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| James Yap was victorious in his homecoming. PBA Images |
MANILA--Rain Or Shine banked on a solid defense on Meralco in the first half for a 94-81 win in their PBA preseason game on Thursday night at the University of St. La Salle Coliseum in Bacolod.
The Elasto Painters held the Bolts to just 30 points in the first 24 minutes of play even as they began pulling away in the second quarter by scoring 26 points for a 13-point halftime lead.
Meralco found its offensive rhythm in the third quarter, nearly equaling its first-half output with 29 points, but ROS also continued its fluid offense in the said period and held on eventually.
Santi Santillan finished with 16 points, making all of his five baskets inside the three-point line, 12 rebounds, and two assists to lead the Elasto Painters.
Andrei Caracut and Jhonard Clarito each added 12 markers, while James Yap had five points in his return to Negros Occidental.
Diego Dario made 20 points, three rebounds, and three assists off the bench to lead the Bolts, who only had 10 players making the trip to Bacolod.
The exhibition game was part of said city's Masskara Festival activities for this year.
THE SCORES:
Rain Or Shine 94 - Santillan 16, Caracut 12, Clarito 12, Borboran 10, Concepcion 9, Belga 7, Asistio 6, Belo 6, Datu 5, Yap 5, Ildefonso 4, Nambatac 2, Mamuyac 0
Meralco 81 - Dario 20, Rios 17, Black 14, Jose 6, Pascual 6, Pasaol 5, Torres 4, Bates 4, Banchero 3, Jackson 2
QUARTERS: 17-15, 43-30, 70-59, 94-81
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