MANILA — Adrian Nocum delivered clutch baskets down the stretch as Rain or Shine Elasto Painters preserved their unbeaten run, escaping a furious San Miguel Beermen comeback with a 116-112 victory in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup on Wednesday night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
With their once-commanding 25-point lead slashed to just two at 97-99, the Painters turned to Nocum, who responded with back-to-back three-pointers and timely inside hits to regain control and secure the win.
San Miguel threatened to force overtime behind the hot shooting of Marcio Lassiter, but the Beermen faltered in the closing seconds, missing consecutive four-point attempts that could have extended the game.
Nocum finished with a conference-high 21 points, including two triples, along with five rebounds and two assists, as Rain or Shine improved to a league-leading 5-0 record.
Jaylen Johnson paced the Painters with 24 points, Jhonard Clarito added 16, while Felix Pangilinan-Lemetti, Caelan Tiongson, and Gian Mamuyac chipped in 14, 11, and 10 points, respectively.
Lassiter led San Miguel with 27 points, highlighted by seven triples, while Jaymar Perez contributed 18 markers. June Mar Fajardo, Celedonio Trollano, and Justin Patton added 17, 14, and 12 points, respectively, as the Beermen slipped to 3-3.
In the other game, Titan Ultra Giant Risers held off a late Blackwater Bossing surge to claim a 102-98 victory.
The Giant Risers looked poised for a rout after building a 20-point cushion early, but Blackwater stormed back and forced an 87-all tie late in the contest.
Titan Ultra regained its footing in the fourth quarter, launching a decisive 7-0 run capped by key baskets from Michael Gilmore and Mark Denver Omega to take a 94-87 lead.
Blackwater trimmed the gap to 94-92, but the Giant Risers answered with crucial baskets from Joshua Munzon and Mark Javillonar to restore control at 98-92 in the final minutes.
Munzon led Titan Ultra with 25 points, Gilmore recorded a double-double of 21 points and 16 rebounds, while Aris Dionisio added 11 markers, lifting the team to a 2-3 record./PN
