RAIN OR SHINE UPSETS DORMAKABA
Playing with just 5 players, Rain or Shine beat an erstwhile unbeaten and top-ranked Dormakaba in A+E Basketball to force a do-or-die battle
Rain or Shine scored a huge upset after beating previously unbeaten and No. 1 seed Dormakaba, 81-77, in the quarterfinals of Architecs+Engineers Basketball Club Corporate Cup 2018 last weekend in the University of San Carlos (USC) Main Gym.
Though playing with just five players, Rain or Shine, which won just one of seven games in the elimination stage, forced a do-or-die game with Dormakaba, with the winner moving on to the semifinals.
Joy Salvador exploded with 36 points and 12 rebounds to lead Rain or Shine, while Raymond Verano logged a double-double with 17 markers, 10 boards, a steal, and a block. Ronald Talasan was the third Rain or Shine player in double digits with 22 points.
Dormakaba, which played without some of its key players, was led by Kyle Esbra in 22 points and three steals. Jonas Panerio added 18 points with eight rebounds, while Julius Orit and Alfred Calumba chipped in 13 and 10, respectively.
Meanwhile, higher seeds Fenestram, Island Paints and SEA Olympus advanced into the semifinals after winning their quarterfinal games.
No. 2 seed Fenestram squeaked past Phoenix, 63-62.
Michael Estrada was Fenestram’s leading scorer with 15 points, while Ian Paculba and Neil Bacus added 11 each.
Jose Pono led Phoenix with 20 markers, Gerald Jayme had 17, and Malvin Malicdem chipped in 12.
Island Paints outclassed East Grand, 73-50.
Four Island Paints players hit double digits: Dexsel Caandan had 22, Criz Matunog scored 17, Chester Hinagdanan chipped in 15, and Christopher Go added 14.
Joshua Gayotin was the lone East Grand in double digits with 15.
SEA Olympus crushed Davies Paints, 89-61.
Bong Gabison was scorching hot with 26 points and six rebounds for SEA Olympus. Carlos Baltar added 20 markers, Justin Aspacio had 16, and Ayi Armenion had 11 points and 10 rebounds.
Michael Cinco had 28 points, four rebounds, and three steals for Davies Paints.