MANILA, Philippines — Rain or Shine won a fifth straight game Saturday night by bringing down Talk ‘N Text, 90-88, and practically throwing the defending champions’ twice-to-beat aspirations in the PLDT MyDSL Philippine Cup playoffs out of the window at Mall of Asia Arena.
Beau Belga was big on both ends for the Elasto Painters, who rose to 9-3 overall and kept themselves in the hunt for that distinct quarterfinal round advantage as they tied idle Petron Blaze at No. 2, just half a game behind the league-leading Barangay Ginebra Kings.
The Texters lost for the second straight time after bungling several golden chances in the stretch, and Talk ‘N Text, which is bidding to become the first team to win this conference four straight seasons, dropped to 7-5 and more than two games out of the No. 2 spot.
“We just rode our energy and tried to be aggressive the entire game,” Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao said after avenging a close first round loss to the Texters. “We’re beating teams in the endgame and it shows (our) mental toughness.”
Earlier, San Mig Coffee hacked out a 67-60 win over Air21 to claim a tie for fifth and virtually send the Express packing for the tournament. The Mixers rose to 5-7, tied with Barako Bull and Meralco, while Air21 is now at 3-10.
Finishing 1-2 after the elimination round carries a big advantage in the first round of the playoffs as the top-notcher clashes with No. 8 and No. 2 battles No. 7 needing to win just once to advance to the Final Four.
The Gin Kings, meanwhile, try to to put a lock on top seed Sunday when they slug it out with Barako Bull in the 5:15 p.m. contest at Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.
Globalport and Alaska, sides trying to stay within the magic circle of teams that will advance, battle in the 3 p.m. contest.
The scores:
First Game
SAN MIG COFFEE 67—Simon 20, De Ocampo 12, Barroca 11, Pingris 7, Devance 6, Sangalang 6, Mallari 3, Reavis 2, Melton 0.
AIR21 60—Canaleta 22, Cardona 11, Yeo 9, Taulava 5, Manuel 4, Arboleda 3, Sharma 2, Custodio 2, Camson 2, Matias 0, Espiritu 0, Menor 0.
Quarters: 17-12, 29-25, 44-43, 67-60
Second Game
RAIN OR SHINE 90—Quiñahan 19, Belga 16, Nuyles 13, Lee 8, Chan 7, Cruz 6, Tiu 5, Araña 4, Rodriguez 4, Norwood 4, Tang 2, Ibañes 2, Almazan 0.
TALK ‘N TEXT 88—De Ocampo 24, Seigle 18, Castro 17, Alapag 9, Fonacier 8, Aban 4, Anthony 3, Reyes 3, Baclao 2, Peek 0, Ferriols 0, Poligrates 0, Carey 0.
Quarters: 24-18, 45-46, 71-70, 90-88
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