PBA Fiesta Cup: Painters hold off Realtors, 91-81

Sta. Lucia remained winless in the post-Kelly Williams era. And Rain or Shine made sure the Realtors won’t score one at its own expense. Jai Lewis poured in 19 points and got ample support from his local crew as the Elasto Painters bounced back big-time with a 91-81 win over the Realtors Sunday night in the PBA Fiesta Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.

Jay-R Reyes added 16 points, Gabe Norwood chipped in 14 and TY Tang contributed 13 for Rain or Shine, which is coming off a blowout loss at the hands of Talk `N Text the last time around. With a 7-6 card, the Welbest franchise kept alive its hopes of making it to the quarterfinals outright. For Sta. Lucia, it was the team’s fifth straight loss since Williams and Ryan Reyes, were shipped to Talk `N Text. The Realtors fell to 4-11 in the standings. “Five straight losses after the trade, it’s really difficult for us," said Sta. Lucia coach Boyet Fernandez. “Hopefully, in the next games, we can snatch victories," he added. Import Anthony Johnson had his usual numbers of 26 points and 13 rebounds, but again the locals failed to deliver for the Realtors, with Ali Peek as the only one finishing in double figures with 18 points while adding 11 rebounds. The Elasto Painters led by as many as 58-44, but failed to capitalize and allowed the Realtors to charge back and cut the deficit to within 80-77. Tang then came to Rain or Shine’s rescue, connecting on a three-point shot as the Elasto Painters were never really threatened from there on. “This is a test of character," said Rain or Shine coach Caloy Garcia. “We were really embarrassed in our loss against Talk N Text ((104-85). But the thing is we have a tendency to relax. If it wasn’t for the shooting of Jay-R and the three-pointer of TY, Sta. Lucia could have beaten us." Rain or Shine got beaten off the boards 47-29, giving up 17 second-chance points, figures that definitely concerns the Elasto Painters mentor. “If we play like this in our next games, I don’t think we have a chance," said Garcia. - RCJ, GMANews.TV