MANILA – Rain or Shine Elasto Painters battled back from a double-digit deficit to score a 113-103 victory over Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots in the do-or-die Game 5 of the PBA Governors’ Cup quarterfinals on Saturday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
Aaron Fuller spearheaded the offense with 26 points to go with nine rebounds, three assists, and two steals as the Painters moved on to the best-of-seven semifinals against the TNT Tropang Giga.
Jhonard Clarito added a double-double of 17 points and 10 rebounds, while Adrian Nocum, Andrei Caracut, Leonard Santillan, and Keith Datu contributed 17, 14, 12, and 11, respectively, for the Painters.
Painters head coach Joseller “Yeng” Guiao said the quarterfinals win against the veteran-laden Hotshots was a huge learning experience for them ahead of their semis encounter with the Tropang Giga.
“Ang laking leksyon na itinuro sa amin ng Magnolia, we are a young team, we beat Magnolia in Game 5 where everything at stake,” Guiao said. “Pinaka-proud ako dun sa lumaban lang sila.”
“They just competed, they fought it out, hindi sila bumigay under pressure, this is the fighting heart that the guys showed,” he added. “It is an advantage that we won the first game kasi nag-a-alternate lang ‘yung results ng laro.”
Down by as many as 12 points early in the game, the Painters slowly clawed their way back until they took an 85-83 advantage after three quarters on a three-point conversion by Datu.
The Painters went on with their run in the fourth quarter behind inside conversions from Fuller, Clarito, Nocum, and Caracut as they stretched the lead to as high as 10 points at 111-101.
Jabari Bird finished with a double-double of 23 points and 15 rebounds, Calvin Abueva added 16 markers, while Jerrick Ahanmisi and Ian Sangalang contributed 15 and 12, respectively, for the Hotshots./PN
BOX SCORE:
RAIN OR SHINE 113 – Fuller 26, Clarito 17, Nocum 17, Caracut 14, Santillan 12, Datu 11, Belga 11, Lemetti 5, Mamuyac 2, Asistio 1, Norwood 0.
MAGNOLIA 103 – Bird 23, Abueva 16, Ahanmisi 15, Sangalang 12, Lee 9, Dionisio 9, Dela Rosa 9, Barroca 6, Eriobu 4, Mendoza 0, Reavis 0.
Quarterscores: 20-29, 52-55, 85-83, 113-103.
