Rain or Shine’s Anton Asistio. –PBA IMAGES
Anton Asistio came through down the stretch as Rain or Shine survived a TNT squad reinforced by 3×3 players, 106-100, in the PBA On Tour on Wednesday at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
Asistio’s layup and jumper broke a 98-all tie as the Elasto Painters got their sixth victory in seven matches in the exhibition series.
Coach Yeng Guiao, who spent large portions of the game arguing calls with officials, is glad that Rain or Shine was able to get the close result after failing to do so weeks ago against Barangay Ginebra which remains as the team’s only loss.
“We need these types of games to toughen us up mentally in preparation for the season,” said Guiao.
Rain or Shine weathered the storm at the expense of TNT, which enlisted the services of Almond Vosotros, Lervin Flores, Ping Exciminiano and Gryann Mendoza after its roster had been severely depleted in previous games.
The four players were called up from the PBA 3×3 where they won multiple titles in the halfcourt discipline.
Gian Mamuyac topscored with 21 points and added 10 rebounds, five assists and three steals while Asistio had 16 points on 6-of-11 shooting for the Elasto Painters.
Mamuyac tied the count with two freethrows after TNT took the lead on Mendoza’s long jumper for 98-96.
Glenn Khobuntin missed a jumper before Asistio drove for the layup to put Rain or Shine ahead. He also followed it up with a midrange shot, 1:05 left to make it 102-98.
Dave Marcelo’s putback cut TNT’s deficit in half, but Santi Santillan knocked down a triple as Rain or Shine extended the gap to 105-100, time down to 36.1 seconds.
The scores:
RAIN OR SHINE 106—Mamuyac 21, Asistio 16, Santillan 13, Ponferrada 12, Clarito 10, Borboran 8, Ildefonso 8, Belga 8, Caracut 7, Demusis 3, Belo 0.
TNT 100—Khobuntin 24, Tungcab 16, Montalbo 12, Cruz 12, Vosotros 11, Exciminiano 6, Marcelo 6, Cuntapay 4, Flores 4, Mendoza 4, Jopia 2, Alfaro 0.
Quarters: 24-26, 52-46, 74-76, 106-100.