By Ivan Saldajeno
PASIG—Rain Or Shine turned the tides around in the fourth quarter to turn back NLEX, 107-97, in an emotional PBA Philippine Cup showdown at the PhilSports Arena on Friday night.
The Elasto Painters outscored the Road Warriors, 27-12, in the last 12 minutes as they scored a win in their first game against their former coach, Yeng Guiao.
NLEX took control of the game for most of the first half, building a lead as large as 12 points, 55-43, late in the second quarter.
But Rain Or Shine began catching fire at the start of the third, going on a 12-3 run to close the gap to one, 60-61.
Although the Road Warriors held on and stayed in front after the quarter, the E-Painters completed the comeback in the fourth quarter and established a double-digit spread in the end.
Jewel Ponferada led ROS, which joined TNT and Blackwater in second place at 4-2, with 22 points, nine rebounds, two assists, two blocks, and one steal. Jericho Cruz added 19 points, six rebounds, and four assists.
Sean Anthony made 22 points, 16 rebounds, three assists, and one steal for NLEX, which fell to 1-5.
Jansen Rios waxed hot in the first half, making 17 points, but he only tallied three since then and finished with 20.
Kevin Alas saved NLEX from ROS' early comeback bid in the third, making 15 of his 17 points there, but would end up scoreless in the fourth, where ROS completed the rally.
Box Scores:
Rain Or Shine 107-Ponferada 22, Cruz 19, Chan 16, Yap 13, Norwood 11, Ahanmisi 7, Washington 7, Trollano 6, Belga 4, Matias 2, Tolomia 0, Ibanes 0, Maiquez 0
NLEX 97-Anthony 22, Rios 20, Alas 17, Villanueva 9, Baracael 7, Khobuntin 6, Taulava 5, Monfort 5, Camson 4, Lastimosa 2, Guinto 0
Quarterscores: 21-28, 48-58, 80-85, 107-97
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