RAIN or Shine finally claimed a win in their PBA 49th Seasob Commissioner’s Cup semifinal series against TNT, pulling off a 103-98 victory on Sunday at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
Adrian Nocum took over in the fourth quarter as the Elasto Painters picked up their first victory of the best-of-seven series after consecutive close defeats against a TNT side that lost Jayson Castro to a season-ending injury.
READ TNT teammates Poy Erram, Glenn Khobuntin fight each other in Game 3
Rain or Shine's lead reached a high of 13 points and barely held on after a Rondae Hollis-Jefferson-led rally in the third period of a game that also saw TNT teammates Poy Erram and Glenn Khobuntin figure in an on-game spat.
TNT lost in its first game since Castro was ruled out of the season due to a ruptured patellar tendon in his right knee that he sustained late in the Tropang Giga's victory in Game 2.
Deon Thompson had 19 points and 15 rebounds, while Caelan Tiongson finished with 18 points and seven rebounds for Rain or Shine.
But it was Nocum who stepped up or Rain or Shine in the final quarter, where he had eight points to help them weather the storm after TNT grabbed an 84-83 lead.
Rain or Shine grabbed a 69-56 lead in the third quarter. Sunday’s match was the largest winning margin by any team in this playoff series.
“We are hoping we can push this series into a long series,” said Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao. “At least ngayon, naka 2-1 kami. That means, minimum of five games na ‘to. Gusto namin umabot ng seven games.”
Nocum scored on a lay-up off a crossover move against Roger Pogoy and over two defenders to pad Rain or Shine’s slim lead to 90-86. Nocum then made two free throws for a 94-88 lead with 3:26 remaining.
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson had 34 points and 19 rebounds, his two four-pointers in the endgame going for naught for TNT. Pogoy added 21 points, while Calvin Oftana added 13 for TNT.
The scores:
Rain or Shine 103 – Thompson 19, Tiongson 18, Nocum 16, Asistio 12, Mamuyac 9, Santillan 8, Norwood 7, Clarito 7, Datu 4, Caracut 3, Lemetti 0.
TNT 98 – Hollis-Jefferson 34, Pogoy 21, Oftana 13, Erram 10, Williams 8, Aurin 8, Nambatac 2, Khobuntin 2, Razon 0, Heruela 0.
Quarters: 21-21; 49-43; 75-73; 103-98.
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