Rain or Shine ousts Magnolia, sets up semis date with TNT

Rain or Shine bucked a slow start and showed heart in the endgame to eliminate Magnolia, 113-103, in the do-or-die Game 5 of the PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup quarterfinals on Saturday at the Ynares Center Antipolo.

The Elasto Painters, who rose from an early 12-point deficit, have now advanced to the semifinals where they will be pitted against defending champion TNT in a best-of-seven affair.

Andrei Caracut made key baskets down the stretch, converting back-to-back tough shots to stretch their lead to five with 1:29 to go in the sudden death game, 106-101.

Import Aaron Fuller then evaded the defense of Calvin Abueva to complete a layup that allowed the young Rain or Shine create more separation, 108-101, effectively taking the fight out of the Hotshots, who beat them in lopsided fashions in Game 2 and Game 4.

Rain or Shine has also made it to semifinals for second conference in a row after also reaching the top four in last conference’s Philippine Cup.

The Elasto Painters, however, would want to avoid the same fate they endured last time when they got swept by San Miguel in four games, and they will have to do that against the powerhouse Tropang Giga.

“We’re playing a tough team. Totally havent really thought anything other than this game,” Rain or Shine head coach Yeng Guiao said.

“I haven’t thought about that, ngayon ko lang naisip na TNT pala kalaban namin so paguusapan pa lang namin ng coahching staff.”

Fuller led the Elasto Painters with 26 points, nine rebounds, three assists, two steals, and one block while Jhonard Clarito dropped a double-double effort of 17 markers and 10 boards to star in the comeback win.

Jabari Bird did it all for Magnolia, erupting for 23 points and 15 rebounds while Calvin Abueva chipped in 16 markers and nine boards.

Scores:

Rain or Shine 113 – Fuller 26, Clarito 17, Nocum 17, Caracut 14, Santillan 12, Datu 11, Belga 11, Lemetti 5, Mamuyac 2, Asistio 1, Norwood 0.

Magnolia 103 – Bird 23, Abueva 16, Ahanmisi 15, Sangalang 12, Lee 9, Dionisio 9, Dela Rosa 9, Barroca 6, Eriobu 4, Mendoza 0, Reavis 0.

Quarters: 20-29, 52-55, 85-83, 113-103.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News