PBA: Rain or Shine fends off TNT, sets up QF clash with Converge | ABS-CBN

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PBA: Rain or Shine fends off TNT, sets up QF clash with Converge

PBA: Rain or Shine fends off TNT, sets up QF clash with Converge

Kennedy Caacbay,

ABS-CBN News

 | 

Updated Jan 31, 2025 11:37 PM PHT

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Rain or Shine's Anton Asistio in action against TNT on January 31, 2025 at the PhilSports Arena. PBA Images

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – Rain or Shine has finally locked up a seat in the PBA Commissioner's Cup quarterfinals.

This, as the Elasto Painters fended off contender TNT, 106-96, on Friday at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City, avoiding a do-or-die clash against Magnolia for the eighth spot in the process.

The Yeng Guiao-coached squad will face Converge in the next round in a best-of-three series.

"It's our biggest game, biggest win this conference. Pang-pitong panalo namin 'yung hinahabol talaga namin—but it took us all the way to our last game to get our seventh win," said Guiao during the postgame interview.

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Their win no. 7 somehow became elusive after losing in back-to-back games against Barangay Ginebra and NLEX.

The fiery mentor, in a calm voice this time, shared an instruction he told his dribblers: give it your all this game versus the Tropang Giga to skip the knockout match.

"Ayaw na namin mag-playoff, kaya sabi ko ibuhos n'yo na rito sa laro na 'to 'yung lahat ng makakayanan natin," Guiao said.

Meanwhile, the Tropang Giga will face Eastern for a semis slot, but they hold a twice-to-beat advantage over the guest team.

In a contest which was defined by runs, the Elasto Painters eventually saw daylight when they unleashed a 21-5 blast in the first seven minutes of the final quarter, pulling away en route to the triumph.

Gunners Jhonard Clarito and Anton Asistio found their rhythm from beyond the arc, while import Deon Thompson sustained that run with timely baskets.

But before that, Rain or Shine squandered a 15-point lead, as TNT found its way back in the third canto and found itself trailing by only one point, 70-71.

Asistio concluded the match with 21 points on 6-of-7 clip from the three-point range, three rebounds, two assists, and a steal, while Marshall was top scorer with 22 markers and 16 boards. Santi Santillan was also in 20-point territory, while Caelan Tiongson added 13.

Governors' Cup best import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson paced the defeated TNT side with a decent double-double of 23 points and 10 rebounds and also made the right passes with eight dimes.

Gilas Pilipinas standout Calvin Oftana also had himself a game, delivering a 20-8-4 stat line for coach Chot Reyes and company.

The Scores:

RAIN OR SHINE 106 – Thompson 22, Asistio 21, Santillan 20, Tiongson 13, Caracut 9, Nocum 8, Belga 5, Datu 3, Clarito 3, Malonzo 2, Norwood 0

TNT 96 – Hollis-Jefferson 23, Oftana 20, Pogoy 13, Erram 13, Nambatac 11, Williams 6, Razon 4, Castro 3, Khobuntin 3, Galinato 0, Exciminiano 0, Aurin 0

QUARTERS: 23-27, 57-44, 75-74, 106-96


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