The Rain or Shine Elasto Painters weathered a blistering third quarter storm by the Blackwater Bossing with a massive fourth quarter of their own to grab a 110-100 victory in their PBA Philippine Cup clash Friday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
The Painters lost an 18-point lead as they trailed by eight in the third quarter, but they recovered just in time to return to the win column.
Keith Datu powered the Painters with 20 points and eight rebounds, while Adrian Nocum and Jhonard Clarito backstopped with 17 and 16 markers, respectively.
Rain or Shine took an 18-point lead, 40-22, in the second quarter after a jumper by Nocum.
The double-digit advantage remained through the third quarter, as a split from the line by Gabe Norwood gave them a 60-48 lead.
But a 17-4 run capped by a triple by Richard Escoto gave the Bossing the edge, 65-64.
A Santi Santillan triple gave the upper hand back to Rain or Shine, 67-65, but Blackwater’s hot run continued as they went up by eight, 77-69, after a trey by Sedrick Barefield, the last points of the team’s 36 points in the quarter.
But the Painters found their rhythm anew in the final frame. After a jumper by Cliff Jopia made it a one-point game, 90-91, with 5:42 left, Rain or Shine unleashed a 10-1 run led by Nocum to grab a 101-91 advantage.
Consecutive shots by Christian David kept Blackwater alive, but finishing touches by Anton Asistio, Clarito and Nocum iced the game.
Gian Mamuyac chipped in 13 points, six rebounds and five assists for Rain or Shine.
Escoto spearheaded the Bossing with 20 points and four rebounds, while Jack Cruz-Dumont had 19 points. David and Barefield have 18 and 15 markers, respectively.