MANILA — Rain or Shine Elasto Painters pulled off a stunning 21-point comeback to defeat Converge FiberXers, 124-120, and seize a 1-0 lead in their best-of-five PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup quarterfinal series on Tuesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Adrian Nocum spearheaded the Elasto Painters’ remarkable turnaround with 26 points, nine assists, six rebounds and three steals, including a perfect 4-of-4 shooting from three-point range, to earn Player of the Game honors.
Import Aaron Fuller provided the firepower with a game-high 33 points and 14 rebounds, while Caelan Tiongson contributed 17 markers and Vince Cuajao added 15 as Rain or Shine moved within two victories of a semifinal berth.
The Elasto Painters appeared headed for a crushing defeat after Converge established a commanding 21-point advantage in the second quarter.
Refusing to surrender, Rain or Shine gradually chipped away at the deficit, reducing the FiberXers’ lead to 13 points at halftime before unleashing a furious third-quarter assault.
The comeback reached its turning point when the Elasto Painters surged ahead, 97-96, entering the final period, completely erasing Converge’s earlier dominance.
Riding their momentum, Rain or Shine widened its advantage to 120-111 in the fourth quarter, seemingly putting the contest beyond reach.
Converge, however, mounted one final resistance, trimming the deficit to 120-116 and threatening to steal back the victory.
The Elasto Painters held their composure under pressure, converting crucial free throws in the closing moments to complete the dramatic comeback and secure the series opener.
Cameron Clark paced the FiberXers with 28 points, while Justin Arana finished with 21 and Calvin Abueva added 16.
Juan Gomez de Liaño contributed 13 markers, Alec Stockton and Frederick Tungcab scored 12 apiece, and Jonnel Policarpio chipped in 10 in the losing effort.
Meanwhile, Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings also drew first blood in their quarterfinal showdown, defeating San Miguel Beermen, 104-95, behind a season-best performance from Isaac Go.
Go emerged as an unlikely hero for the Kings, delivering a season-high 14 points to claim Player of the Game honors while helping neutralize San Miguel’s formidable inside presence.
The Ginebra big man played a key role in containing eight-time PBA Most Valuable Player June Mar Fajardo, who was held to just three points.
Go credited the Kings’ coaching staff for their preparation and emphasized the collective effort required to contain the Beermen’s dominant center.
“The coaches prepared us very well coming to this series,” Go said. “We knew that he’s really the GOAT. You just really want to come up with energy and really match him because it’s an honor and a pleasure to really go up against someone like him.”
The victory gave Ginebra a 1-0 advantage in its own best-of-five quarterfinal series, putting the Kings two wins away from advancing to the semifinals./PN
