MANILA – Aaron Fuller bucked an eye injury to lead Rain or Shine Elasto Painters to a 111-106 overtime victory against Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots in Game 3 of the PBA Governors’ Cup quarterfinals on Sunday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
Fuller, who sustained an eye injury in Game 2 after being accidentally poked by Hotshots center Ian Sangalang, finished with a double-double of 29 points and 11 rebounds as the Painters took a 2-1 lead in the best-of-five series.
“Aaron provided us with a lot of inspiration and encouragement, you know what he went through, alam naman natin kung ano ‘yung nangyari,” said Painters head coach Joseller “Yeng” Guiao.
“He was doubtful until this afternoon, so warrior talaga itong si Aaron and tahimik lang siya, but he plays with a big heart, and he knows how to keep his emotion and carry his team on his shoulders,” he added.
Jhonard Clarito also made his presence felt with 18 points and eight rebounds, Gian Mamuyac and Andrei Caracut finished with 15 markers apiece, and Leonard Santillan ended with 13 points for the Painters.
With the score tied at 106-all, Mamuyac split his free throws to give the Painters a 107-106 lead. After forcing the Hotshots to two turnovers, Fuller and Clarito drained two free throws each to seal the win.
Jabari Bird tallied a double-double of 31 points and 10 rebounds, Zavier Lucero contributed a season-high of 24 markers, while Aris Dionisio ended with 12 points for the Hotshots.
Meanwhile, TNT Tropang Giga regained a 2-1 quarterfinal series advantage with a dominant 109-91 Game 3 victory over sister team NLEX Road Warriors.
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson had a near triple-double of 27 points, 12 rebounds, and eight assists, Calvin Oftana added 18 markers, Rey Nambatac and Glenn Khobuntin contributed 17 markers apiece, while Kelly Williams ended with 11 markers for TNT.
The Tropang Giga set the tone with a quick 32-21 start before slowly breaking the game wide open as the advantage reached its largest at 26 points at 108-82 in the fourth quarter./PN
BOX SCORE:
RAIN OR SHINE 111 – Fuller 29, Clarito 18, Mamuyac 15, Caracut 15, Santillan 13, Belga 10, Nocum 6, Norwood 5, Tiongson 0, Lemetti 0.
MAGNOLIA 106 – Bird 31, Lucero 24, Dionisio 12, Sangalang 9, Ahanmisi 9, Abueva 8, Barroca 6, Lee 6, Mendoza 1, Dela Rosa 0, Reavis 0.
Quarterscores: 29-18, 50-38, 73-66, 98-98, 111-106.
