SUN SHINES ON E-PAINTERS

Games today (Smart Araneta Coliseum) 4:30 p.m. – San Miguel vs Blackwater

6:30 p.m. – Ginebra vs TNT

The sun finally shone for Rain or Shine as the Elasto Painters broke out of a six-game slump with a rejuvenating 96-86 victory over NLEX last night in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. On a 34-day drought since a 79-77 opening-night dispatching of Converge, the embattled E-Painters launched a sustained drive to pick up only their second triumph and keep their playoffs hopes alive at 2-6.

The Road Warriors fell to their third consecutive setback for 4-5.

Powered by Leonard Santillan’s early 13-point barrage, ROS roared to a 23-9 start and kept its foot firmly on the pedal to survive the first of four must-win games on the path to a possible quarterfinal entry.

Santillan banged in 18 to lead a balanced Rain or Shine assault of six double-digit scorers. Gian Mamuyac (15), Norbert Torres (13), Rey Nambatac (12), Gabe Norwood (10) and Beau Belga (10) made heavy contributions as well.

“I can’t be more proud of these guys. They came out today with energy and effort. There’s great contribution down the line – from Mike (Nieto), Rey, Gabe, Beau – they set the tone right in the first quarter, helping us build a lead,” said ROS coach Chris Gavina.

“These guys have gone through so much adversity. Lessons learned from previous losses finally kicked in today,” he added.

The E-Painters led by as many as 21 at 5938 but found themselves under siege as the Road Warriors got to within eight at 90-82 with still 3:58 to go.

Remembering their meltdown in a loss to TNT, Gavina’s charges pulled themselves together and held firm.

Mamuyac drilled his fourth triple of the day then Mark Borboran made an And-1 play to restore a 14-point cushion.

In the nightcap, RK Ilagan dropped 20, including the dagger jumper and trey in the endgame, to tow Converge (4-5) past freefalling NorthPort (2-6),104-98. The FiberXers grabbed a share of seventh with NLEX.

The scores: First Game Rain or Shine 96 – Santillan 18, Mamuyac 15, Torres 13, Nambatac 12, Norwood 10, Belga 10, Nieto 6, Ildefonso 5, Borboran 3, Asistio 2, Demusis 2.

NLEX 86 – Trollano 20, Oftana 17, Alas 15, Chua 14, Quinahan 11, Semerad 5, Rosales 2, Ighalo 2, Magat 0. Quarterscores: 28-15, 53-36, 75-54, 96-86 Second Game Converge 104 - Ilagan 20, Ambohot 15, Tratter 14, Arana 13, Hill 10, Murrell 8, Digregorio 5, Bulanadi 5, Ahanmisi 4, Tolomia 4, Racal 3, Stockton 2, Browne 1, Adamos 0

NorthPort 98 - Ferrer 21, Santos 20, Sumang 15, Malonzo 13, Balanza 9, Calma 7, Ayaay 6, Javier 3, Vigil 2, Dela Cruz 2, Taha 0.

Quarterscores: 21-12, 49-37, 79-67, 104-98