By REYNALD MAGALLON
Rain or Shine pumped some life to its playoff hopes as it survived NLEX, 96-86, to arrest a six-game losing skid in the 2022 PBA Philippine Cup on Saturday, July 9 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Elasto Painters did it coast-to-coast as Leonard Santillan set the tone in the opening frame before Gian Mamuyac played the fireman’s role towards the end to repel multiple Road Warriors fight back in the second half for their second victory in eight games.
Santillan unloaded 13 of his 18 points in the opening frame on top of six rebounds while Mamuyac tallied 15 points, including the booming triple he drilled to stop the NLEX rally and restore a double-digit lead, 93-82, with only 3:40 left in the game.
Rey Nambatac added 12 while Gabe Norwood and Beau Belga provided the poise and veteran presence with 10 each.
Elasto Painters head coach Chris Gavina was glad to finally get the monkey off his back following the painful six-game losing streak.
“I’m just lost for words right now. I’m emotionally drained from the past six losses, it hasn’t been like we’ve been getting blown out, our guys have been competing and fighting. It’s hard for me to really keep pushing guys but these guys just responded. I’m really proud of everything these guys gave me on a day-to-day basis so all credit goes to them and our coaching staff,” said Gavina.
“These guys have gone through so much adversity, the lessons that we’ve learned finally kicked in today and we’re able to learn from it in order to get this second win,” he added.
Meantime, RK Ilagan delivered the killing blows as Converge frustrated NorthPort, 104-98, to notch its second-straight win.
With the Batang Pier rallying behind Roi Sumang and Arwind Santos in the waning minutes, Ilagan scored five of the FiberXers last seven points – first a tough fadeaway jumper over JM Calma before burying a left wing pull-up three pointer to put the dagger to the heart of NorthPort, 102-94, with 19 seconds left and seal their fourth win in five games.
The spitfire guard of Tondo, Manila finished with 20 points built on four triples. Jeo Ambohot added 15 points on three rainbow connections while Abu Tratter and Justin Arana chipped in 14 and 13 points respectively.
Converge went off to a great start in the contest as they managed to build a pair of sizeable margins, first a 17 point cushion in the first half, 46-23. NorthPort though managed to erase that lead behind Kevin Ferrer who scored nine of his 21 points in the third frame.
The scores:
First Game
RAIN OR SHINE 96 – Santillan 18, Mamuyac 15, Torres 13, Nambatac 12, Norwood 10, Belga 10, Nieto 6, Ildefonso 5, Borboran 3, Asistio 2, Demusis 2.
NLEX 86 – Trollano 20, Oftana 17, Alas 15, Chua 14, Quinahan 11, Semerad 5, Rosales 2, Ighalo 2, Magat 0.
Quarters: 28-15; 53-36; 75-54; 96-86.
Second Game
CONVERGE 104– Ilagan 20, Ambohot 15, Tratter 14, Arana 13, Hill 10, Murrell 8, DiGregorio 5, Bulanadi 5, Tolomia 4, Ahanmisi 4, Racal 3, Stockton 2, Browne 1, Adamos 0.
NORTHPORT 98 – Ferrer 21, Santos 20, Sumang 15, Malonzo 13, Balanza 9, Calma 7, Ayaay 6, Javier 3, Vigil 2, Dela Cruz 2, Taha 0.
Quarters: 21-12; 49-37; 79-67; 104-98.
Rain or Shine pumps life to playoff hopes; Converge wins
By REYNALD MAGALLON
Rain or Shine pumped some life to its playoff hopes as it survived NLEX, 96-86, to arrest a six-game losing skid in the 2022 PBA Philippine Cup on Saturday, July 9 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Elasto Painters did it coast-to-coast as Leonard Santillan set the tone in the opening frame before Gian Mamuyac played the fireman’s role towards the end to repel multiple Road Warriors fight back in the second half for their second victory in eight games.
Santillan unloaded 13 of his 18 points in the opening frame on top of six rebounds while Mamuyac tallied 15 points, including the booming triple he drilled to stop the NLEX rally and restore a double-digit lead, 93-82, with only 3:40 left in the game.
Rey Nambatac added 12 while Gabe Norwood and Beau Belga provided the poise and veteran presence with 10 each.
Elasto Painters head coach Chris Gavina was glad to finally get the monkey off his back following the painful six-game losing streak.
“I’m just lost for words right now. I’m emotionally drained from the past six losses, it hasn’t been like we’ve been getting blown out, our guys have been competing and fighting. It’s hard for me to really keep pushing guys but these guys just responded. I’m really proud of everything these guys gave me on a day-to-day basis so all credit goes to them and our coaching staff,” said Gavina.
“These guys have gone through so much adversity, the lessons that we’ve learned finally kicked in today and we’re able to learn from it in order to get this second win,” he added.
Meantime, RK Ilagan delivered the killing blows as Converge frustrated NorthPort, 104-98, to notch its second-straight win.
With the Batang Pier rallying behind Roi Sumang and Arwind Santos in the waning minutes, Ilagan scored five of the FiberXers last seven points – first a tough fadeaway jumper over JM Calma before burying a left wing pull-up three pointer to put the dagger to the heart of NorthPort, 102-94, with 19 seconds left and seal their fourth win in five games.
The spitfire guard of Tondo, Manila finished with 20 points built on four triples. Jeo Ambohot added 15 points on three rainbow connections while Abu Tratter and Justin Arana chipped in 14 and 13 points respectively.
Converge went off to a great start in the contest as they managed to build a pair of sizeable margins, first a 17 point cushion in the first half, 46-23. NorthPort though managed to erase that lead behind Kevin Ferrer who scored nine of his 21 points in the third frame.
The scores:
First Game
RAIN OR SHINE 96 – Santillan 18, Mamuyac 15, Torres 13, Nambatac 12, Norwood 10, Belga 10, Nieto 6, Ildefonso 5, Borboran 3, Asistio 2, Demusis 2.
NLEX 86 – Trollano 20, Oftana 17, Alas 15, Chua 14, Quinahan 11, Semerad 5, Rosales 2, Ighalo 2, Magat 0.
Quarters: 28-15; 53-36; 75-54; 96-86.
Second Game
CONVERGE 104– Ilagan 20, Ambohot 15, Tratter 14, Arana 13, Hill 10, Murrell 8, DiGregorio 5, Bulanadi 5, Tolomia 4, Ahanmisi 4, Racal 3, Stockton 2, Browne 1, Adamos 0.
NORTHPORT 98 – Ferrer 21, Santos 20, Sumang 15, Malonzo 13, Balanza 9, Calma 7, Ayaay 6, Javier 3, Vigil 2, Dela Cruz 2, Taha 0.
Quarters: 21-12; 49-37; 79-67; 104-98.
