Photo by Tristan Tamayo/ INQUIRER.net
Rain or Shine survived a tough Alaska side, 109-103, in overtime for its first win in the 2018 PBA Commissioner’s Cup Friday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Reggie Johnson pumped in 32 points and 22 rebounds, while Chris Tiu shot 4-of-7 from thres to collect 18 points, six assists, and three rebounds for the Elasto Painters.
Maverick Ahanmisi almost bagged the win in regulation with a layup with 2.9 ticks left in fourth to make it a three-point lead, 94-91, but Chris Banchero banked in a desperation three to force overtime.
“I got mad at them. It was already a won game. But then again, we can’t fault the players. We’re OK, but we’re not OK because we’re not getting the rebounds,” lamented coach Caloy Garcia of the wild finish.
Deja vu struck Rain or Shine in extra period when it held a 105-103 lead in the final 18.7 seconds as Ahanmisi failed to deliver the final blows when he missed his foul shots.
But the Fil-Am guard made up for the miscue with a steal on Antonio Campbell that led to a layup to extend the lead to four, 107-103 with 2.9 seconds left, and those proved to be the biggest of his 11 points and four rebounds for the night.
Campbell extinguished the Aces’ chances late with a turnover off an inbound pass that led to Johnson game-sealing two freethrows.
Raymond Almazan also had 11 points and two rebounds, while James Yap got 10 for Rain or Shine, which survived a 40-point, 20-rebound performance from Campbell.
Calvin Abueva got 19 points, nine boards, four steals, and three dimes for the Aces in the loss, while Vic Manuel got 12.
The Scores:
RAIN OR SHINE 109 — Johnson 32, Tiu 18, Ahanmisi 11, Almazan 11, Yap 10, Belga 9, Daquioag 6, Ponferrada 5, Norwood 4, Casiño 3, Washington 0.
ALASKA 103 — Campbell 40, Abueva 19, Manuel 12, Casio 8, Thoss 8, Racal 7, Banchero 3, Baclao 2, Enciso 2, Teng 2, Exciminiano 0.
Quarters: 23-16, 45-39, 69-61, 94-94, 109-103.