ANTIPOLO – Anton Asistio emerged as the unlikely hero who saved Rain or Shine from falling victim to a massive upset at the hands of Titan Ultra, 112-111, in a thrilling PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup encounter on Sunday night.
The fifth-year guard was composure personified, knocking down all four of his free throws. He erased a 111-108 deficit with 2.1 seconds left — that, after successfully fishing a foul off Joshua Munzon by launching from 27 feet.
His nailing those bonuses was also a harsh lesson for the Giant Risers, particularly to Munzon and new guy Kobe Monje. Both men only split their shots in separate trips to the line inside the final 14.9 ticks.
Titan tried to save itself by going to Calvin Abueva, but his one-handed attempt for a game-winner missed its target as time expired. The RoS team erupted in joy as they completed the comeback from down 85-66 in the third.
They have now won their second in a row and improved to 3-1 to create a four-way tie at the top of the standings with TNT, Magnolia, and Converge.
Much of that was thanks to Asistio, who finished with 11 points alongside two rebounds and an assist.
“We designed that last play for Anton. But we did not anticipate that it was going to be a four,” said Coach Yeng Guiao. “We thought that a three was enough, but it was Anton really who just, with his natural intelligence, took the four.
“But we knew they were going to foul. Na-anticipate na namin ‘yung foul, and ang sinabi namin, when you’re about to feel you’re getting fouled, you put up a shot. That’s exactly what Anton did,” the champion mentor furthered.
Asistio’s heroics also preserved the others’ efforts in orchestrating the comeback, which was led by Adrian Nocum and Santi Santillan.
Nocum led Rain or Shine with 24 points and eight rebounds, while Santillan fired 21 points and nine rebounds. The sweet-shooting winger scored 13 in the deciding chapter alone, 12 of which he got from four triples.
Also instrumental in that fourth-quarter assault was Jhonard Clarito, who finished with 19 points, six rebounds, three assists, and a steal.
Gabe Norwood chipped in 10 points, 12 rebounds, and seven assists. But his biggest contribution, as always, was his defense, particularly on Abueva during the game’s closing moments, that shackled their foes as a collective.
On the other side, the ‘Beast’ still tallied monster numbers of 31 points and 18 rebounds to lead Titan Ultra. He even got the best of Norwood when he drilled in a four and then a layup against him for a 107-98 lead with 2:48 left.
But he couldn’t rediscover the magic he wielded on the night he erupted for 41 to beat Meralco in their PBA debut, as the Giant Risers wilted.
It couldn’t get any more painful for Coach Johnedel Cardel & Co. as they appeared to be on their way to snapping out of a three-game funk, only to squander a big lead that ultimately led to a loss so frustrating.
“For the first three quarters, I wasn’t that happy. We were struggling,” admitted Guiao. “But I think the more important thing is, we found ways to win.”
Also wasted by the loss was Aljun Melecio’s 21 points, 17 of which he made in the first half. However, he did not check into the match afterwards.
Munzon had 15 and 13 plus eight assists, while Von Pessumal, Jerrick Balanza, and Chris Koon added 12 each for the Giant Risers.
Titan Ultra fell to 1-4.
The Scores:
Rain or Shine 112 – Nocum 24, Santillan 21, Clarito 19, Asistio 11, Norwood 10, Mamuyac 8, Lemetti 6, Belga 5, Malonzo 4, Ildefonso 2, Datu 2, Caracut 0.
Titan Ultra 111 – Abueva 31, Melecio 21, Munzon 15, Balanza 12, Koon 12, Pessumal 12, Yu 3, Flores 2, Barasi 2, Ambohot 0, Ular 0, Monje 0.
Quarterscores: 28-34, 57-64, 81-92, 112-111.
#WATCH: Yeng Guiao’s trust in Anton Asistio pays off as he sinks 4 clutch free throws to lift Rain or Shine to a come-from-behind win over Titan Ultra 🏀#ReadMore 👉 https://t.co/xnk0zJQ4hP
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— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) October 26, 2025
