RAIN or Shine cruised to a 120-104 win over NLEX and claimed a berth in the PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals on Friday night at the Philsports Arena.
Veteran Beau Belga finished with 18 points to lead five others in double figures for the Elasto Painters, who finished the eliminations with a 6-5 record.
The third straight loss by NLEX assured Barangay Ginebra of securing the No. 2 seed and a twice-to-beat advantage in the playoffs.
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The Elasto Painters had a two-week break going to their all-important game against the Road Warriors which coach Yeng Guiao believed helped the team a lot.
“Nakabuti sa amin yung two-week break. We just really got ourselves to get into shape para ma-sustain namin yung bilis,” said Guiao. “Tsaka pumasok yung mga tres namin. Pag pumapasok yung mga tres ninyo, malaki yung chance ninyo na manalo.”
Rain or Shine shot 40 percent from beyond the arc (14-of-35) and had already eight three-pointers in the opening half when it began to tear the game apart, 62-43.
The lead reached its biggest at 95-69 late in the third period.
Leonard Santillan had 17 points, nine rebounds, and five assists for Rain or Shine, which also got 15 from the returning Keith Datu and 14 from Shaun Ildefonso, including a one-handed dunk in the waning seconds of the game.
Robert Bolick returned from a one-game absence and finished with a game-high 38 points for the Road Warriors, who fell to an even 5-5 record.
NLEX now needs to win over Barangay Ginebra on Sunday for a chance to make it to the quarterfinals outright.
The scores:
Rain or Shine (120) - Belga 18, Santillan 17, Clarito 15, Ildefonso 14, Caracut 12, Mamuyac 12, Asistio 7, Datu 6, Nocum 6, Borboran 5, Concepcion 3, Demusis 3, Norwood 2, Belo 0, Paredes 0.
NLEX (104) - Bolick 38, Semerad 18, Rodger 9, Valdez 9, Nieto 8, Fajardo 6, Anthony 6, Nermal 6, Miranda 2, Amer 2, Pascual 0, Herndon 0, Marcelo 0.
Quarterscores: 30-23; 62-43; 97-74; 120-104.
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