By Ivan Stewart Saldajeno | Philippine News Agency
MANILA — Rey Nambatac erupted for a career-high 30 points as Rain Or Shine blasted Ginebra, 104-81, in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City on Friday night.
Nambatac dropped seven three-pointers to lead the Elasto Painters, who pulled away in the fourth quarter to zap the Barangay.
Playing for the first time against former coach Tim Cone, Denzel Bowles added 25 points, 17 rebounds, six assists, two blocks, and two steals for ROS.
Justin Brownlee dropped 30 markers of his own with 17 boards, three dimes, five steals, and three blocks for Ginebra, which was denied its 1000th win overall in its first try.
Scottie Thompson came close to a rare rebound-assist double-double with 10 assists and nine rebounds with four markers and two steals.
In the first game, Meralco held off Phoenix, 101-95.
Gani Lawal erupted for 28 points, 26 rebounds, two assists, three blocks, and one steal for the Bolts, who came up with a 34-point third quarter before subduing the Fuel Masters in the end.
Baser Amer added 20 points, four rebounds, and four assists.
Raymond Almazan had a quiet debut for Meralco, only tallying three markers, all on free throws, one carom, one dime, and one steal off the bench in almost 13 minutes of play.
Matt Wright put up 20 points, four assists, and one steal for Phoenix, which dearly missed Calvin Abueva and Coach Louie Alas due to suspensions and Rob Dozier due to an injury.
Richard Howell, who took over Dozier’s post as import for now, struggled in his PBA comeback, only making eight points on 4-of-12 shooting, nine rebounds, and one assist.
Jason Perkins added 16 markers, 13 boards, one dime, one steal, and one block.
The scores
First Game:
Meralco 101: Lawal 28, Amer 20, Newsome 18, Salva 15, Quinto 8, de Ocampo 6, Almazan 3, Pinto 3, Hodge 0, Jackson 0, Caram 0, Hugnatan 0
Phoenix 95: Wright 20, Perkins 16, Jazul 12, Marcelo 10, Howell 8, Mallari 7, Chua 6, Dennison 5, Intal 5, Kramer 4, Revilla 2, Wilson 0
Quarter scores: 21-19, 46-47, 80-72, 101-95
Second Game:
Rain or Shine 104: Nambatac 30, Bowles 25, Mocon 11, Belga 9, Yap 8, Norwood 5, Daquioag 5, Borboran 4, Alejandro 4, Torres 3, Ponferada 0, Rosales 0, Onwubere 0
Ginebra 81: Brownlee 30, Aguilar 17, Tenorio 8, Mercado 5, Mariano 4, Thompson 4, Slaughter 4, Ferrer 3, Teodoro 3, Devance 2, Caperal 1, Cruz 0
Quarter scores: 26-25, 54-45, 75-66, 104-81
