PBA: Rain or Shine turns back Converge to stay alive in quarterfinals
Rain or Shine Elastopainters import Deon Thompson during Game 2 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Rain or Shine took everything Converge could offer on Friday night to carve a 114-104 triumph in Game 2 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals.
Adrian Nocum came off the bench and put on the heat in the final period to finish with 28 points, four rebounds, and three assists, helping the ElastoPainters forge a sudden death this Sunday at Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
“For one, our defense was better today,” head coach Yeng Guiao said on the heels of the win at Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila.
SCHEDULE: 2024-2025 PBA Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals
“Today we tried to make adjustments, and good thing they worked. But Sunday, we need to step up again. It’s do-or-die for both teams,” he added.
jerImport Deon Thompson also had 28 while Jhonard Clarito chipped in 19 and Anton Asistio 10 for Rain or Shine, which will try to join TNT and NorthPort in the Final Four.
Jordan Heading had 29 points to pace the FiberXers, while Alec Stockton tossed in 20 more for the young telco club, which struggled to finish off their foes with Cheick Diallo saddled with fouls early.
Justin Arana had 17 while Schonny Winston 10 in the losing stand denied the franchise series sweep and the milestone maiden semifinal appearance that would’ve come with it.
The Scores :
RAIN OR SHINE 114 – Thompson 28, Nocum 28, Clarito 19, Asistio 10, Caracut 7, Santillan 7, Tiongson 5, Datu 5, Malonzo 5, Belga 0.
CONVERGE 104 – Heading 29, Stockton 20, Diallo 17, Arana 17, Winston 10, Santos 5, Baltazar 3, Nieto 3, Delos Santos 0, Garcia 0, Racal 0, Andrade 0
QUARTERSCORES: 23-29, 51-53, 70-68, 114-104.
