Rain or Shine has now won six of its last seven games to advance to the quarterfinals in the PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup on Friday, May 3.
Beau Belga poured a team-high 18 points as Rain or Shine outdueled NLEX, 120-104, to move to the quarterfinals in the PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig.
Belga was not the lone option for the Elasto Painters Friday night, May 3, as all but two of their 15-man rotation contributed to their offensive charge that powered them to a 6-5 mark, enough to secure them a spot in the next round together with San Miguel, Ginebra and Magnolia.
The Road Warriors, rallying behind their main man Robert Bolick who sizzled with 38 points after a one-game absence as he welcomed his newborn son, slid to 5-5.
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"We tried to make sure that everybody is ready when they are fielded in. Alam nila 'yung style ng rotation namin and we need a lot of players to be a part of the rotation kasi sinusubukan naming i-sustain 'yung pace namin. So, I think that's where we can at least have a chance of winning. 'Yung rotation, malalim talaga ang aabutin para fresh parati sila," said Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao.
Santi Santillan flirted with a double-double as he produced 17 points and nine rebounds, Jhonard Clarito scored 15 while Andrei Caracut dropped 12 to back Belga.
Robert Bolick erupted for 38 points in an effort that went for naught for NLEX. | Photo (c) PBA
But it was not just the starting unit that made a solid contribution for Rain or Shine as Shaun Ildefonso and Gian Mamuyac came off the bench to combine for 26 points in the rout.
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The Elasto Painters seized control early, closing the first period with a 30-23 edge over NLEX. They never looked back as they stretched their lead to as many as 26 points, 95-69, in the late stages of the third.