The Rain Or Shine Elasto Painters erected a big lead then beat back every challenge by the NorthPort Batang Pier to post a scrambling, 91-85, victory yesterday at the Mall of Asia Arena to formally advance to the Semifinals of the 2019 Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup.
The Elasto Painters almost let the game slip away after they sat on what they thought to be a safe 91-78 lead with just 1:27 left to play.
Jonathan Grey drilled a three-pointer to cut the NorthPort deficit to 10 points, 91-81, with 1:23 to go. Paolo Taha then converted a floating layup to cut the lead even further, 91-83, with 51 seconds left to play.
Both teams could not score until Gray made two more free throws to peg the count at 91-84 for Rain or Shine. With just 24 seconds left to play the NorthPort Batang Pier simply ran out of time.
NorthPort’s Garvo Lanete drilled a three-pointer followed by layups Stanley Pringle and Moala Tautuaa to push the Batang Pier within three points of the Rain Or Shine lead, 62-59.
But the Elasto Painters, led by an unlikely hero in Jewel Ponferada, made their own run to extend their lead back to 11 points, 73-62, after the third period.
The scores:
Rain or Shine Elasto Painters 91 – Ed Daquioag 15, Rey Nambatac 14, Beau Belga 13, Jewel Ponferada 8, Gabe Norwood 8, Jvee Mocon 8, James Yap 7, Maverick Ahanmisi 5, Norbert Torres 5, Mark Borboran 4, Rosales 4, Maiquez 0, Onwubere 0, Alejandro 0.
NorthPort Batang Pier 85—Moala Tautuaa 24, Garvo Lanete 20, Jonathan Grey 11, Stanely Pringle 9, Paolo Taha 7, Robert Bolick 5, Bradwyn Guinto 4, Lervin Flores 0, Gabayni 0, Jom Sollano 0.
Quarters: 14-17, 43-33, 73-62, 91-85.”‹