RAIN or Shine finally found ways to avoid an endgame collapse and scored a breakthrough win over TNT in their PBA Commissioner's Cup semifinals duel via a 103-98 count Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Gian Mamuyac, Adrian Nocum and Caelan Tiongson starred in the stretch for the Elasto Painters, enabling them to withstand an equally fiery windup by the Rondae Hollis-Jefferson-led Tropang Giga and ultimately narrow their deficit in the best-of-seven series at 1-2.
Hollis-Jefferson highlighted his game-high 34 points with two four-pointers after Rain or Shine erected what seemed to be a safe 98-90 lead, only 16 seconds left. His efforts went for naught, however, as charities by Nocum, Tiongson and Mamuyac kept TNT at bay.
"He was key in the endgame, he kept them close," said E-Painters coach Yeng Guiao of Hollis-Jefferson, a practicing Muslim who showed little ill effects of the daytime fasting he has to go through in observance of Ramadan.
"He gave them a chance to win this game also, which is also what we're trying to do, give ourselves a chance in the endgame to win it," added Guiao. "Alam naman naming i-score si RHJ, eh. Ang gusto lang namin every time he scores he works for it, he earns it."
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After the win that came following two one-possession losses in the series' first two games, Rain or Shine now looks forward to prolonging the duel even more.
"We're hoping we can push this series into a long series," said Guiao. "At least ngayon naka-2-1 kami, that means minimum of five games na ito. Gusto naming umabot ito ng seven games. We're physically and mentally prepared to play seven games in this series.
"We designed our management of our minutes to be able to still be fresh in a Game 7. That's what we're hoping, makarating doon. But for now isa-isa muna."
Despite going scoreless in the opening quarter, Deon Thompson still wound up with 19 points on top of 15 rebounds with Tiongson adding 18 and seven, Nocum 16 and eight and Anton Asistio 12 points.
In his best scoring game if the series thus far, Roger Pogoy notched 21 points while Calvin Oftana chipped in 13 and Poy Erram 10 for a TNT side that sorely missed the playmaking skills of Jayson Castro, out for the season due to a knee injury he suffered in Game 2.
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After averaging 16.5 assists in the series first two games, the Tropa were limited to just 11 this time around, 14 less than the E-Painters who even surged to as much as a 69-56 lead in the third period.
Still, TNT displayed its own grit by staying close, thanks largely to Hollis-Jefferson, who scattered 28 of his points in the second half.(NC)
The Scores :
RAIN OR SHINE 103 - Thompson 19, Tiongson 18, Nocum 16, Asistio 12, Mamuyac 9, Santillan 8, Clarito 7, Norwood 7, Datu 4, Caracut 3, Lemetti 0.
TNT 98 - Hollis-Jefferson 34, Pogoy 21, Oftana 13, Erram 10, Williams 8, Aurin 8, Nambatac 2, Khobuntin 2, Heruela 0, Razon 0.
QUARTERS: 21-21, 49-43, 75-73, 103-98
