Centers add luster to E-Painters’ win

Games today (Smart Araneta Coliseum)

3 p.m. – Globalport vs Alaska

5:15 p.m. – Barako Bull vs Ginebra

MANILA, Philippines - Burly centers JR Quiñahan and Beau Belga delivered brilliant performances as Rain or Shine sustained its rampage, beating out Talk n Text, 90-88, in a well-fought battle to further boost its bid for a Top Two finish in the PLDT MyDSL PBA Philippine Cup elimination round at the Mall of Asia Arena last night.

Quiñahan and Belga combined for 35 points with the latter taking over the game in the homestretch as the Elasto Painters stretched their hot streak to five games and once again pulled even with the Petron Blaze Boosters at second place with identical 9-3 win-loss slate.

Talk n Text bombed out of the battle for the Top Two and its twice-to-beat incentive in the quarterfinals as the three-time defending champs moved down to 7-5 after this Petron Blaze Saturday Special.

“We just rode on our energy. We just tried to be aggressive until the end,” said Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao.

No one was more aggressive than Belga who did practically everything at the finish to personally turn back the Tropang Texters.

The 6-foot-6 center scored the game-tying free throw and the go-ahead basket then later blocked a layup by Ranidel de Ocampo and collared two big rebounds in what’s easily his brightest game in his return from a stint with Gilas Pilipinas as reserve player.

Quiñahan led Rain or Shine’s stand in the fierce game early on with the Cebuano slotman finishing with 19 points and four rebounds. He spiked his team-high output with 3-of-6 three-point shooting.

Rookie Alex Nuyles also lent a big helping hand as he came through with 13 markers.

“Nuyles is proving himself to be a valuable asset making our team deeper in our rotation,” said Guiao.

Earlier in the day, San Mig Coffee closed the quarterfinals door on Air21 as the Mixers repeated over the Express, 67-60.

Two-time MVP winner James Yap was again out due to back spasm but PJ Simon, Mark Barroca and Yancy de Ocampo ably carried the fight for San Mig as they scored a follow-up on their key win over Barangay Ginebra Sunday.