It was the third straight victory for Rain or Shine, which needed one last defensive stop to deal hardluck Air 21 its third straight defeat.
The Elasto Painters led by just a single point, 98-97, after Ryan Araña and Wynne Arboleda exchanged three-pointers with under a minute left in the game. Rain or Shine center JR Quiñahan went to the free throw line in the next possession and split his charities, giving the Express one last shot to tie or win the match.Arboleda missed a wide open corner three-pointer in the next play, but the Express were awarded get possession after the rebound was tapped out. Air 21 drew up a play for import Michael Dunigan in the paint, but was foiled by tight defending by the Elasto Painters.
Rain or Shine won despite missing import Bruno Sundov for most of the second half due to foul trouble. The 7-foot-3 Croatian picked up his fourth and fifth fouls in quick succession with still less than nine minutes left in the third quarter, and fouled out of the game late in the fourth period.
“We kept on fighting back even when the import wasn’t helping us throughout the game. This is a big lesson for him. He just has to play a little smarter, keeping away from those fouls,” said Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao.
Sundov played just 27 minutes, but managed to score 17 points. Paul Lee took over the cudgels for the Elasto Painters, posting 15 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists in his finest game of the conference, while Araña added 11 points.
Dunigan led all scorers with 22 points.
Rain or Shine improved its win-loss record to 3-1, while Air 21′s mark fell to 1-3.
The scores:
Rain or Shine (99) — Sundov 17, Lee 15, Arana 11, Quinahan 9, Norwood 8, Rodriguez 8, Matias 7, Cruz 6, Uyloan 5, Belga 5, Tiu 4, Ibanes 4.
Air 21 (97) — Dunigan 22, Canaleta 18, Isip 14, Cortez 14, Wilson 11, Arboleda 9, Atkins 4, Reyes 3, Omolon 1, Ritualo 1, Sena 0, Baclao 0, Custodio 0.
Quarters: 26-20; 43-41; 74-72; 99-97
source
