MANILA – Henry Walker haunted his former team as he led Rain or Shine Elasto Painters to a 92-79 victory over Blackwater Bossing in the 2021 PBA Governors’ Cup last night at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
Walker, who played for several conferences with the Bossing, tallied 20 points, eight rebounds, three assists, two blocks and a steal to power the Painters to a winning start in the season-ending conference.
Rey Nambatac and Jayvee Mocon each finished with 16 markers, while Beau Belga and Gabriel Norwood contributed 11 and 10 markers, respectively, for the Painters which will be without Negrense James Yap for the rest of the conference.
Down by as much as 13 points in the first half, the Painters woke up in the third quarter with a 14-0 run behind triples by Nambatac, Mocon and Walker for a 49-41 lead. It grew further to 66-53 with another trey by Nambatac and inside hits from Walker.
The Painters notched its largest lead at 78-58 following treys by Trevis Jackson and Norwood. The Bossing made its last push at 77-87 but a triple by Anton Asistio secured the win for Rain or Shine.
Rashawn McCarthy tallied 15 points and nine rebounds. Baser Amer and Kevin Barkley Ebona added 14 markers each, while import Jaylen Bond had 13 points and 11 rebounds for the Bossing.
In the first game, Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters leaned on the exploits of Paul Harris, Matthew Wright and Jason Perkins in the fourth quarter to frustrate Terrafirma Dyip, 103-100.
Down 90-77 with over seven minutes left, the Fuel Masters banked on consecutive shots by Harris, Wright and Perkins to tie the score at 91-all before the Dyip took the lead for the last time at 94-91 on an Aldrech Ramos triple.
It was all Phoenix since then. Two free throws by Harris, a triple by RJ Jazul and a conversion from Chris Banchero gave them a 100-94 edge. Terrafirma threatened to within 100-102 but Harris sealed the win for the Fuel Masters with a free throw.
Harris finished the match with double-double 24 points and 15 rebounds. Perkins and Banchero chipped in 18 markers apiece, while Wright had double-double 17 points and 10 assists for the Fuel Masters./PN
