PBA: Rain or Shine flexes depth in 56-point thrashing of Blackwater

Andrei Caracut set the tone early before the rest of Rain or Shine manhandled Blackwater in a lopsided 151-95 victory in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner's Cup on Tuesday at the  Ninoy Aquino Stadium. 

Caracut fired 18 of his total points in the first quarter to open what would be a one-sided affair as the Elasto Painters preserved their unbeaten run for a 4-0 win-loss card. The Bossing slipped to a 1-3 record.

Caracut finished with a team-high 22 points to lead the balanced attack while import Jaylen Johnson posted 20 markers, nine rebounds, four assists, and four blocks in his return from a one-game suspension following an on-court spat with TNT forward Glenn Khobuntin. 

Support from other locals was also evident in the 56-point victory with rookie Deo Cuajao and Gian Mamuyac each chipping in 15 points while Santi Santillan posted a double-double effort of 12 markers and 10 boards. 

Rain or Shine also had the luxury to rest its top local scorer Adrian Nocum for most of the game as he tallied 12 points in just 15 minutes of action. 

"'Yun naman talaga ang laro namin, that's our identity, we like to get out quickly in transition and try to find our rhythm in the open court. That's how we generate our looks and our shots," Rain or Shine head coach Yeng Guiao said. 

"Ayun, mabuti pumasok 'yung mga unang tira namin [at] nagka-momentum kami sa umpisa pa lang."

(That's our game, that's our identity, we like to get out quickly in transition and try to find our rhythm in the open court. That's how we generate our looks and our shots... It's a good thing our shots fell and we were able to gain momentum from the beginning of the game.)

Caracut caught fire from downtown early, burying a long bomb for a 10-3 opening before knocking down another pair of triples that sent the red-hot Rain or Shine to a 23-8 cushion in the first period. 

The former La Salle guard then sank an and-one bucket before Mamuyac drained three straight buckets that allowed the Elasto Painters to seize a sizable 42-15 advantage by the end of the opening frame. 

From that point on, Rain or Shine settled into flow state as Felix Lemetti, the hero of their 109–102 escape over Meralco in their last outing, and Santillan taking charge in the second quarter to help maintain the lead for a 75-44 halftime separation. 

Blackwater never threatened in the second half despite desperate efforts from import Robert Upshaw, Richard Escoto, and James Una. 

Upshaw paced Blackwater with 24 points, nine rebounds, and three assists while RK Ilagan and Sedrick Barefield chimed in with 14 and 12 markers, respectively. 

—JMB, GMA News