Patience paid off for the Rain or Shine Elastopainters.
Timing their moves perfectly, the Elastopainters forced a deciding game in their PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals series against the twice-to-beat NLEX Road Warriors.
“We like where we are right now. We’re one win away [from the semifinals],” said Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao after their 92-89 victory over NLEX on Wednesday at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig.
Clarito delivered 14 of his 20 points and grabbed 13 of his career-high 21 rebounds in the fourth quarter, helping Rain or Shine set up a do-or-die match on Saturday against the Road Warriors.
The winner of that game will earn the right to face the victor of the Magnolia-TNT quarterfinal pairing.
Clarito’s heroics powered the Elastopainters back from a 69-77 deficit to a 90-85 lead with 1:43 remaining.
“We just stayed patient, nagpasensiya lang kami,” Guiao added.
Adrian Nocum also had a 20-point outing, including a crucial follow-up that gave Rain or Shine the 90-85 advantage.
Santi Santillan chipped in 16 points and seven rebounds.
