This time, Rain or Shine closed it out.
Jericho Cruz took charge late as the Elasto Painters showed former coach Yeng Guiao that the team is doing fine, beating NLEX, 107-97 Friday in the 2017 PBA Philippine Cup at Philsports Arena in Pasig.
The third-year guard made sure there won’t be any collapse anew, firing eight of his 19 points, on top of six rebounds and four assists to preserve the victory.
“I told the guys not to focus on coach Yeng but focus more on winning,” said coach Caloy Garcia, as the Elasto Painters fought back from a 12-point deficit in the third period before finally taking the lead in the fourth.
“We woke them up and told them, ‘You’re playing not like old Rain or Shine team, and you’re not even there to win. If we lose, we’re not having a break, so maybe that’s the reason, but I think it was Jireh (Ibanes) with his defense that changed the game and oriented our offense. When he came in, the intensity of our game truly changed.”
Jewel Ponferrada topped Rain or Shine with 22 markers and nine boards, while Jeff Chan had 16 points and three rebounds as it closed the game out on a 12-4 run.
The Elasto Painters forced a three-way tie for the second spot with Blackwater and TNT at 4-2, while NLEX
suffered its fifth straight loss and fell to 1-5.
Sean Anthony topped the Road Warriors with 22 points and 16 rebounds, while Jansen Rios got 20 markers.
Kevin Alas also shot 4-of-5 from threes to wound up with 17 in the defeat.
The Scores:
RAIN OR SHINE 107 – Ponferrada 22, Cruz 19, Chan 16, Yap 13, Norwood 11, Ahanmisi 7, Washington 7, Trollano 6, Belga 4, Matias 2, Tolomia 0, Ibanes 0, Maiquez 0.
NLEX 97 – Anthony 22, Rios 20, Alas 17, Villanueva 9, Baracael 7, Khobuntin 6, Taulava 5, Monfort 5, Camson 4, Lastimosa 2, Guinto 0.
Quarters: 21-28, 48-58, 80-85, 107-97.