Rain or Shine Elastopainters’ Beau Belga in the PBA Philippine Cup. –PBA IMAGES
Beau Belga notched his first career triple-double as throwback-wearing Rain or Shine clobbered Converge, 110-90, Wednesday in the PBA Philippine Cup at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Belga finished with a career-high 25 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists as the Elasto Painters won back-to-back games after starting the conference with four straight defeats.
“I really need to step up because Keith’s out and Papot had just played his first game,” Belga said in Filipino, noting rookie Keith Datu’s continued absence due to an injury and the debut of former NLEX center Papot Paredes.
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The triple-double is also the first for a local player in the history of the franchise, which sported a retro version of its uniforms from the 2008 season when the Elasto Painters were known as the Welcoat Dragons.
Rain or Shine’s Beau Belga and coach Yeng Guiao after win over Converge. | @MeloFuertesINQ pic.twitter.com/wNNCgzb9zo
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) April 3, 2024
The Dragons won just seven games out of 36 that year, but the retro kits turned out to be a good fortune for the current franchise, at least for the evening affair with the FiberXers.
Santi Santillan had 23 points and 11 rebounds while Shaun Ildefonso added 15 points, also a career-best, for Rain or Shine.
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Andrei Caracut also produced big numbers of 15 points and 13 rebounds in his usual role as coach Yeng Guiao’s chief playmaker.
Converge remained without a victory after six matches as the struggles continued following the two-week All-Star Weekend and Lenten break.
Rookies Sophomores Juniors Game Most Valuable Player Justin Arana tallied 20 points, nine rebounds, two steals and two blocks for Converge.
PBA Scores:
RAIN OR SHINE 110—Belga 25, Santillan 23, Caracut 15, Ildefonso 15, Mamuyac 10, Demusis 6, Borboran 4, Clarito 4, Concepcion 3, Asistio 3, Norwood 2, Belga 0, Paredes 0.
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CONVERGE 90—Arana 20, Winston 14, Stockton 13, Santos 12, Delos Santos 7, Caralipio 7, Melecio 7, Zzaldivar 3, Balanza 3, Nieto 1, Ambohot 0, Maagdenberg 0, Fleming 0, Fornilos 0.
Quarters: 24-24, 52-47, 75-63, 110-90.
