MANILA – Rain or Shine Elasto Painters survived a tough stand by also-ran Converge FiberXers for a 112-111 squeaker in the 2023-2024 PBA Commissioner’s Cup on Sunday afternoon at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
Already ahead at 93-82 following two free throws by Beau Belga early in the fourth quarter, the Painters were threatened by the several runs of the FiberXers, which cut the deficit to 89-93.
The Painters created separation anew at 103-96 on back-to-back triples by Gabe Norwood and Rey Mark Belo, but the FiberXers clawed their way back to cut the deficit to 102-105 on a three-pointer by JL Delos Santos.
Rain or Shine got four straight points from Gian Mamuyac for a 109-102 separation, but consecutive points by King Caralipio pulled the Converge to 111-112. The FiberXers still had a chance to snatch the win but Caralipio missed his shot attempt at the buzzer.
Demetrius Treadwell finished with a near triple-double of 21 points, 17 rebounds, and eight assists, Belga chipped in 19 markers and rookie Keith Datu ended with 10 points as the Painters notched its sixth straight win.
With a 6-5 win-loss slate, the Painters will enter the quarterfinals as the no.7 seed team and will have a twice-to-win disadvantage against either Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters or San Miguel Beermen.
Jamil Wilson fell short of a triple-double with 26 points, 13 rebounds, and nine assists, Justin Arana added 19 markers, rookies Bryan Santos and Caralipio had career-highs of 18 and 16 markers as the FiberXers ended the conference with 1-10 slate.
Meanwhile, Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings leaned on a huge endgame spurt to defeat NLEX Road Warriors, 103-99, on Saturday night at the Ibalong Centrum for Recreation in Legaspi City, Albay.
Down 91-94 with over four minutes left, the Gin Kings unloaded seven straight points via an inside hit by Tony Bishop Jr., a three-pointer by Maverick Ahanmisi, and a putback by Christian Standhardinger for a 98-94 lead.
The Road Warriors answered with a three-pointer from Anthony Semerad to cut the deficit to 97-98, but a triple by Bishop and two free throws from Stanley Pringle sealed the win for the Gin Kings.
Bishop finished with a double-double of 27 points and 14 rebounds to go with four assists, two blocks, and a steal as the defending champions Gin Kings improved to an 8-3 record, securing a twice-to-beat edge in the quarterfinals./PN
BOX SCORE:
RAIN OR SHINE 112 – Treadwell 21, Belga 19, Datu 10, Yap 9, Demusis 8, Nocum 8, Nambatac 6, Norwood 6, Borboran 5, Santillan 5, Clarito 5, Belo 5, Mamuyac 4, Ildefonso 1, Caracut 0, Asistio 0.
CONVERGE 111 – Wilson 26, Arana 19, Santos 18, Caralipio 13, Nieto 7, Fornillos 6, Delos Santos 6, Winston 4, Melecio 3, Stockton 3, Maagdenberg 2, Vigan-Fleming 1.
Quarterscores: 28-19, 55-48, 82-78, 112-111.
