MANILA, Philippines – Rain or Shine defeated NLEX, 117 to 93, on Friday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City as a fine way to cap off their PBA On Tour debut.

With only a one-point lead after three quarters, the Elasto Painters made seven three-pointers in the overtime period, four of which came from Anton Asistio.

Rey Nambatac and Asistio both scored 22 points in the final tally for the game, which saw coach Yeng Guiao distribute playing time evenly among the players.

The PBA On Tour is something we view as a learning opportunity. In addition, Guiao remarked, “We want to strengthen our competitive mentality. 

Asistio and Nambatac played the leading roles in the pull away by scoring 14 points apiece in the fourth for Rain or Shine, in which all 12 players appeared for at least 14 minutes. Sean Ildefonso scored nine points, while Jewel Ponferada added ten.

After losing Sunday’s game versus Blackwater in Caloocan City, NLEX suffered its second loss in as many games.

Sean Anthony was in Canada, Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser was still recuperating from the Southeast Asian Games, and Kevin Alas was battling illness, so the Road Warriors were short handed.

Early in the third period, with the Elasto Painters leading by only three points, 81-78, Jewel Ponferada made a triple and a layup to spark a huge 21-5 run that culminated in back-to-back triples from Nambatac and Asistio.

NLEX, which was missing Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser, Kevin Alas, Sean Anthony, Philip Paniamogan, Anthony Semerad, and Matt Nieto, was buried in a massive 21-point hole in the final two minutes and never recovered from there.

Ponferrada finished with 10 points, while Sean Ildefonso and Jhonard Clarito both scored nine.

NLEX was led by Bong Galanza’s 22 points, and Kris Rosales contributed 16; however, all of those points were in vain as the Road Warriors had lost both of their preseason matches.

In the loss, Bong Galanza, who previously played for CAVITEX in the PBA 3 to 3 and is attempting to rejoin the NLEX squad, scored 22 points.

Scores at the end of the match:

Rain or Shine with 117 points for the win

Asistio 22, Nambatac 22, Ponferada 10, Ildefonso 9, Clarito 9, Santillan 9, Borboran 8, Mamuyac 7, Belga 7, Caracut 5, Demusis 5, Norwood 4

NLEX with 93 points

Galanza 22, Rosales 16, Fajardo 15, Trollano 8, Miranda 6, Pascual 6, Celda 4, Gabo 4, and Rangel 1

Scores per quarter

22, 24, 48, 51, 75, and 117.