Rain or Shine books last playoffs ticket, will face San Miguel

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – The Rain or Shine Elasto Painters booked the last seat in the 2017 PBA Philippine Cup playoffs thanks to a dominant 103-80 victory over the Blackwater Elite on playoff Friday, February 3, at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.

With both teams ending the elimination round having identical 5-6 records, a do-or-die match was used to determine who would claim the number 8 seed and face the top-seeded, twice-to-beat San Miguel Beermen in the quarterfinals.

Rain or Shine had 6 players score in double-figures, led by the 15 points and 8 boards of Jay Washington. Mike Tolomia spotted 14 points off the bench, while Jericho Cruz, Beau Belga, and Jeff Chan each scored 12.

Art Dela Cruz had 20 points and 9 boards to lead Blackwater, which started the conference at 4-2 but lost 5 of its last 6 games. Mac Belo had a tough ending to his debut conference, going just 2-of-12 from the field for 6 points.

The Elite went on top by 11 early, but the Elasto Painters rallied to tie the game by the end of the first period. The game was close at 31-28 in the second quarter, in favor of Rain or Shine, before consecutive jumpers by Gabe Norwood and Washington started a 9-2 run which gave their team the advantage to cruise the rest of the way.

Rain or Shine takes on San Miguel on Sunday.

Scores:

Rain or Shine (103): Washington 15, Tolomia 14, Cruz 12, Chan 12, Belga 12, Ahanmisi 11, Norwood 7, Ponferada 6, Maiquez 6, Tiu 4, Yap 2, Trollano 2, Robles 0

Blackwater (80): Dela Cruz 20, Pinto 13, Buenafe 12, Cervantes 9, Sena 8, Belo 6, Miranda 6, Gamalinda 4, Aguilar 2, Pascual 0, Banal 0, Forrester 0

Quarter scores: 16-16, 45-36, 68-56, 103-80 – Rappler.com