The PBA Commissioner’s Cup continued on Wednesday at the PhilSports Arena with a double-header that could’ve shaken up the top half of the standings. Here is what went down:
Rain or Shine Stops Blackwater for Fifth Straight Win
The Rain or Shine Elasto Painters showed little rust after an extended break on their way to a 122-106 rout of the Blackwater Bossing.
Coach Yeng Guiao’s boys raced out to a 39-25 lead right in the first quarter and never looked back for their fifth win in six games. Deon Thompson spearheaded Rain or Shine’s dominance, finishing with 26 points, 16 rebounds, and 4 assists. Adrian Nocum added 22 big points, including 16 in the second half to help keep the Elasto Painters in firm control.
George King led all scorers with 35 points but was just 7-for-20 overall. He did make 17 of his 18 freebies. Justin Chua and Christian David chipped in 10 apiece.
Up next:
- Rain or Shine vs. Phoenix on January 11 (Ninoy Aquino Stadium)
- Blackwater vs. Barangay Ginebra San Miguel on January 12 (Ynares Center)
The Scores:
- Rain or Shine (122) – Thompson 25, Nocum 22, Santillan 20, Asistio 18, Tiongson 11, Clarito 9, Demusis 8, Caracut 6, Ildefonso 1
- Blackwater (106) – King 35, Ayonayon 11, David 10, Chua 10, Escoto 9, Ponferrada 6, Suerte 6, Kwekuteye 5, Jopia 5, Hill 4, Casio 3, Corteza 2
NorthPort Survives Ginebra’s Last-Ditch Stand
Kadeem Jack and Joshua Munzon did just enough in the endgame to help the NorthPort Batang Pier notch a 119-116 escape over Barangay Ginebra San Miguel. It was NorthPort’s first win against Ginebra since December 2019.
The young Batang Pier looked headed for a rout against their perennial tormentors, building as much as an 18-point lead in the third. But Ginebra kept chipping away and eventually retook the lead at 101-100. But five straight points from Wil Navarro—a triple and an undergoal stab—gave NorthPort back the lead for good. The Batang Pier held on as Ginebra failed to convert its endgame chances.
Kadeem Jack led all scorers with 32 while Arvin Tolentino and Joshua Munzon fired 29 and 27, respectively. Justin Brownlee had 23 points but missed a crucial free throw that could have tied the game and turned the ball over late as well. Scottie Thompson added 17 for Ginebra.
Up next:
- NorthPort Batang Pier vs. Meralco Bolts on January 14 (Ninoy Aquino Stadium)
- Ginebra vs. Blackwater on January 12 (Ynares Center)
The Scores:
- NorthPort (119) – Jack 32, Tolentino 29, Munzon 27, Flores 9, Navarro 8, Bulanadi 5, Onwubere 4, Cuntapay 3, Yu 2
- Ginebra (116) – Brownlee 23, Thompson 17, Rosario 17, Abarrientos 17, Ahanmisi 12, Holt 11, Cu 9, J.Aguilar 8, Tenorio 2
PBA Commissioner’s Cup Resumes on Friday
The PBA Commissioner’s Cup continues on Friday, January 10 with a twin bill at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. The first game will see the Magnolia Hotshots taking on the Terrafirma Dyip. The second game will be a clash between the NLEX Road Warriors and Meralco.
