ROS forces KO match
Game Today (Smart Araneta Coliseum) 7 p.m. – Meralco vs Blackwater
Rain or Shine went on a shooting clinic bridging the third and fourth periods before holding off TNT KaTropa’s late rally for a 106-102 victory that forced their quarterfinals encounter to a rubber match last night in the PBA Governors’ Cup at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The Elasto Painters broke away in the final two minutes of the third before building a 20-point lead in the final canto behind their three-point shots, but needed some key defensive stops coupled with a crucial KaTropa blunder to keep their semifinal dreams alive in the season-ending conference.
J’Nathan Bullock, the dreadlockssporting import, had 31 points spiked by seven triples while adding 15 rebounds and three assists even as Gabe Norwood produced 15 points, nine rebounds, six assists and two steals to show the way for the Elasto Painters.
Rain or Shine coach Caloy Garcia felt confident even before the start that his team is capable of at least pushing TNT to the limit, like in their elimination round meeting last Aug. 20 when the Elasto Painters routed the KaTropa, 10573, in a game where both teams missed their Gilas Pilipinas players because of FIBA Asia duties.
“I told them in the beginning that we are a good matchup against TNT. We believe we almost have the same system, it’s all about who wants it more on the defensive side,” said Garcia. “I think there was a point in that third quarter that changed it up and we built a huge lead.”
The Elasto Painters trailed 7271 when Don Trollano scored two of his 10 points with 2:46 left in the third to take the lead for good. Back-to-back threes by Norwood and Bullock padded the margin to seven, 79-72.
Maverick Ahanmisi, who also had 10 points, scored off a what appeared to be an airball by Norwood at the buzzer, giving Rain or Shine an 84-75 going entering the fourth. The Elasto Painters continued their onslaught with baskets from Trollano, Raymond Almazan, Bullock and Ahanmisi for the largest lead at 20 points, 102-82, 6:30 to play.