Elasto Painters survive Bolts rally, extend winning streak to four

Rain or Shine survived a late Meralco comeback attempt and relied on its defense in the closing moments to escape with an 85-83 victory in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Season 50 Governors’ Cup on Sunday night at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.

The Elasto Painters appeared to lose control after giving up a second-half surge, but recovered behind a crucial fourth-quarter run and a strong defensive effort to secure their fourth consecutive win.

Rain or Shine’s advantage disappeared late in the third quarter after Chris Newsome sparked Meralco’s long-range assault. The Bolts responded with a 12-0 run highlighted by Newsome’s hot shooting, taking a 75-68 lead into the final period.

Meralco extended its advantage to 79-72 early in the fourth quarter after a three-pointer by Javee Mocon, but Rain or Shine refused to let the game slip away.

Import Aaron Fuller led the comeback charge, with Luis Villegas and Jhonard Clarito providing key plays on both ends of the floor. The trio fueled a decisive 13-4 run, capped by a basket that gave the Elasto Painters an 83-81 lead with 39.4 seconds remaining.

Cliff Hodge briefly kept the Bolts alive with a difficult layup that tied the game at 83, but Fuller answered with the game-winning basket to put Rain or Shine ahead for good.

The Elasto Painters then survived a tense final possession after Adrian Nocum missed two free throws that could have sealed the victory. Nocum was later called for a foul while defending Bong Quinto, giving Meralco an opportunity to reclaim the lead.

Quinto missed his first free throw and intentionally missed the second, hoping to create a final scoring chance, but Fuller secured the rebound before throwing the ball away as time expired.

“Siguro ito ang pinaka-masamang laro namin, but we found ways to win,” said Rain or Shine head coach Yeng Guiao.

Fuller bounced back from a difficult outing to finish with 25 points and 13 rebounds, helping Rain or Shine avenge its previous 122-114 loss to Meralco on July 18 in Antipolo.

Deo Cuajao added 12 points, including two three-pointers, while Clarito and Caelan Tiongson contributed 11 points each as they stepped up with Nocum struggling offensively before leaving the game due to injury.

Nocum suffered a left thigh injury midway through the third quarter after colliding knees with Hodge. Both players briefly exited for medical attention, but Rain or Shine was affected more offensively as its attack stalled.

Newsome paced Meralco with 16 points, five rebounds, and five assists as the Bolts suffered their third straight defeat to fall to 2-4 in Group A.

According to PBA statistician Fidel Mangonon III, Meralco’s 2-4 start marked its worst opening six-game record in a conference since beginning the 2022-23 Commissioner’s Cup at 1-5.

Antonio Hester posted a double-double with 15 points and 13 rebounds, while Mocon and Hodge each scored 14 points in the losing effort.

Rain or Shine improved to 4-2 and opened the second round on a winning note, although Guiao admitted the game was far from attractive.

“Hindi talaga magandang panoorin — low scoring, maraming messy plays,” Guiao said. “Pero ang importante, na-limit namin sila sa 36 percent field goal shooting, way below their usual average.”