By: REYNALD MAGALLON
Rain or Shine averted a huge meltdown and escaped San Miguel with a 100-98 victory in the PBA on Tour at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City on Wednesday, June 7.
The Elasto Painters built a lead that went to as high as 24 points but still had to turn to its defense in the waning seconds weather a huge second half storm to remain perfect through three games.
Gabe Norwood anchored Rain or Shine’s final defensive stand, foiling a Terrence Romeo layup that could have tied the game at 100-apiece with six seconds left.
The huge defensive stop not only preserved the Elasto Painters’ pristine record but also Jhonard Clarito’s best performance in ROS uniform and Mac Belo’s first game since getting traded to the team a few weeks ago.
Clarito top scored Rain or Shine with 17 points while Leonard Santillan posted a double-double of 12 points and 10 rebounds.
Gian Mamuyac also helped steady the ship for ROS with 14 points while Jewel Ponferrada added 11.
Rain or Shine looked poise to run away with a blow out win after taking a 56-32 lead late in the first half.
San Miguel, however, came alive in the second half behind Allyn Bulanadi who erupted for 20 of his 31 points to help SMB cut the lead down to just 10 points, 100-90 with 1:40 left in the game.
The Beermen unleashed one more run in the final minute with Bulanadi capping SMB’s eight straight points with a booming triple with 38 seconds left.
Terrence Romeo also stayed hot finishing with 25 points while Mo Tautuaa added 14 to the Beermen who fell to a 1-3 record in the standings.
Meantime, a huge second half explosion propelled Terrafirma past TNT, 104-92, to barge into the win column in the PBA on Tour at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City on Wednesday, June 6.
The Dyip simply ran over the shorthanded Tropang Giga and rode on a blistering 37-7 run bridging the third and final frame to build a sizeable margin they never relinquished until the final buzzer.
Juami Tiongson, Isaac Go and Allen Mina spearheaded the huge second half onslaught with the Dyip breaking away with a 22-7 run halfway through the third frame that turned a 58-60 disadvantage into a commanding 80-67 lead heading into the payoff period.
The Dyip kept their foot on the gas pedal and opened the final frame with 15 unanswered points to leave the Tropang Giga in the dust after building a commanding 28-point lead, 95-67 after a Gelo Alolino and-1 play with 8:57 left.
Tiongson showed the way for Terrafirma, finishing with 21 points and was amply supported by Ed Daquioag and Isaac Go. Daquioag who kept the Dyip afloat in the first half where they trail by as many as 13 points, 32-19, chalked up 16 points while Go chipped in 15 points and eight rebounds.
