The Rain or Shine Elasto Painters of coach Yeng Guiao pounced on NorthPort standout Arvin Tolentino's absence in their PBA Philippine Cup duel Wednesday.
Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao admitted luck also played a role in his charges' 113-96 win over NorthPort in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao Wednesday, April 16.
“Una, malaking bagay na wala si Arvin. We prepared for Arvin to play today. It’s just a lucky break na hindi sya nakapaglaro,” said Guiao during the post-game press conference.
“We feel kung naglaro siya, mag-iiba ang complexion ng laro talaga. We have to scheme him; we have to find something to minimize his efficiency. Again, we got lucky he was not able to play."
[ALSO READ: PBA All-Star in Davao postponed due to 'security concerns,' says Marcial]
Batang Pier star and Commissioner’s Cup Best Player of the Conference Arvin Tolentino sat out the match due to a right hip flexor injury.
Still, this did not take away the fact that the Elasto Painters did their part in evening their record at 1-1 in the all-Filipino conference.
Gian Mamuyac led all Rain or Shine scorers with 22 points, Santi Santillan put up a double-double of 17 markers and 10 boards, Andre Caracut and Caelan Tiongson had 15 points each and combined for 11 rebounds and nine assists, while Adrian Nocum submitted 10 points and eight rebounds.
Even without their top gun and finding themselves down 17-31 early on, the Batang Pier kept fighting.
NorthPort showed signs of life in the middle quarters and even trimmed the deficit to seven at some point.
But Rain or Shine was just too much to handle, as the Elasto Painters restored order late in the third period.
William Navarro paced NorthPort with 22 points and 12 rebounds.
Joshua Munzon added 14 points, five rebounds, and seven assists for the Batang Pier, who now hold a 1-1 card.
After a months-long battle against sciatica, Jio Jalalon is back in action and put up 11 points, two rebounds, six assists and two steals.
Rain or Shine vs NorthPort Scores
RAIN OR SHINE 113 – Mamuyac 22, Santillan 17, Caracut 15, Tiongson 15, Nocum 10, Norwood 9, Asistio 9, Malonzo 7, Clarito 5, Borboran 4, Escandor 0, Lemetti 0.
NORTHPORT 96 – Navarro 22, Munzon 14, Jalalon 11, Nelle 11, Onwubere 10, Flores 8, Bulanadi 6, Yu 5, Taha 5, Miranda 4, Tratter 0, Cuntapay 0.
Quarterscores: 31-17, 56-48, 86-75, 113-96.