To secure the last semifinal ticket in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup, Rain or Shine had to overcome the twice-to-beat edge of its higher-seeded foe, NLEX.
The seventh-ranked Elasto Painters did just that, stopping the No. 2 Road Warriors, 92-89, four days ago in the quarterfinals to stay alive before completing the task, 103-92, Saturday, June 21.
But instead of celebrating their feat, which marked the fourth straight time they made it to the Final Four, Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao pointed out the mistakes his charges made in the winner-take-all match.
"Nakaraos. Nakalusot ulit kami. I think this is our fourth straight time to make it to the semis. But ang dami naming ginawang mali," said Guiao.
"We gave up 25 offensive rebounds and 19 turnovers. We lost fastbreak points. We felt fastbreak is our game pero talo kami roon."
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RoS had four more turnovers than their foe, 19-15. NLEX capitalized on those mistakes, scoring 23 points off those.
The Road Warriors also banged in 15 fastbreak points to the Elasto Painters' seven.
But when things do not go Rain or Shine's way, they have one thing left to do: put it all on the line.
That is Rain or Shine's brand of basketball. They give their best effort no matter the circumstance.
"But we still won the game," said Guiao.
"Ito yung pinag-uusapan namin sa locker room: just play our brand of game. We call it 'buwis-buhay basketball.' Effort lang, grit lang. If something's going on na mali or you can't get your rhthym in the game, just put on the effort, just play on grit, be tough.
"Doon lang namin nakuha pati 'yong first game namin. If things are not working out, just make the best effort. That's what we did tonight."
Rain or Shine displays its grit in ousting NLEX. | Photo (c) RM Chua/One Sports
Down by six, 71-77, as NLEX sniper Robert Bolick hit a quadruple with 2:25 left in the third, the Elasto Painters were unruffled.
They retaliated with a 7-0 burst, capped by a triple by Andrei Caracut to seize the upperhand, 78-77, heading to the final quarter.
There, the Rain or Shine quintet refused to let up, charging with an 18-5 assault anchored on Caelan Tiongson and John Malonzo to stretch the gap, 96-82.
Bolick once again rifled in a four-pointer as NLEX continued to pose a threat, 90-98, with under three minutes to go.
But Caracut, Jhonard Clarito and Tiongson quickly restored order for the Elasto Painters.
Santi Santillan was stellar for Rain or Shine, particularly in the first three quarters where he poured 22 of his team-high 24 points.
But Santillan, picked as Player of the Game, chose to put the spotlight on his teammate, Malonzo.
"Shout-out kay Mike Malonzo. Siya ang bumuhay sa'min noong last. Big shout-out sa kaniya," said Santillan.
Malonzo stepped up in the fourth, dropping six of his 10 points there. He also collected five rebounds and two assists in 18:07 of play.
As for Santillan, he nearly finished with a double-double as he also collared nine rebounds. He also contributed three blocks, two assists and two steals.
"Like coach said, laging aggressive lang kami. Nandito naman ako, ready sa maitutulong sa team. Kung anong kailangan, nandoon ako lagi," Santillan said.
Rain or Shine vs. NLEX 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.
Quarterscores: 21-27, 52-55, 78-77, 103-92.