Rain or Shine set the stage for a best-of-seven PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup semifinal clash against San Miguel.
Gian Mamuyac started strong then delivered in the end as Rain or Shine outlasted TNT, 110-109, to clinch the last PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup semifinal slot on Wednesday, May 15.
Mamuyac finished with 25 points, three rebounds and two assists as the Elasto Painters set up a tough best-of-seven series against San Miguel in the penultimate stage.
He drilled in 17 points in the first half as Rain or Shine used a 39-22 opening salvo to seize control then came up with a pair of clutch baskets to help the Elasto Painters weather a furious Tropang Giga surge down the stretch.
Rain or Shine's Gian Mamuyac tries to score on a layup against TNT's Kelly Williams. | Photo (c) PBA
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"Sabi ko sa mga players yesterday, this is going to be our championship game," said Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao.
Mamuyac swung a dagger of a triple with 38.3 ticks left then split his freebies eight seconds later to hike the Elasto Painters' advantage to 107-100.
Kelly Williams, who paced TNT with 32 points and 14 rebounds, then uncorked three triples within a 30-second span, as the Tropang Giga continued to threaten but time was not on their side.
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Jhonard Clarito followed up a 29-point performance the last time out for Rain or Shine with 17 markers and nine rebounds. Santi Santillan added 15 points.
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Calvin Oftana had 27 points for TNT but fizzled out in the end as he threw a brick from the three-point area at the 1:19 mark then blundered on two costly turnovers thereafter.
RR Pogoy contributed 22 points before being stretchered out of the court at the 2:19 mark of the final frame because of cramps.
The Scores:
RAIN OR SHINE 110 – Mamuyac 25, Clarito 17, Santillan 15, Datu 11, Nocum 11, Ildefonso 10, Norwood 6, Caracut 5, Asistio 5, Belga 5, Demusis 0
TNT 109 – K.Williams 32, Oftana 27, Pogoy 22, Khobuntin 10, Montalbo 4, Castro 4, Aurin 4, Galinato 2, Heruela 2, M.Ganuelas-Rosser 2, Reyes 0, Ponferrada 0
Quarterscores: 39-22, 59-45, 89-72, 110-109