Anton Asistio steps up to help the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters secure the much-needed Game 3 victory against the TNT Tropang 5G in the PBA semifinals.
Anton Asistio took a couple of dribbles before banking in a four-point shot in the face of Almond Vosotros as time expired in the third period.
It was that kind of night for Asistio and the rest of Rain or Shine as they dismantled TNT, 107-86, in Game 3 of the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup semifinals Sunday, June 29.
“Siguro, just being ready to step up kasi kulang kami, injured si Felix (Lemetti). I know I’m just going to get my chance,” said Asistio.
“Sabi ni coach Yeng (Guiao of the Elasto Painters) 'yong eliminations, iba sa quarterfinals at semifinals. The farther you go, kailangan mong i-elevate 'yong game [mo].”
And elevate Asistio did.
After averaging three points in the first two games of the best-of-seven series, he banged in 24 points — built on four triples and a pair of fours — on top of his six assists.
His first quadruple gave the Elasto Painters a comfortable 27-point cushion, 84-57, entering the final period.
As if that was not enough, the former Ateneo guard would make one from the same range again that stretched RoS' insurmountable edge to 105-76 with 3:55 left to play.
The Elasto Painters thus cut TNT's series lead to 2-1.
Anton Asistio drills in two four-pointers in Game 3 of the PBA semifinals. | Photo (c) RM Chua/One Sports
Apart from Asistio, Caelan Tiongson stepped up big time anew with 16 points and four rebounds.
Keith Datu made up for his mere five-point norm in the first two matches as he came through with a double-double of 13 markers and 10 boards.
Leonard Santillan contributed 12 points and eight rebounds.
“Nandoon na 'yong innate confidence na we can hold our own, na we can compete with TNT. I was telling them before the game how hard we tried to win that last game, but because of free throws and one bad decision, talo kami,” said Guiao.
[RELATED STORY: PBA acknowledges crucial missed call late in Game 2 of TNT vs Rain or Shine semis]
After the Elasto Painters jumped to a 30-10 start, the Tropang 5G slowly tried to recover its form.
They did in the second period, putting the pressure on Rain or Shine to bring the gap to as low as seven points.
Guiao’s wards, who also squandered double-digit leads in the first two games, made sure there was no meltdown this time and restored order at halftime, 51-37.
Asistio then took over, dropping a 14-point bomb in the third period to bury the Tropang 5G deeper.
Calvin Oftana had 16 points and eight rebounds to lead TNT, which missed the services of RR Pogoy.
Pogoy sustained a left hamstring injury in the squad's 113-105 overtime victory in Game 2.
Glen Khobuntin and Simon Enciso chipped in 12 points each.
Rain or Shine vs. TNT scores:
RAIN OR SHINE 107 – Asistio 24, Tiongson 16, Datu 13, Santillan 12, Nocum 10, Caracut 8, Norwood 6, Malonzo 6, Mamuyac 5, Porter 4, Clarito 3, Ildefonso 0, Escandor 0.
TNT 86 – Oftana 16, Khobuntin 12, Enciso 12, Vosotros 9, Galinato 8, Williams 8, Heading 7, Aurin 4, Erram 4, Ganuelas-Rosser 2, Varfilla 0, Nieto 0, Ebona 0.
Quarterscores: 33-15, 51-37, 84-57, 107-86.