Rain or Shine turned on the heat late to rout Blackwater, 99-82, for a much-needed win in the 2019 Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City Wednesday night.
Rey Nambatac was splendid all game for the Elasto Painters, scattering a team-high 18 points with seven rebounds and seven assists to lead his squad to victory.
The Painters stayed in the hunt for a quarterfinals berth with the win, tying the Elite and Phoenix at 2-5 for place ninth to 11th.
New import Kwame Alexander was solid as well for Rain or Shine, tallying a double-double of 17 points and 16 boards, while Beau Belga added 17 more markers.
The Elasto Painters ended the game on burly 15-1 blast to finally end their woes.
A pivotal 8-0 run bridging the last two quarters restored order for Rain or Shine, giving it a key 75-67 advantage after a Belga triple with 10:14 remaining.
Blackwater inched to within just, three, 81-84, after a split from the line from Marqus Blakely.
However, the Elasto Painters followed up with some marginal baskets in the clutch to preserve the win.
A decisive 10-0 run was uncorked by Rain or Shine in the waning minutes to suddenly open up the game’s largest lead, 94-91, and seal its second victory following a floater from Mark Borboran with 1:45 remaining.
The win also snapped Rain or Shine’s four-game losing streak.
Rain or Shine turned the tides in its favor in the second quarter, outscoring Blackwater, 29-14, in a dominant stretch to snatch control.
A booming 17-6 run to end the first half gave the Elasto Painters a 49-40 advantage into halftime.
It was Blackwater which started out well, opening up eight-point leads in the first period before carrying a 26-20 edge into the second frame.
The two teams exchanged runs for most part but it was the Painters who owned the payoff period.
The scores:
Rain or Shine 99—Nambatac 18, Alexander 17, Belga 17, Daquioag 13, Exciminiano 8, Ponferada 7, Borboran 7, Norwood 5, Mocon 3, Onwubere 3.
Blackwater 82—Parks 27, Blakely 21, Cortez 16, Sumang 7, Belo 7, Maliksi 2, Sena 2, Cruz 0, Desiderio 0, Heruela 0, Al-Hussaini 0, Jose 0.
Quarterscores: 20-26, 49-40, 69-67, 99-82.