PBA: Rain or Shine gets first streak going, adds to NLEX woes

Rain or Shine is finding its groove after overcoming an early deficit to pull off a 113-101 victory against the sliding NLEX and secure its first back-to-back wins in the 2023 PBA Commissioner's Cup on Friday at the Philsports Arena.

The Elasto Painters cruised to an improved 2-5 card after losing their first five games and revived their chances in the import-laced tournament, while the Road Warriors slipped to their third successive loss to go 2-5 as well. 

Rain or Shine trailed by as much as 11 points before ending the penultimate quarter in an 84-all deadlock, but the wards of head coach Yeng Guiao eventually turned things around in the fourth to pull away from the gutsy Road Warriors. 

Rey Nambatac started a 9-1 run with rookie Keith Datu capping it with a three-point basket as their lead ballooned to eight to open the fourth, 93-85. Nambatac then sank two free throws to send ROS to its biggest lead of the night at 15, 106-91, in the final 3:14. 

Import Demetrius Treadwell paced Rain or Shine with a double-double effort of 23 points and 18 rebounds on top of four assists, two blocks, and one steal while getting enough help from the local support. 

Beau Belga tallied 14 markers off the bench while Nambatac and Andrei Caracut each chipped in 12 points. Datu put together a decent outing in his return from sickbay, collecting 11 points, five rebounds, and four blocks. 

Scores:

Rain or Shine 113 – Treadwell 23, Belga 14, Caracut 12, Nambatac 12, Datu 11, Santillan 9, Borboran 7, Nocum 7, Clarito 5, Mamuyac 4, Norwood 4, Asistio 3, Demusis 2.

NLEX 101 – Chaffee 32, Trollano 21, Rosales 13, Nieto 11, Herndon 9, Anthony 8, Ganuelas-Rosser 7, Rodger 0, Miranda 0, Valdez 0, Nermal 0, Semerad 0.

Quarters: 22-31, 54-60, 84-84, 113-101.

—Bea Micaller/JKC, GMA Integrated News