Aaron Fuller double-double powers Rain or Shine over Blackwater
Rain or Shine made a powerful statement in their Season 49 PBA Governors’ Cup campaign, decisively defeating the opposition with a commanding 110-97 victory at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Tuesday, August 20.
Aaron Fuller spearheaded a well-rounded offensive effort, with five teammates contributing at least eight points each. The Elasto Painters seized control of the game during a pivotal third quarter, never allowing their lead to slip as they secured their first win in Group B.
Fuller marked his return to the league in impressive fashion, scoring 24 points—12 of which came in a blistering first quarter—while also dominating the boards with 19 rebounds.
Caelan Tiongson, who carefully charted his path to the PBA, proved his worth by delivering 15 points, including a remarkable stretch late in the second quarter where he rattled off eight consecutive points.
First-round draft pick Felix Lemetti also made his mark with 11 points, featuring three three-pointers. Santi Santillan contributed 12 points to the effort, while Gian Mamuyac rounded out the double-digit scorers with 10. Anton Asistio added a solid nine points, and both Jhonard Clarito and Adrian Nocum chipped in with eight points each.
With a nine-point lead at halftime, 59-50, the Elasto Painters ignited a scorching 12-4 run to start the third quarter, extending their advantage to double digits—a lead they would not relinquish. The margin swelled to as much as 21 points as Blackwater struggled to counter Rain or Shine’s relentless offensive barrage, despite a commendable effort from second overall pick Sedrick Barefield.
The former NBA G-League standout lived up to expectations, racking up 18 points, while James Kwekuteye provided solid support with 17 points. Bradwyn Guinto also made a notable contribution with 15 points, offsetting a lackluster performance from import Ricky Ledo, who managed only 12 points.
Interestingly, neither team found success from beyond the arc, as they combined for an abysmal 0-of-11 from four-point territory. Rain or Shine missed all three of their deep attempts, while Blackwater failed to convert on all eight of theirs.
