Painters tramples Alaska, 109-103 in PBA

MANILA – Rain or Shine Elasto Painters kicked off its 2018 PBA Commissioner’s Cup campaign with a 109-103 overtime win over Alaska Aces last night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Import Reginald Johnson led the way with double-double 32 points and 22 rebounds.

Chris Tiu added 18 markers while Maverick Ahanmisi and Raymond Almazan had 11 points each.

After being up by as much as 13 points, the Painters suddenly found itself in a seesaw battle in the fourth period before surging to a 90-86 lead on baskets by Tiu and Gabe Norwood.

The Aces, however, countered with five straight points from Anthony Campbell to snatch a 91-90 lead.

The Painters quickly respond with hits from Johnson and Ahanmisi to take a 94-91 edge but the Aces forced an overtime with a triple from Chris Banchero.

The Painters opened the overtime period with baskets from Beau Belga, Johnson and Tiu for a 104-98 lead.

The Aces rallied to within 103-105 on a trey by Campbell but a fastbreak layup by Ahanmisi off a steal and free throws by Johnson sealed the win for the Painters.

Campbell top-scored with double-double 40 points and 20 rebounds, while Calvin Abueva contributed 19 markers for the Aces (0-1).

In the first game, Stanley Pringle came up with clutch hits as GlobalPort Batang Pier pulled off an 86-85 win over Meralco Bolts.

After seeing its 77-69 fourth quarter diminished to 82-83 on a furious run by the Bolts’ Rommel Niño Canaleta, Pringle converted three free throws to increase the lead back to 86-82.

Pringle finish the match with 17 points – with 13 coming in the final quarter – for the Batang Pier which endured the absence of suspended center Moala Tautuaa to tally its first win in two starts.

Reinforcement Malcolm White led the way with double-double 27 points and 17 rebounds while Sean Anthony continued his fine play for the Batang Pier with 15 markers./PN

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