By REYNALD MAGALLON
With its back against the wall, Rain or Shine knew there was no other way left but to fight.
And in Game 1 of the quarterfinals, Jhonard Clarito showed a ton of it.
The 6-foot-2 workhorse put up an impressive 20-20 performance and took over in the waning minutes to trip NLEX, 92-89, and force a winner-take-all at the PhilSports Arena on Wednesday, June 18.
The Elasto Painters averted a huge collapse as, after squandering a 16-point first half lead, banked on the heroics of Clarito to extend their tournament lives to another game on Saturday, June 20, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Clarito led the way with 20 points and 21 rebounds – none bigger than his five offensive rebounds in the last five minutes, leading to crucial second chance points that gave ROS some breathing room, 90-85, after a tight 81-all affair.
ROS actually got eight of its last 13 points off the second serving. Clarito even singlehandedly outrebounded the entire NLEX team in the final frame with 13 against the Road Warriors’ 12 rebounds.
“Sheer hard work, sheer effort. Itong si Jhonard nakita natin effort nya buwis buhay talaga,” said Elasto Painters head coach Yeng Guiao.
“Any coach would like the effort of the guys. Na withstand namin yung torrid shooting nila. At least buhay pa kami,” he added.
Adrian Nocum, who spearheaded the initial assault that allowed ROS to build a 36-20 lead, finished with 20 points. Leonard Santillan added 16 points and seven rebounds while Andrei Caracut chipped in 10.
Xyrus Torres, who presided over the third quarter fightback for the Road Warriors, paced his team with 20 points though he was held scoreless in the fourth quarter. Javee Mocon had 16 points and 11 rebounds while Robert Bolick finished 15 as NLEX failed to closeout the series in just one game.
