Here are the live scores, updates, and results of the 2021 PBA Philippine Cup between the Rain or Shine (ROS) Elasto Painters and the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters, scheduled on September 2, 2021, at 4:35 PM.
Yap will play after missing Rain or Shine’s 4-2 start during the conference’s early stages at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City owing to a minor knee surgery he had in the offseason.
With a win, the Elasto Painters can maintain their fourth-place position in the standings.
The Elasto Painters started the conference on a high note, winning three straight games, but then losing two in a row. Rain or Shine scored only 48 points in a 26-point loss to Alaska Aces on July 28, the second-lowest output by a losing club in league history.
Last July 30, Rain or Shine was defeated by TNT Tropang Giga, 79-69, putting their campaign in jeopardy.
Rain or Shine was able to rebound in a big way before the league was suspended, defeating Terrafirma Dyip 83-77 on August 1 to stay within striking distance of the league leaders.
However, Rain or Shine’s shooting has to be improved. The Elastopainters are lowest in the league in scoring (73.2 points per game) and shooting (34.5 percent) from the field, even worse than Blackwater (35.4 percent) and Terrafirma (37.2 percent).
On the other hand, Phoenix is in desperate need of a turnaround after losing four of its first five games in the conference.
In their last match, TNT’s Troy Rosario took control as Tropang Giga fought back from behind to beat Phoenix, 84-80, and remain undefeated.
Matthew Wright and Jason Perkins combined for 15 points and 14 rebounds to lead a balanced attack that went awry as Phoenix fell to a second straight loss with a 1-4 record.
Vic Manuel led the Topex Robinson-coached team with 13 points, while Chris Banchero and Aljun Melecio added 12 and 11 points, respectively.
With averages of 19.8 and 18.8, Wright and Manuel are now at the top of the scoring tables, but the Fuel Masters have yet to win.
The last time this two teams met, Phoenix storms back from 14 points down to lock up the No. 2 seed going into the 2020 PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals, at the expense of Rain or Shine.