ANTIPOLO - Rain or Shine ousted San Miguel, 113-104, to advance to the semifinals of the PBA 50th Season Commissioner's Cup.
Andrei Caracut scattered 29 points while playing before rumored girlfriend Bella Belen to send the Elasto Painters to the semifinals of the midseason conference.
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The loss prematurely closed the campaign of sixth-seeded San Miguel, just months after winning the season-opening Philippine Cup championship.
Caracut shot 6-of-12 from threes. He made consecutive treys to put Rain or Shine up, 99-93, to break SMB's momentum after the Beermen led, 90-86, to start the fourth.
Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao was glad that the twice-to-beat No. 3 seeds finished off the Beermen on the first try, instead of being dragged into a knockout game on Sunday.
“We just had a good night. We felt this was our best chance to get into the semifinals,” said Guiao.
Caelan Tiongson also waxed hot from the outside and ended with 23 points on 7-of-12 shooting from threes. Jaylen Johnson had 23 points and fired four threes as the Elasto Painters converted 19 from three-point country.
Bennie Boatwright had 24 points for San Miguel, whose conference was once again marred by import problems until Boatwright's return.
The scores:
Rain or Shine 113 – Caracut 29, Tiongson 23, Johnson 23, Nocum 18, Clarito 6, Asistio 6, Malonzo 4, Mamuyac 2, Santillan 2, Villegas 0, Manaytay 0.
San Miguel 104 – Boatwright 24, Perez 19, Trollano 14, Cruz 12, Fajardo 12, Rosales 10, Ross 7, Lassiter 3, Tautuaa 3, Brondial 0.
Quarters: 27-27; 57-56; 83-83; 113-104.
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