By REYNALD MAGALLON
Jhonard Clarito provided a huge lift as Rain or Shine overcame a lethargic start and stopped a streaking NLEX on its tracks, 124-105 to seize the solo lead in the Group B standings in the PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Wednesday, Aug. 28.
The Elasto Painters trailed by as many as 21 points in the first half before Clarito became the tip of the spear during a blistering 18-0 run in the second quarter that got Rain or Shine back into the game and turned things around.
Riding the momentum of that second quarter onslaught, the Yeng Guiao-mentored crowd kept its foot on the gas pedal as they seized full control en route to a 3-0 record – its best start since the 2021 Philippine Cup and after three consecutive conferences of at least 0-4 starts.
Clarito led the charge with 24 points on a perfect 9-of-9 clip from the field to go with four assists and five steals while Gian Mamuyac also anchored ROS’ running game with 22 points to go with his six assists. Aaron Fuller was also a dominant force inside the paint with 22 points and 21 rebounds .
Andrei Caracut also added 17 while Caelan Tiongson chipped in 10 points all while putting up a huge defensive effort against NLEX import Myke Henry who after scoring 14 points in the opening frame was limited to just seven the rest of the way.
ROS, the only remaining team with an unblemished record, actually had a rough start to the contest as NLEX came out waxing hot in the first frame to take a 40-24 lead.
The lead stretched to 21, 45-25, early in the second quarter before the quintet of Clarito, Mamuyac, Tiongson, Fuller and Felix Lemetti power the blistering run to cut the lead down to just two, 45-43.
The floodgates simply opened from there for ROS as it ended up scoring at least 33 points in the last three quarters to pull away.
Robert Bolick finished with 22 points and seven assists while Henry had 21 points although was hounded by foul trouble for most of the contest. Richie Rodeger had 16 and Mike Miranda with 15 – all of which went down the drain as NLEX absorbed its first taste of defeat after three games.
