Rain or Shine's Adrian Nocum in action. PBA Images
MANILA — Rain or Shine lost a 25-point lead but stayed firm and composed in the end, pushing back San Miguel, 116-112, in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner's Cup on Wednesday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
The triumph marked the Elasto Painters' best start in the league at 5-0, as confirmed by PBA chief statistician Fidel Mangonon.
From a 92-67 cushion, the Beermen unleashed a 30-7 fightback, returning into the match and be within two, 99-97, capped by a Juami Tiongson four-pointer at the 7:14 fourth quarter clock.
But thanks to Felix Lemetti and Adrian Nocum's conversions late, the Elasto Painters widened the gap once more, 105-97, and worked on that lead until the end.
After Marcio Lassiter put San Miguel once again in striking distance with a hit from the arc, 116-112, they had multiple tries from the four-point line knot the game as the star shooter stole the ball from Lemetti.
Don Trollano had the first try from the second arc, but missed entirely on his attempt. CJ Perez scrambled for the ball, securing the possession again for SMB. This time, Justin Patton had a crack to tying the game, but his four-pointer also went wide.
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June Mar Fajardo secured the offensive board off the Patton miss, but Lemetti stole the ball from the nine-time MVP as the buzzer sounded.
"Mabuti na lang nakalamang kami nang 25 (points) — pinakamalaking lamang namin. Kung nagkataong bente lang lamang namin, natalo pa kami," said coach Yeng Guiao during the postgame press conference.
Jaylen Johnson led Rain or Shine offensive onslaught with 24 points and five rebounds, while Nocum — who also made some important shots late — had 21 markers, earning Player of the Game honors.
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Jhonard Clarito chipped in a 16-8 statline for the winning cause, while Lemetti also had 14 points.
On the other hand, Lassiter's game-high 27 points was down the drain as they slide to the losing column. Perez added 18 points, while Fajardo had a decent night garnering 17 points and 13 rebounds.
Patton, for his part, was held to 12 points, but did the work on the rebounding department with 17.
The Scores:
RAIN OR SHINE 116 – Johnson 24, Nocum 21, Clarito 16, Lemetti 14, Tiongson 11, Mamuyac 10, Caracut 9, Santillan 5, Asistio 2, Roque 2, Malonzo 2, Villegas 0, Manaytay 0
SAN MIGUEL 112 – Lassiter 27, Perez 18, Fajardo 17, Trollano 14, Patton 12, Tautuaa 9, Cruz 9, Tiongson 4, Brondial 2, Rosales 0, Cahilig 0
QUARTERS: 26-27, 62-52, 95-73, 116-112