By Adrian Stewart Co

The Rain or Shine Elasto Painters advanced to the 2019 Honda PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals following their 85-83 win over Blackwater Elite last Thursday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Rey Nambatac led the win with 21 points, four rebounds, and four steals; while Jayvee Mocon chipped in 15 markers; and Carl Montgomery contributed a double-double on 14 points and 23 rebounds.
Rain or Shine struggled offensively in the opening half and found themselves behind by as much as 12 points on several occasions. However, outside hits in the third period from Gabe Norwood and Norbert Torres gave them a slim two-point edge.
While the Elite then managed to regain control early in the fourth quarter on shots from Greg Smith and Allein Maliksi, the Painters leaned on Nambatac for an 81-75 edge.
After seeing their seven-point edge turn into an 83-all tie following back-to-back triples by the Elite’s Rey Mark Belo, Nambatac drained a perimeter jumper with 18 ticks left and sealed the win.
Rain or Shine opens their best-of-five semifinal series against the San Miguel Beermen tonight, July 27, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum./ASC, WDJ