Rain or Shine ends Air21’s win streak

Games today

Araneta Coliseum

6:30 p.m.- Alaska vs. Barangay Ginebra

4:15 p.m.- Globalport vs. Petron

Rain or Shine got back on track while ending Air21’s three-game win streak as the Elasto Painters clipped the Express, 71-62, last night in an out-of-town game of the 38th PBA Philippine Cup in Tubod, Lanao del Norte.

Jeff Chan fired 15 points, while Beau Belga and Jevy Cruz contributed 10 for the Painters, who moved up to solo third place with their seventh victory in 10 games.  The Painters quickly bounced back from a surprising 86-96 loss to the undermanned Petron Blaze Boosters last Wednesday.

The Painters took control of the match behind solid defense, never looking back after ending the first period with a 10-3 run for a 21-15 lead. Air21 had its last taste of the lead at 12-11 before Rain or Shine took the lead for good.

Rain or Shine clamped down on defense at the start of the fourth period, where it held Air21 scoreless for almost four minutes to turn a slim 54-49 lead into a huge 61-49 advantage.

While allowing Rain or Shine to score seven straight points, the Express didn’t convert in the first few minutes of the fourth until KG Canaleta hit a three-pointer at the 8:12 mark.

Undersized forward Larry Rodriguez came away with the Best Player of the Game honors by tallying eight points, eight rebounds and four blocked shots.

After averaging 18 points a game in his first two outings with the Express, Mike Cortez was limited to just 11 points, eight of coming in the fourth when the Painters were already in full control.

Canaleta led the way for the Express  (4-6) with 18 points, while Mark Isip had 11.