Rain or Shine outlasts Blackwater in tuneup; Belo scores 19

Tune up game between Rain or Shine and Blackwater.

Rain or Shine banked on its experience to edge Blackwater, 98-94, in a tuneup game Thursday at SGS Gym in Quezon City.

Jericho Cruz showed the way with 21 points to help the Elasto Painters break away in the fourth quarter.

Jay Washington added 14 markers, while Beau Belga chipped in 12 in the victory.

“Ayokong nakikitang nagre-relax ang players sa court and technically today, that’s how we started. Pero we
looked ok naman after that,” said coach Caloy Garcia.

Blackwater refused to back down from E-Painters, fighting tooth-and-nail in the first three quarters before Rain or Shine finally ran away in the fourth, with Jeff Chan giving his squad an 89-81 lead with four minutes to play.

Rookie Mac Belo proved his worth and shined the brightest for the Elite with 19 points. Kyle Pascual also got 12 in the loss.

Still, coach Leo Isaac was elated with what he saw in his new-look squad.

“Happy kami sa outcome nito. Kailangan lang namin ng konting adjustments since ito naman yung unang tuneup namin,” he said.