MANILA – Rain or Shine Elasto Painters turned things around in the second half to defeat Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters, 113-104, in the 2023 PBA on Tour last night at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
Trailing 50-54 at the half, the Painters leaned on the exploits of Rey Nambatac, Mark Borboran and Nicholas Demusis in the third quarter to take a 68-60 lead before they widened it to 91-78 after three-pointers from Anton Asistio and Shaun Ildefonso.
The Painters were still ahead at 103-88 after back-to-back triples by Demusis but a huge run by the Fuel Masters cut the deficit to 103-108 before Rain or Shine secured the win on a layup by Belga and a triple by Nambatac.
Demusis finished the game with 15 points, including three outside conversions, while Andrei Caracut chipped in 15 markers as the Painters remained undefeated after two matches.
Nambatac contributed 14 markers, mostly in the second half, while Leonard Santillan and Asistio also hit double-digits in offense with 13 and 11 points, respectively, for Rain or Shine.
Negrense Raul Soyud continued his fine play with double-double 24 points and 13 rebounds, Larry Muyang added 20 points and 12 rebounds, while Rodolfo Alejandro Jr. and Chris Lalata had 14 and 13 points for the Fuel Masters (2-1).
In the first game, Joshua Munzon starred in NorthPort Batang Pier’s endgame break away as they defeated TNT Tropang Giga, 99-90, to record their first win in three games. TNT dropped to 0-1.
Down 88-90 with two minutes in the game, Munzon drilled a three-pointer to give the Batang Pier a 91-90 lead before he widened it to 94-90 with a three-point play with a minute and half left.
The Batang Pier went on to widen the lead with Mer Jesper Ayaay converting a free throw, followed by inside connections from Arwind Santos and Fran Yu for their largest lead of nine points.
Munzon finished the game with 16 points and three steals, Ayaay contributed 15 markers, while Ilonggo Paul Zamar and Yu contributed 13 and 11 markers, respectively, for the Batang Pier.
BOX SCORE:
RAIN OR SHINE 113 – Demusis 15, Caracut 15, Nambatac 14, Santillan 13, Asistio 11, Mamuyac 9, Ildefonso 9, Borboran 8, Belga 8, Ponferrada 7, Clarito 4, Norwood 0.
PHOENIX 104 – Soyud 24, Muyang 20, Alejandro 14, Lalata 13, Jazul 9, Atienza 7, Celda 7, Tio 6, Garcia 4, Rangel 0.
Quarterscores: 24-16, 50-54, 91-78, 113-104./PN
