MANILA – Rain or Shine Elasto Painters returned to their winning ways with a 109-99 victory over Phoenix Fuel Masters in the 2025 PBA Philippine Cup on Wednesday night at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
Adrian Nocum finished with a career-high of 30 points to go with five rebounds, one assist, one steal, and a block to be named Player of the Game as the Painters improved to a 5-3 win-loss slate.
“Galing kami sa talo (against TNT Tropang 5G) tapos sobrang sama din ng laro ko nun, so wala akong ibang inisip kundi bumawi sa game na ito,” Nocum said in a post-game interview.
Jhonard Clarito added a double-double of 20 points and 10 rebounds, while Caelan Tiongson and Leonard Santillan contributed 14 and 12 markers, respectively, for the Painters.
After seeing their 19-point lead trimmed to 93-98 late in the game, the Painters responded with timely conversions from Nocum and Clarito to establish a 107-95 edge with over a minute left.
“Overall, ‘yung bilis ng laro, ‘yung ball movement namin, just being able to attack the basket, getting into the free throw line, and good thing is we were able to survive,” Painters head coach Joseller “Yeng” Guiao said after the win.
“For a few times, nakadikit sila, pero at least mabuti at nagawan namin ng paraan to put some cushion between us,” added the seven-time PBA champion coach.
Kenneth Tuffin top-scored for the Fuel Masters with 15 points, Tyler Tio and Raffy Verano added 14 markers apiece, while RJ Jazul and Jason Perkins contributed 11 and 10, respectively, as they fell to a 2-6 mark.
Meanwhile, Converge FiberXers recovered from an 18-point deficit to defeat Terrafirma Dyip, 117-103. The FiberXers improved to a 6-4 win-loss slate, while the Dyip dropped to a 1-8 mark.
King Caralipio led the way with a double-double of 18 points and 10 rebounds, Alec Stockton, Justin Arana, and Justine Baltazar added 17 markers apiece, while Deschon Winston contributed 16 points for Converge./PN
BOX SCORE:
RAIN OR SHINE 109 – Nocum 30, Clarito 20, Tiongson 14, Santillan 12, Caracut 8, Mamuyac 6, Asistio 5, Lemetti 4, Norwood 3, Ildefonso 3, Malonzo 2, Datu 2.
PHOENIX 99 – Tuffin 15, Verano 14, Tio 14, Jazul 11, Perkins 10, Garcia 8, Ballungay 8, Camacho 6, Daves 5, Manganti 3, Cullar 3, Soyud 2, Alejandro 0, Ular 0.
Quarterscores: 30-25, 57-43, 90-75, 109-99.
