PBA: Rain or Shine survives Hotshots in an intense finish
Rain or Shine survived and continued their winning streak to three after defeating Magnolia, 102-100, in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup last Wednesday night, December 18, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila.
The Elasto Painters improved their standings to 3-1 and sent the Hotshots to their fourth straight loss, putting them to a 1-4 win-loss record.
RoS Import Deon Thompson led the way, hitting 18 points, 15 rebounds, three blocks and three steals, while Santi Santillan had 17 points, and Andrei Caracut had 15 points, three assists and two rebounds.
“For most of the first half and third quarter, we had the game under control, actually. It’s just that the momentum we had lost towards the end of the third quarter went to them,” said coach Yeng Guiao.
Guiao was also referring to the 13-point lead they built, 79-66, at 3:56 of the third period that Magnolia erased to take a 98-86 advantage in the fourth quarter. But the Elasto Painters went on a 12-2 run to regain the lead at 102-100 with 3:26 left.
“The good thing about this (win) is that it was great when we came back. We got it back. Usually, if you were in our old team, when you collapse like that, you can’t come back,” said Guiao.
Meanwhile, Hotshots’ import Ricardo Ratliffe picked up his sixth and final foul at 2:46 left and coach Chito Victolero’s team couldn’t score again.
Paul Lee was forced to pass the ball to rookie Jerom Lastimosa who missed a four-point shot attempt at the final buzzer. Ratliffe’s 27 markers were wasted, while Ian Sangalang and Mark Barroca 21 and 18 points, respectively.
Magnolia will next face the NLEX Road Warriors on Friday, December 20, at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City, while the Elasto Painters will again try to steal another win against the winless Terrafirma Dyip on Sunday, December 22, in the same venue.
The Scores :
RAIN OR SHINE 102 - Thompson 18, Santillan 17, Caracut 15, Tiongson 11, Nocum 10, Belga 7, Calrito 6, Datu 6, Lemetti 5, Malonzo 4, Asistio 2, Ildefonso 1.
MAGNOLIA 100 - Ratliffe 27, Sangalang 21, Barroca 18, Lucero 11, Abueva 8, Lee 4, Dionisio 4, Ahanmisi 4, Dela Rosa 2, Lastimosa 1, Laput 0.
Quarter Scores: 31-23, 50-47, 81-78, 102-100.
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