Jhonard Clarito posts career-high as Rain or Shine forces do-or-die vs TNT

Jhonard Clarito had a career performance as Rain or Shine took down TNT, 121-113, on Sunday at the Rizal Memorial Stadium and force a rubber match in their PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals series.

Clarito posted 29 points, anchored on five triples, and had seven rebounds and four assists as the Elasto Painters took the second game of the best-of-three series after falling to TNT in Game 1.

TNT was leading 111-109 with 2:49 remaining in the fourth period before Rain or Shine made a 10-0 run capped by an Andrei Caracut triple to claim the lead with 1:16 remaining. Jayson Castro broke the ice for TNT with a layup but a Caracut floater sealed the deal for the Elasto Painters.

Aside from Clarito, Rain or Shine relied on its young players for offense with Caracut having 21 points, Santi Santillan and Adrian Nocum having 20 points apiece, and Gian Mamuyac chipping in 12 points.

RR Pogoy had 28 points, while Castro had 17 points, eight assists, and six rebounds for the Tropang Giga. Calvin Oftana, meanwhile, had 11 points and eight rebounds.

The do-or-die game will be played on Wednesday.

Scores:

Rain or Shine 121 – Clarito 29, Caracut 21, Nocum 20, Santillan 20, Mamuyac 12, Belga 6, Datu 6, Demusis 3, Norwood 2, Ildefonso 2, Asistio 0, Borboran 0.

TNT 113 – Pogoy 28, Castro 17, Aurin 15, Oftana 11, K.Williams 11, Montalbo 5, B.Ganuelas-Rosser 5, Ponferrada 4, Varilla 4, Heruela 0, Galinato 0.

Quarters: 25-31, 62-64, 95-95, 121-113.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News