Rain or Shine’s Journey to the Quarterfinals
From an inauspicious 0-4 start, Rain or Shine turned its fortunes around in the PBA Philippine Cup. The Elasto Painters won six of their last seven games in the elimination round to secure a spot in the quarterfinals.
Coach Yeng Guiao’s Patience Pays Off
Coach Yeng Guiao expressed his satisfaction with the team’s progress, stating, “I never lost hope. But sometimes, I got frustrated.” The team’s hard work and patience finally paid off, leading to their successful run in the tournament.
Player Performances and Contributions
- Beau Belga led the team with 18 points and 4 assists.
- Shaun Ildefonso made a significant impact with 14 points, including key three-pointers and a memorable dunk.
- Santi Santillan, Jhonard Clarito, Andrei Caracut, and Gian Mamuyac also contributed double-digit points to the team’s victory.
- Rookie Keith Datu returned from injury to add 6 points to the team’s tally.
Opponent’s Performance
Despite Robert Bolick’s impressive 38-point performance for NLEX, the team suffered its fourth consecutive loss, impacting their standing in the tournament.
Standings and Future Prospects
Rain or Shine’s resurgence contrasted with NLEX’s slump, as the Road Warriors fell to a 5-5 record. Meanwhile, Barangay Ginebra secured the last twice-to-beat bonus for the quarterfinals with a 7-3 record.
Final Scores
Rain or Shine 120, NLEX 104
Quarters: 30-23, 62-43, 97-74, 120-104
