MANILA, Philippines - Rain or Shine grabbed the early solo lead as it turned back Powerade, 102-92, for its third straight victory in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup last night at the Araneta Coliseum.
Import Hassan Adams led the Elasto Painters with 21 points and 11 rebounds, but it was Larry Rodriguez and Gabe Norwood who nailed the baskets that mattered in the fourth quarter.
Norwood finished in double digits for the first time this conference with 14 points, while Rodriguez had a personal conference-high of 16 and seven boards as the Painters remained unbeaten after three games.
The 3-0 start eclipsed the franchise’s previous best start of 2-0 which they posted in the Philippine Cup two seasons ago.
TY Tang added 10 points while Doug Kramer had 12 points and 11 rebounds as the Painters continued to prove it is a contender this conference following victories over B-Meg Derby Ace (95-94) and newcomer Meralco (101-92).
The latest win, however, did not come easy.
The Painters had to weather a furious rally by the Tigers who fought back from 16 points and trim the deficit to just five, 74-79 in the third quarter.
The Tigers even threatened at 80-83, on a triple by Norman Gonzales, but the Painters regained control just in time to douse the uprising.
The Painters scored seven unanswered points capped by Norwood’s trey, 90-80, 7:57 left.
The closest Powerade got from there was, 89-94 before Ryan Araña, who also had 10 points, hit a lay-up, while Norwood added a jumper and Rodriguez tipped-in a missed lay-up by Adams for a 100-89 lead, 2:08 to play.
“It’s nice to keep the win streak. We’ll just enjoy the moment,” Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao said. “One day it’s going to stop, so we’ll just try to keep it as long as we can, play as a team and not rely on Hassan.”
“Although we know he (Hassan) can carry a team, we want the locals to also to gain the confidence. But it’s just three games. I think we haven’t proven ourselves and the real tests are coming up,” added Guiao, whose team will next face Talk ‘N Text on Sunday.
In the second game, James Yap had his first double-double as he scored 25 points, including a booming three-pointer late in the game, and added 10 rebounds as B-Meg Derby Ace downed Barangay Ginebra, 96-89.
The Llamdos improved to 2-2, while the Kings fell to 1-2.
Box Scores:
First Game
Rain or Shine (102) - Adams 21, Rodriguez 16, Norwood 14, Kramer 12, Tang 10, Arana 10, Vanlandingham 8, Belga 5, Uyloan 2, Jazul 2, Cruz 1, Buenafe 1, Chan 0, Ferriols 0.
Powerade (92) - David 24, Carter 17, Gonzales 11, Lanete 10, Allera 7, Antonio 7, Quinahan 6, Cruz 6, Anthony 2, Calimag 2, Macapagal 0, Espino 0.
Quarters: 34-21, 55-41, 79-74, 102-92
Second Game
B-Meg Derby Ace (96) - Yap. J. 25, Spears 21, Simon 20, Yap R. 11, Pingris 9, Salvador 5, Villanueva
3, Adducul 2, Gaco 0, Canaleta 0.
Ginebra (89) - Brumfield 29, Caguioa 16, Wilson W. 10, Hatfield 10, Tubid 6, Miller 4, Menk 4, Wilson
J. 3, Cortez 3, Intal 2, Villanueva 2.
Quarters: 26-11, 42-38, 68-68, 96-89x
