Making the stops in the end game, the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters have bagged their second straight win in the 2019 PBA Philippine Cup by holding off the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, 83-80, Saturday evening at the Calasiao Sports Complex in Pangasinan.
orwood’s swat on LA Tenorio’s lay-up off a steal followed by Mark Borboran’s split from the foul line with eight seconds left shut the door for Ginebra, who knocked within three with 43.2 ticks to go from down six.
The Elasto Painters have improved to 2-0 while dragging the Gin Kings to 1-2.
“Yung breaks of the game medyo napunta sa’min,” said Rain or Shine head coach Caloy Garcia. “It’s nice having a win like this where we can close out. Both teams wanted to win but we just came out the better team.”
Borboran and Norbert Torres were at the forefront of Rain or Shine’s attack as they produced 12 points and eight rebounds apiece. Maverick Ahanmisi chimed in 11 markers, five boards, four assists, and three steals.
The Elasto Painters managed to create enough breathing room thanks to tye veteran Norwood, as his back-to-back jumpers from the perimeter gave Rain or Shine an 82-76 advantage with 1:35 remaining in the final period.
But the Gin Kings did not flinch. A Joe Devance split from the line, followed by a Japeth Aguilar underbasket stab off a Tenorio feed knocked the crowd favorites to within just three, 79-82, with 43.2 seconds on the clock.
Tenorio had a chance to trim the gap to just a solitary point with 38.5 ticks to go as his breakaway lay-up off a stolen inbound pass was violated by Norwood, but the officials overturned their call from goaltending to a clean block.
James Yap tried to put the game away but his triple missed its target, but Norwood was at the right spot for the rebound with 13 seconds to go. The ball ended up with Borboran, who split his charities to make it a four-point lead.
The Barangay still had a chance at the end, but Aguilar and Scottie Thompson failed to maximize their chances from the line as they only converted 1-of-4.
Aguilar led the crowd darlings with 19 points and eight rebounds. Greg Slaughter had 15 points and 12 rebounds but committed nine turnovers, while Tenorio had 12 points. Thompson scored 12 as well with eight boards.
Rain or Shine had the slight edge at rebounds 57-54, but they took control of the offensive glass, 27-17.
Rain or Shine will next face Blackwater Elite on January 30, Wednesday, at the Cuneta Astrodome, while Ginebra will look to bounce back versus the Columbian Dyip next Saturday, February 2, at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
The Scores:
Rain or Shine 83 – Torres 12, Borboran 12, Ahanmisi 11, Yap 9, Belga 9, Norwood 6, Daquioag 6, Maiquez 6, Nambatac 6, Mocon 3, Rosales 2, Ponferada 1.
Ginebra 80 – Aguilar 19, Slaughter 15, Tenorio 12, Thompson 12, Devance 10, Mariano 6, Dela Cruz 6, Mercado 0, Caperal 0, Ferrer 0, Teodoro 0.
Quarterscores: 20-19, 39-38, 60-63, 83-80.
