MANILA – Rain or Shine finally returned to the winning track while dealing Phoenix its first defeat of the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup, pulling away late for a 105-98 victory Tuesday night at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
The Elasto Painters snapped a two-game skid and improved to 1-2 after withstanding a furious Phoenix comeback behind another dominant performance from import Aaron Fuller, who powered Rain or Shine with 28 points and 18 rebounds to earn Player of the Game honors. The loss dropped the previously unbeaten Fuel Masters to 3-1.
Adrian Nocum backed Fuller with 18 points, eight assists, and six rebounds, while Michael Malonzo and Caelan Tiongson contributed 12 and 11 points, respectively.
Rain or Shine appeared headed for a comfortable victory after building a 20-point cushion in the third quarter before Phoenix stormed back. The Fuel Masters trimmed the deficit to just one point, 80-79, on a three-pointer by JL delos Santos.
The Elasto Painters, however, answered with timely baskets from Fuller, Nocum, and Luis Villegas to restore a double-digit lead. Phoenix threatened one last time by closing within 102-98, but Fuller delivered the crucial baskets down the stretch to preserve the victory.
Robert Johnson III led Phoenix with 27 points and 11 rebounds, while Kenneth Tuffin added 16 points. Jason Perkins and Tyler Tio chipped in 13 and 11 points, respectively.
In the night’s other game, Chris Newsome delivered the game-winning basket as the Meralco Bolts survived a massive Blackwater rally to hack out a 116-114 victory.
Meralco squandered an 18-point advantage after leading 110-92, but Newsome converted an inside shot off a pass from Chris Banchero with three seconds remaining to put the Bolts ahead for good.
Blackwater had one final opportunity to steal the win, but RK Ilagan committed a turnover before the final buzzer sounded.
Newsome finished with 16 points, four assists, and three rebounds as Meralco improved to 2-1, tying Blackwater in the Group B standings with back-to-back victories./PN
