Games today:
(Ninoy Aquino Stadium)
3:30 p.m. — Meralco vs TNT
6:15 p.m. — Terrafirma vs Ginebra
Rain or Shine ignited a decisive run midway in the fourth quarter to take down skidding Blackwater, 110-103, for a third consecutive victory in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup Saturday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Down by six early in the payoff period, the Elasto Painters turned the game around with a huge 16-6 rally to take the lead with under seven minutes left before holding off the Bossing in the closing stretch.
“We’ve been playing really good second halves. In our three wins, we had awful starts, but we were able to recover in time,” Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao said as his team improved to a 3-4 win-loss record.
Santi Santillan came three points shy of tying his career-high after finishing with 28 points on 11-of-14 field goal shooting and grabbing seven rebounds on top of three assists to lead the Elasto Painters.
Beau Belga, who came off a triple-double in the previous outing, added 21 points, seven rebounds and four assists while Jhonar Clarito and Andrei Caracut scored 16 and 12 points, respectively, for Rain or Shine.
Santillan drained a clutch and-one basket with 2:02 left to give the Elasto Painters a 107-102 lead after Blackwater closed in by three.
Belga made two of his four charities in the next couple of plays before Santillan’s split at the free throw line nailed the final count that sent the Bossing reeling to a third straight loss after a 3-0 start.
Blackwater held an 86-80 lead to start the fourth quarter before Rain or Shine made the huge counterattack to get on top, 96-92, with 6:58 left courtesy of a Santillan layup.
“I think we’re getting our rhythm back. Beau is playing consistently. Andrei is slowly getting his game back. But I’m still not happy with our free throw shooting percentages and our boxing out on rebounds because we gave up too many offensive rebounds,” Guiao said as he pointed out the 21 offensive boards Rain or Shine gave Blackwater.
