MANILA – Rain or Shine Elasto Painters leaned on a huge second half breakaway to defeat NLEX Road Warriors, 117-93, in the 2023 PBA on Tour last night at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
Rey Nambatac top-scored with 22 points, with 14 coming in the fourth quarter, Anton Asistio drilled five triples to end up with 19 markers, while Jewel Ponferrada added 10 points for the Painters (1-0).
Down 48-53 early in the third quarter, the Painters went on a huge run behind Jhonard Clarito, Nambatac and Leonard Santillan to establish a 70-62 lead after a conversion from Shaun Ildefonso.
The Road Warriors, however, responded with its own rally behind Ilonggo Clint Doliguez and Aklanon Kris Rosales to cut the deficit to 74-75 and still hang around at 77-79 early in the fourth period.
The Painters then got its much-needed separation behind seven straight points from Ponferrada, two outside conversions from Asistio and consecutive attacks from Nambatac for the largest lead of 23 points.
Pedrito Galanza led the way for the Road Warriors (0-2) with 22 points, Rosales chipped in 16 markers, while Dominick Fajardo and Doliguez ended with 15 and 11 points, respectively.
In the first game, Converge FiberXers (1-0) broke away in the second quarter en route to a lopsided 119-82 victory over Terrafirma Dyip (0-1) for a winning start in the pre-season tournament.
From a slim 22-18 lead after the first quarter, the FiberXers went on a massive run in the second frame behind three-pointers from Jeo Ambohot, Adrian Wong, Jeron Teng and Kevin Racal for a 57-40 lead at the half.
Converge continued its run in the second half with Justin Arana connecting from inside as the lead reached its largest at 41 points at 116-75 on a connection from Bradwyn Guinto.
Arana finished with double-double 24 points and 12 rebounds, Balanza added 24 markers with five three-point conversions, newcomer Mike Nieto and Teng had 12 points each, while Ambohot and Wong contributed 11 markers apiece for Converge.
BOX SCORE:
RAIN OR SHINE 117 – Nambatac 22, Asistio 19, Ponferrada 10, Santillan 9, Ildefonso 9, Clarito 9, Borboran 8, Mamuyac 7, Belga 7, Caracut 5, Demusis 5, Norwood 4.
NLEX 93 – Galanza 22, Rosales 16, Fajardo 15, Doliguez 11, Trollano 8, Miranda 6, Pascual 6, Gabo 4, Celda 4, Rangel 1.
Quarterscores: 22-24, 48-51, 75-74, 117-93./PN
