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| Terrence Watson got the help he needed while scoring a double-double to finally end Rain Or Shine's four-game slump. PBA Media Bureau |
By Ricky Manliguis
MANILA—Rain Or Shine put its four-game losing skid to a
halt as it posted a 104-97 win over defending champions Barangay Ginebra in the
PBA Petron Saturday Special at the Quezon Convention Center in Lucena City.
With import Terrence Watson getting ample back-up from the
locals, the Elasto Painters finally got into the win column while snapping the
erstwhile league-leaders’ four-game winning run.
Rain Or Shine came with guns ablazing with 36 third-quarter
points, including a 14-0 blitz behind Maverick Ahanmisi’s five straight points
for a 87-73 lead heading into the final 12 minutes.
Justin Brownlee and LA Tenorio would spark a late-game comeback for
Ginebra, with Tenorio bouncing off a three-pointer to come within 97-101.
But Gabe Norwood launched a trey of his own with 2:23 left that
provided the needed cushion and settled from there.
Watson scored 29 points and 19 rebounds, his best game in a
ROS uniform. Jewel Ponferada came off the bench with 18 on 8-of-11 shooting
from the field along with five boards.
Ahanmisi and Norwood also provided the needed support with
12 and 11 markers, respectively.
Brownlee top-scored for Ginebra, which dropped to second
place at 7-2, with 23 points and 16 boards, while Tenorio added 15 and Aljon
Mariano 14.
The Gins are still playing minus injured Sol Mercado and
Greg Slaughter.
The scores:
Rain Or Shine 104 – Watson 29,
Ponferada 18, Ahanmisi 12, Norwood 11, Belga 8, Daquioag 7, Tiu 6, Yap 6,
Washington 4, Borboran 3, Onwubere 0.
Ginebra 97 – Brownlee 23, Tenorio
15, Mariano 14, Ferrer 13, Thompson 10, J. Aguilar 7, Caperal 6, Chan 5,
Caguioa 2, Dela Cruz 2.
Quarters: 28-28; 51-44; 87-73;
104-97.
Follow him on Twitter: @Teaching_Hero
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