MANILA: A rookie bailed Rain or Shine out while two grizzled veterans did the job in the endgame for Talk 'N Text as both posted victories Friday night that muddled up the race for automatic semifinal slots in the PBA Philippine Cup.

Jericho Cruz, the ninth overall pick in the last Draft, scored the final four points in the Elasto Painters’ 98-95 decision of Alaska, while Danny Seigle and Jay Washington spearheaded the Tropang Texters’ hot fourth quarter that finished off San Miguel Beer, 107-101, at the Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.

Those victories painted an abstract picture as far as the race for top two honors in the elimination round is concerned with the Painters, the Beermen, the Aces and the Tropang Texters all still having shots.

And San Miguel and Alaska, which have set the pace practically the entire tournament, can find themselves playing in the quarterfinals if the Beermen somehow are upset by ousted newcomer Blackwater Elite on Tuesday and Rain or Shine beats Ginebra San Miguel Sunday night.

The Elasto Painters are now tied for the lead with the Beermen at 8-2 and can clinch the first of those two berths with a win over the Gin Kings.

San Miguel has the inside track on the second Final Four slot because of an expected victory over the winless Elite, who were ousted as early as two weeks ago and will take a 10-game losing streak into their Tuesday game.

Alaska will drop to the quarterfinal round in the event of a Rain or Shine win and the Aces’ only chance of marching to the semifinal outright is if Blackwater does thump San Miguel.

That scenario will make Rain or Shine No. 1 with a 9-2 record and give Alaska, San Miguel and Talk ‘N Text 8-3 cards, which will favor the Aces because of a superior quotient.

No playoffs will be played to break ties in the tournament.

Cruz scored on a follow-up of a Jeff Chan miss from the free throw line with 18.5 seconds left, darting out of nowhere to grab the offensive rebound for the putback that gave the Painters a 96-95 lead.

Alaska had a chance to reclaim the lead and went to Eric Menk, the former MVP who threw up an off-balanced semi-hook that failed to find the mark.

Paul Lee grabbed the rebound and threw a two-handed outlet pass to a streaking Cruz for an unmolested layup that left just seven-tenths of a second on the game clock.

It was the sixth straight win for the Painters, who matched the longest winning streak in the conference, ironically enough, set by Alaska in opening up the season.

Alaska lost back-to-back games for the first time in dropping to 8-3, and this one was painful since the Aces held a 95-93 lead going into the last 27.9 seconds after a Calvin Abueva one-hander from close range.

“If we lose on Sunday (tomorrow), it (six-game winning streak) will be worthless,” said outspoken Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao. “We have to cap this (run) off with a win on Sunday.”

Asked to comment on Cruz’ career-high 16-point performance, Guiao minced no words in giving the former Adamson ace the praise he deserves.

“He (Cruz) played like a veteran, he made his free throws, he made the winning baskets and he defended well. He certainly makes us look good drafting him.”

Seigle and Washington, former Rookies of the Year who have a combined 25 years in the league, scored nine points each in the fourth period and were the biggest reasons why the Texters pulled this one out.

Washington finished with 19 points and Seigle 12 as a total of six players tossed in twin digits for coach Jong Uichico, who didn’t waste time in arguing the case of Seigle in being left out in the 40 Greatest Players list.

“He’s always ready to play. I have been with him for so long,” Uichico said of Seigle’s off-the-bench role. “I believe he should be in the top 40 (Greatest Players). It’s my opinion.”

Chris Lutz fired 25 to lead the Beermen, who got 18 points and nine rebounds from reigning MVP June Mar Fajardo and 16 points and 12 boards from Arwind Santos.