The Rain or Shine Elasto Painters grabbed a share of the lead in 2020 PBA Philippine Cup with a hard-earned, 70-68, victory over the NorthPort Batang Pier yesterday, Sunday, October 18, 2020 at the Angeles University Foundation Arena Powered by Smart 5G.
Kelly Nabong, never known for his three-point shooting, drilled back-to-back triples to cut the Rain or Shine lead to just five points, 66-61, with 2:30 left in the game.
Christian Standhardinger scored on a drive and Sean Anthony converted a charity split to cut the Rain or Shine lead to just two, 66-64.
Standhardinger and Nabong both scored from inside the paint for NorthPort against two free throws by Rey Nambatac which left the score tied at 68-all with 3.3 seconds left in the game.
Nambatac converted two free throws to peg the count at 70-68 for Rain or Shine with 1.3 seconds to go.
Sean Manganti missed a desperation attempt as Rain or Shine prevailed.
Rookie Adrian Wong was the unlikely hero for Rain or Shine. He finished with 15 points, two rebounds and two assists to win Player of the Game honors.
“We just had to find ways to win. We started off slow in the beginning. They started off well. We just stayed with it and figured out the way to win. My teammates believe in me. We believe in each other. We are 15 deep. We depend and help each other,” said Wong during the post-game interview.
With the win the Elasto Painters (3 wins, 0 loss) vaulted into a tie at the top of the standings with TNT Tropang Giga (3-0). Trailing them are the Phoenix Super LPG (2-0) and Barangay Ginebra San Miguel (2-0).
The other teams include the Blackwater Elite (2-1), the Meralco Bolts (1-1), the Alaska Aces (1-2), the San Miguel Beermen (1-2), the Magnolia Hotshots Pambansang Manok (1-2), the Terrafirma Dyip (0-2) and NorthPort Batang Pier (0-3).
Standhardinger split his charities to push the Batang Pier to a six-point, 38-32, advantage over the Elasto Painters after the second quarter in a ridiculously low scoring first half.
But if scoring proved difficult in the first half things turned from bad to worse for the Batang Pier in the third.
Sean Anthony converted a jumpshot which turned out to be the only field goal for NorthPort the entire period as Rain or Shine protected a six-point 46-40 lead after the third.
Wong stole the ball then passed off to a streaking Rey Nambatac who converted the fastbreak layup to push Rain or Shine to a 10-point, 60-50 lead with six minutes left to play.
The scores:
Rain or Shine Elasto Painters 70—Adrian Wong 15, Sydney Onwubere 11, Rey Nambatac 10, Javee Mocon 6, Clint Doliguez 6, Beau Belga 5, James Yap 5, Norbert Torres 5, Ryan Araña 3, Gabe Norwood 2, Jewel Ponferada 2, Mark Borboran 0, Prince Rivero 0, Kris Rosales 0.
NorthPort Batang Pier 68—Sean Anthony 13, Christian Standhardinger 13, Garvo Lanete 13, Kelly Nabong 10, LA Revilla 7, Paolo Taha 4, Jervy Cruz 3, Sean Manganti 3, Nico Elorde 2, Bradwyn Guinto 0, Renz Subido 0.
Quarter scores: 14-25, 32-38, 46-40, 70-68.