Rain or Shine keeps hot streak

MANILA, Philippines — Rampaging Rain or Shine turned things around in the fourth quarter to frustrate its former player Rey Nambatac and Blackwater, 110-103, for its third straight win in the PBA Philippine Cup yesterday as the league marked a historic return to the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

The Elasto Painters played catch-up basketball in the first three quarters, erasing a 14-point deficit, but had enough left in the tank in unleashing a 30-19 windup behind a slew of heroes led by Santi Santillan, Beau Belga and Jhonard Clarito.

Santillan had 28 points, seven rebounds and three assists, Belga added 21 while Clarito drained eight of his 16 points in the payoff period for Rain or Shine, which climbed to 3-4 after a woeful 0-4 start.

Andrei Caracut produced 12 points while Gian Mamuyac and Nick Demusis tallied eight and seven, respectively, for Rain or Shine as the PBA ended a 13-year absence in the revamped stadium now using the FIBA World Cup flooring.

The PBA last month also had a comeback at the nearby Rizal Memorial Coliseum, which last hosted a PBA game in the 1980s.

And Rain or Shine made the most out of it.

“We’ve been playing really good second-halves. ‘Yung tatlong panalo namin, medyo masama ang start but we’re able to recover in time. We’re getting our rhythm back and we’re finding ways to win,” said coach Yeng Guiao.

The Elasto Painters clobbered Phoenix, 100-85, and Converge, 110-90, for their first two wins.

In the second game, streaking NLEX cruised past Magnolia, 87-74, for its fourth straight win and solo second place at 5-1 just behind unbeaten San Miguel Beer (4-0). Magnolia tripped to 1-2.