RAIN or Shine stretched its winning streak to five with a hard-fought 119-112 win over TNT on Friday in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
The Elasto Painters improved their record to 5-5, spoiling the 50-point debut of new Tropang Giga import Rahlir Hollis-Jefferson.
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Emotions also ran high late in the engame when former TNT import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson had a verbal altercation with Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao near the Elasto Painters bench.
It happened at the final 49-second mark where security had to step in to separate the two teams in an incident sparked by Rahlir being called for a technical foul for complaining after he fouled Tree Treadwell on a lay-up attempt.
The win enabled Rain or Shine to clinch a quarterfinal berth even after starting the conference with five straight defeats.
TNT lost for the third straight time to slip to 4-6, only half-a-game ahead of NLEX (3-6) for eighth spot in the team standings.
Treadwell had 25 points and 24 rebounds, but it was a collective effort for Rain or Shine. Andrei Caracut had 23 points, while Rey Nambatac added 19 points including 14 in the first quarter. Beau Belga had 16 markers, while Santi Santillan had 10.
The Elasto Painters went on an 11-0 run to grab a 115-106 lead before the spat happened.
“I need to give credit because Tree is the best player. But Andrei played really well. Santi gave us big points in the second half. Rey Nambatac started really well and gave us key plays the whole ballgame,” said Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao.
“I’m sure Tree doesn’t want to claim all the credit but the rest of the guys did what we needed to win the game.”
Calvin Oftana scored a career-high 37 points but the struggles continue for TNT, leaving its bid for a quarterfinal seat hanging in the balance.
The scores:
Rain or Shine 119 – Treadwell 25, Caracut 23, Nambatac 19, Belga 16, Santillan 10, Clarito 9, Mamuyac 8, Norwood 4, Datu 4, Asistio 1, Borboran 0.
TNT 112 – Hollis-Jefferson 50, Oftana 37, Aurin 7, Khobuntin 6, Galinato 6, Heruela 3, Montalbo 2, Williams 1, Reyes 0, Ganuelas-Rosser 0, Ponferada 0.
Quarters: 32-31; 66-62; 89-91; 119-112.
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