By Jonas Terrado
Rain or Shine stayed in the quarterfinal race while dealing San Miguel Beer a major blow to its bid for a twice-to-beat advantage after escaping with a 91-85 victory in the PBA Governors’ Cup at the Hoops Dome in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu.
Rain or Shine’s Rey Nambatac goes for a layup against San Miguel import John Holland. (PBA Images)
The Elasto Painters nearly squandered a 22-point lead as the Beermen got to within two, 87-85, on Arwind Santos’ three with over a minute to go in the fourth.
But import Rich Ross, Gabe Norwood and Rey Nambatac hit five of six free throws down the stretch to improve Rain or Shine’s record to 3-7.
That put the Elasto Painters a game behind the eighth-running NorthPort Batang Pier (3-5) and a half-game below the ninth place Alaska Aces (3-6).
Javee Mocon posted 16 points and 14 rebounds, Ross had 16 points and 12 rebounds while Nambatac added 15 points apiece for Rain or Shine.
San Miguel absorbed its third loss in the last four outings, dropping back to fifth spot at 6-4, trailing Barangay Ginebra (6-3) by a half-game.
The top four teams after the elims will claim a twice-to-beat bonus and SMB now faces a must-win game against TNT KaTropa on Nov. 20 at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
Chris Ross scored 19 points while June Mar Fajardo made 17 points and 11 rebounds in his homecoming.
Import John Holland struggled in his first game as replacement for Dez Wells, scoring 10 points on 4-of-13 shooting. The former NBA player added 10 rebounds and six assists in 37 minutes.
The scores:
RAIN OR SHINE 91 — Mocon 16, Ross 16, Norwood 15, Nambatac 15, Ponferada 10, Daquioag 6, Borboran 5, Belga 5, Torres 3, Onwubere 0, Exciminiano 0.
SAN MIGUEL 85 — Ross 19, Fajardo 17, Santos 14, Holland 10, Cabagnot 9, Lassiter 5, Nabong 5, Romeo 4, Tautuaa 2, Pessumal 0.
Quarters: 18-11; 46-31; 69-52; 91-85.
Source: Manila Bulletin
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