PBA: Rookies Caelan Tiongson, Felix Lemetti star as Rain or Shine downs Blackwater

Rain or Shine's rookies Caelan Tiongson and Felix Lemetti starred as the Elasto Painters took down Blackwater, 110-97, on Tuesday in the PBA Governors' Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Tiongson posted 15 points, five rebounds, and two assists, while Lemetti had 11 points, three rebounds, and two assists as Rain or Shine took the first win in Group B. 

After leading 59-50 at the end of the first half, the Elasto Painters pulled away in the third period as it outscored the Bossing, 24-12, and capped the said frame with an 83-62 lead, Rain or Shine's biggest lead, thanks to a triple from Lemetti.

Early in the fourth period, Lemetti still provided big shots for Rain or Shine with another triple to give the squad an 88-67 lead before Blackwater cut the deficit with back-to-back triples from James Kwekuteye. 

The Elasto Painters, however, has time on their side and reached the century mark with free throws by Luis Villegas at the 3:50 mark before eventually clinching the win.

Import Aaron Fuller had 24 points, 19 markers, two assists, a steal, and a block, while Leonard Santillan and Gian Mamuyac scored 12 and 10 points, respectively.

Rookie Sedrick Barefield also shone in his debut for Blackwater with 18 points, while Kwekuteye and Bradwyn Guinto tallied 17 and 15 points each. Import Ricky Ledo had 12 points, eight rebounds, four assists, a steal, and a block.

Scores:

Rain or Shine 110 – Fuller 24, Tiongson 15, Santillan 12, Lemetti 11, Mamuyac 10, Asistio 9, Nocum 8, Clarito 8, Ildefonso 4, Villegas 4, Datu 3, Belga 2, Caracut 0, Norwood 0.

Blackwater 97 – Barefield 18, Kwekuteye 17, Guinto 15, Ledo 12, Rosario 10, David 7, Chua 6, Casio 5, Tungcab 3, Suerte 2, Jopia 2, Montalbo 0, Ponferrada 0, Hill 0, Mitchell 0.

Quarters: 30-26, 59-50, 83-62, 110-97.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News