QUEZON CITY--Rain Or Shine fielded in a new import, but it was the locals who led the way as the team turned back Mahindra, 103-88, in the nightcap of the PBA Governors' Cup doubleheader at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Friday.
Opting to not give new reinforcement Jason Forte a start, Coach Yeng Guiao chose to go all-Filipino at the tip-off, and the starters did not disappoint as they comprised the top scorers of the game for the Elasto Painters, who clinched it on a 35-point fourth quarter blast.
Raymond Almazan led the way for ROS with 14 points, five rebounds, and two blocks, while Beau Belga chipped in 13 points, eight rebounds, four assists, one block, and one steal.
The former Alaska import contributed 10 points, six rebounds, one block, and one steal in his debut for ROS.
Aldrech tallied 17 markers for Mahindra in a game where James White was limited to only 16 points on 6-of-18 field goals and 4-of-9 free throws.
Manny Pacquiao took some time off from his training for his boxing match against reigning WBO welterweight champ Jessie Vargas and joined the Enforcers, but he was scoreless in four minutes of play. This is their first loss of the conference with their playing coach present.
Manny Pacquiao took some time off from his training for his boxing match against reigning WBO welterweight champ Jessie Vargas and joined the Enforcers, but he was scoreless in four minutes of play. This is their first loss of the conference with their playing coach present.
Box Scores:
Rain Or Shine 103-Almazan 14, Belga 13, Cruz 12, Lee 12, Chan 10, Forte 10, Norwood 7, Quinahan 7, Ahanmisi 6, Trollano 5, Ponferada 4, Matias 3
Mahindra 88-Ramos 17, White 16, Guinto 12, Yee 12, Revilla 8, Taha 6, Agovida 5, Digregorio 5, Aguilar 4, Bagatsing 2, Ballesteros 1, Elorde 0, Jaime 0, Pacquiao 0, Webb 0
Quarterscores: 20-15, 46-44, 68-63, 103-88
Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno
Mahindra 88-Ramos 17, White 16, Guinto 12, Yee 12, Revilla 8, Taha 6, Agovida 5, Digregorio 5, Aguilar 4, Bagatsing 2, Ballesteros 1, Elorde 0, Jaime 0, Pacquiao 0, Webb 0
Quarterscores: 20-15, 46-44, 68-63, 103-88
Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno