MANILA – Rain or Shine Elasto Painters delivered crucial baskets in the endgame to pull off a 103-98 victory over TNT Tropang Giga in Game 3 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals last night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Clinging to a slim 90-88 lead with over four minutes left, the Painters increased the advantage to 94-88 after a jumper from Deon Thompson and two free throws from Adrian Nocum.
The Tropang Giga responded with a basket from Rondae Hollis-Jefferson to cut the deficit to 90-94, but the Painters widened the lead to 98-90 on connections from Gian Mamuyac and Caelan Tiongson.
TNT made their last push on two four-point shots from Hollis-Jefferson, but free throws from Nocum, Tiongson, and Mamuyac with three seconds left secured the victory for Rain or Shine.
Thompson tallied a double-double of 19 points and 15 rebounds to lead the Painters, while Tiongson contributed 18 points, seven rebounds, and four assists as they cut the series deficit to 1-2.
Nocum contributed 16 markers, mostly coming in the fourth quarter, along with eight rebounds and four assists, while Anton Asistio came off the bench to deliver 12 points for ROS.
“We are hoping to push this series into a long series, ngayon naka isa na kami, that means ang minimum nito is five games, ang gusto namin umabot ng seven games eh,” Painters head coach Joseller “Yeng” Guiao said after the game.
“We’re physically and mentally prepared to play for seven games, we designed our management of minutes to be still be able to be fresh if may Game 7. But, for now, isa isa muna. The longer it takes, the better for us,” he added.
Hollis-Jefferson posted a double-double of 34 points and 19 rebounds, while Roger Pogoy contributed 21 markers for the Tropang Giga, which lost Jayson Castro for the rest of the season due to a knee injury./PN
BOX SCORE:
RAIN OR SHINE 103 – Thompson 19, Tiongson 18, Nocum 16, Asistio 12, Mamuyac 9, Santillan 8, Clarito 7, Norwood 7, Datu 4, Caracut 3, Lemetti 0.
TNT 98 – Hollis-Jefferson 34, Pogoy 21, Oftana 13, Erram 10, Williams 8, Aurin 8, Nambatac 2, Khobuntin 2, Heruela 0, Razon 0.
Quarterscores: 21-21, 49-43, 75-73, 103-98.
