Elastopainters notch fourth straight win, with a fourth standout leading the way

Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao and Jhonard Clarito.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

In case no one was counting, coach Yeng Guiao pointed out the significance of Jhonard Clarito joining him for the postgame press conference on Saturday.

Traditionally, the winning coach and the player of the game are made available to the media after matches.

“Having [a] different player is the Best Player of the Game honor just means that the contributions are spread out,” Guiao said after the Elastopainters’ 116-105 win over the Terrafirma Dyip in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.

That’s four different best players for Rain or Shine so far, matching a win streak that would have been a marvel had it not been preceded by a 0-5 (win-loss) early tournament skid that now seems like it happened ages ago,

The victory at Smart Araneta Coliseum not only gave Rain or Shine a positive feeling going into the holiday break, but also a strong chance of sneaking a quarterfinals berth.

“We just want to preserve our gains,” said Guiao. “We just have to continue playing team ball.”

Rain or Shine returns in January with matches against TNT and Converge and sweeping those assignments likely assures the team a place inside the top eight. One defeat may create some complications.

The Elastopainters are hoping that another player steps up for the team.

19 rebounds

On Saturday, it was Clarito who came through for Guiao, producing 16 points, five rebounds, three assists and two steals for Rain or Shine, a performance that perhaps highlighted the scrappy play of the second-year forward. He was one of five locals in double figures with Beau Belga scoring 18 before twisting his ankle.

The others were Santi Santillan (16), Andrei Caracut (13) and rookie Keith Datu (12), who also had 11 rebounds and two blocks.

The Elastopainters are also winning despite import Demetrius Treadwell only posting 16 points, which is fine for Guiao since he also grabbed 19 rebounds.

“We were lucky that he scored 30 against Magnolia. But I think it may not happen again,” said Guiao, referring to Treadwell’s scoring output in handing the league-leading Hotshots their first defeat. “But the rebounding is what we’re looking for him.”

Terrafirma was handed a sixth straight loss and the Dyip continued to fall deeper into the pit of the standings at 2-7. The Dyip have not won since tripping the NLEX Road Warriors last month.

That also put in danger Terrafirma’s bid to make the playoffs for the first time since the 2016 Governors’ Cup.

Rain or Shine was only up 87-85 entering the fourth before taking control behind Belga, Treadwell and Clarito.