RAIN or Shine may be down in its PBA Philippine Cup semifinals duel with TNT, but definitely not out.
The Elasto Painters came up with their own version of a fiery third quarter to repulse the Tropang 5G, 113-97, Friday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum and whittle their deficit in the best-of-seven series to 2-3.
It marked the first time in three semis meetings with TNT that Rain or Shine managed to score that many wins and it would surely go all-out anew to at least prolong the matchup in Game 6 on Sunday.
"We survived another day so may laro pa kami ng Sunday," said E-Painters coach Yeng Guiao. "This is the closest we've been to the finals, so we look at it as a really positive development for us. At least naka-dalawang panalo na kami sa semis."
Already playing a TNT team that was without the injured Roger Pogoy (left hamstring) and Kelly Williams (right ankle sprain) Rain or Shine found itself getting another break when Tropa coach Chot Reyes served out a one-game suspension for accumulating a fifth technical in Game 4.
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TNT won that one, 108-92, no little thanks to a 39-22 third quarter. But Rain or Shine readily returned the favor with an equally vicious 37-12 explosion in the penultimate period for a 93-64 lead Friday, fueled by TNT's 4-of-19 field shooting and 17 points off the latter's eight turnovers.
"'Yung third quarter malaking bagay sa amin. I think it was really the defense we were able to play because first half we were not able to contain si Calvin (Oftana)... talagang shooting niya, maganda'ng offense niya," said Guiao, referring to the forward's 21 points in the first half.
Oftana, however, was held to only three points on as many attempts the rest of the way.
"We were just hoping for him to get tired a little bit. Maybe that's the time we were able to break away du'n sa third quarter. Also, we were able to sustain our pace," noted Guiao.
"So we're happy we were able to play at our pace and still be able to preserve the win, win convincingly. Madami silang kulang, madaming firepower na wala sa kanila."
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That was hardly a problem for the E-Painters as Gian Mamuyac scored 22 points and Jhonard Clarito 19 in headlining five players who scored at least 11 points for Guiao.
Simon Enciso came alive in the second half with all 20 of his points, but Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser and Jordan Heading could only total seven this time after combining for 45 points in Game 4.
With the difference getting stretched to as much as 99-64, the protagonists thought it best to rest their key players in anticipation of Game 6. (NC)
The Scores :
RAIN OR SHINE 113 - Mamuyac 22, Clarito 19, Datu 11, Nocum 11, Caracut 11, Malonzo 8, Tiongson 8, Asistio 7, Santillan 7, Ildefonso 5, Porter 2, Norwood 2, Borboran 0, Escandor 0.
TNT 97 - Oftana 23, Enciso 20, Khobuntin 13, Aurin 13, Galinato 9, Vosotros 8, Ganuelas-Rosser 4, Heading 3, Erram 2, Heruela 0, Nieto 0, Varilla 0.
QUARTERS: 28-24, 56-52, 93-64, 113-97
