BY: REYNALD MAGALLON
Rain or Shine squandered a huge 19-point lead but recovered just in time to stave off Blackwater, 110-100 in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo, Friday, Oct. 24.
The Elasto Painters weathered a huge third quarter storm from the Bossing as Adrian Nocum and Jhonard Clarito delivered the goods in the final frame.
Nocum and Clarito combined for 19 points in the payoff period as ROS went on a searing 16-3 run to turn an 85-88 deficit into a 101-91 advantage in the final six minutes.
The timely hits from Nocum and Clarito preserved a conference-high 20 points to go with eight rebounds.
Nocum had 10 of his 17 points in the pivotal fourth quarter while Clarito had nine of his 16 points during the same stretch.
Datu also had eight rebounds and two blocks to his name as Gian Mamuyac did a little bit of everything with 13 points, six rebounds, five assists, two blocks and a steal.
The Elasto Painters came out guns blazing in the first and a half quarters, establishing a 41-22 advantage in the second frame.
The Bossing, however, refused to wave the white flag and even put together a blistering third quarter that saw them explode for 36 while limiting the Elasto Painters to just 16.
Blackwater led by as many as eight, 77-69 before Rain or Shine went on the fourth quarter run that proved to be the dagger to the hearts of the Bossing.
Meanwhile, TNT stepped on the gas pedal in the second frame and left Titan Ultra in the dust, 130-92, to seize the early lead in the standings.
The Tropang 5G simply proved to be too much for the Giant Risers with Henry Galinato presiding over the second quarter flurry that broke the game wide open for TNT.
The backup big man had nine of his 16 points in that telling quarter that saw the Tropang 5G explode for 40 points while limiting the Giant Risers to just 19 to erect a 62-38 advantage at the break.
Mike Nieto also took advantage of his extended minutes and finished with 15 points while Calvin Oftana put up a double-double of 14 points and 10 rebounds.
Tyrus Hill had 12, Glen Khobuntin with 11 and RR Pogoy with 10.
The Tropang 5G took the solo lead in the standings with a 3-1 record, half a game ahead closest pursuers Rain or Shine, Magnolia, and Converge with each sporting a 2-1 slate.
