JHONARD Clarito had 20 points and 21 rebounds as Rain or Shine frustrated NLEX, 92-89, on Wednesday to force a do-or-die game for a semifinal berth in the PBA 49th Season Philippine Cup at the PhilSports Arena.
Clarito's herculean effort saved the day as Rain or Shine struggled to preserve a 16-point lead. The timely boost enabled the Elasto Painters to force a knockout game against the twice-to-beat No. 2 seeds on Saturday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Clarito became the first local Rain or Shine player to hit the 20-20 mark and, at 6-foot-2, is the shortest player to achieve such feat since the 6-foot-3 Willy Wilson during the 2015-16 Philippine Cup, according to PBA statistics chief Fidel Mangonon.
Clarito had seven straight points from offensive rebounds that enabled Rain or Shine to claim an 87-85 lead. The Elasto Painters scored three straight after that including a tip-in by Adrian Nocum to raise the lead to 90-85.
Rain or Shine showed composure in the end game after seeing its 36-20 lead slip away through NLEX’s effort led by Xyrus Torres.
“We were just patient. Nag-pasensya lang kami. Basketball is a game of runs. We had our run in the first half. They had a run in the third quarter. Mabuti na lang nakabalik kami in the fourth quarter,” said Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao.
“Sheer hardwork. Sheer effort. Just the desire to extend the series,” said Guiao.
Nocum had 20 points, five rebounds, and two steals, while Santi Santillan added 16 points and seven rebounds for Rain or Shine.
Torres had 14 of his 20 points in the third quarter but was held scoreless in the final period for the Road Warriors, who appeared to have momentum on their side when they held a 77-69 lead early in the fourth quarter on a lay-up by Kevin Alas.
Rain or Shine limited NLEX to 25 percent from the field in the first quarter, leading to a 28-15 lead at the end of the period.
The scores:
Rain or Shine 92 – Nocum 20, Clarito 20, Santillan 16, Caracut 10, Mamuyac 7, Tiongson 6, Asistio 5, Norwood 4, Porter 4, Datu 0.
NLEX 89 – Torres 20, Mocon 16, Bolick 15, Ramirez 11, Semerad 9, Bahio 6, Alas 6, Nieto 2, Fajardo 2, Policarpio 2.
Quarters: 28-15; 47-37; 69-73; 92-89.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
