Rain or Shine ElastoPainters import Aaron Fuller against the Phoenix Fuel Masters. PBA Images.MANILA — The Rain or Shine ElastoPainters handed the Phoenix Fuel Masters their first loss with a 105-98 victory in Group B of the PBA Season 50 Governors' Cup on Tuesday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
The E-Painters held off the Fuel Masters after nearly blowing a 20-point lead to notch their first win of the conference following two straight losses, and Aaron Fuller led the way with 28 points, 16 rebounds, and two assists.
“It was just all effort with emphasis to play defense,” said Fuller after Rain or Shine saw its lead trimmed to just one, 80-79, before regaining control to seal the victory.
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Adrian Nocum added 18 points, eight assists, and six rebounds, while Mike Malonzo chipped in 12 points for Rain or Shine, which also faced former team captain Gian Mamuyac after he was traded to Phoenix in exchange for a Season 53 first-round pick.
For Phoenix, Robert Johnson tallied 27 points, 11 rebounds, and two blocks as the Fuel Masters saw their three-game winning streak come to an end.
Ken Tuffin contributed 16 points on four three-pointers, along with eight rebounds and two assists, while Jason Perkins and Tyler Tio added 13 and 12 points, respectively.
Mamuyac finished with eight points, two rebounds, and two assists in his Phoenix debut.
The Scores:
Rain or Shine 105 – Fuller 28, Nocum 18, Malonzo 12, Tiongson 11, Villegas 9, Caracut 9, Asistio 8, Cuajao 5, Manaytay 3, Clarito 2.
Phoenix 98 – Johnson 27, Tuffin 16, Perkins 13, Tio 12, Santos 9, Mamuyac 8, Delos Santos 5, Rivero 4, Ballungay 4, Reavis 0, Chua 0.
Quarterscores: 30-25, 60-50, 80-73, 105-98.