Rain or Shine import Deon Thompson in action. PBA Images
MANILA, Philippines – After incurring two straight defeats, Rain or Shine bounced back in the best way possible in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup.
The Elasto Painters crushed erstwhile league-leader NorthPort by a big margin, 127-107, on Thursday at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City, clinching their sixth triumph in nine games.
Rain or Shine maestro Yeng Guiao had a notable reminder for his wards in the locker room: Don't think of the two consecutive losses.
READ: Despite 'rollercoaster' campaign, Guiao optimistic about Rain or Shine's playoff hopes
"Before we came out of the locker room, sinabi ko lang, 'unburden ourselves of the losing streak. Huwag isipin 'yung losing streak, isipin lang natin na mag-compete lang tayo. We can win at our best'," he shared during the postgame press conference.
The Guiao-coached squad set the tone early, establishing a 33-18 first quarter lead from the get-go.
This time, they shut down any efforts from the Batang Pier side to come back into the match.
"'Yon nga, 'yung nangyari last two games we had really good starts, pero nagko-collapse kami nong second quarter," Guiao noted. "We are able to hold on this game and maintain control of the whole game."
READ: PBA: Stockton takes charge in the fourth to power Converge over Rain or Shine
Seven E-Painters were in twin-digit territory, led by import Deon Thompson who stuffed the stat sheet with 27 points, 11 rebounds, and two blocks.
Bannering the locals were Adrian Nocum and Santi Santillan, who delivered 16-piece each.
Andrei Caracut had 13, Anton Asistio added 12, Keith Datu dropped 11, and veteran Beau Belga also broke into double-digit scoring with 10.
NorthPort reinforcement Kadeem Jack's 39-11 stat line was put down the drain as they absorbed the massive loss, moving to a 7-3 win-loss card.
The Elasto Painters will be having a six-day break, as their next game date would be January 22 against the Gin Kings, while the Batang Pier have a chance to reenter the win column sooner, taking on the San Miguel Beermen on January 21.
The Scores:
RAIN OR SHINE 127 – Thompson 25, Nocum 16, Santillan 16, Caracut 13, Asistio 12, Datu 11, Norwood 7, Belga 10, Clarito 8, Tiongson 5, Malonzo 2, Lemetti 0, Ildefonso 0
NORTHPORT 107 – Jack 39, Munzon 17, Tolentino 19, Flores 8, Cuntapay 5, Nelle 5, Miranda 4, Yu 3, Bulanadi 2, Onwubere 3, Navarro 2
QUARTERS: 33-18, 62-44, 96-75, 127-107
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