Rain or Shine guard Andrei Caracut.–PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines–Rain or Shine squandered a double-digit lead but overcame a similar deficit to frustrate Magnolia, 102-100, Wednesday in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
The Elasto Painters looked like they were heading for defeat after blowing a 13-point advantage to trail 100-89 with over six minutes to go, but the Hotshots never scored the rest of the way to pull off a stunning comeback and go 3-1 in the eliminations.
Andrei Caracut caught fire for Rain or Shine when needed with 10 of his 15 points in the fourth. His four-pointer tied the count at 100-all with less than four minutes left.
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Adrian Nocum’s layup off a Paul Lee turnover two possessions later eventually spelled the difference as Magnolia couldn’t convert the rest of the way and played all-Filipino after import Ricardo Ratliffe fouled out.
Rookie Jerom Lastimosa’s four-point shot before the buzzer went off and Magnolia’s struggles continued in the midseason tournament after suffering a fourth straight defeat to go 1-4.
Import Deon Thompson finished with 18 points, 15 rebounds, three steals and three blocks for the Elasto Painters with Santi Santillan leading all locals with 17 points.
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Ratliffe had 27 points and 13 rebounds for the Hotshots, who have not won since opening the conference with a win over the Blackwater Bossing.
All of Magnolia’s losses came by an average margin of 3.7 points.