Rain or Shine pushed the struggling Terrafirma on the brink of yet another early exit, 116-105, to collect its fourth consecutive win in the PBA Season 48 Commissioner’s Cup, Saturday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
Beau Belga led the way with 18 points, while Santi Santillan and Jhonard Clarito made 16 each.
The three led the fourth-quarter assault that enabled the Elasto Painters to continue their turnaround from a 0-5 start to the conference.
“It’s been a good combination of locals and our import,” said head coach Yeng Guiao. “Our chemistry is getting better every game.”
Tree Treadwell finished with 16 as well alongside 19 rebounds, while Andrei Caracut chimed in 13 markers on three triples.
Moreover, the two joined hands with the aforementioned trio in closing out the encounter in their favor.
RoS was clinging to a narrow four-point lead lead until Treadwell converted a three-point play. Following that, Caracut nailed a trey to push their lead to 100-90.
Santillan and Clarito then came in and extended their lead to 110-99 with 1:25 left to play, making sure that they’d be in control the rest of the way.
“Usapan din namin na gusto namin mag-Pasko ng galing sa panalo,” said Guiao. “This is going to be our last game for the year.
“So, magandang kumakain ng noche buena at media noche na galing panalo; patagay-tagay ka tsaka pulutan ‘yung galing sa panalo, ‘di masama loob mo.”
Keith Datu provided 12 points and 11 rebounds in the triumph that kept the Elasto Painters’ quarterfinal aspirations very much alive. Following the victory, they remained at no. 8 in the standings, carrying a 4-5 record
Now Rain or Shine will look to sweep its remaining games, first against TNT Tropang Giga on January 5 and then versus Converge on January 14.
Thomas de Thaey, on the other hand, finished with a game-high 31 points and 14 rebounds to lead a Dyip side that has now lost six straight outings.
Juami Tiongson made 19 points and six assists. Gelo Alolino had 16 while rookie Kemark Carino added 15 in the loss that dropped their card to 2-7.
Terrafirma will try to keep its flickering hopes alive in its last assignments versus San Miguel and Meralco on January 7 and 12, respectively.
The Scores:
Rain or Shine 116 – Belga 18, Clarito 16, Santillan 16, Treadwell 16, Caracut 13, Datu 12, Belo 7, Ildefonso 6, Nocum 5, Asistio 3, Mamuyac 2, Nambatac 2, Demusis 0, Norwood 0.
Terrafirma 105 – De Thaey 31, Tiongson 19, Alolino 16, Carino 15, Holt 8, Ramos 7, Go 5, Miller 2, Daquioag 2, Cahilig 0, Calvo 0, Camson 0, Gomez de Liano 0.
Quarterscores: 25-26, 58-51, 87-85, 116-105.
