MANILA — Badly outrebounded but not outfought, the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters turned back the TNT KaTropa Texters, 82-79, Friday night in the two teams’ debut game in the 2018 PBA Philippine Cup.

The Painters won despite being outrebounded by 18 boards, 72-54, and committing more turnovers, 19-16. They made up for the lapses though with their balanced offensive firepower. Veteran Beau Belga led ROS with 14 points, five boards, three assists, one steal, and one block in 27 minutes off the bench.

Chris Tiu contributed 12 points and three rebounds while Raymond Almazan finished with 11 points, 10 boards, and three blocks. Gabe Norwood added 11 points, four boards, and two steals.

ROS led by eight, 76-68, with four minutes left, but TNT came charging back to cut the lead to 82-79 on an open three-pointer by Kelly Williams with 25 ticks left.

After a defensive stop, the Texters had a chance to send the game into overtime as Williams, once again left open, fired another shot from downtown — but it rimmed out, preserving ROS’ victory.

Jayson Castro paced TNT with 18 points, 10 assists, and nine rebounds in 35 minutes. Roger Pogoy dished out 16 markers while Anthony Semerad and Williams added 13 and 11 points, respectively, in a losing effort.

Meralco 103, Blackwater 98

Playing his first game for his 11th team, journeyman KG Canaleta dished out an electrifying performance, leading the Meralco Bolts to a rousing 103-98 victory over the Blackwater Elite in the two teams’ first game for the new season.

Playing against the team that last recruited him, the 35-year-old long-range gunner fired a team-high 25 points, including a shot-clock-beating three-pointer from way beyond the arc in the dying seconds of the game that cut short a blistering Blackwater rally. Canaleta nailed five triples and had nine rebounds, two assists, and two blocks in 28 minutes in a smashing debut as a starter for Meralco.

Baser Amer also played a key role in the Bolts’ victory, finishing with 17 points, 12 assists, five boards and one steal in 37 minutes as he orchestrated his team’s offense as Meralco’s top point guard.

Jared Dillinger added 15 points and 11 rebounds while Chris Newsome chipped in 12 markers.

Meralco won despite having two key players in sick bay — Ranidel de Ocampo (calf injury) and Cliff Hodge (ankle bone spurs surgery).

Down by 19 points in the third quarter, the Elite came charging back to cut Meralco’s lead to four, 98-95 with 33 seconds left.

After a Meralco timeout, coach Norman Black sent back Canaleta into the game, and he quickly delivered with a three-pointer, followed by two free throws that sealed the win for the Bolts.

It was a bitter loss for Blackwater, which started on fire and led by as many as 12 points in the first half.

Allein Maliksi and standout rookie Raymar Jose led the Elite with 16 points and six rebounds apiece in a losing effort. Roi Sumang added 15 while Mac Belo and Poy Erram had 13 and 11 points, respectively, in a losing effort.

Games Monday: NLEX Road Warriors vs. GlobalPort Batang Pier and Magnolia Hotshots vs Barangay Ginebra Kings.