final frame for a game-high 21-point gap, 82-61. An 11-3 finishing run by Meralco after that point was simply not enough to keep them from absorbing their first loss.

Chris Newsome topscored for the Bolts with 13 points, 6 assists, and 5 rebounds, while Bong Quinto was held to just 7 markers on an ice-cold 2-of-16 clip.

The Scores

Rain or Shine 85 – Mocon 18, Belga 17, Torres 11, Nambatac 11, Wong 8, Borboran 7, Caracut 6, Norwood 5, Ponferada 2, Guinto 0, Tolentino 0, Santillan 0.

Meralco 72 – Newsome 13, Almazan 10, Hodge 9, Hugnatan 9, Pinto 8, Quinto 7, Belo 4, Black 4, Maliksi 3, Canete 2, Jose 2, Jackson 1, Caram 0, Pasaol 0.

Quarters: 13-18, 42-35, 68-55, 85-72.

– Rappler.com