Rain or Shine displayed maturity beyond its years in dispatching the depleted yet courageous TNT, 110-109, to complete the semifinal picture of the PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup, Wednesday night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
The Elasto Painters stood their ground in crunch time after squandering a 20-point lead, overcoming Kelly Williams’ late-game heroics en route to their first trip to the said stage in half a decade or since the 2019 Commissioner’s Cup.
Awaiting them in the semis are the reigning conference champions San Miguel Beer. Their best-of-7 series starts Friday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
“Masyado kaming swerte. Kulang ang TNT. Buti na nga lang maganda ang start namin,” offered head coach Yeng Guiao “Ganoon sila kagaling. Kahit kulang sila, they showed class. Kinayod nila at muntik pa nilang kunin ang game.”
Gian Mamuyac led RoS with 25 points, none bigger than his trey to stretch their lead to 106-100 with 38.3 seconds left to stop the Tropang Giga from their tracks after tying the game up at 98-all approaching the final four minutes.
The former Ateneo guard scored 12 of his points in the first quarter, leading his side to a 39-point showing to seize control of the game that saw them lead by 20 twice and own a 17-point advantage entering the fourth.
But his most important contribution, no doubt, was that triple on the face of Glenn Khobuntin to help Andrei Caracut and Keith Datu in unleashing that crucial scoring run to give themselves the breathing room they so needed.
Gabe Norwood would help the youngsters later on, canning a pair of free throws to push their lead to 110-106 with 4.5 seconds left to play that proved enough to waste Williams’ Herculean efforts in trying to save TNT.
The 2008 MVP erupted for 32 points, including nine in the final 26.2 which he all made from deep as he was determined to bring the club back to the semis, something they haven’t done since winning the 2023 Governors’ Cup.
But then, the 42-year-old can only do so much, with the Elasto Painters, as their chief mentor said, aided by luck as they marched onto the semis — indeed a big achievement for a team that started the conference with four straight losses.
“Makarating ka lang ng semis, ibig sabihin nun meron kang na-bump off na elite na team. Top four ka eh. ‘Pag top four ka, independent team, merong nalaglag na matinding team,” said Guiao. “So that in itself is a source of pride.”
“And sa akin kasi, we’re playing the long game. Hindi kami pwede mag-acquire ng talent na game-changer, we have to develop talent. And this is a way you develop talent, getting them deep in the playoffs,” he added.
Jhonard Clarito continued his fine play as he finished with a near double-double of 17 points and nine rebounds for Rain or Shine.
Santi Santillan made 14 points, four rebounds, and three assists. Datu and Adrian Nocum scored 11 each, while Shaun Ildefonso added 10.
Put to waste aside from Williams’ 32 in TNT’s loss, on the other hand, was the 27-point effort of Calvin Oftana, along with nine boards.
Oftana scored 15 in the fourth quarter alone but the 28-year-old winger committed costly turnovers in the closing seconds.
Roger Pogoy had 22 points although he was not able to finish the game after cramping up in the final minutes. Khobuntin added 10 for a Tropang Giga side that missed Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser due to an ACL tear.
The Scores:
Rain or Shine 110 – Mamuyac 25, Clarito 17, Santillan 15, Datu 11, Nocum 11, Ildefonso 10, Norwood 6, Caracut 5, Asistio 5, Belga 5, Demusis 0.
TNT 109 – Williams 32, Oftana 27, Pogoy 22, Khobuntin 10, Montalbo 4, Castro 4, Aurin 4, Galinato 2, Heruela 2, M.Ganuelas-Rosser 2, Reyes 0, Ponferrada 0.
Quarterscores: 39-22, 59-45, 89-72, 110-109.
