Elasto Painters stay unscathed, thwart Bolts in PBA PH Cup

Javee Mocon helped ROS move to first place in the team standings. PBA Images

By Ricky Manliguis

MANILA—Rain Or Shine bucked a slow start to score a 85-72 win over Meralco and remain undefeated in the 2021 PBA Philippine Cup Saturday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City. 

The Elasto Painters had to endure a tentative start, waking alive in the second quarter and totally outgunned the Bolts en route to its third straight victory and an early lead in the team standings.

After a 6-16 deficit at the start, the Wel-Best franchise stepped on the gas, with leads as high as 21 at some point and never looked back from there. 

Javee Mocon paced ROS with 18 points and six rebounds, Beau Belga led a strong second quarter charge for 17 points and 10 rebounds, while Rey Nambatac and Norbert Torres both issued 11 markers.

“I said it before and I might be repeating myself again, but when your best players are your hardest workers, your culture gets set organically,” said ROS coach Chris Gavina on his players. 

Over-all, the boys of Gavina shot 42 percent from the field (30-of-71) while draining 10 of its 25 attempts from the three-point area. The team also got 23 points off Meralco’s 21 turnovers, while stealing the ball 12 times. 

Meralco failed to sustain its momentum after beating San Miguel last week to fall to 2-1. Chris Newsome and Raymond Almazan were the only double-figure scorers with 13 and 10 points, respectively. 

The Scores: 

RAIN OR SHINE 85— Mocon 18, Belga 17, Nambatac 11, Torres 11, Wong 8, Borboran 7, Caracut 6, Norwood 5, Ponferada 2, Santillan 0, Guinto 0, Tolentino 0.

MERALCO 72— Newsome 13, Almazan 10, Hodge 9, Hugnatan 9, Pinto 8, Quinto 7, Belo 4, Black 4, Maliksi 3, Jose 2, Canete 2, Jackson 1, Pasaol 0, Caram 0.  

Quarterscores: 13-18; 42-35; 68-55; 85-72.

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