ROS snaps losing skid, pips slumping NLEX

Santi Santillan led the Elasto Painters in scoring as they finally hurdled over their slump. PBA Images

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--Rain Or Shine finally put an end to its losing streak that has put them in early danger of missing the PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals, crippling NLEX with a 96-86 win on Saturday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

The Elasto Painters quickly exploded in the first half, opening a 53-36 lead at halftime.

The Road Warriors threatened to pull off a comeback especially when Santi Santillan, the eventual top scorer for the E-Painters, was slapped with a Flagrant Foul Penalty 1 for hitting Kevin Alas' already masked face with 4:12 remaining in the fourth quarter.

However, a three-pointer from Gian Mamuyac and an and-one from Mark Borboran shut the door on NLEX's last gasp.

Santillan finished with 18 points, six rebounds, and one steal for ROS, which won for the first time since beating Converge in the opening game of the season on June 5 while snapping a six-game skid in the process.

Mamuyac added 15 points, making his first four three-point shots including the eventual dagger, two rebounds, three assists, and two steals.

Don Trollano put up 20 points, 11 rebounds, one steal, and two blocks, Calvin Oftana added 17 points, nine rebounds, three assists, and one steal, and Alas finished with 15 markers, 10 boards, and seven dimes for NLEX, which lost for the third straight time and dropped to 4-5.

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