THE Rain or Shine Elasto Painters clinched a semifinals berth, while Meralco Bolts forced a rubber match after eking out wins in their respective 2015 Philippine Basketball Association Governor's Cup quarterfinals games Saturday evening.
The Elasto Painters needed two extra periods to put away the Barako Bull, 134-132, behind the game-winning turnaround jumper of Paul Lee with seven seconds left.
The Barako Bull made a last ditch effort to extend the game to a third overtime but Chico Lanete failed to sink a jumper that could have tied the game.
Lee was named player of the game after posting a near triple-double performance with 23 points, seven boards and eight assists despite playing through a left ankle sprain. Wendell Mckines, meanwhile, had a game-high 36 points while Chris Tiu chipped in 14.
Barako Bull import Liam Mcmorrow finished with 32 points while RR Garcia added 25 in their exit from the Governor's Cup.
"We expected that the win won't come easy for us. Barako Bull gave us a really hard time but I guess that's just the way to go into the semifinals. We are just trying to be consistent and we try to keep our contender status. We have achieved our minimum goal which is to qualify for the semifinals and we have done this for the last seven conferences. But the ultimate goal is to win this conference," Elasto Painters head coach Yeng Guiao said during the postgame press conference aired over TV5.
The Elasto Painters will have more time to take a break as they await the winner of the quarterfinals match between the second seed San Miguel Beermen and the seventh seed Meralco Bolts which was extended after the latter pulled off a 106-99 upset win.
The Bolts' stayed alive through a stunning performance from Alex Nabong, who was named player of the game after posting 15 points and 12 rebounds plus his effort in keeping Beermen star JunemarFajardo at bay.
Jared Dillinger, meanwhile, scored 21 with 4-of-4 shooting from beyond the arc while Andre Emmet canned 28.
"We had a slow start in the first half after trailing by as much as 13. But we had a good ball movement and we really played well in the second. We also needed big performances from our players that is why a lot of credit goes out to the players for coming out and contributing to the win," Meralco Bolts coach Norman Black.
The Beermen and Bolts are set for their do-or-die game today while the Purefoods Star Hotshots and Global Port Batang Pier were pitted in a sudden death battle. (RSA)