Rain or Shine continued its three-year domination of Blackwater as the Elasto Painters officially eliminated the Bossing following a 116-97 victory on Friday in the Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner's Cup at the Philsports Arena.
The Elasto Painters reasserted their mastery over the Bossing, whom they had defeated in the past seven outings.
Besides ushering Blackwater to the exit door of this import-laced tournament, Rain or Shine also bolstered its playoff hopes while putting TNT in a must-win situation in its game against San Miguel Beer on Saturday.
For the Elasto Painters, it was a big bounce back win from their previous 102-101 heartbreaking loss to Converge in a game they led for 47 minutes, only to lose steam in the endgame.
Rain or Shine improved its win-loss record to 5-6, which now forged a tie for seventh to eighth places with Phoenix.
The Elasto Painters try to wrap up their elimination round campaign with a win over Magnolia on the last elims play date on 2 December.
Rey Nambatac delivered this time for Rain or Shine as he pumped in 21 points on 8-of-13 shooting from the field.
Nambatac's steady presence allowed the team's top gun to make up for his inability to hit the potential game-winning basket in the Elasto Painter's sorry loss to the FiberXers last week.
Ryan Pearson led the Elasto Painters' production with 22 points, 12 rebounds and five assists to notch his first-ever PBA win.
Rain or Shine hit a total of 17 three-point shots with Anton Asistio making four of his seven tries.
Asistio added 13 points, the same output produced by Norbert Torres.
The Scores:
RAIN OR SHINE 116 – Pearson 22, Nambatac 21, Asistio 13, Torres 13, Demusis 9, Ildefonso 7, Belga 7, Mamuyac 7, Caracut 7, Ponferrada 3, Santillan 3, Clarito 2, Guinto 2, Norwood 0, Borboran 0
BLACKWATER 97 – Krutwig 23, Go 18, Jackson 13, Suerte 12, Ayonayon 10, Ular 7, Melton 6, Ebona 3, , Sena 2, Dyke 1, McCarthy 0
QUARTERS: 24-20, 51-45, 82-71, 116-97