DASMARINAS, Cavite – Aaron Fuller completed a clutch three-point play and Rain or Shine survived a five-minute TNT storm, 110-109, to finally score a breakthrough in their PBA Governors Cup semifinals series on Sunday night.
The Elasto Painters import converted a layup and a free throw to boot off a Roger Pogoy foul in the final 3.8 seconds to give the lead back to the team, which lost a 15-point lead in Game 3 at the Dasmarinas City Arena.
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Rondae Hollis-Jefferson then missed on the Tropang Giga’s final play as Rain or Shine avoided falling into a 0-3 black hole in the best-of-seven semifinal series.
“We’re able to hang in there against a great team, with a great import,” said Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao. “Every game is a learning experience for us. Mabuti nailusot namin kasi ayaw naming ma-sweep kamukha nung last semis namin sa San Miguel."
Rain or Shine was swept by San Miguel in the last Philippine Cup semis, 4-0.
The Elasto Painters though, almost blew the game away after losing a 64-49 lead in the third period as reigning Best Import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, who ended up with his first triple double for the conference, led a huge Tropang Giga fightback.
It was Hollis-Jefferson, Poy Erram, and Pogoy who sparked that TNT run in the final five minutes, outscoring the Elasto Painters, 11-2, to wipe out a seven-point deficit and get back the lead at 107-105, on a drive by Erram in the final 69 seconds.
But Fuller, who finished with 26 points and 15 rebounds, wasn't about to let the Elasto Painters down,
"We're able to weather the storm and come out on top," said the Rain or Shine import.
Leonard Santillan had his best game of the playoffs with 20 points. including 11 in the second period, Jhonard Clarito added 15 points, and rookie Felix Lemetti and Adrian Nocum chipped in 11 and 10 respectively.
The loss by TNT spoiled Hollis-Jefferson's fourth PBA career triple double with 23 points, 10 rebounds, and 11 assists along with Eram's team-high 27 points.
Game 4 will be played back at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday.
The scores:
Rain or Shine (110) - Fuller 26, Santillan 20, Clarito 15, Lemetti 11, Nocum 10, Datu 7, Mamuyac 6, Norwood 6, Caracut 5, Belga 2, Asistio 2.
TNT (109) - Erram 27, Hollis-Jefferson 23, Pogoy 22, Nambatac 17, Oftana 17, Aurin 2, Khobuntin 1, Galinato 0, Exciminiano 0, Varilla 0, Heruela 0.
Quarterscores: 23-27; 51-43; 86-78; 110-109.
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