MANILA, Philippines -- Rain or Shine spoiled new Star coach Jason Webb debut with a come-from-behind 96-87 win Wednesday in the opening game of the 2016-15 Smart Bro PBA Philippine Cup at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Beau Belga hit seven of his 11 points down the stretch before fouling out as the Elasto Painters completed their fightback from as many as 12 points down.
The Hotshots looked good early on transitioning from Tim Cone's Triangle offense to Webb's up-tempo game when they streaked to 23-11 lead. But Rain or Shine did not fold up despite missing star playmaker Paul Lee and slowly chipped away Star's double-digit lead.
JR Quiñahan, Jewel Ponferada and Jeff Chan chipped in a combined 13 points in the pivotal third quarter where Rain or Shine outscored Star, 29-23, to enter the payoff period trailing by only one, 70-69.
It was just a matter of time before the Elasto Painters went for the kill with their suffocating defense and Belga's offensive outburst.
James Yap, who started hot with 13 points in the first two quarters was limited to just a single basket in the second half.
Quiñahan led Rain or Shine with 17 points, eight rebounds and four shot blocks. Jericho Cruz, who played the point in lieu of Lee, who will miss six weeks with a knee injury, totaled 15 points and five boards. Almazan also came up big with nine points and same number of rebounds.