The Rain or Shine Elasto Painters lived to fight another day after weathering a huge run by TNT KaTropa, 106-102, in their Oppo PBA Governors’ Cup quarterfinal showdown on Wednesday at Mall of Asia Arena.
The No.7 seed Elasto Painters managed to force a sudden-death match for a semifinal spot against twice-to-beat No.2 seed KaTropa who came close to erasing a 20-point deficit in the fourth quarter.
J’Nathan Bullock scored 31 points and 15 boards while hitting seven triples to lead Rain or Shine which will try to beat TNT twice in their knockout duel on Friday.
Gabe Norwood added 15 points, nine boards and six dimes as Raymond Almazan had 13 markers and eight boards.
Rain or Shine looked on its way to a huge victory after taking an 102-82 cushion with just 6:30 remaining.
KaTropa however woke up and scored 13 unanswered points to get back in the game with over three minutes left. But TNT ran out of gas as Rain or Shine did just enough to hold off its opponent.
Kelly Williams led the way for TNT with 23 points and 10 boards as Jayson Castro scored 22 points, five rebounds and six assists.
TNT import Glen Rice Jr. struggled against Rain or Shine’s defense, scoring 19 points on eight-for-28 shooting.
The scores:
RAIN OR SHINE 106 – Bullock 31, Norwood 15, Almazan 13, Ahanmisi 10, Tiu 10, Trollano 10, Cruz 8, Belga 5, Borboran 2, Daquioag 2, Ponferada 0.
TNT 102 – Williams 23, Castro 22, Semerad 19, Rice Jr. 19, Rosario 10, Pogoy 7, Seigle 2, Tautuaa 0, Reyes 0.
Quarters: 26-28, 52-47, 84-75, 106-102.
