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Rain or Shine hit three free throws inside the final 7.4 seconds on Friday night to nip Meralco, 88-85, and clinch at least a tie for the second twice-to-beat privilege in the first round of the PBA Philippine Cup playoffs at Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay.
Gabe Norwood hit the first of those freebies to snap the game’s last tie at 85, before Beau Belga went 2-for-4 in the next two Rain or Shine possessions as the Elasto Painters closed out their elimination round stint with an 8-3 record.
Only Phoenix Pulse has a better record, 8-2, which will change Saturday when the Fuel Masters slug it out with San Miguel Beer in Panabo.
A win by the Fuel Masters will give them No. 1 seeding, while a loss would drop them into a tie with the Painters as both teams will then await the results of the final playdates to know what their final playoff rankings would be.
Meralco slid to 3-6 and is in grave danger of missing the bus to the next round.