Painters outlast Giants in overtime

Rain or Shine started sluggishly but finished strong, topping Purefoods, 88-84, in overtime in the KFC PBA Philippine Cup at the Olivares Sports Center in Parañaque yesterday.

The Elasto Painters overcame an early 19-point deficit on a fiery windup, checking a two-game skid to move back in the upper half of the chart with a 3-2 win-loss record.

JayR Reyes, Gabe Norwood, Sol Mercado and Don Dulay starred in Rain or Shine’s uprising, showing tremendous poise to lead the team past the Giants who reeled to a fourth straight defeat.

Rallying from a 14-33 deficit, the Elasto Painters even had the chance to win the game right in regulation play but Rob Wainwright fumbled a crucial inbound in the closing seconds with the count tied at 79-all.

Mercado, Reyes and Dulay then delivered the key baskets for Rain or Shine in extension play as the Asian Coating ballclub regained its winning ways following back-to-back losses to San Miguel Beer and Alaska Milk.

The Elasto Painters moved ahead to stay at 86-83 on a three-pointer from Dulay with 1:16 left to play.

Meanwhile, Alaska Milk and Sta. Lucia Realty hope to keep their one-two positions, both seeking a fifth win as they take on separate opponents today at the Ynares Sports Center.

The Aces clash with the Talk n Text Tropang Texters while the Realtors collide with the Air21 Express at 7:30 p.m. in the league’s first visit to the Antipolo venue this season.

Alaska is unbeaten in four games while Sta. Lucia has gone on a four-game run after losing its first game in the season to Barangay Ginebra.

Both are favored to nail a fifth win up against rivals off to a struggling start in the season.

The Texters have been inconsistent with two wins against the same number of losses while the Express have just broke into the win-column after losing their first four games.

Still, both coaches Tim Cone of Alaska and Boyet Fernandez of Sta. Lucia said they’re not taking the Texters and the Express lightly.

Cone considers Talk n Text among the teams to beat in the tournament, struggling at the moment with top frontcourt player Ali Peek out with an injury.

Fernandez, meanwhile, said the Express are scary having gotten over the hump the last time out.