Rain or Shine’s Santi Santillian in the PBA Philippine Cup.–PBA IMAGES
Rain or Shine is on pace to replicate what it had done the previous conference by overcoming a winless start with a string of triumphs.
But after three straight victories that included Saturday’s 110-103 win over Blackwater in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup at Ninoy Aquino Stadium, coach Yeng Guiao feels the rest of Rain or Shine’s schedule won’t be as easy as it looks on paper.
“The teams that you expect to be at the bottom before are among the top teams right now,” Guiao said after the Elasto Painters stretched their streak following a 0-4 start.
SCHEDULE: 2024 PBA Philippine Cup
The Elasto Painters face the Terrafirma Dyip next Saturday in Caloocan City, but the latter is currently at 3-3 after winning two of its first three outings.
Then it’s back to Ninoy Aquino on April 17 when Rain or Shine battles NorthPort, which at this point of the eliminations holds a 4-1 record anchored by Arvin Tolentino.
Stellar play
“It feels like you’re also facing one of the strongest teams in the league,” Guiao added in Filipino.
Rain or Shine’s remaining games following that stretch are against powerhouse Magnolia on April 20 in Tiaong, Quezon and NLEX, with a 4-1 card before facing Magnolia at press time, on May 3 at Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
Santi Santillan’s 28 points, the highest of his young career, and another stellar play from Beau Belga with 21 points, seven rebounds and four assists, propelled Rain or Shine to its latest win, this time at the expense of former teammate Rey Nambatac.
READ: PBA: Rain or Shine escapes ‘double Rey’ problem to beat Blackwater
Nambatac waxed hot from the start that put Blackwater on top but struggled due to fouls, eventually getting his sixth late in the final period. He finished with 13 points.
And while Rain or Shine’s trajectory is on the upward trend, Blackwater is heading south after dropping its third straight outing.
Blackwater began the all-Filipino tournament with three straight wins.
Its schedule is much more difficult than Rain or Shine’s with Barangay Ginebra due on April 12 at Philsports, Magnolia on April 17 at Ninoy Aquino, NorthPort on April 27 in Caloocan and San Miguel Beer on May 1 at Philsports.
Blackwater closes out vs Phoenix on May 4 at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.