ROS BOUNCES BACK WITH WIN OVER TNT
Taking to heart its bitter defeat the last time out, Rain or Shine played tough and ground out a 104-102 win over Talk n Text that assured the titleholder of a playoff crack at a twice-to-beat quarterfinal-round bonus in the PBA Governors Cup at the Cuneta Astrodome Wednesday night.
“With our Ginebra game as background, we thought this is the best way to ease the pain of that loss,” said Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao.
“What’s on our mind was that had we won that game, we’re already assured of Top Four. Winning this game made it easier to accept that loss,” Guiao also said.
Rebounding from their 100-101 heartbreaker versus the Kings, the Elasto Painters closed out their elimination-round stint with a 5-4 win-loss card.
“We now look forward to the next round although all we can do right now is to wait (for the final placings),” said Guiao.
Worst scenario for the Elasto Painters, though, is a playoff for No. 4 spot in the post-elim plays. Also assured of a playoff fourth spot are Meralco and San Mig Coffee who are tied at 5-3.
Alaska Milk, at 4-4, and Barangay Ginebra, at 3-4, are two teams that are still in the running for the Top Four and twice-to-beat incentive in the quarters.
Pushed to the brink of elimination were the Talk n Text Tropang Texters at 2-6.
Arizona Reid put in eight of his 26 points while enduring a bruised leg at endgame as Rain or Shine hurdled Talk n Text and new import Courtney Fells.
Fells, who debuted in the local pro league with 28 points, nine rebounds, five assists, four steals and one block against three turnovers, missed a three-point attempt with four seconds left, allowing the E-Painters to preserve the win after having squandered a big 19-point spread.
“I could’ve just rested him (Reid) kung na-maintain namin yung comfortable lead,” said Guiao.
Guiao fielded Reid back in the game in the last eight minutes after the Texters stormed ahead, 88-86, in the fourth quarter.
A breakaway jam by Fells and a drive-in basket by Jason Castro stretched TnT’s lead to 92-86 before Rain or Shine made its first basket in the final canto on a short stab by JR Quinahan with 6:15 left to play.
Reid struck underneath on feeds by Beau Belga and Jeff Chan as Rain or Shine regained control at 100-96 with time down to 22.4 seconds.
The Elasto Painters dominated the early goings, taking the first quarter at 32-23 and the half at 61-49.
The scores:
Rain or Shine 104 – Reid 26, Quinahan 13, Cruz 12, Arana 10, Lee 8, Norwood 8, Tiu 7, Belga 7, Tang 4, Rodriguez 4, Chan 3, Ibanes 2, Matias 0.
Talk N’ Text 102 – Fells 28, Anthony 14, De Ocampo 14, Fonacier 9, Alapag 9, Castro 8, Peek 8, Ferriols 6, Aquino 3, Aban 2, Carey 1.
Quarters: 32-23, 61-49, 86-75, 104-102
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