The Rain or Shine was simply too young and too feisty for TNT.
The young legs of the Elasto Painters proved to be the difference, outlasting the Tropang Giga in the crunch to hack out with a pulsating 110-109 victory to advance to the semifinals in the 2024 PBA Philippine Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Wednesday, May 15.
Gian Mamuyac came out waxing hot to help in the first half as Rain or Shine established a big lead before nailing the clutch triple that created enough breathing room to escape by the skin of their teeth in the end game.
The win not only gave Rain or Shine its first semifinal appearance since 2019 but also gave head coach Yeng Guiao his 200th win with the franchise owned by Raymond Yu and Terry Que who were at the venue in the do-or-die affair.
With the victory, ROS drew a best-of-seven affair with defending champion San Miguel which earlier dispatched Terrafirma in their own best-of-three series.
Mamuyac finished with 25 points including the big three that gave ROS a 106-100 cushion with 39 seconds left after TNT came back roaring from a 20-point deficit midway through the third frame.
Even then, the game was still not in ROS’ pocket as Kelly Williams nailed three-straight triples before the game clock expired.
Five other Elasto Painters finished in double-figures with Game 1 hero Jhonard Clarito putting up with 17 points and nine rebounds while Santi Santillan added 15.
Keith Datu and Adrian Nocum added 11 apiece while Shaun Ildefonso had 10 off the bench.
The loss wasted the 32 points from Williams – the most by a 40-year-old player in recent years apart from his 14 rebounds.
Calvin Oftana, who was at the forefront of the TNT rally, wound up with 27 points while RR Pogoy had 22 points before exiting the contest for good at the final 2:19 mark of game due to a cramps.
