PBA: Belga, Treadwell lead way as Rain or Shine weathers Converge

Rain or Shine will head to the playoffs armed with a much-needed boost after pulling off a gutsy 112-111 escape against Converge on Sunday in the penultimate elimination round game of the PBA Commissioner's Cup.

The seventh-seed Elasto Painters, who will be playing in the quarterfinals round with a twice-to-win disadvantage, ended the regular season with a 6-5 slate. 

The FiberXers, on the other hand, closed out their campaign with a 1-10 record. 

The wards of head coach Yeng Guiao, though, had to earn their win the hard way. 

A pair of Beau Belga free throws enabled Rain or Shine to erect a 93-82 lead early in the fourth quarter but Converge just refused to go down without a fight, mounting multiple comeback attempts in bid to pull off the upset. 

The FiberXers banked on young guns King Caralipio, Bryan Santos, Kamron Vigan-Fleming, and JL Delos Santos, whose combined contributions cut their deficit to three, 102-105, with 2:48 left. 

Gian Mamuyac powered a personal 4-0 run before Caralipio ignited for five straight points, capped by a crucial long bomb that made it a 108-109 affair. Converge import Jamil Wilson had the chance to steal the lead but he missed out on a triple attempt. 

Tree Treadwell then sank a floater while Gabe Norwood split his freebies to give Rain or Shine a 112-108 lead in the final 12.4 seconds. 

With their backs against the wall, Delos Santos secured a crucial steal off a bad inbound pass from Norwood then issued the pass to Caralipio in the corner. But the lefty rookie, bothered by the defense of Rey Nambatac and Keith Datu, missed the potential game-winner. 

Treadwell weaved another double-double outing of 21 points and 17 rebounds on top of eight assists while Belga, whose 11-point outburst in the third kept his team going, churned out 19 markers, four boards, two dimes, and two steals in just 17 minutes of action. 

Rain or Shine now awaits the result of the game later between Phoenix Super LPG and TNT to determine its quarterfinal foe.

Scores: 

Rain or Shine 112 – Treadwell 21, Belga 19, Datu 10, Yap 9, Demusis 8, Nocum 8, Nambatac 6, Norwood 6, Belo 5, Borboran 5, Santillan 5, Clarito 5, Mamuyac 4, Ildefonso 1, Caracut 0, Asistio 0.

Converge 111 – Wilson 26, Arana 19, Santos 18, Caralipio 16, Nieto 7, Fornilos 6, Delos Santos 6, Winston 4, Stockton 3, Melecio 3, Maagdenberg 2, Vigan-Fleming 1.

Quarters: 28-19, 55-48, 82-78, 112-111.

—Bea Micaller/JKC, GMA Integrated News