Adrian Nocum in action for Rain or Shine against Magnolia in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup. Photo from PBA Images. MANILA — The Rain or Shine ElastoPainters are the first team to beat the Magnolia Hotshots in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup.

All thanks to their hot shooting, RoS torched Magnolia, 119-105, during their Sunday evening faceoff at the Ynares Center in Montalban, Rizal.

This was the fourth win of the E-Painters in six outings, and heading their attack was Adrian Nocum who finished with 20 points on 8-of-12 shooting from the field.

“It’s a challenge to face Magnolia. Alam naman naming wala pa silang talo, so we were just hoping na baka malasin sila at matapat sa araw na kalaban namin sila,” said Rain or Shine head coach Yeng Guiao on their victory.

“Buti na lang medyo minalas sila, at maganda yung shooting namin. We were able to play at our own pace, and nagtulong-tulong lang kami. Everybody was able to score and contribute offensively, and much more defensively,” he added.

Aside from Nocum, Santi Santillan also stepped up with 17 points, 13 rebounds, and three blocks, while Jhonard Clarito and Keith Datu converted two three-pointers each to complete their 14 and 10 markers, respectively.  

Aside from this, Rain or Shine went admirable on the field, converting 42 of their 81 attempts (51.9%), and 15 of their 31 shots from beyond the three-point line (48.4%).

These splits manifested early in the contest as RoS only trailed 2-0, and they went on to answer with a 35-to16 charge which was made from baskets by Felix Lemetti, Caelan Tiongson, Mike Malonzo, Beau Belga, Santillan, Datu, and Nocum.

Guiao’s troops managed to maintain their distance later on in the contest, even leading by 23 early in the fourth period, and that was eventually all they needed to put a dent in the erstwhile perfect record of the Hotshots.  

Zav Lucero had a solid 17-point, six-rebound game with an assist, Mark Barroca and Ian Sangalang followed with 15 points each, while Jed Mendoza had 11, but these went for naught as they absorbed their first loss in seven games.

The Scores: 

Rain or Shine 119 – Nocum 20, Santillan 17, Clarito 14, Lemetti 11, Datu 10, Mamuyac 9, Malonzo 8, Tiongson 8, Caracut 7, Belga 7, Ildefonso 5, Norwood 3.

Magnolia 105 – Lucero 17, Barroca 15, Sangalang 15, Mendoza 11, Lee 7, Ahanmisi 7, Lastimosa 6, Abueva 5, Eriobu 5, Dela Rosa 4, Escoto 3, Dionisio 2, Alfaro 2, Laput 2, Reavis 0.

Quarterscores: 37-21, 62-52, 92-71, 119-105.