Rain or Shine survives Globalport for 5th win

MANILA — Rain or Shine survived Globalport’s relentless stand to escape with a 103-95 win and notched its fifth straight win in the 38th PBA Commissioners Cup elimination round at the Araneta Coliseum yesterday.

Rookie Chris Tiu and veteran Gabe Norwood combined for 11 points in the crucial stretch to save the day for the Elasto Painters, who also regained their share of second spot along with Alaska and Petron with a 5-1 win-loss slate. However, both the Energy Boosters and the Aces were still playing at press time with the winner taking the top spot.

“We really got a scare in the second half. We relaxed when we got the big lead.

Luckily their import did not make much of a contribution but their locals did well.

We got difficulty in the zone and luckily we hit the three-point shots. Chris Tiu hit some big shots. We have a hard time breaking their momentum when they had their run.

We had defensive lapses,” said Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao.

The Elasto Painters squandered a big 20-point lead, 55-35, early in the third period after a big rally by Gary David, Solomon Mercado, Will Antonio and Japeth Aguilar that locked the game for only the second time at 86-86 with 4:40 remaining.

“We played good defense in the first and second quarters. It’s a good thing we hit big shots against their zone. I am thankful for Gabe Norwood and Chris Tiu,” added Guiao.

But the Elasto Painters kept their composure down-the-stretch to regain their lead on a decisive 17-9 wind-up that handed Batang Pier’s fifth setback against only two victories.

The 7’3” import Bruno Sundov of Croatia topscored for the Elasto Painters with 17 points, Tiu added 16 and while Norwood finished with 13.