Meralco Bolts vs Rain or Shine Elasto Painters

MANILA, Philippines – Rain or Shine shackled down Meralco import Mario West in the final quarter and knocked in important charities at endgame as the Elasto Painters beat out the Bolts, 81-77, in a tough defensive battle to gain entry into the PBA Governors Cup semifinal round at the Smart Araneta Coliseum tonight.

The Elasto Painters bungled numerous free throws but made the crucial ones as they bounced back from their loss to the Powerade Tigers Sunday and in the process regained a share of the lead with the B-Meg Llamados with their identical 5-1 win-loss slate.

It helped a lot that Rain or Shine held West to two points in the payoff period, throwing off Meralco before eventually handing the Bolts their fourth loss against two wins.

Meanwhile, Talk n Text and Alaska Milk fight to stay alive as they clash in a Phoenix Fuel-sponsored road game in Tubod, Lanao del Norte tomorrow.

“We survived our free throws. We missed a lot and just found other ways to win this game,” said Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao.

“It was a tough defensive game. We played a lot harder in the second game to be able to minimize the effectivity of their import,” Guiao added.

The Elasto Painters converted 14 of 16 free throws after going 15-of-27 from the line in the first three quarters of play.

They made all their last seven charities, spiking a closing 9-2 run that pulled them through in the tough contest marked by nine deadlocks and 19 lead changes.

Jervy Cruz, Paul Lee and Gabe Norwood canned in the clutch foul shots, preserving Jamelle Cornley’s efficient double-double game.

Obviously, Cornley and the fiery Rain or Shine mentor had put behind them their altercation after their loss to Powerade.

Jireh Ibanes lent a big help through a solid defense he put on West in the final quarter.

West led all scorers with 23 points but was held scoreless in the homestretch.