With their backs against the wall, the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters saved their Governor’s Cup stint with a 108-97 win over the Star Hotshots at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, Friday evening.
The win gives Rain or Shine a 5-6 record after the 11-game elimination phase. Meanwhile, the Hotshots have ended their nightmare season with a 2-9 record, a game above cellar-dealing Blackwater Elite.
Rain or Shine took advantage of a scattered Star Hotshots team in the second quarter and built 12-4 run to lift themselves up to a lead that they maintained until the final buzzer. The run was ignited by a flurry of inside shots, mostly coming from import Josh Dollard.
Star struggled to make a second half run, as Rain or Shine’s zone was effective against their perimeter sniping. They failed to break the nine-point barrier for the entire second half, despite the third quarter playing out slowly due to fouls and despite Star seeing their best scoring efforts in the last period with 31.
Josh Dollard led the way with 27 points to avoid being upset by the disappointing Star Hotshots crew. He also added 14 rebounds and four assists, and opened up that the job is far from over.
“We still got a lot work to do and I’ve got to be better in game shape,” said Dollard.
He also added that he is just filling his role in the already-experienced team and is ready to help the squad in the bigger rounds.
“We’ve got a couple of practices and these guys know what this is about,” he added. “They are experienced, they have been here and I’m just here to help the team.”
Jericho Cruz sustained a left ankle sprain during the third period and did not return for the Painters. Beau Belga added 14 points off the bench, while JR Quiñahan had 10. Joel Wright scored 27 points, 10 rebounds, and three steals in the penultimate game of his team. PJ Simon chipped in 15 markers in the loss.
Star scored more in transition, 24 to 10, but the Elasto Painters used a 16-to-7 advantage in second chance points to offset the discrepancy. Moreover, Rain or Shine shot 49 percent from the floor compared to 45 percent by Star.
The Scores:
Rain or Shine (108) – Dollard 27, Belga 14, Lee 11, Quinahan 10, Chan 9, Cruz 8, Almazan 8, Norwood 8, Ahanmisi 6, Ponferada 4, Tiu 3, Trollano 0.
Star (97) – Wright 27, Simon 15, Sangalang 12, Maliksi 9, Melton 8, Pascual 8, Mallari 6, Garcia 6, Brondial 6, Reavis 0, Barroca 0, Gaco 0.
Quarterscores: 28-26; 54-41; 80-66; 108-97.
