MANILA – Rain or Shine Elasto Painters rallied from a double-digit deficit to score a 99-96 overtime win over Magnolia Hotshots in the 2018 PBA Commissioner’s Cup last night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Reginald Johnson led the way with double-double 23 points and 18 rebounds, Raymond Almazan had 19 markers, while Gabe Norwood contributed 12 points and 10 rebounds for Painters (6-1) to grab the solo lead.
A game prior, Alaska Aces stretched its winning run further despite the absence of Calvin Abueva as it scored a come-from-behind 109-103 victory over GlobalPort Batang Pier.
Vic Manuel sustained his strong run in the Commissioner’s Cup with 22 points for Aces (5-1). Chris Banchero added 19 markers while import Antonio Campbell had 18 points and 18 rebounds.
Trailing by 15 points midway in the second period, Painters went on a huge run in the third frame behind Johnson, Almazan and Maverick Ahanmisi to take a 69-68 lead going to the fourth.
It was a back-and-forth action in the last quarter until Painters surged to an 86-81 lead on back-to-back hits from Johnson, but Hotshots leaned on Jio Jalalon’s two straight hits to force overtime.
Down 91-88 in the extension, Painters went on a 7-0 run on triples by Norwood and Beau Belga for a 95-91 lead. Hotshots rallied to within 94-95 but free throws by Chris Tiu sealed the win for Painters.
Curtis Kelly and Rome Dela Rosa finished with 19 points apiece for Hotshots (3-2). Jalalon added 13 markers while Paul Lee contributed 10 points.
In the first game, Aces – down by as much as 15 points in the first half – turned things around in the third period as Manuel steered a 14-4 scoring run and Alaska snatched an 85-83 lead heading into the fourth.
Aces went on to build its largest lead in the game 105-93 on back-to-back hits by Manuel. Batang Pier rallied to within 103-107 but an inside hit by Jvee Casio sealed the win for Aces. GlobalPort dropped to 3-4./PN
