RAIN or Shine snapped a two-game losing skid to close its elimination-round campaign, beating Titan Ultra, 142-131, on Friday night in the PBA 50th Season Commissioner's Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
The Elasto Painters now enter the quarterfinal round with a 9-3 win-loss record, but their seeding in the playoffs - and opponent in the crossover quarterfinals - will not be determined until the final playdate of the elims.
READ Meralco whips import-less Terrafirma, clinches twice-to-beat spot
Jaylen Johnson scored 11 of his 31 points in the third period to break open a close game that had Rain or Shine clinging on to a 68-64 halftime lead. By the time he was done, the Elasto Painters had outscored the Giant Risers, 48-26.
The Giant Risers finished the conference with a 2-10 win-loss record on the back of seven straight losses.
Targetting nine wins to end the eliminations, Rain or Shine finally claimed it after suffering defeats over NLEX and Barangay Ginebra over the past days.
“Ang mindset lang namin going to the game is get nine wins, prepare ourselves mentally and physically for the playoffs, and the best way we can do that is to come off a win. Binigay namin yung kaya namin para ipanalo ito,” said Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao.
Rain or Shine got tested in the second quarter when it was outscored by Titan Ultra, 43-36, and found itself trailing, 42-40, at one point in the battle of teams that love to play in a fast-paced game.
“Alam namin na kapag kalaban ang Titan, they play almost the same style as we do. They shoot a lot of threes, they run up and down the court," said Guiao.
"Makikisabay talaga sila sa amin. Sabi ko nga sa kanila sa meeting namin yesterday, para tayong dalawang boksingero na standing toe-to-toe. Bigayan lang tayo. Kung sino matira, kung sino ang nakatayo at the end of the day, yun ang mananalo,” said Guiao.
Christian Manaytay put together a fine performance off the bench for Rain or Shine when he had 18 points on 8-of-9 from the field - matching the output of Caelan Tiongson. Adrian Nocum and Santi Santillan added 14 points each.
The scores:
Rain or Shine 142 – Johnson 31, Tiongson 18, Manaytay 18, Nocum 14, Santillan 14, Caracut 8, Cuajao 8, Malonzo 7, Asistio 7, Villegas 6, David 5, Clarito 3, Belga 3.
Titan Ultra 131 – Sajonia 23, Munzon 21, Yu 17, Dionisio 15, Pessumal 12, Balanza 12, Gilmore 9, Ular 9, Melecio 6, Ambohot 3, Caralipio 2, Cuntapay 2, Omega 0, Javillonar 0, Sangco 0.
Quarters: 32-21; 68-64; 116-90; 142-131.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
