Beau Belga starred for Rain or Shine which took a trip down memory lane and sported throwback Welcoat Dragons jerseys in their PBA Philippine Cup tussle against Converge.
On the night it paid homage to its roots, Rain or Shine made short work of Converge as the Elasto Painters score a 110-90 win in their PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup face-off at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday, April 3.
Sporting throwback Welcoat Dragons jerseys, the Elasto Painters banked on Beau Belga, who made history by registering the first triple-double of his career, to pocket two wins in a row for a 2-4 record.
Belga checked out with 2:51 remaining with staggering numbers of 25 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists to his name.
The FiberXers remained winless in six tries as Rain or Shine also drew huge numbers from the rest of the crew.
Santi Santillan put up 23 points and 11 rebounds, Andrei Caracut added 15 points and 13 assists, while Shaun Ildefonso had 15 points.
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After establishing a 12-point advantage, 75-63, heading into the final frame, the Elastopainters refused to ease on the gas pedal.
With still 5:50 to go, Santillan canned a couple of free throws that gave the team a comfortable 98-75 buffer.
They were never in any danger of squandering that lead.
“Not really aware na magti-triple-double. May mga times naman ako na mga muntik muntikan. Pero hindi ko pinipilit, eh,” said Belga.
"Sinasabihan nila ako na one assist na lang. Sabi ko, ’I’ll try.’ Kung hindi, OK lang naman.”
Did the throwback threads have anything to do with the win?
“Sa amin, gusto naming manalo wearing this jersey. Pinilit namin to get the win,” said Belga.
Justin Arana led Converge scorers with 20 points. He also had nine rebounds.
Schonny Winston and Bryan Santos contributed 14 points each while Alec Stockton had 13..
The Scores:
RAIN OR SHINE 110 – Belga 25, Santillan 23, Caracut 15, Ildefonso 15, Mamuyac 10, Demusis 6, Borboran 4, Clarito 4, Concepcion 3, Asistio 3, Norwood 2, Belga 0, Paredes 0.
CONVERGE 90 – Arana 20, Winston 14, Stockton 13, Santos 12, Delos Santos 7, Caralipio 7, Melecio 7, Zzaldivar 3, Balanza 3, Nieto 1, Ambohot 0, Maagdenberg 0, Fleming 0, Fornilos 0.
Quarterscores: 24-24, 52-47, 75-63, 110-90