Rain or Shine intends to force a winner-take-all Game 7 in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup semifinals against TNT.
With their season on the line, Gian Mamuyac and the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters showed no signs of flinching.
Mamuyac delivered his finest performance of the series to help Rain or Shine stay alive with a 113-97 win over TNT Tropang 5G in Game 5 of the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup semifinals.
[RELATED STORY: PBA: Gian Mamuyac picks perfect time to shine, fuels Elasto Painters' Game 5 win vs TNT]
Now, the Elasto Painters look to force a winner-take-all showdown when the series continues with Game 6 on Sunday, July 6 at 7:30 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Mamuyac led the balanced Rain or Shine attack with 22 points, three assists, and three steals, while Jhonard Clarito nearly had an all-around line with 19 points, seven rebounds, five assists, a steal, and a block.
[ALSO READ: Guiao cautious after Reyes' suspension in Game 5 of PBA semis: 'Malapit-lapit na rin ako’]
The trio of Adrian Nocum, Andrei Caracut, and Keith Datu added 11 points apiece in a total team effort that capitalized on the absence of TNT coach Chot Reyes and injured veterans RR Pogoy and Kelly Williams.
“Siguro you can say that (na statement game),” said Mamuyac. “Pero sa system namin anyone can have a night like this. Yun kagandahan ng team namin.”
But with Reyes returning from suspension and Pogoy potentially rejoining the fold, Rain or Shine knows the challenge only gets tougher from here.
Still, head coach Yeng Guiao and his young guns are brimming with confidence — one win away from dragging TNT into a Game 7 dogfight.
[ALSO READ: PBA: RR Pogoy gives update on hamstring injury ahead of TNT-Rain or Shine Game 6]
(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.]