PBA: Big 4th quarter carries Rain or Shine past GlobalPort

Jeff Chan of Rain or Shine (dark) vs Jondan Salvador and Gary David of GlobalPort (light). Nuki Sabio/PBA

MANILA, Philippines — Rain or Shine took charge in the fourth period and secured an entry to the semifinals with a 108-106 victory over GlobalPort Thursday in the 2013 PBA Governors’ Cup.

Jervy Cruz scattered freethrows while Ryan Araña connected on nifty drives as they both carried the cudgles for the Elastopainters in the pivotal payoff period at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Cruz, though, missed five from the stripe as Rain or Shine bungled 16 freethrows but still survived.

“It was a bad FT shooting night The important thing is we made some big shots. We were able to grind out a win against a ball club that keeps getting better every game,” said head coach Yeng Guiao.

An 8-0 stretch built on two and-one plays gave Rain or Shine a 93-89 lead with 6:22 to play after trailing by as many as 12 in the third period.

But the Batang Pier, who saw their coach Junel Bacuili ejected with still more than a quarter to go, didn’t want to let go and kept within striking distance.

Gabe Norwood, though, ended Globalport’s hopes to extend its first ever post-season run with a booming triple with 17.8 seconds remaining after a split from the stripe.

Arizona Reid led the Elastopainters with 25 points and eight rebounds, while Araña and Cruz added 16 and 12 markers, respectively.