MANILA, Philippines - Rain or Shine made short work of Petron Blaze in a stormy night, fashioning out an easy 113-83 victory to regain in the PBA Governors Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.
The Elasto Painters pounded the Boosters in a searing breakaway in the second period and roared to the most lopsided victory in franchise history.
It was also the most lopsided win in the season since Smart Gilas dumped San Miguel Beer, 109-68, in the recent Commissioner’s Cup.
Meanwhile, grand slam-seeking Talk n Text goes for a third straight win as it tangles with Powerade in the third leg of the Phoenix Fuel PBA on Tour set in Digos, Davao del Sur tonight.
“It was completely unexpected,” said Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao.
“We didn’t expect to win this way especially against Petron, a team which hasn’t lost with its new import. We thought it’s going to be a battle all the way,” Guiao added.
The Elasto Painters finished off the Boosters quickly with Arizona Reid putting up a near triple-double job and his teammates defending well against Petron’s key players.
“We prepared to defend against their guards and it paid off. We’re able to contain Alex Cabagnot, and that was crucial. It also happened that our import played his best game so far,” said Guiao as they nailed a third win against a lone loss.
“We’re trying to get to the semis. A 3-1 record at this point is a good way to do it. We would have been happy with a 50 percent mark but we got 75 percent. That’s a good record going to a nine-day break,” Guiao added.
Reid collected 34 points, 21 rebounds and eight assists and his teammates did a splendid defensive job in holding Cabagnot to only two points.
Playing a third game in eight days, Jeremy Wise struggled for only 17 points and five rebounds.
Arwind Santos churned out a huge double-double numbers with 19 points and 27 rebounds that went to naught with their second loss in four outings.
Barangay Ginebra erected double-digit spreads right in the opening quarter and hung tough till the end as it stopped Meralco, 97-81, in the nightcap.
Curtis Stinson came through with a rare triple-double with 18 points, 16 assists and 13 rebounds whileMark Caguioa and Ronald Tubid contributed 25 and 17 points, respectively, as the Kings caught up with the Bolts at 2-1.