Rain or Shine weathers SMB's second half storm, stays perfect in PBA on Tour


At a glance

  • Rain or Shine averted a huge meltdown and escaped San Miguel with a 100-98 victory in the PBA on Tour at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City on Wednesday, June 7.


Rain or Shine averted a huge meltdown and escaped San Miguel with a 100-98 victory in the PBA on Tour at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City on Wednesday, June 7.

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Mac Belo had a winning debut for Rain or Shine. (PBA Images)


The Elasto Painters built a lead that went to as high as 24 points but still had to turn to their defense in the waning seconds to weather a huge second half storm and remain perfect through three games.

Gabe Norwood anchored Rain or Shine's final defensive stand, foiling a Terrence Romeo layup that could have tied the game at 100-all with six seconds left.

The huge defensive stop not only preserved the Elasto Painters' pristine record but also Jhonard Clarito's best performance in ROS uniform and Mac Belo's first game since getting traded to the team a few weeks ago.

Clarito topscored Rain or Shine with 17 points while Leonard Santillan posted a double-double of 12 points and 10 rebounds.

Gian Mamuyac also helped steady the ship for ROS with 14 points while Jewel Ponferrada added 11.

Rain or Shine looked poised to run away with a blowout win after taking a 56-32 lead late in the first half.

San Miguel, however, came alive in the second half behind Allyn Bulanadi who erupted for 20 of his 31 points to help SMB cut the lead down to just 10 points, 100-90, with 1:40 left in the game.

The Beermen unleashed one more run in the final minute with Bulanadi capping SMB's eight straight points with a booming triple with 38 seconds left.

Rain or Shine had the chance to rebuild some separation but came up blank in its last few attempts. That was when Norwood pulled off the defensive stop to ensure the victory for the Elasto Painters.

Bulanadi nailed five triples to lead the SMB's offense that was still missing the services of June Mar Fajardo, Simon Enciso, Chris Ross, Marcio Lassiter, Vic Manuel and CJ Perez

Terrence Romeo also stayed hot, finishing with 25 points while Mo Tautuaa added 14 to the Beermen who fell to a 1-3 record in the standings.