by Jonas Terrado
Rey Nambatac scored a go-ahead basket with 2.6 seconds left to give Rain or Shine an 88-86 overtime victory over Columbian in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Batangas City Coliseum.
Nambatac received Gabe Norwood’s baseline inbound before converting a double-pump layup off Dyip import Lester Prosper to put the Elasto Painters in front.
Columbian tried to win it on the ensuing possession but Prosper lost the ball after the inbound, allowing time to expire.
Rain or Shine improved to 3-3 as they bounced back from a heartbreaking 107-105 loss to NorthPort last Wednesday.
In that game, the Elasto Painters blew a 25-point lead in the third quarter.
The Elasto Painters won despite their misadventures at the foul line with import Denzel Bowles going 7-of-21.
His misses allowed Columbian to force the game into overtime when Rashawn McCarthy drilled a contested three at the corner for 81-all with 1.1 seconds left in regulation.
Bowles finished with 29 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists despite dealing with fatigue caused by a stomach virus.
Prosper had 26 points and 15 rebounds but Columbian suffered its third straight defeat to fall 1-6.
Scores:
Rain or Shine 88 – Bowles 29, Ponferada 10, Nambatac 10, Daquioag 9, Mocon 8, Norwood 8, Belga 5, Rosales 4, Yap 3, Torres 2, Borboran 0.
Columbian 86 – Prosper 26, McCarthy 15, Perez 12, Corpuz 11, Khobuntin 8, Camson 5, King 4, Cahilig 2, Calvo 2, Celda 1, Agovida 0, Reyes 0, Escoto 0, Faundo 0.
Quarterscores: 22-27, 44-39, 62-62, 81-81, 88-86.
