Painters escape Texters to force do-or-die game
Rain or Shine import J'Nathan Bullock against TNT's Kelly Williams during the PBA Governors' Cup quarterfinals, Wednesday night at the MOA Arena | PBA Images
MANILA, Philippines — Rain or Shine lived to play another game after surviving TNT, 106-102, in the PBA quarterfinals at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City, Wednesday night.
The Elasto Painters erected a 20-point cushion in the payoff period that enabled them to weather a furious KaTropa rally spearheaded by import Glen Rice Jr. and Kelly Williams.
Rain or Shine was able to hold fort behind the 31-point production of J’Nathan Bullock. Skipper Gabe Norwood also came alive in the second half to reinforce the American, w scoring 10 of his total 15 points en route to a Player of the Game citation.
Painters head coach Caloy Garcia on TNT's late run. | @sonrd #PBA2017 #PBAplayoffs pic.twitter.com/Sc7yehDkfr
— Denison Dalupang (@sonrd) September 27, 2017
The top two seeds of the Governors’ Cup have been forced to a decider. On Tuesday night, league-leading Meralco were pushed into a tight spot by Blackwater Elite. Both KaTropa and the Bolts enjoy a twice-to-beat advantage.
This has been the first time in 16 years that the top two teams heading to the playoffs were put into a free-for-all match, according to the league’s stats honcho Fidel Mangonon III.
“All four lower seeds actually forced sudden-death games with their twice-to-beat foes,” he added.
The Painters and KaTropa hack it out for one of the two dangling semis berth this Friday at the Big Dome.
The Scores
RAIN OR SHINE 106 – Bullock 31, Norwood 15, Almazan 13, Ahanmisi 10, Trollano 10, Cruz 8, Belga 5, Borboran 2, Daquioag 2, Ponferada 0.
TNT KATROPA 102 – Williams 23, Castro 22, Semerad 19, Rice 19, Rosario 10, Pogoy 7, Seigle 2, Tautuaa 0.
Quarters: 26-28; 52-47; 84-75; 106-102.
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