By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter

THE Rain or Shine Elasto Painters staved off opening their Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup campaign with back-to-back losses after surviving the Columbian Dyip, 96-90, on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Found themselves in another close fight with the Dyip, the Elasto Painters made big plays in the end to extricate themselves from their opponents and pull off the victory that improved them to 1-1 for the tournament.

The two teams had it close in the early goings of the match before Rain or Shine made a late push in the first quarter to build a 23-14 advantage after the opening 12 minutes.

In the second quarter, CJ Perez would lead a 13-2 run by Columbian in the first three minutes to push his team ahead, 27-25.

The Dyip kept taking it to the Elasto Painters, extending their lead to seven points, 38-31, by the 5:52 mark.

Import Joel Wright and Rey Nambatac, however, would not allow Rain or Shine to fall too far behind, scoring buckets to keep the E-Painters to within striking distance, 38-35, midway into the quarter.

The two teams kept going at it for the remainder of the frame, fighting to a knotted count of 44-all at the halftime break.

At the start of the third quarter the teams would not budge and have it tight.

Columbian reinforcement Khapri Alston pushed his team to an early 50-44 lead but the E-Painters clawed their way back, down by just two points, 53-51, with 7:20 left in the frame.

Rain or Shine sustained its competitive form and resilience and was accordingly rewarded for it, getting the upper hand, 66-63, heading into the final quarter.

With the outcome of the contest still wide open, the two teams battled for control as the payoff quarter commenced.

The score was tied at 68-all with 10-38 to go until the E-Painters, led by Mr. Wright and Ed Daquioag, went on a 6-0 run in the next minute to hold a 74-68 lead.

Newly acquired Juami Tiongson and Mr. Alston willed the Dyip back, helping their team to overtake Rain or Shine, 82-81, with 5:11 left.

Control swung back and forth between the two teams after.

The count stood at 87-all with 3:23 to go after a game-tying breakout layup from Mr. Perez.

Mr. Tiongson handed back the lead to the Dyip, 89-97, off a jumper at the last two-minute mark.

Rain or Shine pulled even, 89-all, with a basket from Mr. Wright 48 seconds later.

The Dyip tried to go ahead anew after but to no avail and Mr. Wright made them pay for it as he scored once again off the break and was fouled with 45 seconds remaining.

He, however, missed his free throw, to keep the score at 91-89 for Rain or Shine.

Columbian sued for time to set up a play.

It went to Mr. Perez to make things happen but the star guard turned the ball over with 33 ticks to go.

Off a timeout the Elasto Painters got the ball to Mr. Wright, who in turn called for a clear out and tested the defense of his Columbian counterpart Alston.

The Rain or Shine import scored off a layup with 14 seconds remaining to make it a 93-89 affair.

The Dyip went to Mr. Alston off a cease fire to make a play.

He was fouled by Norbert Torres in the paint with 11 seconds to go but he only made one of two free throws to give Rain or Shine a three-point lead, 93-90.

The E-Painters called for time anew and went to Mr. Wright once again.

He was fouled but split his charities. Columbian, though, failed to secure the rebound.

Two made free throws by Mr. Daquioag with three seconds left secured the win for Rain or Shine, 96-90.

Mr. Wright led Rain or Shine with 30 points and 10 rebounds followed by Mr. Nambatac with 17 points.

For Columbian it was Mr. Alston who top-scored with 23 points to go along with 15 rebounds.

Mr. Perez had 22 points while Glenn Khobuntin had 14.

“We had better ball rotation in this game and different players got their touches,” said Rain or Shine coach Caloy Garcia said after their win.

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