The Rain or Shine Elasto Painters stopped the Star Hotshots’ unbeaten run after pulling off a 92-88 victory in their Oppo PBA Governors’ Cup encounter Sunday at SMART-Araneta Coliseum.
J’Nathan Bullock posted 18 points and 11 boards as Jericho Cruz also scored 18 points to help the Elasto Painters (4-2), now on a three-game win streak, deal Star (4-1) its first defeat of the tournament.
Gabe Norwood added 15 points, 11 boards and four dimes while Raymond Almazan made 13 points and 14 rebounds as the Elasto Painters enjoyed the return of their two national team mainstays who made up for the absence of Beau Belga who served a one-game suspension.
Rain or Shine enjoyed its biggest lead at 20 points, 52-32, after a 24-4 run bridging the second and third periods.
The Hotshots’s rallies were repeatedly thwarted by the Elasto Painters. But they were able to claw themselves back late in the game, trimming their deficit to just five, 88-83, with 42 seconds left.
Off a timeout, Star went to Paul Lee who attempted a triple from way beyond the arc with 30 seconds left. But the shot was strong. Rain or Shine then converted free throws to finally seal the win.
Malcolm Hill’s 26 points and 20 rebounds went for naught for Star.
The scores:
RAIN OR SHINE 92 – Bullock 18, Cruz 18, Norwood 15, Almazan 13, Ahanmisi 10, Matias 5, Borboran 5, Daquioag 5, Tiu 3, Ponferada 0, Yap 0, Maiquez 0, Trollano 0.
STAR 88 – Hill 26, Lee 17, Sangalang 11, Maliksi 10, Jalalon 8, Barroca 4, Ramos 4, Simon 3, Melton 3, Reavis 2, Brondial 0, Pingris 0, Dela Rosa 0.
Quarters: 15-15, 41-30, 68-56, 92-88.