New import Kwame Alexander, Beau Belga and Rey Nambatac led a fourth quarter pullaway and Rain or Shine arrested a four-game skid with a 99-82 win over Blackwater Wednesday in the PBA Governors’ Cup at the Cuneta Astrodome.
Belga scored the team’s first eight points of the payoff period before Alexander and Nambatac picked up where the veteran center left off as the Elasto Painters won for the first time since defeating Columbian Dyip last Sept. 22.
Rain or Shine forged a three-way share of ninth alongside Blackwater and Phoenix Pulse at 2-5 with Nambatac scoring a team-high 18 points. Belga had 17 points while Alexander also scored 17 with 16 rebounds, three assists and three steals.
Coach Caloy Garcia praised Alexander for providing Rain or Shine’s needs in his first appearance since replacing Kayel Locke.
Ray Parks Jr. fired 27 points after averaging 8.5 in the previous two outings. But Parks went scoreless in the fourth and the Elite absorbed their second straight defeat.
Import Marqus Blakely had 21 points, 12 rebounds, six assists, four steals and two blocks for Blackwater. (Jonas Terrado)
The scores:
RAIN OR SHINE 99 – Nambatac 18, Alexander 17, Belga 17, Daquioag 13, Exciminiano 8, Ponferada 7, Borboran 7, Norwood 5, Mocon 3, Onwubere 3.
BLACKWATER 82 – Parks 27, Blakely 21, Cortez 16, Sumang 7, Belo 7, Maliksi 2, Sena 2, Cruz 0, Desiderio 0, Heruela 0, Al-Hussaini 0, Jose 0.
Quarters: 20-26; 49-40; 69-67; 99-82.
Games Friday
(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
4:30 p.m. – Columbian vs Phoenix Pulse
7 p.m. – NLEX vs TNT KaTropa
