ROS cuts TNT down to size

MANILA, Philippines — Up against defending champion TNT and its highly-touted import Bol Bol, Rain or Shine played hard ball and came away victorious in a fight-marred PBA Commissioner’s Cup encounter.

Adrian Nocum led the way as ROS’ gritty locals took over in the last 6:20 after Jaylen Johnson’s ejection for fighting with Glen Khobuntin to pull through, 112-109, last night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Nocum shot 20 points, none bigger than a high-looping banked shot over Bol that stretched the Elasto Painters’ lead to three with 9.8 seconds to go, along with 11 rebounds and three assists.

The high-flying Nocum made seven in the closeout and was complemented by Luis Villegas, who produced a career-high 13, including seven in the stretch where ROS battled all-Filipino.

Johnson got the boot at the halfway point of the fourth when he traded punches with Khobuntin after getting entangled in a battle for positioning inside. He finished with 33 to go with nine rebounds.

“The team showed incredible toughness,” said ROS coach Yeng Guiao after hurdling the challenge of defending TNT for a 2-0 record.

“Medyo unfortunate ’yung nangyari (fight). When it happened, I thought parang imposible manalo. There’s really no matchup you can do against Bol Bol, when he takes a shot magdasal ka na lang, hindi mo talaga maba-block.

“Seems like there’s nothing we can do but just practice patience and play with a lot of toughness,” he added.