MANILA – Rain or Shine Elasto Painters survived an upset try by Terrafirma Dyip for a 94-85 victory in the PBA Philippine Cup on Wednesday night at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
Leading by as many as 18 points late in the third quarter at 73-55, the Painters saw their cut to as low as three points at 78-81 by a furious fourth quarter rampage by the Dyip.
The Painters, however, responded with six straight points from Andrei Caracut, a split free throw from Caelan Tiongson, and a three-pointer from Jhonard Clarito to seal the win.
Clarito top-scored for the Painters with 12 points, Caracut added 11 markers, while Francis Escandor, Anton Asistio, and Leonard Santillan chipped in 10 markers apiece as they improved to a 6-3 record.
“Mahirap talaga na if you give them (Dyip) a small window, they will gain confidence,” said Painters head coach Joseller “Yeng” Guiao after the game. “It is a different that they are just fighting for pride and just want to give a show.”
“I told my players na mag-ingat kami at puwede mangyari ‘yan (humabol sila). It’s a good thing that we were able to hold them back,” he added.
Mark Sangalang top-scored for the Dyip with 22 points, Stanley Pringle added 18 markers, while Mark Nonoy contributed 10 points as they fell to a 1-9 win-loss slate.
Meanwhile, Phoenix Fuel Masters halted a four-game losing skid with an 118-107 victory over NorthPort Batang Pier in a battle of also-ran teams.
Jason Perkins led the way with 26 points, including four three-point conversions, to go with eight rebounds and four assists to be named Player of the Game as the Fuel Masters improved to a 3-7 win-loss slate.
Kai Ballungay added 17 markers, Kenneth Tuffin and Ricci Rivero contributed 14 points each, and RJ Jazul ended with 10 markers for Phoenix, who is already out of contention for a quarterfinals seat.
Joshua Munzon top-scored with 32 points, Calvin Abueva added 18 markers in his Batang Pier debut, while Damie Cuntapay contributed 15 as they fell to a 1-8 win-loss record./PN
BOX SCORE:
RAIN OR SHINE 94 – Clarito 12, Caracut 11, Santillan 10, Escandor 10, Asistio 10, Mamuyac 9, Datu 8, Nocum 7, Ildefonso 7, Tiongson 3, Norwood 3, Porter 2, Malonzo 2.
TERRAFIRMA 85 – Sangalang 22, Pringle 18, Nonoy 10, Hernandez 8, Ramos 7, Catapusan 7, Melecio 5, Paraiso 5, Zaldivar 3, Hanapi 0, Olivario 0.
Quarterscores: 20-21, 45-34, 73-55, 94-85.
