Rain or Shine turns back Magnolia in do-or-die Game 5 to set semis date vs TNT
RIZAL, Philippines – Rain or Shine turned to Andrei Caracut down the stretch to reach the PBA semifinals for the second straight conference.
Caracut hit the big shots late as the Elasto Painters completed a 113-103 comeback win over Magnolia in Game 5 of their best-of-five quarterfinals in the PBA Governors’ Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo on Saturday, October 5.
The La Salle product scattered 8 of his 14 points in the last five minutes, allowing Rain or Shine to create enough separation on the way to arranging a best-of-seven semifinals with defending champion TNT.
Holding a precarious 101-99 lead, the Elasto Painters pulled away for good as Caracut powered a 12-4 finishing run, hitting a pair of tough buckets over Hotshots star Paul Lee.
“I’m proud of how they fought. They competed, they fought it out. They did not fold under pressure. This is the fighting heart the guys showed,” said Elasto Painters head coach Yeng Guiao.
Aaron Fuller showed the way for Rain or Shine with 26 points on top of 9 rebounds and 2 steals, Jhonard Clarito put up a double-double of 17 points and 10 rebounds with 4 assists, while Adrian Nocum also finished with 17 points.
Import Jabari Bird tallied 23 points and 15 rebounds to pace Magnolia, which got eliminated in the quarterfinals for the second consecutive conference.
The Scores
Rain or Shine 113 – Fuller 26, Clarito 17, Nocum 17, Caracut 14, Santillan 12, Datu 11, Belga 11, Lemetti 5, Mamuyac 2, Asistio 1, Norwood 0.
Magnolia 103 – Bird 23, Abueva 16, Ahanmisi 15, Sangalang 12, Lee 9, Dionisio 9, Dela Rosa 9, Barroca 6, Eriobu 4, Mendoza 0, Reavis 0.
Quarters : 20-29, 52-55, 85-83, 113-103.
– Rappler.com