MANILA – Vintage James Yap resurfaced in the first half while Javee Mocon got the end as Rain or Shine Elasto Painters upset TNT Tropang Giga, 80-74, in their 2020 Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup at the AUF Sports Arena and Cultural Center in Pampanga last night.
The Escalante City, Negros Occidental-native Yap went to work in the opening half pouring in all 16 points, including four three-point bombs, as the Painters took a 43-38 halftime lead.
The Painters went on to widen the lead to as high as 67-57 in the second half, but the Tropang Giga clawed their way back to tie the score at 72-all on a triple by Bobby Ray Parks Jr. with over two minutes left.
Mocon regained the edge for Rain or Shine with two free throws before Norbert Torres splits from the foul line and Kris Rosales converted a layup to make it a 77-74 count with 36 seconds left.
After an offensive foul by TNT’s Jeth Troy Rosario, the Painters increased the lead further 79-74 on two more free throws by Mocon. After a block by RoS’ Gabe Norwood on TNT’s Roger Pogoy, Mocon drained another free throw for the final score.
Apart from having his best game of the conference, Yap also achieved a milestone in the match as he equaled retired guard Ronald Magsanoc at No. 3 in the league’s all-time treys made list.
“Sa totoo lang ‘di ko na lang iniisip ‘yun. Dahil pag lalo mong iniisip, medyo mahirap makuha,” the 38-year-old cager said. “So laro lang ako, bahala na kung makuha ko o hindi basta gawin ko lang ‘yung part ko sa team, ‘yung scoring ko.”
Mocon finished the match with double-double 16 points and 12 rebounds while Beau Belga and Mark Borboran also registered double-figures 12 and 10 markers respectively for the Painters.
With a 6-4 W-L record, the Painters completed the eight teams entering the quarterfinals while ousting NLEX Road Warriors (4-6) from playoffs contention. RoS can still move up in the playoffs rankings as they face Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters (7-3) tonight.
Rosario tallied double-double 18 points and 10 rebounds while John Paul Erram and Parks added 14 and 11 markers respectively as Tropang Giga drop to 7-4 and will wait for the result of today’s matches to determine their quarterfinals spot.
Meanwhile, defending champions San Miguel Beermen boosted their chance for a twice-to-beat incentive in the playoffs with a 120-99 triumph over NorthPort Batang Pier. The Beermen improved to 7-4 while Batang Pier fell to 1-9.
Arwind Santos tallied double-double 23 points and 11 rebounds while Marcio Lassiter and Moala Tautuaa ended up with 21 markers apiece for the Beermen. Kelly Nabong dropped 29 markers for the Batang Pier.
BOX SCORE:
RAIN OR SHINE 80 – Yap 16, Mocon 16, Belga 12, Borboran 10, Norwood 9, Rosales 6, Ponferada 5, Torres 4, Arana 1, Onwubere 1, Wong 0, Nambatac 0, Tolentino 0.
TNT 74 – Rosario 18, Erram 14, Parks 11, Enciso 9, Pogoy 9, Vosotros 6, Washington 4, Semerad 3, Carey 0, De Leon 0, Alejandro 0, Montalbo 0, Flores 0.
QUARTERSCORES:
Q1,13-19; Q2, 43-38; Q3, 67-57; Q4, 80-74./PN
