Rain or Shine grabs solo top spot, fends off pesky Phoenix

Sports

CELLAR-DWELLER Phoenix came to play but Rain or Shine was up to the challenge as the Elasto Painters held off the Fuel Masters, 91-80, on Wednesday night, Nov. 5, in the 50th PBA Philippine Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

The Fuel Masters showed tremendous fighting spirit but the Elasto Painters banked on a game-closing 15-2 run to put the game away and secure their fifth win in six games.

Rain or Shine came into the match tied with the TNT Tropang Giga and the Magnolia Hothost at the top but with the win, the Elasto Painters took sole possession of the No. 1 spot halfway through the elimination round.

Starring for the Elasto Painters was Anton Asistio, who scored eight of his 20 points in the game-sealing endgame rally. Gian Mamuyac was Rain or Shine’s leading scorer with 22 markers.

Jhonard Clarito added 11 points and Adrian Nocum had 10 in the win that proved costly as Rain or Shine’s big man Keith Datu went down with a knee injury in the third period.

Jason Perkins scored 17 points for Phoenix, whose tough stand proved not enough as it suffered its fourth straight loss to drop top 1-5 (win-loss).

THE SCORES:

RAIN OR SHINE (91) - Mamuyac 22, Asistio 20, Clarito 11, Nocum 10, Datu 9, Malonzo 6, Santillan 4, Norwood 2, Belga 2, Porter 2, Lemetti 1, Caracut 0, Ildefonso 0.

PHOENIX (80) - Perkins 17, Manganti 13, Santos 9, Ballungay 9, Tio 8, Rivero 7, Garcia 6, Tuffin 6, Kwekuteye 3, Daves 2, Nelle 0, Caperal 0.QUARTERS: 21-15, 36-37, 63-63, 91-80.(CCM)