Rain or Shine escapes with close win over NLEX on PBA opening day

The Rain or Shine Elasto Painters had to fight until the final buzzer as they escaped with an 83-82 victory over the NLEX Road Warriors on the opening day of the 2021 PBA Philippine Cup on Friday.

Rey Nambatac scored 19 points and grabbed eight rebounds while Beau Belga added 17 points, including a crucial hook shot in the final minute, alongside seven rebounds and five assists to lead the Elasto Painters.

Rain or Shine took control of the game in the third quarter, where they outscored NLEX, 31-20. They had to hold off the Road Warriors in the endgame, however, after some clutch baskets from Kiefer Ravena kept them within striking distance.

Ravena led NLEX with 23 points, seven assists, and three steals.

Kevin Alas was the hot hand early as he scored 11 of NLEX’s first 17 points in the opening period.

The Road Warriors’ three-point shooting then carried the team in the second period as Ravena, Jericho Cruz and Michael Miranda all knocked down shots from long distance as they outscored Rain or Shine, 17-12, to take a 43-38 halftime lead. That NLEX lead went up to nine points, 47-38, early in the third before Rain or Shine fought back.

The Elasto Painters wasted little time as they went on a 16-6 run highlighted by triples from Belga to reclaim the lead at 54-53. They followed that up with a strong finish, closing out the third on an 11-3 run.

Rain or Shine took a nine-point lead, 72-63, in the fourth period before NLEX answered with a big run of their own, scoring 10 unanswered points capped by back-to-back threes from Don Trollano and JR Quinahan, 73-72.

The game was close from that point with Nambatac and Ravena exchanging crucial baskets that made it a two-point game, 81-79, for Rain or Shine heading into the last two minutes.

Rain or Shine ran a nice play after a timeout that gave Belga a good look in the post, 83-79, inside the final minute. But Ravena responded with a long three-pointer that made it a one-point game, 83-82, with 19 seconds left on the clock.

NLEX made a great defensive stand that forced a turnover but Anthony Semerad could not get a clean look for a potential game-winner in the end.

Javee Mocon (12 points) and Jewel Ponferada (10 points) both finished in double figures for Rain or Shine while Gabe Norwood chipped in with eight markers.

—JMB, GMA News