Jansen Rios emerged as the Player of the Game in Meralco’s wire-to-wire win over Rain or Shine in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup quarterfinals.
Jansen Rios is used to staying on the outer fringes of the spotlight, doing the dirty work for Meralco on both ends of the floor.
But his efforts did not go unnoticed Saturday night, Dec. 27, as the No. 7 Bolts pummeled second-seeded, twice-to-beat-armed Rain or Shine, 96-79, in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup quarterfinals.
“Sabi ng mga coaches namin, focus lang kami. Locked in kami kasi quarterfinals na,” said Rios.
Rios made some big plays down the stretch, including an ice-cold trey that stopped the Elasto Painters' comeback attempt, 90-75, with 2:33 left to play.
RoS got buried in a 7-21 hole early and still struggled at 34 points down in the first half before trimming the gap to 12 in the fourth period.
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Chris Newsome then uncorked back-to-back jumpers for insurance as the Bolts went on to force a deciding match Monday, Dec. 29.
Rios finished with 12 points, five rebounds, a block and four steals, including two in the final minutes.
“We started out well. We got a big lead. We didn't think that would happen. Rain or Shine is a tough team,” said Meralco coach Luigi Trillo.
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Newsome, CJ Cansino and Cliff Hodge share topscoring honors for the team with 14 points apiece, while Aaron Black fired 12 markers.
Adrian Nocum led Rain or Shine’s assault in the second half where he poured 16 of his 17 points.
Backing him up was Gian Mamuyac, who finished with 16 points, five rebounds, an assist and two steals.
Meralco vs. Rain or Shine Scores:
MERALCO 96 - Newsome 14, Hodge 14, Cansino 14, Black 12, Rios 12, Almazan 9, Banchero 8, Quinto 6, bates 5, Pascual 2, Reyson 0.
RAIN OR SHINE 79 - Nocum 17, Mamuyac 16, Norwood 9, Clarito 9, Tiongson 6, Santillan 6, Malonzo 6, Pringle 5, Lemetti 5, Porter -, Caracut 0, Asistio 0, Villegas 0, Belga 0.
Quarterscores: 35-15, 58-31, 78-60, 96-79
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Like most sportswriters, Jan Ballesteros once dreamed of becoming a professional hooper. But he learned the hard way that it’s not for everyone.
He continues to be involved in the sport he loves, but this time as a member of the PBA Press Corps. Aside from primarily covering the PBA, he is also assigned to cover Gilas Pilipinas.