Leonard “Santi” Santillan has embraced the role of a true Fourth Quarter Man — and he showed it again with another fiery finishing kick.

Santillan unloaded 16 of his game-high 26 points in the fourth quarter, powering Rain or Shine to a 106-91 victory over Terrafirma Friday, October 31, at the Ynares Center in Antipolo. The win marked the Elasto Painters’ third in a row as they climbed to 4-1 in the PBA Philippine Cup.

The 29-year-old forward even topped his 13 fourth-quarter points in their dramatic 112-111 rally over Titan Ultra just five days earlier. This time, his scoring spree sparked Rain or Shine’s breakaway from a tight 75-all deadlock.

Santillan keys the breakaway as Rain or Shine pushes ahead

Winning coach Yeng Guiao credited the triumph to grit and execution, especially against Terrafirma’s persistent zone defense.

“It was not as easy as it looks. Parang mas malapit ‘yung score, e. Pakiramdam namin parang nandoon lang sila,” Guiao said. “Nag-struggle kami with their zone, then it’s a good thing again that our 3-point shots came in at the right time. ‘Yung mga 3-point shots ni Santi malaking bagay.”

Keith Datu chipped in 12 points, while Felix Pangilinan-Lemetti and Jhonard Clarito added 11 apiece. Adrian Nocum also stepped up with six of his 10 points in the final frame, helping fuel the decisive run. Veteran Gabe Norwood contributed nine points along with 10 rebounds.

Terrafirma rallies but Santillan shuts the door

Terrafirma, now at 1-4, refused to fold despite trailing by 17 points at 49-66. Behind Jerrick Ahanmisi and Paolo Hernandez, the Dyip mounted an 18-0 uprising to snatch a 73-70 lead.

But Santillan answered with a timely triple to tie the game entering the fourth, then sealed the victory by pouring eight straight points down the stretch. Ahanmisi finished with 26 points, Hernandez added 20, and JM Bravo tallied 17 points and 13 rebounds in the losing effort.