By REYNALD MAGALLON
Rain or Shine gave guest team Eastern a harsh reality check and dealt the Hong Kong-based team a 99-81 beating for its first win in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Wednesday, Dec. 4.
The Elasto Painters flaunted their signature depth and balanced attack to pull away in the final frame and hand the PBA guest team its first taste of defeat in the conference after two convincing wins.
Facing up against a team that was in the Final Four in the last two conferences, however, gave Eastern a measure of firepower from a contender team with six players finishing with at least seven points on his name.
Import Deon Thompson, who missed ROS’ first game due to document issues, made sure that the Elasto Painters’ wait was all worth it after posting 21 points, 15 rebounds, three steals and two blocks.
Santi Santillan had nine of his 18 points in the final frame where ROS led by as many as 23 points, 95-72, at one point in the final frame.
Keith Datu and Caelan Tiongson had 10 apiece while Adrian Nocum, Shaun Ildefonso had eight apiece and Andrei Caracut with seven.
Meanwhile, NorthPort rode on a huge fourth quarter run to sink Magnolia, 107-103, and stay spotless through three games.
The triumvirate of Arvin Tolentino, Joshua Munzon and import Kadeem Jack spearheaded a crucial 16-3 run that created separation and against the Hotshots who now have lost their second straight game.
Jack anchored the Batang Pier with 30 points, 11 rebounds to go with two steals and two blocks while Tolentino sustained his fine play with 27 points – 19 of which he fired in the second half.
Munzon, on the other hand, was all over the floor with 25 points, nine rebounds along with five huge steals.
He also delivered the crucial hits in the waning seconds – a four-pointer and a layup – that kept the Batang Pier afloat after the Hotshots came within one, 95-96, with 1:46 left.
