The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
RAIN or Shine is now safely in the semis.
The Elasto Painters wasted no time in dispatching San Miguel Beer, posting a 113-104 victory in their PBA Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinal showdown at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
Armed with a twice-to-beat advantage, the E-Painters made sure there would be no second meeting as they punched their ticket to the semifinals behind a balanced offensive attack orchestrated by veteran coach Yeng Guiao.
Best Player of the Game awardee Andrei Caracut stood at the forefront of the victory with a game-high 29 points on an efficient 10-of-17 shooting from the field while knocking down six triples. He also contributed six rebounds and five assists in 32 solid minutes.
Caelan Tiongson and import Jaylen Johnson provided strong support with 23 points apiece.
Johnson imposed his presence on both ends with 12 rebounds, five assists and two blocks, while Tiongson chipped in seven assists and four rebounds.
Adrian Nocum added 18 points and six assists as the E-Painters sent the more-experienced Beermen packing.
Import Bennie Boatwright carried the fight for San Miguel with 24 points despite struggling from the floor on 10-of-27 shooting.
He added seven rebounds, three assists, three steals and two blocks in a heavy 43-minute workload for coach Leo Austria.
CJ Perez delivered 19 points, seven rebounds and five assists, while Don Trollano tallied a double-double of 14 points and 11 rebounds.
June Mar Fajardo and Jericho Cruz chipped in 12 points each, with Fajardo also grabbing 12 rebounds.
Kris Rosales added 10 points in the losing effort for the sixth-seeded Beermen.
“Alam namin na kapag umabot pa to sa Sunday, malamang sa malamang hindi na namin tatalunin San Miguel,” said Guiao.
The scores:
Rain or Shine (113) – Caracut 29, Tiongson 23, Johnson 23, Nocum 18, Asistio 6, Clarito 6, Malonzo 4, Mamuyac 2, Santillan 2, Villegas 0, Manaytay 0
San Miguel (104) – Boatwright 24, Perz 19, Trollano 14, Fajardo 12, Cruz 12, Rosales 10, Ross 7, Lassiter 3, Tautuaa 3, Brondial 0.
Quarterscores: 27-27, 57-56, 83-83, 113-104.