PBA: E-Painters dodge upset, nip Elite

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ANTIPOLO—An upset denied.

Rain or Shine escaped a persistent Blackwater, 98-92, Friday at Ynares Center here to join a three-way logjam at third place of the PBA Governors’ Cup.

Blackwater scored five unanswered to cut the Elasto Painters’ 93-86 lead to just three, 93-90, when Carlo Lastimosa broke away for a layup.

Raiñ or Shine big man JR Quiñahan, however, restored order drilling three free throws off a foul from Eric Dawson in the last 33. -seconds to push the lead to 96-90.

“It’s another hard game, there are no easy games anymore, we’ll work every night to get a win,” said Rain or Shine head coach Yeng Guiao. “Before the game, we knew we were gonna play a very close game.”

“Escaping an upset is a big deal, and earning a win is a big deal.”

The Elasto Painters are now at 2-1, joining Talk N’ Text, Meralco, and San Miguel at no 3.

Talk N’ Text has a chance to either go up or down the standings when it faces Alaska in the next game.

Jeff Chan waxed hot early for Rain or Shine scoring 12 of his 20 points in the first quarter.

Rain or Shine import Dior Lowhorn also finished with 20 points, to go along 12 rebounds, but Guiao said the big man was feeling under the weather and asked to be subbed out in the latter part of the fourth.

Carlo Lastimosa led the 1-2 Elite with 20 points while JP Erram added 16.

Dawson finished with 14 points and 25 rebounds for Blackwater.