E-Painters rebound;Kings absorb 3rd loss

MANILA, Philippines — Rain or Shine bounced back from its shock loss to Kia the last time out, playing heads-up game throughout to repel NLEX, 97-86, and regain a .500 mark in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum last night.

Taking to heart their disappointing 94-98 loss to the Picanto last Saturday, the Elasto Painters came back strong against the Road Warriors, leading almost all throughout en route to their third win against the same number of losses.

Maverick Ahanmisi, Gabe Norwood, James Yap and Chris Tiu showed up Kiefer Ravena and the rest of the NLEX backcourt rotation as the E-Painters dealt the Road Warriors a fourth straight loss after a 2-0 season start.

“I wish we played like this last game. But that’s the way basketball goes,” said Rain or Shine coach Caloy Garcia.

“Kahit anong balanse ko, we suffered on overconfidence. We were all disappointed but we decided we couldn’t turn back the clock. We moved on, played as one unit and put tremendous effort,” Garcia added.

Meanwhile, Magnolia, TNT KaTropa and Alaska Milk all look to improve their slates in the top four as they see action in tonight’s Petron Blaze Saturday Special, also at the Big Dome.

The Aces (3-2) tangle with the Blackwater Elite (2-3) at 4:30 p.m. then the Hotshots (4-1) and the Texters (3-2) slug it out at 6:45 p.m.

Ahanmisi frolicked with 20 points including five three-pointers while Norwood, Yap and Tiu delivered at least 11 points each as the E-Painters nailed a third win in four outings against their former coach Yeng Guiao.

Phoenix Petroleum checked a two-game slide and stretched Barangay Ginebra’s own slump to three games as the Fuel Masters upended the Gin Kings, 87-82, later in the night.

“Good thing, we’re able to build a big cushion and we overcame playing extra cautious on the later part of the game,” said Phoenix coach Louie Alas as they nearly blew away a 24-point lead before chalking up a third win in six outings.

Ginebra suffered a third straight loss and dropped down to joint seventh with Blackwater, GlobalPort and Meralco at 2-3.