By REYNALD MAGALLON
Rain or Shine caught fire and hit shots from almost everywhere to break out of its slump and trounce NorthPort, 127-107, in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City on Thursday, Jan. 16.
Struggling with their offense that led to their back-to-back losses, the Elasto Painters seemed to have finally woke up on the right side of the bed, firing a high 50-percent clip from the field to get back on the winning track and stay in the hunt for the Top 2 spots.
Rain or Shine improved to a 6-3 record, forging a four-way tie from the fourth to seventh spots with Eastern, Meralco and Barangay Ginebra while dragging NorthPort out of the top spot after it dropped to a 7-3 slate in tie with Converge.
The patented balanced attack for the Elasto Painters were also back with import Deon Thompson leading seven Rain or Shine players in double-figures with his 27 points to go with 11 rebounds and two blocks
Adrian Nocum, who was limited to a season-low seven points the last time out, bounced back with 16 points laced with 10 rebounds and seven assists while Santi Santillan, who was still recovering from flu-like symptoms, also chipped in 16.
Andrei Caracut added 13 while Anton Asistio had 12, Keith Datu with 11 and Beau Belga with 10 as ROS was hardly threatened by NorthPort since it took complete control of the contest behind a scintillating first half scoring.
Meanwhile, Zav Lucero took charge as Magnolia outlasted Phoenix, 110-104 to also give its playoff bid a much-needed shot in the arm.
The versatile forward fired 12 of his 25 points in the payoff period to help the Hotshots create some sort of separation – enough to endure a late rally from the Fuel Masters who were, likewise, in dire need of a win.
Lucero had a perfect 10-of-10 clip from the foul line and shot 50-percent from the field – including the two booming triples he drained from the same spot at the left corner to push Magnolia’s lead to a comfortable 105-91 advantage halfway through the payoff period.
Phoenix, which was hoping to keep its two-game winning run going heading into the contest, did make a last-ditch run and came within four, 104-108 before Hotshots held on for the victory that allowed them to improve to a 4-6 slate.
Magnolia, however, remained outside the Magic 8 at the ninth spot, a full game behind No. 8 San Miguel which boasts an even 4-4 record.
Import Ricardo Ratliffe also continued with his fine play with 22 points, 19 rebounds and two blocks while Mark Barroca also added 22 points, six rebounds and four assists.
Rookie Peter Alfaro also stepped up in spot start for injured star Paul Lee with 14 points.