Jay Washington sat on the bench for three quarters when coach Caloy Garcia decided to gamble on him.
The gambit paid off as Washington made huge shots late in the game to carry Rain Or Shine to a scrambling 98-97 win over NLEX in the 2018 PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
Reggie Johnson actually saved the night for the Elasto Painters by splitting his freethrows that pegged the final count.
“We got a monster of an import. He gave us confidence and he’s the anchor of our team,’’ said Washington after unbeaten Rain Or Shine took the solo lead after winning three in a row.
NLEX guard Juami Tiongson lost the leather in the dying seconds, blowing the chance of the Road Warriors to reverse the outcome.
The Road Warriors lost for the second straight time despite bringing in a new import in Arnett Moultrie.