RoS regains luster, whips B Bull

MANILA, Philippines - Rain or Shine effectively shook off the shock and trauma of its loss to an all-Filipino Petron Blaze team Saturday, getting back on the winning track with a 103-93 whipping of Barako Bull in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Cuneta Astrodome last night.

The Rain or Shine gunners found their mark, making it easier for Bruno Sundov to operate inside as the Elasto Painters snapped a two-game losing skein and stayed right behind the Alaska Milk Aces (7-2) and the Petron Blaze Boosters (6-2) with a 6-3 win-loss slate.

Sundov poured in a game-high 27 points and added 11 rebounds while Paul Lee, JR Quiñahan, Jeff Chan, Chris Tiu and Beau Belga combined for 9-of-23 three-pointers as they dealt the Energy Cola a fifth straight loss and sixth in nine games overall.

“We shot the ball a lot better today than in our previous games. We’re really looking for Jeff (Chan), Paul (Lee) and some of our big guys to get their usual percentage from the perimeter. This makes things easier for Bruno inside,” said Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao.

“I’m happy to see some improvement on our weak departments. Also, we’re able to make it a high-scoring game. We want an up-tempo, fast-paced game. That’s one thing that works for us,” Guiao also said.

Lee, Quiñahan and the comebacking Chan also put in double-digit outputs for the Elasto Painters who breached the century mark after being limited to an average of 77.5 points in their losses to Talk n Text and Petron Blaze.

The Elasto Painters struck hardest in the payoff period, reestablishing a double-digit spread at 85-74 and going on to nail the crucial win.

Belga beat the shot-clock buzzer with a booming trey from the left quarter then Sundov came through with a three-point play off Danny Seigle as Rain or Shine took that 11-point spread.

The Elasto Painters enjoyed a 15-point spread, 40-25, earlier on a triple by Chan – only in his second game back from an injury.

The national hopeful knocked in 2-of-6 three-pointers and finished with 10 points, six rebounds and one assist in 26 minutes of action.

With the Energy Cola needing to stay close with the RoS shooters, Sundov only had to deal with Evan Brock at the paint, going 9-of-18 from the field and 8-of-10 from the stripe.

Air21 matched a franchise-best three-game streak, sustaining its progress in the mid-season tourney with an 87-82 win over San Mig Coffee in the nightcap.

“We have to give it to our players. They really played well, they played smart especially as San Mig made a run,” said coach Franz Pumaren as they roared on, tying the Mixers at sixth place at 4-5.