RAIN OR SHINE SECURES TWICE-TO-BEAT BONUS
Rain or Shine stretched it franchise-record run to seven games and maintained its consistency as pennant contender as the Elasto Painters thwarted the Air21 Express, 104-94, to secure playoffs second seeding in the PLDT myDSL PBA Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Saturday night.
With their early 20-point spread being eaten up by the Express in the final half, rookies Alex Nuyles and Raymond Almazan rose to the occasion and the Elasto Painters sprang back to life, nailing the all important victory No. 11.
With a closing 11-3 win-loss mark, Rain or Shine gained runner-up honors behind Barangay Ginebra San Miguel in the elimination round and thus moved into the quarterfinals with a twice-to-beat bonus.
The Elasto Painters enjoy the decisive advantage for the third time in the last five conferences – a tribute and testimony to the consistency as contender of the Asian Coating Inc. franchise.
“It’s a measure of the consistency of our team,” said Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao.
“We’re not the most talented team, not the tallest, not the most expensive, but we’ve been able to stay consistent by applying our system and our philosophy,” Guiao added.
Air21, on the other hand, is again out after the eliminations.
Nuyles and Almazan played key roles, teaming up in a decisive surge that fended off the Express’ fiery chase in the second half.
These RoS freshmen combined for 15 straight points in a crucial flurry after the Express came charging back from 23-43 down and threatened at 69-71 late in the third quarter.
Almazan scored 12 of his 13 points in the fourth quarter while Nuyles rattled in eight straight markers in a brief stretch bridging the last two periods.
After they were done with their key exploits, the Elasto Painters were back in control at 92-74.
The Express snapped a long dry spell, making their first basket in the payoff period courtesy of Joseph Yeo with 8:48 left to play.
“We prepared seriously for this game. We knew how dangerous Air21 is especially playing without pressure,” said Guiao.
Definitely frustrated or sad with the outcome of the game were the Petron Blaze Boosters.
With a 10-4 slate, the Boosters hoped the Express could help them set a playoff with the E-Painters for the No. 2 spot.
The Express just couldn’t stop the E-Painters’ hot run, though.
“We didn’t take them lightly. It’s our way of trying to maintain our winning streak and the momentum to be ready for the playoffs,” said Guiao. (SB)
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