Experience was the difference as Rain or Shine completed its upset of the twice-to-beat NLEX, 103-92, to formalize the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup semi-final picture, Saturday night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
The Elasto Painters trailed by as many as 11 points but remained composed. Andrei Caracut knocked down a booming trifecta just before the third quarter concluded to give themselves the lead for good at 78-77.
Momentum would then shift their way, with the wards of Coach Yeng Guiao unloading an overwhelming 18-5 blitz toward a 96-82 lead with 3:54 left to play. Mike Malonzo provided the spark before the others came in to help.
Rain or Shine will next face TNT in the best-of-7 semis that commence Wednesday, June 25, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
This marks the third time in a row that the proud franchises will meet one another in the said phase.
(C) PBA Images
“Basta, susubukan lang namin kung ano ‘yung kaya namin,” said Guiao. “TNT, champion team, going for a Grand Slam. But andyan kami, lalabanan namin sila, tingnan natin kung hanggang saan ‘yung aabutin namin.”
Santi Santillan top-scored in the triumph with 24 points and nine rebounds off the bench. Caracut finished with 16 points behind a 4-of-5 clip from three.
Jhonard Clarito, after a 20-20 outing the last time out, notched another double-double with 13 points and 16 rebounds. Anton Asistio made 11.
But the unlikely contribution came from Malonzo, who delivered 10 points together with five rebounds and two assists in 18 minutes.
The rookie out of NU scored six in the aforementioned run, including a bucket inside that gave them their first double-digit lead at 92-82.
“Nakita na namin eh,” Guiao said. “Masipag, matapang, offense defense, malakas ang katawan. May potensyal naman talaga ‘yung bata.”
(C) PBA Images
That balanced attack by the Elasto Painters negated the one-man show of Robert Bolick, who dropped 34 points to lead NLEX.
The loss that will linger with the team for some time after blowing their quarters incentive.
Only JB Bahio and rookie Brandon Ramirez were the others who finished in double figures for the Road Warriors with 11 and 10 points, respectively.
The defeat has prolonged NLEX’s semis drought to eight conferences now, after bowing to a team whose present coach was the last one who brought the MVP-owned club to the said stage back in the 2021-22 Governors’ Cup.
“‘Yung NLEX team, ang tingin ko malapit na rin ‘yung panahon nila,” said Guiao of his former team. “Ang hirap na nilang talunin ngayon. Mga bata nandiyan na, I think they’ve put in the proper personnel, the proper style of play.”
The Scores:
Rain or Shine 103 – Santillan 24, Caracut 16, Clarito 13, Asistio 11, Malonzo 10, Mamuyac 9, Tiongson 8, Nocum 5, Norwood 4, Porter 3, Datu 0.
NLEX 92 – Bolick 34, Bahio 11, Ramirez 10, Mocon 9, Fajardo 7, Semerad 6, Policarpio 5, Torres 4, Nieto 2, Valdez 2, Alas 2.
Quarterscores: 21-27, 52-55, 78-77, 103-92.
