RAIN or Shine remained unbeaten on Saturday after beating Barangay Ginebra, 83-80, in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Calasiao Sports Complex in Calasiao, Pangasinan.
Gabe Norwood came up with crucial plays on offense and defense as the Elastopainters stayed undefeated after two games.
The Gin Kings suffered their second consecutive loss to fall to 1-2.
Norwood hit back-to-back baskets late in the fourth to put Rain or Shine ahead, 82-76, before coming up with a huge chasedown block over LA Tenorio that held off a Ginebra rally and kept an 82-79 lead for the Elastopainters.
Norwood’s block was not without controversy as the referees initially called the play a goaltending, giving Ginebra the basket but officials reversed the play following a video review to the displeasure of Ginebra coach Tim Cone.
Rain or Shine was able to regain possession with Norwood also coming up with an offensive rebound off a James Yap miss in the dying seconds of the match.
Norwood finished with six points, four rebounds, two assists, two steals, and a block for the Elastopainters.
Norbert Torres and Mark Borboran had similar 12-point, eight-rebound statline, while Maverick Ahanmisi had 11 points for the Elastopainters, who played without injured Raymond Almazan.
Japeth Aguilar had 19 points and eight rebounds in a losing effort for the Kings.
The scores:
ROS 83 – Torres 12, Borboran 12, Ahanmisi 11, Yap 9, Belga 9, Norwood 6, Daquioag 6, Maiquez 6, Nambatac 6, Mocon 3, Rosales 2, Ponferada 1.
GINEBRA 80 – J. Aguilar 19, Slaughter 15, Tenorio 12, Thompson 12, Devance 10, Dela Cruz 6, Mariano 6, Mercado 0, Caperal 0, Ferrer 0, Teodoro 0.
Quarters: 20-19; 39-38; 60-63; 83-80.
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