RAIN or Shine picked up its sixth win of the PBA 49th Season Philippine Cup by overcoming a gallant fight by also-ran Terrafirma, 94-85, on Wednesday at the Philsports Arena.
Andrei Caracut singlehandedly built the lead back up to a safe margin behind a late 7-0 push after the Dyip came within three points, 83-80, enabling the Elasto Painters to move up to joint fourth with Barangay Ginebra on 6-3 win-loss records.
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The Dyip's brave stand didn't stop Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao from going deep into the bench with Jhonard Clarito leading the team in scoring with 12 points, followed by Caracut with 11.
The Dyip slipped to 1-9 in their penultimate game of the season, wihich saw Stanley Pringle becoming the 100th member - and the first player from the franchise - of the PBA’s 5,000-point club.
Santi Santillan added 10 points and nine rebounds, while Francis Escandor contributed 10 points for the Elasto Painters.
Guiao was no longer surprised with how Terrafirma, only playing for pride, kept the game close.
“Mahirap kasi na if you give them a small window, they are going to gain confidence,” said Guiao. “It’s really different playing without pressure from them and just trying to give a good show. ‘Yun ‘yung sinasabi ko sa [aming players] na mag-ingat tayo dahil puwede talagang mangyari ‘yan.”
Guiao also made an effort to field more players and keep his core fresh before facing San Miguel in an out-of-town game in Cagayan de Oro on Saturday.
“It’s a good thing that we were able to hold them back and it’s a good thing we were able to keep our guys fresh kasi isang pinaghahandaan din namin ‘yung game namin sa Sabado,” said Guiao.
Louie Sangalang had 22 points, while Pringle added 18 points, 11 rebounds, six assists, and two steals for the Dyip.
The scores:
Rain or Shine 94 – Clarito 12, Caracut 11, Santillan 10, Escandor 10, Asistio 10, Mamuyac 9, Datu 8, Nocum 7, Ildefonso 7, Tiongson 3, Norwood 3, Porter 2, Malonzo 2.
Terrafirma 85 – Sangalang 22, Pringle 18, Nonoy 10, Hernandez 8, Ramos 7, Catapusan 7, Paraiso 5, Melecio 5, Zaldivar 3, Hanapi 0, Olivario 0.
Quarters: 20-21; 45-33; 73-54; 94-85.
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