THE stellar display continued for Rain or Shine as it listed its second straight win after drubbing helpless Mahindra, 105-83, to gain a share of early lead in the 2016-17 Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup yesterday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
Jericho Cruz led Rain or Shine’s balanced attack with 15 points and four assists.
The Elasto Painters are now tied with surprising Blackwater for the tournament lead as they now both carry 2-0 slates, while the Elite remained winless and dropped to 0-2 at the bottom.
It was a walk in the park from start to finish for Rain or Shine, which was just far superior for its foe.
After one, the Painters already grasped a double-digit lead, 26-16, and that was just the beginning of the end for the Floodbuster.
At the half, the separation was far too wide already, 61-32, for Rain or Shine and the game was already sealed at that point.
Cruz already had 14 markers just after the 24 minutes.
James Yap also suited up for the first time for his new team, helping the Painters with 10 points, while making his 1,000th three-pointer in his career in the process.
Coach Caloy Garcia, however, was far from satisfied.
“It was a poor fourth (quarter) for us. We could have played better. I told them we shouldn’t be looking at the scores because we need to be consistent. Marami kaming turnovers nu’ng fourth, we allowed them to attack the basket, with no defense at all. If the game was close, we could have lost the game,” said Garcia.
Gary David also made his debut for Mahindra just a day after getting signed, scoring a single point.
The scores:
Rain or Shine 105 – Cruz 15, Ahanmisi 14, Tiu 11, Yap 10, Belga 8, Tolomia 8, Chan 7, Almazan 6, Norwood 6, Maiquez 5, Washington 5, Trollano 4, Ibanes 3, Ponferada 3, Matias 0.
Mahindra 83 – Escoto 10, Mallari 10, Paniamogan 10, Guevarra 9, Eriobu 8, Arana 7, Yee 6, Celda 5, Nimes 4, Revila 4, Apinan 3, Deutchman 3, Salva 3, David 1, Ballesteros 0.
Quarterscores: 26-16, 61-32, 92-48, 105-83