Rain or Shine forward Santi Santillan during a game against NorthPort in the PBA Philippine Cup.–PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines–Rain or Shine capitalized on the absence of Arvin Tolentino to dominate NorthPort, 113-96, for its first win in the PBA Philippine Cup held Wednesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Gian Mamuyac sparked the early onslaught with 22 points while Santi Santillan and Caelan Tiongson were also key in the Elasto Painters bouncing back from opening the tournament with a loss to the NLEX Road Warriors.
The win came as Rain or Shine continues to deal with the absence of veteran Beau Belga while also missing sophomore big man Keith Datu.
READ: PBA: Gian Mamuyac leads Rain or Shine to first win in PH Cup
Belga is out for a month due to vertigo while Datu was scratched due to an injured right hip.
The Elasto Painters improved to 1-1 at the expense of the Batang Pier, who were without their leading scorer in Tolentino.
Tolentino didn’t suit up due to a right hip flexor as NorthPort fell to the same win-loss card.
William Navarro scored 22 points on top of 12 rebounds for NorthPort, which also welcomed back Jio Jalalon from a lengthy absence due to an injury.
READ: PBA: Rain or Shine has bright future ahead, says import
Jalalon had 11 points and six assists after missing the Commissioner’s Cup due to a bad back.
Behind Mamuyac, Rain or Shine raced to a 20-4 lead and never looked back even as Santillan contributed 17 points and 10 rebounds with Tiongson adding 15 points, eight rebounds, four assists and two steals.
Rain or Shine’s next game is on April 27 against Meralco at Ynares Center in Antipolo City while NorthPort will be facing Blackwater two days prior at the Big Dome.
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