Rain or Shine import Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Parading its new import Mo Charlo, Rain or Shine exorcised the demons of last conference and pulled off a 108-105 victory over San Miguel Friday in the 2016 Oppo PBA Commissioner’s Cup at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The 32-year-old delivered for coach Yeng Guiao with 35 points and 13 rebounds in his PBA debut, including the go-ahead three with 2:14 left in the clock to push his team up, 101-100.
“We got the import we needed,” said the fiery coach. “He’s not as big as the other imports, but he’s a great defender, gives us a lot of range, and he’s active in the open court.”
READ: PBA: Fajardo hurts right knee after stepping on import’s foot
It was a valiant effort from Charlo, who only practiced with the team three times, who was the cornerstone of the Elasto Painters’ fightback from a 19-point hole in the first half.
JR Quiñahan added 15 markers and seven boards, while Maverick Ahanmisi and Chris Tiu both had 13 points in the win.
With Rain or Shine leading, 105-100 with 16.5 seconds to go, Marcio Lassiter drilled in a huge three on the other end. Charlo, however, was left unmarked in the ensuing possession and slammed the ball home to put his team up, 107-103 in the final 4.2 ticks.
That didn’t end there as Jeff Chan made a near costly mistake of fouling Alex Cabagnot on his three-point try, but the San Miguel guard could only make two. Charlo split his freebies on the other end.
Tyler Wilkerson caught the ball and got a decent look from beyond the arc but missed his potential game-tying three at the buzzer.
“We’re hoping we can sustain our momentum. The most important thing for us is trying to make the 50-percent and look forward to not getting eliminated,” said Guiao as his boys pulled themselves up to 3-3 on a fourth place logjam. “Things can get better for us from here on out.”
Wilkerson paced the San Miguel, which saw its three-game winning streak snapped, with 33 points and 10 rebounds.
Lassiter got 18 markers on a 5-of-8 shooting from threes, while adding eight boards. Cabagnot also got 18 in the defeat.
Just like in Game 6 of the Philippine Cup semis, June Mar Fajardo injured his right knee in the second quarter and was ruled out for the rest of the second half.
The Scores:
RAIN OR SHINE 108 – Charlo 35, Quinahan 15, Ahanmisi 13, Tiu 13, Chan 12, Cruz 6, Ponferrada 5, Belga 4, Lee 3, Norwood 2, Almazan 0, Ibanes 0, Trollano 0.
SAN MIGUEL 105 – Wilkerson 33, Lassiter 18, Cabagnot 18, Ross 12, Santos 10, Espinas 4, Fajardo 4, Lutz 4, Semerad 2, Arana 0, De Ocampo 0.
Quarters: 32-14, 46-44, 76-76, 108-105.