Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 24) – The Rain or Shine Elasto Painters remained unbeaten after three games in the 2021 PBA Philippine Cup as they beat the Meralco Bolts, 85-72, Saturday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
The Elasto Painters now hold a 3-0 record to lead the team standings. The Bolts suffered their first loss, after a 2-0 start.
Versatile forward Javee Mocon led Rain or Shine with 18 points, six rebounds, and six assists. Burly big man Beau Belga produced a double-double with 17 points and 10 boards while Norbert Torres and Player of the Week recipient Rey Nambatac contributed 11 points apiece.
It was the Bolts who started the game on a high note as they posted an 18-13 lead at the end of the first quarter.
The second period saw the momentum shift to the Elasto Painters, who started the quarter with a 13-2 scoring run led by Belga. The players of coach Chris Gavina eventually built their lead coming into halftime, 42-35.
Rain or Shine pulled away further in the second half as they did not allow Meralco to mount a comeback. They posted their biggest lead, 82-61, midway in the fourth quarter from a driving layup by Mocon.
Belga attributed their hot start in the conference to the new culture they are building in the team with the arrival of Gavina.
“Everybody’s into it, I think that’s the secret. Every game day, we really want to defend. When it comes to offense, we should always execute to find who’s open for the shot,” Belga said.
On the other hand, Gavina expressed his elation that all of his players are stepping up early in the conference.
“When your best players are your hardest workers, your culture gets set organically,” said Gavina, who was tapped to coach the Elasto Painters last March.
Chris Newsome led Meralco with 13 points while Raymond Almazan added 10 markers.
The Scores:
RAIN OR SHINE 85 – Mocon 18, Belga 17, Torres 11, Nambatac 11, Wong 8, Borboran 7, Caracut 6, Norwood 5, Ponferada 2, Guinto 0, Santillan 0, Tolentino 0
MERALCO 72 – Newsome 13, Almazan 10, Hodge 9, Hugnatan 9, Quinto 7, Pinto 6, Belo 4, Maliksi 3, Black 4, Jose 2, Canete 2, Jackson 1, Pasaol 0
Quarterscores: 13-18, 42-35, 68-55, 85-72
