Adrian Nocum and Jhonard Clarito formed a deadly one-two punch as they combined for 50 to help Rain or Shine take down Phoenix, 109-99, in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup at the PhilSports Arena on Wednesday, May 28.
At A Glance
- Adrian Nocum and Jhonard Clarito formed a deadly one-two punch as they combined for 50 to help Rain or Shine take down Phoenix, 109-99, in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup at the PhilSports Arena on Wednesday, May 28.
Nocum actually put up a game-long brilliance to finish with a career-high 30 points while Clarito provided the timely hits to help the Elasto Painters keep the Fuel Masters at bay and get back on the winning track.
ROS improved to a 5-3 record and just half a game behind the Top 4.
Clarito finished with a double-double of 20 points and 10 rebounds while Caelan Tiongson chalked up 14 points and eight rebounds, and Leonard Santillan 12 points.
The Elasto Painters led by as many as 19 points behind a searing first half though they still had to fend off the repeated rallies from the Fuel Masters.
Phoenix even cut the deficit down to just five, 70-75, late in the third quarter but Nocum, Clarito and Tiongson stepped up and spearheaded a 15-5 retaliation to help ROS restore order with a 90-75 advantage heading into the final frame.
Ken Tuffin paced Phoenix with 15 points though he failed to finish the contest after fouling out while Raffy Verano and Tyler Tio had 14. The Fuel Masters absorbed their second straight defeat for a 2-6 record at the ninth spot of the standings.