RAIN or Shine shrugged off a slow start to frustrate Phoenix, 108-106, and tighten its grip on the top spot of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup on Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The Elasto Painters fought back from 19 points down in the first half, tightening their defensive screws after intermission to turn the game around and pull off the win in the Petron Saturday Special.
Reggie Johnson towed the E-Painters with 32 points, 16 boards, and five assists, while James Yap and Beau Belga provided a huge spark off the bench with 13 points apiece as the E-Painters registered a fifth straight win and eighth overall in nine games.
The Fuel Masters suffered a fourth straight loss and dropped to 3-6 overall.
“Just our defense was different in the second half,” ROS coach Caloy Garcia said. “The only positive thing is we have a chance at getting one of the top two spots.”
The E-Painters fell into a 29-10 hole in the first quarter and were still down by double digits at the half, before they buckled down to work in the third quarter to inch their way back.
Maverick Ahanmisi scored all his seven points in the second half, including three on an three-point play that gave the E-Painters a 107-103 lead in the endgame that proved enough to preserve the come-from-behind win.
Eugene Phelps and Jeff Chan led the Fuel Masters with 26 points each, but the duo cooled off after a hot start, combining for just seven points in the second half.
Phelps had a chance to retake the lead in their final possession, but misses a lefty layup, leading to Johnson getting a defensive rebound and a lead pass to Gabe Norwood, who drew a foul.
The scores:
ROS 108 – Johnson 32, Yap 13, Belga 13, Almazan 11, Tiu 9, Daquioag 7, Ponferada 7, Ahanmisi 7, Norwood 5, Borboran 2, Nambatac 2.
PHX 106 – Chan 26, Phelps 26, Wright 15, Jazul 13, Kramer 11, Wilson 6, Perkins 5, Chua 4, Revilla 0, Intal 0, Mendoza 0.
Quarters: 17-31, 45-57, 80-85, 108-106.
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