What a rout!
Rain or Shine set a new record for the biggest blowout in PBA history that kept its status as the only unbeaten team in the Commissioner’s Cup.
The Elasto Painters dismantled the Blackwater Bossing, 151-95, on Tuesday at Ninoy Aquino Stadium with import Jaylen Johnson back from suspension, Andrei Caracut stepping up and coach Yeng Guiao’s rookies making an impression.
“It’s a good sign,” Guiao said after improving to a perfect 4-0 slate. “The team’s jelling well. We’re going into the Holy Week break with a 4-0 record and we’ll come into that break feeling good.”
Guiao had reasons to be satisfied going into the break, with Caracut leading the way with 22 points, 18 of which came in the first quarter when Rain or Shine set the tone for the massive rout.
In winning by 56, Rain or Shine shattered the previous mark by one, which was set almost five decades ago.
The old record was U-Tex’s 154-99 demolition of Great Taste in the semifinals of the Open Conference on July 12, 1980. The Wranglers would eventually win the crown at the expense of Toyota.
The victory was what Rain or Shine expected, but its goal coming into the game was to capitalize on the weakness of Blackwater’s hulking import Robert Upshaw III, who was huge in his debut that beat Magnolia a week ago.
“We like to get out quickly in transition, try to find our rhythm on the open floor,” Guiao said. “Good thing, we made our shots early and it gave us some momentum.
Early struggles
“And we were able to outnumber them in transition. In terms of the half-court game, we don’t have any matchup against their import and our chance was to run,” he added.
Caracut’s fiery start allowed him to atone for his struggles early in the conference, more than exceeding his total scoring output of eight points in the previous three meetings.
Not only was Caracut crucial, but also rookie Deo Cuajao, who made good use of being placed in the starting lineup and finished with 15 points.
Fellow rookie Jun Roque also contributed by adding 13 points to become one of eight players in double figures.
Johnson had 20 points, nine rebounds and four assists after serving a one-game ban for figuring in a fistfight with TNT’s Glenn Khobuntin. Johnson’s return was another welcome development for Rain or Shine.
The final count was a disappointment for the Bossing, who dropped to 1-3 after being on the sore end of the record-setting contest.
Upshaw had 24 points, nine rebounds and three assists, but those numbers only went in vain.
******
Get real-time news updates: inqnews.net/inqviber
