MANILA — The Rain or Shine Elasto Painters extended their winning streak to four, outplaying the defending champions Star Hotshots, 103-88, on Saturday night in the PBA Governors' Cup. After starting the conference at the bottom of standings with a 1-4 win-loss card, the Painters are now tied for fifth to sixth spot with GlobalPort, both with a 5-4 slate. With only two games left in its elimination round schedule, Rain or Shine is now aiming for a top 4 finish to avail itself of a twice-to-beat advantage in the playoffs. The loss snapped Star's two-game winning streak as the Hotshots fell into a tie for ninth to 10th place with idle Barangay Ginebra, both with a 3-5 record. The sisters are now on the brink of elimination with only three games left for each of them in the elimination round. Import Wendell McKines paced the Painters with 28 points and 14 rebounds. Jeff Chan, his health woes behind him, finished with 16 points and four assists in just about 18 minutes of action off the bench. Paul Lee and Jervy Cruz added 13 and 10 markers, respectively. Chan and McKines led a huge run in the third quarter tear as the Painters blew the game away, leading by as much as 20 points in the final period. Marc Pingris played his best game of the season, top-scoring for Star with 25 points on an impressive 11-of-15 shooting from the field. He also collared four rebounds and four assists in a losing effort for the Hotshots. Joe Devance posted 15 points and 6 rebounds while Mark Barroca added 12 markers and five assists off the bench. Star import Marqus Blakely was held to 13 points and 10 rebounds. Alaska 101, Barako Bull 95 The Alaska Aces scored the biggest comeback win of the season, erasing a 22-point deficit at halftime to beat the Liam McMorrow-led Barako Bull Energy, 101-95. Their seventh win in nine games allowed the Aces to gain a share of the lead with idle San Miguel Beermen as the Energy slid to solo third at 6-3. Trailing 62-40 at the half, the Aces went on a dizzying 30-9 run at the start of the third quarter to completely change the complexion of the game. They finished off the Energy in the fourth quarter, outscoring Barako Bull, 29-17. The Energy suffered a second straight heartbreaker as they fell victim to the Aces' pressure defense in the second half. Import Romeo Travis led Alaska with 23 points, including 12 in the third quarter. He also grabbed 14 rebounds and issued five assists. Chris Banchero finished with 20 points, seven rebounds and four assists while Calvin Abueva added 16 markers. McMorrow once again led Barako Bull with 26 points and 15 boards but was held to just a single point in the fourth quarter. RR Garcia added 19 while Joseph Yeo and Chico Lanete chipped in 18 apiece. Games Sunday: Kia Carnival vs. Global Port Batang Pier and Barangay Ginebra Kings vs. Meralco Bolts.
