Rain or Shine survived NLEX’s Mr. One Man Show Robert Bolick and banked on its usual balance production to score a convincing 120-104 triumph and secure a quarterfinals berth in the PBA Philippine Cup Friday at the Philsports Arena.
The Elasto Painters endured the 38-point explosion from Bolick as six players wound up in double figures for Rain or Shine, including Jhonard Clarito and Shaun Ildefonso.
Fresh from signing separate two-year pacts, Clarito and Ildefonso churned out solid numbers as they helped the team reached the playoffs after another shaky start in the early goings of the tournament.
Once a reserve player, but slowly worked his way to the regular rotation of head coach Yeng Guiao, Clarito came away with another productive game, finishing with 15 points while making all but one of his seven shots from the field.
The hardworking forward also pulled down six rebounds.
Ildefonso, son of two-time Most Valuable Player Danny Ildefonso, was never projected to become as great as his dad, but is now beginning to make key contributions for the Elasto Painters this season.
In helping the Elasto Painters end up with a 6-5 win-loss record, Ildefonso chipped in 14 points in just 14 minutes of playing time.
“They’re part of our future, our long-term goal,” said Guiao. “If you noticed, we’ve extended the contracts of our young players because we intend to keep them together.”
But two of Rain or Shine’s most consistent performers, Beau Belga and Santi Santillan continued to stay steady.
Now 37, Belga has rediscovered the fountain of youth as he finished with 18 points.
Santillan, on the other hand, went a rebound away from posting a double-double performance as he contributed 17 markers while Andrei Caracut and Gian Mamuyac each tallied 12.
Rain or Shine also got a big lift from Keith Datu, who returned after recuperating from a knee injury.
