MANILA, Philippines – Roaring back from imminent defeat, the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters edged out league beginners Blackwater Elite, 82-75, during their all-Filipino clash at the PBA Philippine Cup at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum Friday night.
Down 15 points, 53-38, at the third, the Elasto Painters had Araneta as their canvass, their offense the masterpiece.
Rain or Shine went on an 11-2 run with forward Gabe Norwood capping the strokes with a steal and a slam on the other end putting the scores at 64-62 in the fourth.
“They gave us a really tough time. It’s just our experience that won us the game,” Rain or Shine head coach Yeng Guiao said. “It’s just lucky for us that we gathered ourselves in time to win this game”.
With the game at a near stalemate, 71-70, the Elasto Painters went on a 10-2 run with big man Beau Belga draining a mid-range jumper to put the boards at 80-72.
Rain or Shine managed to get the victory despite losing Ryan Araña to a hamstring injury during the game and Chris Tiu and talisman Paul Lee sitting out the match.
Raymond Almazan had the artisan’s hand with 17 points and nine boards with Belga and Jeff Chan adding nine points apiece.
Feeling the brunt of losing such wing players, Rain or Shine failed to knock anything from deep going 0-25, but made a living inside with 56 points compared to the Elite’s 30.
Eddie Laure led Elite with a double-double of 16 points and 12 boards.
The Scores:
Rain or Shine 82 – Almazan 17, Chan 9, Belga 9, Ibañes 8, Jc. Cruz 8, Norwood 7, Jv. Cruz 6, Quiñahan 6, Uyloan 4, Tang 4, Teng 2, Araña 2.
Blackwater 75 – Laure 16, Nuyles 13, Gamalinda 13, Tiongson 12, Faundo 6, Menor 5, Artadi 4, Erram 2, Rodriguez 2, Ballesteros 2, Timberlake 0, Cawaling 0, Austria 0.
Quarters: 11-16, 31-40, 51-60, 82-75.