Rain or Shine charged back from 15 points down in regulation play and played steadier in overtime to beat Magnolia Pambansang Manok, 99-96, for a virtual berth in the playoffs in the PBA Commissioner's Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Reggie Johnson, Raymond Almazan, Gabe Norwood and Chris Tiu led the way as they withstood the Hotshots in this Petron Blaze Saturday Special and thus regained the solo lead at 6-1.
Norwood and Beau Belga knocked in a pair of three-pointers early on then Tiu coolly nailed down pressure-packed charities as the E-Painters pulled through in OT and stopped the Hotshots' three-game streak.
Magnolia, losing semi-finalist in this midseason tourney last year, dropped to fifth place with three wins against two losses.
New import Curtis Kelly helped Magnolia to a good start that they failed to sustain.
They fell behind by as many as seven in the last three minutes of regulations, and had to make their own fightback to force the extension play at 88.
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They had a shot at winning the game in regulations but Kelly fumbled their possession in the last three seconds.
The Hotshots also went to Kelly in their final possession in OT. Kelly, however, missed a three-point try, and the E-Painters thus notched a third straight win after their 123-119 triumph over the San Miguel Beermen on May 13 and their 96-90 toppling of the GlobalPort Batang Pier on May 20.
Curiously, ROS's lone defeat in the tourney came at the hands of Columbian Dyip (96-104) on May 9.
Johnson came through with 23 points and 18 rebounds against seven turnovers while Kelly piled up 19 markers and 15 boards in his first game as sub import to Vernon Macklin.
Almazan contributed 19 points and nine rebounds, Norwood chipped in 12 markers and 10 boards while Tiu added 10 points, four assists and three rebounds.
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Maverick Ahanmisi scored nine points, including a three-pointer from way beyond the halfcourt line that beat the buzzer in the opening half.
Rain or Shine trailed by four, 46-50, at the turn.(SB)
The scores:
Rain or Shine 99 - Johnson 23, Almazan 19, Norwood 12, Tiu 10, Ahanmisi 9, Belga 7, Yap 5, Torres 5, Daquioag 4, Ponferada 3, Nambatac 2.
Magnolia 96 - Kelly 19, Dela Rosa 19, Jalalon 13, Lee 10, Ramos 7, Melton 6, Pascual 6, Herndon 4, Reavis 4, Simon 3, Brondial 3, Barroca 2.
Quarters: 22-18, 46-50, 69-68, 88-88, 99-96.
