Rain or Shine overcomes NLEX twice for fourth straight semis appearance

Rain or Shine spoiled the title dreams of second seed NLEX with a 103-92 upset win in their do-or-die quarterfinals duel in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup on Saturday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. 

The Elasto Painters, who came into the playoffs as the seventh-seeded team, overcame the twice-to-beat Road Warriors to seal their fourth straight semifinals appearance. 

They will lock horns against grand slam-seeking TNT, a team they will be taking on in the semis for third time in a row. 

With their own title hopes on the line, multiple heroes emerged for the wards of head coach Yeng Guiao as Santi Santilan led the scorers with 24 points to go with nine rebounds, two assists, three blocks, and two steals. 

Jhonard Clarito picked up where he left off with 13 markers and 16 boards, while Andrei Caracut chipped in 16 points off the bench. 

The difference-maker for the Elasto Painters, however, was Mike Malonzo, who sparked the plug for Rain or Shine's fourth quarter breakaway to finish with 10 points, five rebounds, and two assists. 

The young baller connected on two free throws before burying an and-one basket off a foul from JB Bahio to give Rain or Shine an 88-81 lead halfway through the fourth frame. 

He then sent the Elasto Painters to a 10-point lead with another layup before Nocum's own basket and a dish that led to a Caelan Tiongson bucket saw Guiao's crew taking a 96-82 cushion.

It was then Clarito who finished it for them. The versatile guard scored back-to-back baskets while a pair of charities from Tiongson booked Rain or Shine another semifinals ticket. 

"Ito 'yung pinag-uusapan namin sa locker room, just play our brand of game. We call it 'buwis buhay' basketball, parang effort lang, grit lang," Guiao said. 

"If something's going on na mali or you can't get your momentum in the game, just put in the effort, just be tough. Doon lang namin 'yung nakuha pati 'yung first game namin doon lang namin nakuha."

Standing on their way, however, is a familiar foe in TNT. 

Over the past three conferences, Rain or Shine had met the Tropang 5G in the postseason, all of which saw TNT emerging victorious, including the last two in Season 49 Governors' Cup and Commissioners' Cup as the latter moved a title away from a grand slam feat. 

"'Yun naman nag motto namin na just show up. Maybe one of these days we'll get to the next round. Dito lang kami, basta susubukan lang namin kung ano 'yung kaya namin," Guiao added.

"TNT, champion team, going for a Grand Slam but andiyan kami at lalaban namin sila."

Scores:

Rain or Shine 103 – Santillan 24, Caracut 16, Clarito 13, Asistio 11, Malonzo 10, Mamuyac 9, Tiongson 8, Nocum 5, Norwood 4, Porter 3, Datu 0.

NLEX 92 – Bolick 34, Bahio 11, Ramirez 10, Mocon 9, Fajardo 7, Semerad 6, Policarpio 5, Torres 4, Nieto 2, Alas 2, Valdez 2.

Quarters: 21-27, 52-55, 78-77, 103-92.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News