PBA: All-Filipino Rain or Shine squeaks past Meralco to go 3-0 in Commissioner’s Cup

Despite missing import Jaylen Johnson, Rain or Shine defeated Meralco, 109-102, to notch their third straight win in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup on Friday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Johnson was serving a one-game suspension after being involved in a physical altercation with Glenn Khobuntin during the Elasto Painters’ game last week against TNT.

“We wanted to just offer up the effort to JJ. We knew he wanted to play in this game and help us out,” said head coach Yeng Guiao.

The Elasto Painters led 51-44 at halftime, but the Bolts outscored them in the third quarter to cut the deficit to 78-76 heading into the final period.

With around five minutes left in the fourth, Chris Banchero’s jumper pulled Meralco within one, 95-94. However, Luis Villegas knocked down a triple to ignite an 11-0 run by Rain or Shine, highlighted by Felix Lemetti’s personal 6-0 spurt and capped by a basket from Jhonard Clarito.

From there, the Elasto Painters held off the Bolts, with Lemetti’s split from the free-throw line off a Banchero foul sealing the victory.

For Guiao, however, the game did not reflect Meralco’s true form.

“We caught Meralco on a bad day. That’s not their real game,” Guiao said.

“They were kind of complacent, a little bit confident, so psychologically, we got the upper hand. We were playing with nothing to lose, and the expectations were against us winning the game. That had a big psychological effect.”

“The guys were just playing as hard as they can. It’s sheer toughness. We played with a lot of toughness,” he added.

Lemetti finished with 23 points, three assists, and a block to lead Rain or Shine, while Adrian Nocum, Caelan Tiongson, and Jhonard Clarito added 17, 16, and 15 points, respectively.

Chris Newsome paced Meralco with 29 points, while import Marvin Jones posted 17 points, 16 rebounds, and three assists as the Bolts absorbed their first loss after winning their first two games.

Scores:

Rain or Shine 109 – Lemetti 23, Nocum 17, Tiongson 16, Clarito 15, Manaytay 12, Mamuyac 8, Villegas 6, Malonzo 5, Santillan 4, Belga 3, David 0, Asistio 0, Caracut 0, Roque 0.

Meralco 102 – Newsome 29, Jones 17, Brickman 15, Quinto 14, Cansino 13, Banchero 6, Mocon 6, Hodge 2, Bates 0, Magbuhos 0, Black 0.

Quarters: 29-23, 51-44, 78-76, 109-102.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News