The Rain or Shine Elasto Painters escape the NLEX Road Warriors, 83-82, to pick up their first win of the 2021 PBA Philippine Cup at the Ynares Center in Pasig.
Both teams came out firing from the let go and the game is tied at 26 points heading to the second quarter. Kevin Alas was on a hot start having 11 for NLEX while Javee Mocon leads Rain or Shine with 7.
Kiefer Ravena got his groove back in the second quarter scoring 12 points as he helped NLEX take a five-point lead after the first half.
The Elasto Painters made good first-half adjustments and it showed in the third quarter. This team now leads by six points entering the final period thanks to Beau Belga and Rey Nambatac tag-teaming against NLEX.
NLEX trails by only two points entering the final two minutes of the match. Rey Nambatac commits an offensive foul against Jericho Cruz. Anthony Semerad fails to drain the three that could have given the Road Warriors the lead.
Beau Belga with a short hook gives the Elasto Painters a four-point lead with 56 seconds left. Ravena counters with a long three-point bomb with leaving 19 seconds on the clock to bring the lead down to just one.
Ravena stole the ball in the final seconds but Semerad failed to convert the game-winning jumper as Rain or Shine takes home the victory, 83-82.
Nambatac finished the game with 19 points and eight rebounds but he got help from veteran big man Belga who contributed 17 points, seven boards and five assists. Mocon also had a good night doing 12 points, six rebounds and four assists.
Ravena led all scorers with 23 points, seven assists and three rebounds. Alas tallied 13 points while Don Trollano did 11.
The Elasto Painters return to the court on Sunday, July 18 against Blackwater Bossing while NLEX tackles Ginebra on the same date.
