Rain or Shine Elasto Painters showcased their shooting prowess in a scintillating fourth quarter, defeating the NLEX Road Warriors with a resounding 117-93 victory during their debut in the PBA On Tour at the Ynares Sports Arena Friday night, May 26.
The Elasto Painters unleashed a barrage of seven triples in the final period, four of which came from the hot hand of Anton Asistio, ultimately propelling them to a commanding win.
After a closely contested first three quarters, Rain or Shine entered the fourth quarter with just a one-point advantage.
However, they quickly shifted gears and turned on the scoring machine, led by the dynamic duo of Asistio and Rey Nambatac. Both players tallied 22 points each, showcasing their offensive prowess and delivering clutch shots down the stretch.
Coach Yeng Guiao of Rain or Shine emphasized the importance of the PBA On Tour games, stating, “We treat the PBA On Tour as a learning experience. At the same time, we want to develop our competitive spirit, so we feel the games are important because it’s a way for us to improve, try to experiment, and validate our system.”
Guiao showcased his coaching acumen by distributing minutes evenly among his players, allowing everyone to contribute to the team’s success.
In a genuine team effort, all 12 players for Rain or Shine saw action, with Asistio and Nambatac taking charge during the crucial fourth-quarter run. Jewel Ponferada and Sean Ildefonso also made notable contributions, adding 10 and nine points to secure the victory.
Rain or Shine’s victory highlighted their sharpshooting abilities and demonstrated their determination to excel in the PBA On Tour. With each player contributing valuable minutes, the Elasto Painters showcased their depth and cohesion, leaving fans eager for their next performance.
On the other hand, the undermanned NLEX Road Warriors struggled to keep pace with Rain or Shine, playing without key players Kevin Alas, Brandon Rosser, and Tony Semerad.
Bong Galanza provided a strong performance for NLEX, scoring 22 points in a valiant effort to keep his team within striking distance. Galanza, who previously starred for CAVITEX in the PBA 3×3, displayed his determination to return to the NLEX roster.
The NLEX Road Warriors suffered their second consecutive loss in the pre-season meet after falling to Blackwater in their previous matchup.
Despite the setbacks, NLEX remains optimistic and looks forward to regrouping and returning in the upcoming games.
As Rain or Shine celebrated their dominant victory, they expressed their commitment to using the PBA On Tour as an opportunity to learn, improve, and solidify their competitive spirit.
The team’s explosive performance in the fourth quarter is a testament to their determination and will undoubtedly boost their confidence as they continue their campaign in the pre-season meet.
The boxscores:
RAIN OR SHINE 117—Asistio 22, Nambatac 22, Ponferada 10, Ildefonso 9, Clarito 9, Santillan 9, Borboran 8, Mamuyac 7, Belga 7, Caracut 5, Demusis 5, Norwood 4.
NLEX 93—Galanza 22, Rosales 16, Fajardo 15, Doliguez 11, Trollano 8, Miranda 6, Pascual 6, Celda 4, Gabo 4, Rangel 1.
Quarters: 22-24, 48-51, 75-74, 117-93.