Meralco took down Rain or Shine, 121-111, in what eventually became a battle of all-Filipino squads in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup on Sunday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
Meralco’s Akil Mitchell had a nose injury early in the game, while Rain or Shine’s Deon Thompson has yet to secure a special work permit, according to the team’s social media accounts.
The Bolts led by ten, 93-83, early in the fourth period before the Elasto Painters made a 7-0 run to inch closer with around nine minutes left. It was a tight affair then until Rain or Shine head coach Yeng Guiao and Meralco active consultant Nenad Vucinic had a verbal altercation at the 8:11 mark. Both coaches were given technical fouls after what happened.
With less than five minutes left in the fourth period, Rain or Shine was trailing, 105-101, before Meralco made its own 5-0 run to claim a 110-101 lead. The Elasto Painters once again mounted a comeback attempt as it managed to come within five 116-111 after an Andrei Caracut triple but freebies from Jansen Rios and Bong Quinto sealed the win for Rain or Shine.
Chris Newsome had 25 points, while Quinto had 20 as Meralco improved to 2-0. Cliff Hodge had a double-double outing of 11 points and 11 boards.
Keith Datu had 17 points, while Adrian Nocum had 15 points as the Elasto Painters made their conference debut. Jhonard Clarito also had a double-double performance of 13 points and 11 rebounds.
Scores:
Meralco 121 – Newsome 25, Quinto 20, Rios 16, Torres 13, Almazan 12, Hodge 11, Caram 10, Black 9, Pascual 2 , Pasaol 1, Jose 2, Mitchell 0.
Rain or Shine 111 – Datu 17, Nocum 15, Santillan 14, Clarito 13, Tiongson 12, Caracut 11, Lemetti 9, Belga 6, Norwood 5, Malonzo 5, Ildefonso 2, Demusis 2.
Quarters: 33-25, 52-49, 89-81, 121-111.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
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