MANILA – Rey Nambatac scored on a game-winner as Rain or Shine Elasto Painters advanced to the semifinals of the 2019 Honda PBA Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals with an 85-83 win over Blackwater Elite last night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
After seeing their seven-point edge turned to 83-all via back-to-back triples of Elite’s Rey Mark Belo, Nambatac drained a perimeter jumper with 18 ticks left.
Nambatac finished the match with 21 points, four rebounds and four steals.
With the win, the Painters advanced to the best-of-five semifinals against powerhouse San Miguel Beermen.
Jayvee Mocon chipped in 15 markers while Carl Montgomery contributed double-double 14 points and 23 rebounds.
In the opening half, the Painters struggled offensively. It trailed by 12 points several times before making outside hits in the third canto from Gabe Norwood and Norbert Torres.
The Elite regained control of the match early in the fourth quarter at on shots from Greg Smith and Allein Maliksi. The Painters, however, leaned on Nambatac for an 81-75 edge.
Belo and Bobby Ray Parks Jr. finished with 16 points apiece. Smith chipped in double-double 15 points and 18 rebounds while Maliksi contributed 14 markers for the also-ran Elite./PN
