MANILA, Philippines—Rain or Shine took a share of the top spot of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup after fending off Blackwater, 102-98, in a game where officiating became free-for-all Friday evening at Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
It was a game where less whistles were heard and it was not for the better.
“I hope that as much as the players don’t quit playing the game all 48 minutes, I hope the referees don’t quit officiating,” Elasto Painters head coach Yeng Guiao said.
Rain or Shine was poised to take the game in the final minutes after Wayne Chism jammed home a breakaway dunk to give the Painters a 102-86 lead.
Blackwater, however, scored 12 unanswered points up to 6.9 remaining in the fourth with Val Acuña hitting a three from the left wing off a pass from Marcus Douthit to cut the deficit for the Elite at 102-98.
Rain or Shine managed to elude the defense of the Elite and the buzzer finally sounded to give the Painters a 7-3 record.
As of posting time, the Painters are tied with Purefoods and Talk N’ Text at the top spot with 7-3 win-loss records.
Guiao said the took advantage of a tired Douthit and a fresher Wayne Chism in the second half after the Painter import got into early foul trouble.
“We just took advantage of our import,” Guiao said. “All game long we were able to play Douthit and he was tired in the third and fourth quarters.”
“They’re (Blackwater) young and they need to play Douthit.”
Chism paced Rain or Shine with 30 points, 13 rebounds and four assists while Paul Lee, Beau Belga and Chris Tiu combined for 35 points.
Douthit stuffed the stat sheets with 30 points, 20 rebounds, eight assists and two blocks but it can only do so much as Blackwater fell off the playoff picture as they are now at 2-8.
The scores:
Rain or Shine 102 — Chism 30, Lee 14, Belga 11, Tiu 10, Norwood 8, Tang 6, Quinahan 5, Jco. Cruz 4, Almazan 4, Uyloan 3, Ibanes 2, Arana 2, Jvy. Cruz 2, Chan 1, Teng 0.
Blackwater 98 — Douthit 34, Acuna 20, Heruela 15, Gamalinda 11, Reyes 6, Faundo 4, Canada 2, Rodriguez 2, Celiz 2, Bulawan 2, Erram 0, Ballesteros 0, Laure 0.
Quarters: 18-20; 46-41; 78-65; 102-98