RAIN or Shine claimed the No. 6 spot in the playoffs after beating TNT, 106-96, on Friday at the close of the PBA 49th Season Commissioner’s Cup elimination round at the Philsports Arena.
The Elasto Painters avoided a playoff for the No. 8 spot in the quarterfinals after pulling away from the Tropang Giga midway through the fourth quarter.
With the result, the stage is set for the quarterfinals with Rain or Shine facing third-seed Converge in a best-of-three series, instead of having to take on Magnolia in the match for the No. 8 spot on Sunday.
READ: Magnolia stays alive for No. 8 spot after shutting down Meralco
The Tropang Giga, on the other hand, still secured the No. 2 seed and twice-to-beat advantage in the next round where they will battle No. 7 Eastern.
Rain or Shine finally achieved its initial goal of capturing its seventh win and entering the Top Six, but it had to earn it as by snapping out of a two-game losing streak.
“It’s our biggest game. It’s our biggest win this conference,” said Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao. “Appropriately, pam-pitong panalo namin. Hinahabol talaga naming maka-pitong panalo kami pero it took us all the way to our last game to get our seventh win.”
“Ayaw na naming mag-playoff. Kaya sabi ko, ibuhos niyo na rito sa laro na ito ‘yung lahat ng makakayanan natin para at least even tayo pagdating ng quarterfinals sa makakatapat natin,” Guiao said.
Deon Thompson had 12 of his 23 points in the fourth quarter, while Anton Asistio was lights out and finished with 21 points while making six of his seven shots from three-point range. Santi Santillan also broke out of a slump by chipping in 20 points on 5 of 8 from threes.
Thompson and Asistio spearheaded a 21-2 pullaway with Asistio nailing back-to-back threes to help Rain or Shine gain a 98-81 lead, the biggest gap of the match-up.
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson had 23 points, 10 rebounds, eight assists, two steals, and three blocks for TNT, which actually sealed the No. 2 spot before the match-up, but was still in the thick of the match until ROS broke loose late.
The scores:
Rain or Shine 106 – Thompson 22, Asistio 21, Santillan 20, Tiongson 13, Caracut 9, Nocum 8, Belga 5, Clarito 3, Datu 3, Malonzo 2, Norwood 0.
TNT 96 – Hollis-Jefferson 23, Oftana 20, Pogoy 13, Erram 13, Nambatac 11, Williams 6, Razon 4, Castro 3, Khobuntin 3, Galinato 0, Exciminiano 0, Aurin 0.
Quarters: 23-27; 57-44; 75-74; 106-96.
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