RAIN or Shine leaned on Beau Belga’s first triple-double of his career to bring down Converge FiberXers, 110-90, in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Belga finished with monster numbers of 25 points on 9-of-13 shooting from the field, 12 rebounds and 10 assists in almost 37 minutes of action for the Yeng Guiao-mentored E-Painters.

“We wanted to win wèaring this (throwback Welcoat) jersey. We tried our best to win,” said Belga, referring to his career game.

PBA chief statistician Fidel Mangonon said the 37-year-old Belga became the oldest player to complete a triple double since PBA legend Ramon Fernandez — then 38 — did it in 1992.

Belga’s coach Guiao, had goodcwords for his ward.

“When you get older, you also get smarter. I thik he has rounded out h8s game very well,” said Guiao.

Santi Santillan added a double-double performance of 23 points and 11 rebounds while Andrei Caracut contributed 15 points and 13 assists for Rain or Shine, which improved to 2-4 win-loss record.

Shaun Ildefonso and Gian Mamuyac chipped in with 15 and 10 points, respectively.

Manuyac also had a career-high13 assists.

Justine Arana led the scoring for the FiberXers, who dropped to 0-6.

Arana scored 20 points and nine rebounds in 40 minutes, while Deschon Winston added 14 points.

Alec Stockton and Bryan Santos contributed with 13 and 12 points, respectively.

The 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.
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.
Quarterscores: 24-24, 52-47, 75-63, 110-90.

Games Friday:

(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
4:30 p.m. — TNT vs. NorthPort
7:30 p.m. — Ginebra vs. San Miguel

AUTHOR PROFILE

Robert Andaya