THE Rain or Shine Elastopainters padded their push for a top-two finish in the elimination round of the PBA Philippine Cup, beating the Phoenix Petroleum Fuel Masters, 97-82, in their opening encounter at the Smart Araneta Coliseum yesterday.
Standing tough in the face of a resilient challenge from Phoenix, Rain or Shine fortified its hold of the second spot in the standings of the season-opening Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) conference with the win.
The Elastopainters relied anew on a balance attack to hold down the Fuel Masters, with guard Jericho Cruz leading the way.
Rain or Shine got off to a fast start, going on a 12-2 blitz in the first four minutes of the game en route to establishing a 31-20 edge at the end of the first canto.
Phoenix, however, would make its move at the start of the second period, cutting down Rain or Shine’s lead to one point, 39-38, only to be checked anew by the Elastopainters as the quarter progressed.
Rain or Shine held a 53-45 edge by the halftime break.
The Elastopainters went on a 13-0 blast to start the third period to establish its biggest lead of 21 points, 66-45, before taking a 17-point cushion by end-third quarter, 78-61.
Phoenix was to make a run in the fourth period, coming close by nine points, 81-72, until Mr. Cruz played fireman, dousing the Fuel Masters’ push with three successive three-pointers to create some distance anew.
The Elastopainters would then further assert their control and put the game away.
Mr. Cruz topscored for Rain or Shine (5-2) with 21 points to go along with six rebounds.
Jeff Chan had 12, James Yap scored 10 while Don Trollano, Jay Washington and Mike Tolomia each had nine points.
Phoenix (4-4) was led by rookie Matthew Wright with 26 points, 12 rebounds and five assists.
“I just told the boys that we have to start the year with a win because if we look at the standings the teams are really stacked up, especially at the top half,” said Rain or Shine coach Caloy Garcia after their win.
“Credit to the boys for stepping up as we are missing some key players,” added the coach, whose wards played sans Gabe Norwood (sore eyes) and Raymond Almazan (calf injury).
Rain or Shine next plays the San Miguel Beermen on Friday, Jan. 13, while Phoenix takes a 10-day break before returning to face the NLEX Road Warriors on Jan. 18.