Rain or Shine survives GlobalPort in heated duel

Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Rain or Shine scraped past GlobalPort, 96-90, in a heated affair in the 2018 PBA Commissioner’s Cup Sunday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Crowd darling Chris Tiu was the first to receive the brunt of the physicality after his face got the sharp end of Malcolm White’s elbow midway through the fourth quarter.

GlobalPort big man Kelly Nabong and Rain or Shine guard Maverick Ahanmisi were then ejected at the 3:40 mark after getting into a scuffle that also saw Ryan Araña get ejected for entering the floor.

With the victory, the Elasto Painters momentarily claimed solo top spot after improving to a 5-1 record while the Batang Pier fell to 3-3.

Rain or Shine held an 84-79 lead more than 20 seconds prior to the scuffle and Tiu, who was initially told to get to the nearest hospital after getting elbowed in the face, sank a three-pointer that gave the Elasto Painters a 92-83 lead.

“It was another hard-earned victory for us, and at least the players’ focus were still there after the scuffle,” said Rain or Shine head coach Caloy Garcia. “Another nice thing about it was Chris was able to deliver when he came in.

The Batang Pier staged a 7-2 run capped by a 3-pointer by Nico Elorde with 22 seconds to go to cut the margin to four, 94-90, but they didn’t have enough time to complete their comeback.

Reggie Johnson finished with 19 points, 16 rebounds, and seven assists to tow Rain or Shine while James Yap added 14 points.

White led Globalport with 21 points and eight boards while Sean Anthony put up a 14-point, 14-rebound double-double.