PBA: ‘Underrated’ Deon Thompson leads Rain or Shine to semis

Rain or Shine import Deon Thompson during Game 3 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals against Converge.–PBA IMAGES

ANTIPOLO—Rain or Shine rode the broad shoulders of import Deon Thompson to advance to the PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals and coach Yeng Guiao more than gave him his flowers.

Following the Elasto Painters’ 112-103 win over Converge in Game 3 of the quarterfinals, Guiao made sure to give credit to his “underrated” reinforcement.

“Our appreciation for the efforts of Deon. I think among all the imports, he’s been the most underrated. He’s the lowest in scoring but I think he had his best game tonight,” said Guiao Ynares Sports Center here.

READ: PBA: Rain or Shine boots out Converge for semis spot

“He’s not really noticed but for us in the team, we know what he is and he is a big part of the success we have.”

Thompson dominated in Rain or Shine’s most important game of the season thus far.

The American-Ivorian big man had his best game yet for the Elasto Painters with a conference-high 34 points plus 12 rebounds and seven assists to match.

READ: PBA: Rain or Shine’s Adrian Nocum owes stellar game to teammates

“It felt good for me, especially after that Game 1. It was difficult for me to go home that night because I felt like I left my team out there,” said Thompson.

“To come back in Game 2 to help my team and to do it again tonight feels really good,” he added.

Rain or Shine advanced to face second seed TNT in a best-of-seven semifinal series.