MANILA, Philippines – Rain or Shine returned to its winning ways in the 2024 PBA Governors’ Cup after surviving NLEX in overtime, 123-114, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Tuesday, September 17.
The Elasto Painters overcame a 49-point explosion by new Road Warriors import DeQuan Jones as they bounced back big following a forgettable 22-point loss to Ginebra last Friday, September 13.
“Good test for us, this is a good experience. We have to learn how to win close games,” said Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao.
“I don’t know how we survived their import. He played a monster game, 49 points. Maybe he just got tired in the end,” Guiao said of Jones, who was tapped to replace former NLEX import Myke Henry.
Sharpshooting guard Anton Asistio delivered his finest game of the conference as he led Rain or Shine in the scoring department with 25 points on an impressive 5-of-7 shooting from long distance.
Rain or Shine import Aaron Fuller also posted his usual, monster double-double stat line of 23 points and 25 rebounds as the Elasto Painters – who are already assured of a spot in the quarterfinals – hiked their record to 6-2 in Group B.
With Rain or Shine threatening to break the game wide-open with a 105-93 lead at the 5:21 mark of the fourth quarter, NLEX came roaring back and eventually stole the lead from the Elasto Painters, 110-108, off a layup by Robert Bolick with 1:35 to go in regulation.
Luckily for the Elasto Painters, Jhonard Clarito managed to tie the game at 110-all off a putback layup with 19.1 seconds left as Bolick airballed his potential game-winning jumper at the buzzer.
In overtime, with Rain or Shine only up by 2 points, 116-114, it was Adrian Nocum who took over as he delivered two consecutive baskets in the final two minutes, before Asistio iced the game with three free throws to settle the final count at 123-114.
Aside from his 49 points on 17-of-31 shooting, Jones also grabbed 11 rebounds, while Bolick had a near triple-double of 28 markers, 11 boards, and 9 assists for NLEX, which suffered its fourth straight loss for a 3-5 card.
Javee Mocon – who was recently traded to NLEX in exchange for Ato Ular – contributed 9 points in his first game as a Road Warrior.
TNT stifles Magnolia for 5th straight win
Meanwhile, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson continued his spectacular play for the TNT Tropang Giga as they defeated the Magnolia Hotshots for their fifth straight win in Group A, 84-82.
Hollis-Jefferson produced a massive double-double of 29 points and 25 rebounds, including the clutch fall-away jumper that gave the Tropang Giga a decisive 82-75 edge with just 47.7 seconds left.
Roger Pogoy and Calvin Oftana helped Hollis-Jefferson carry TNT’s scoring cudgels with 19 and 10 points, respectively, as the Tropang Giga played without their gunners Rey Nambatac and Kim Aurin.
“Well, we knew we would struggle tonight offensively because we don’t have two of our best outside shooters – Rey Nambatac and Kim Aurin,” said TNT head coach Chot Reyes.
“Luckily, we were able to pull it off. Just like the entire conference, we just really relied on our defense to get through,” added Reyes as the playoff-bound Tropang Giga picked up their seventh win in eight games.
Overall, TNT shot just 31.8% from the field, but its stifling defense limited Magnolia to an atrocious 1-of-20 clip from three-point land in the low-scoring affair.
After sinking the game-winning floater in their previous outing, Shabazz Muhammad paced the Hotshots with a game-high 30 points, together with 17 rebounds.
Paul Lee chipped in 13 points in the loss as Magnolia fell to a 4-4 slate – tied with the Converge FiberXers at third place in Group A.
The Scores
First Game
Rain or Shine 123 – Asistio 25, Fuller 23, Clarito 15, Lemetti 14, Tiongson 11, Nocum 11, Santillan 7, Datu 7, Mamuyac 5, Ildefonso 3, Belga 2, Caracut 0.
NLEX 114 – Jones 49, Bolick 28, Mocon 9, Herndon 9, Valdez 8, Miranda 6, Amer 3, Marcelo 2, Rodger 0, Semerad 0, Fajardo 0.
Quarters: 34-33, 56-61, 89-83, 110-110 (reg.), 123-114 (OT).
Second Game
TNT 84 – Hollis-Jefferson 29, Pogoy 19, Oftana 10, Castro 9, Williams 9, Khobuntin 4, Heruela 3, Erram 1, Exciminiano 0, Vosotros 0, Varilla 0.
Magnolia 82 – Muhammad 30, Lee 13, Ahanmisi 12, Barroca 10, Lucero 10, Dela Rosa 2, Abueva 2, Laput 2, Dionisio 1, Mendoza 0, Sangalang 0.
Quarters: 18-19, 40-36, 60-64, 84-82.
– Rappler.com