Adrian Nocum and Rain or Shine are eager to bounce back after two straight losses against TNT in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup semifinals.
After coming up short in back-to-back heartbreakers, Rain or Shine enters Game 3 of the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup semifinals desperate to keep its title hopes alive against a TNT side brimming with confidence.
Down 0-2 in the best-of-seven series, the Elasto Painters look to bounce back and avoid the brink of elimination when they face the Tropang 5G on Sunday, June 29. Match is set for 5:00 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
[RELATED STORY: PBA acknowledges crucial missed call late in Game 2 of TNT vs Rain or Shine semis]
Rain or Shine is coming off a 105-113 overtime loss in Game 2, a contest the Elasto Painters nearly stole after mounting a spirited rally.
Caelan Tiongson spearheaded a 15-0 fourth-quarter run with three straight triples that erased a 14-point deficit, while Adrian Nocum took charge late and finished with 27 points, seven rebounds, and three assists.
[ALSO READ: PBA: TNT gunner RR Pogoy sustains hamstring injury in semis Game 2 win vs Rain or Shine]
Tiongson finished with 18 points, but the Elasto Painters couldn’t fully capitalize on RR Pogoy’s early exit due to a left hamstring injury. Instead, TNT’s Calvin Oftana erupted for 39 points to steal the momentum again.
With their backs against the wall, coach Yeng Guiao’s youthful core—led by Nocum, Tiongson, Leonard Santillan, and Jhonard Clarito—will need another big effort to finally break through and prevent a commanding 3-0 TNT lead.
Expect nothing less than a fierce stand from Rain or Shine with their season now hanging in the balance.
[ALSO READ: Mamuyac eager to bounce back after costly foul on Oftana: 'I was just trying to be smart’]
(With reports from Jan Ballesteros)
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[Editor's note: This article was written by a member of the One Sports Digital with the help of AI, and then checked by the staff to ensure accuracy.]