PBA: Rain or Shine keeps hot streak going heading into playoffs
Rain or Shine big man Beau Belga.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines–Rain or Shine remained the hottest team in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup on Sunday following a 112-111 nipping of Converge at Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
The Elastopainters held off the also-ran FiberXers behind the efforts of import Tree Treadwell, ultimately tabbing their sixth straight victory heading into the playoffs.
Article continues after this advertisementCoach Yeng Guiao, however, feels that there’s plenty that his charges could work on heading into the knockout stages.
“I feel like we still have a lot to improve. We’ve been inconsistent with our free throw shooting and we’ve made a lot of turnovers—bad decisions. And when you play in the playoffs, the game will only boil down to just one or two possessions,” coach Yeng Guiao said in the post-game presser.
Rain or Shine import Demetrius Treadwell.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Treadwell finished with 21 points, 17 rebounds, and eight assists while Beau Belga added 19 points off the bench. Rookie Kieth Datu added 10 more for the Elastopainters who locked up the No. 7 spot with a 5-5 mark and will face either San Miguel or Phoenix Super LPG in the quarterfinals.
Article continues after this advertisementRain or Shine dropped its first five games in the season-opening tournament.
Import Jamil Wilson had 26 points and 13 rebounds, while Justine Arana, rookies King Caralipio and Bryan Santos all chipped in at least 16 points for what nearly became Converge’s second win in a botched conference.
Caralipio pulled the FiberXers to within 112-111 with six seconds left and then threatened to steal the game with a floater as the clock expired.
Converge thus ended the Commissioner’s Cup with a 1-10 record—matching that of Blackwater’s mark.
The Scores:
RAIN OR SHINE 112 – Treadwell 21, Belga 19, Datu 10, Yap 9, Demusis 8, Nocum 8, Nambatac 6, Norwood 6, Belo 5, Borboran 5, Santillan 5, Clarito 5, Mamuyac 4, Ildefonso 1, Caracut 0, Asistio 0.
CONVERGE 111 – Wilson 26, Arana 19, Santos 18, Caralipio 16, Nieto 7, Fornilos 6, Delos Santos 6, Winston 4, Stockton 3, Melecio 3, Maagdenberg 2, Vigan-Fleming 1.
Quarterscores: 28-19, 55-48, 82-78, 112-111.
