(CNN Philippines) — Barako Bull survived a slow start against the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters to register a 112-103 win in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Governors’ Cup at the SMART Araneta Coliseum on Sunday (May 31).
The Energy were charged by Liam McMorrow’s 32 points and 25 rebounds and RR Garcia’s career-high 26 points.
Coming into the half trailing 48-52, Rain or Shine fought back in the third quarter with an 8-1 run to earn a 63-57 advantage.
But the Energy put on a run of their own to end the third period with the lead at 80-73.
Barako Bull took the momentum into the final period with another spurt, this time 11-4, to extend the lead to 89-75 with 10 minutes left to play.
The margin proved too much for the Elasto Painters to crawl back from as the Barako Bull walked away with the victory.
Wendell Mckines led the Elasto Painters with 41 points and 17 rebounds, while Paul Lee led the locals with 21 points.
Barako Bull continues to lead the pack, improving their standings to 6-1, while Rain or Shine find themselves sharing the bottom spot with the Blackwater Elite with a 1-5 slate.
The scores:
BARAKO 112 – McMorrow 32, Garcia 26, Yeo 19, Ababou 10, Lastimosa 8, Chua 7, Pascual 6, Lanete 2, Wilson 2, Intal 0, Hubalde 0, Maierhofer 0.
RAIN OR SHINE 103 – McKines 41, Lee 21, Tiu 7, Uyloan 6, Norwood 6, Almazan 6, Cruz Jericho 5, Arana 3, Ibanes 2, Chan 2, Belga 2, Quinahan 2, Tang 0, Cruz Jervy 0.
Quarters: 18-27, 52-48, 80-73, 112-103
