The Rain or Shine Elasto Painters had to ward off the Terrafirma Dyip in the fourth quarter, which came through with a 30-21 assault in the frame.
Wary of a Terrafirma fightback, Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao reminded his charges not to take the also-ran squad lightly when they meet in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup Wednesday, June 4.
Playing with nothing more to lose, Terrafirma indeed put up a fight against the Elasto Painters.
The Dyip stormed back from a double-digit deficit, but, seemingly heeding the call of Guiao, Rain or Shine did just enough to pull off a 94-85 victory.
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“Mahirap kasi na if you give them a small window, they’re going to gain confidence. It’s really different playing without pressure for them,” said Guiao after the match at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig.
In its previous outing last May 28, the Dyip pushed a contender in Converge to its limits before surrendering a 103-117 decision.
That game saw Terrafirma lead by 18 points against a team that boasts top rookie Justine Baltazar as well as rising stars Alec Stockton, Justin Arana and Schonny Winston.
That’s exactly why Guiao was wary of the Dyip heading into their match.
“Sabi ko sa kanila, mag-ingat tayo kasi puwedeng mangyari talaga 'yan. Nangyari nga,” added Guiao.
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Down 55-73 entering the final frame, Terrafirma suddenly dropped a 12-0 bomb to make things interesting, 67-73.
That relentless assault did not stop, with Brent Paraiso scoring on a floater that got the Dyip to as close as 80-83 inside the final four minutes of action.
But Andrei Caracut took it upon himself to restore order for Rain or Shine with a personal 7-0 run capped by a triple with 1:40 left to play.
Jhonard Clarito then completely buried the Elasto Painters' foes for good with a heave from the three-point area.
Rain or Shine thus remained in the hunt for a Top Four finish with a 6-3 record while also keeping the Dyip (1-9) losers for nine games in a row.
“Magandang sign ‘to para sa next game namin (against San Miguel) sa Cagayan. Pero marami pang kulang,” said Clarito, who finished with 12 points, five rebounds and three steals.
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Caracut added 11 markers and two boards, while Santi Santillan, Francis Escandor and Anton Asistio chipped in 10 points each.
“It’s a good thing we’re able to hold them back. It’s a good thing we’re able to keep our guys fresh. Kasi isang pinaghahandaan namin game namin sa Sabado,” Guiao said.
Meanwhile, Louie Sangalang paced Terrafirma with 22 points, four rebounds, three assists and three blocks.
Stanley Pringle 18 markers, 11 boards and two steals, but his all-around efforts went for naught.
Rain or Shine vs. Terrafirma scores:
RAIN OR SHINE 94 – Clarito 12, Caracut 11, Santillan 10, Escandor 10, Asistio 10, Mamuyac 9, Datu 8, Nocum 7, Ildefonso 7, Tiongson 3, Norwood 3, Porter 2, Malonzo 2.
TERRAFIRMA 85 – Sangalang 22, Pringle 18, Nonoy 10, Hernandez 8, Ramos 7, Catapusan 7, Melecio 5, Paraiso 5, Zaldivar 3, Hanapi 0, Olivario 0.
Quarterscores: 20-21, 45-34, 73-55, 94-85.