Former Elasto Painter Jervy Cruz caused pain to Rain or Shine, sinking a cold-blooded jumper in the final seconds to help Barangay Ginebra survive in three tiring extra periods, 100-92, Friday night at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
Cruz struck the dagger in the final 34.1 seconds of the match to make it 96-92 and to help the Gin Kings enter the 2018 Philippine Cup playoffs. The Barangay (5th) will also face the Elasto Painters (4th) in a best-of-three series.
“Jervy hit the big shot against his former team,” lauded a relieved Ginebra head coach Tim Cone.
With Ginebra’s victory, the clash for the eight and last playoff spot will take place between TNT Katropa and Phoenix Fuel Masters this Sunday, March 4, at 6:30 PM still at the Big Dome.
Japeth Aguilar captained the Barangay with 30 points, 17 rebounds, and five assists in over 51 minutes. LA Tenorio lived up to his Ironman billing as he produced 20 points, six rebounds, and two steals in nearly 57 minutes.
Tenorio’s playing time has now become the fourth all-time highest in league and in franchise history. This is also his 543rd straight game.
Ginebra was already ahead, 80-73, in the final 3:24 of regulation, but Beau Belga led a 7-0 rally to tie the game up with 44 seconds left. Belga had the chance to win it for RoS, but his jumper in 18.5-second mark missed, sending it to OT.
Rain or Shine thought they had it in the bag when they took an 85-83 lead with 1:11 left thanks to Maverick Ahanmisi. However, Joe Devance converted on the other end, and Ahanmisi’s missed freebies gave way to another extension.
Both squads were clearly worn out come the 2OT, with all players just hoisting up shots waiting for it to drop on its own. Rain or Shine had another chance to win it, but Raymond Almazan’s incomplete alley-oop play sent it to the third OT.
And the third extension proved to be the game’s final chapter, as the Barangay, from a 92-all deadlock, nailed back-to-back baskets — ended by Cruz’s dagger — to earn a favorable 96-92 cushion with 34 seconds left.
The Elasto Painters failed to catch up anymore, and Ginebra made their free throws to walk away with the eight-ppint victory.
“This is the first good thing that happened to us all whole conference long — winning tonight’s game — and it took us triple overtimes to do it against a team that’s really didn’t have much to play for,” added Cone on the win.
Devance finished with 15 points, 13 rebounds, seven assists, and two blocks in 49 minutes for Ginebra. Scottie Thompson fired 10 markers and 17 boards, while Sol Mercado provided 10 points as well on nine shots.
Everybody from Rain or Shine except Ronnie Matias scored in the 3OT classic. Belga made 17 points, six rebounds, and five assists; Gabe Norwood had 13 markers and 10 caroms; while Ahanmis and Ed Daquiaog scored 11 apiece.
The Scores:
Ginebra 100 – J. Aguilar 30, Tenorio 20, Devance 15, Mercado 10, Thompson 10, Cruz 6, Mariano 3, Caguioa 3, Ferrer 3, R. Aguilar 0.
Rain or Shine 92 – Belga 17, Norwood 13, Ahanmisi 11, Daquioag 11, Washington 9, Almazan 8, Trollano 8, Borboran 6, Ponferada 4,Nambatac 3, Maiquez 2,Matias 0.
Quarterscores: 26-20, 46-34, 67-62, 80-80, 85-85, 87-87, 100-92.
