Rain or Shine got back on the winning track after edging San Miguel, 108-98, in the 2019 Honda PBA Philippine Cup on Friday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
The Elasto Painters turned a tight contest into a breakaway and improved to 3-1 for solo second spot behind league leader Phoenix (4-0).
The Beermen, the reigning conference champions, spiraled to their second loss for a pedestrian 2-3 card.
James Yap fired 21 points built on three triples and hauled down four rebounds off the bench. Javee Mocon posted a double-double of 18 points and 17 rebounds to go with four assists.
"We were coming off a loss, so it's good we were able to bounce back," said the veteran Yap.
Maverick Ahanmisi and Norbert Torres scored 17 and 15 points, respectively for the Elasto Painters.
Coming off that loss to Blackwater, the Elasto Painters broke free after bunching together 12 points in the last few minutes to finish the game.
After SMB got to within four, James Yap and Maverick Ahanmisi scored back-to-back baskets to regain steam, 100-92 with 4:25 remaining.
Reigning five-time MVP June Mar Fajardo would carve out four more points for the Beermen after that. But Rain or Shine showed character and kept the Beermen scoreless in the final two minutes and 59 seconds.
Marcio Lassiter was at the forefront of the Beermen's offense, uncorking seven treys on his way to game-high 27 points. He also had five rebounds and six assists.
Fajardo also delivered a tour de force performance, putting up 24 points, 14 rebounds, four assists, and the same number of blocks. But Fajardo and Lassiter's efforts went down the drain.
Christian Standhardinger and Von Pessumal had 12 points each.
THE SCORES
Rain or Shine 108 - Yap 21, Mocon 18, Ahanmisi 17, Torres 15, Ponferada 12, Belga 8, Norwood 6, Rosales 6, Almazan 5, Daquioag 0, Nambatac 0.
San Miguel 98 - Lassiter 27, Fajardo 24, Pessumal 12, Romeo 11, Nabong 10, Tubid 2, Ross 0, Zamar 0, Mamaril 0.
Quarters: 23-27, 54-42, 86-80, 108-98.
EXTRA DRIBBLES
-Chris Ross wound up scoreless, but dishes out 11 assists on top of five rebounds and a block. He was 0-of-5 from the field.
-After the game, Yap praised Mocon, calling him the future of the PBA.
NEXT GAMES
Rain or Shine - vs Alaska on February 3 at the Mall of Asia Arena
San Miguel - vs Blackwater on February 6 at the Mall of Asia Arena