Rain or Shine beats Blackwater to stop telling slide
THE skidding Rain or Shine Elasto Painters finally caught a break in the Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup on Wednesday, defeating the Blackwater Elite, 99-82, in their clash at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.
Losers of their last four matches prior to the game, Rain or Shine (2-5) fought with a firmer footing, bucking a rough start and holding tough down the stretch to get back in the win column.
Rey Nambatac led the way for the Elasto Painters with 18 points, seven rebounds and seven assists with new import Kwame Alexander posting a double-double of 17 points and 16 rebounds.
Blackwater got it going in the opening quarter, led by Ray Parks Jr. and import Marqus Blakely, to take the first quarter, 26-20.
In the second frame it was Rain or Shine which got the traction as Alexander and Belga found their mark.
The Elasto Painters outscored the Elite, 14-8, to level the count at 34-all with 6:57 to go in the quarter before completing the turnaround and seizing the lead, 49-40, at the break.
The third period had the teams in a slugfest with Blackwater jump-starting things with a 12-2 run to reclaim the lead, 52-51, with just three minutes lapsing.
Momentum shifted back and forth after with the count standing at 69-67, and Rain or Shine ahead, with one quarter left to play.
Recognizing that they let Blackwater come too close for comfort in the third, Rain or Shine started strong in the fourth canto, blitzing to an 8-2 run to build a 77-69 lead by the 8:51 mark.
The Elite made attempts to claw their way back but were staved off by the Elasto Painters, who held an 84-80 advantage with four minutes left in the contest.
From there, on the lead of Mr. Alexander and Rey Nambatac, Rain or Shine outgunned Blackwater, 15-2, to pull away and notch the win.
Mr. Belga also finished with 17 points for the Elasto Painters with Ed Daquioag adding 13.
For Blackwater (2-5), it was Mr. Parks who led with 27 points and 11 boards and Mr. Blakely finishing with 21 and 12. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo
