Rain or Shine earns first win, deals Phoenix first loss

Rain or Shine broke into the win column in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Season 50 Governors' Cup after defeating previously unbeaten Phoenix Super LPG, 105-98, on Tuesday night at the Ynares Center.

Import Aaron Fuller starred with 28 points and 16 rebounds as the Elasto Painters snapped their two-game losing streak to open the conference while denying the Fuel Masters a fourth straight victory.

Rain or Shine led comfortably for most of the contest before Phoenix mounted an 8-0 run late in the fourth quarter to cut the deficit to 102-98.

The Elasto Painters responded in crunch time as Andrei Caracut sank a timely free throw to stop the Fuel Masters' rally before Fuller finished off an Adrian Nocum assist for the final basket of the game to seal the win.

"Medyo malapit na kaming maging desperado, kailangan na namin talagang manalo," Rain or Shine head coach Yeng Guiao said after the victory.

Nocum orchestrated the offense with 16 points, six rebounds, and eight assists, while Mike Malonzo added 12 points and six rebounds. Team captain Caelan Tiongson also scored 11 points as Rain or Shine improved to 1-2 in Group B.

The victory also came against former Elasto Painter Gian Mamuyac, who faced Rain or Shine for the first time since being traded to Phoenix last week. Mamuyac finished with eight points, two rebounds, two assists, and one steal in nearly 22 minutes off the bench.

BJ Johnson led the Fuel Masters with 27 points and 11 rebounds, while Kenneth Tuffin contributed 16 points and eight rebounds. Jason Perkins added 13 points, and Tyler Tio chipped in 12.

Phoenix also lost guard Ricci Rivero in the third quarter after he was ejected following two technical fouls.

Rain or Shine looks to carry its momentum into Sunday's showdown against Barangay Ginebra at the SMART Araneta Coliseum, while Phoenix aims to bounce back against Blackwater on July 28 at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.