NLEX star Robert Bolick (with ball) cuts his approach via the Rain or Shine protection. His all-around efficiency, nevertheless, went down the drain in opposition to a resolute Painters crew in extra time. —PBA IMAGES
Coach Yeng Guiao needed Rain or Shine to get to 6 wins to get to the Governors’ Cup playoffs. He acquired precisely that and extra on Tuesday evening.
With heroes abounding, the Elasto Painters withstood NLEX, 123-114, at Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Malate, Manila, for an extra time win that ought to come in useful when crossover knockout section rolls round.
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“This can be a good check. This can be a good expertise. We now have to learn to win shut video games,” Guiao mentioned on the heels of the win that sealed his crew’s entry into the quarterfinals.
The Elasto Painters had all however one participant chipping within the effort that put them again on the successful column with a 6-2 win-loss mark and eased the foul style of final Friday’s beating by the hands of Barangay Ginebra.
“What we tried to do was to hold in there. I advised [the players] to maintain it shut as a result of for all of their import’s brilliance and the assist from their locals, there’ll come some extent that they’ll tire out, and perhaps miss some photographs. That’s going to be our alternative to make a run—which really occurred.”
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Springboard victory
Adrian Nocum scored seven of Rain or Shine’s 13 factors within the further interval, preserving the heroics of Aaron Fuller, who put up an eye-popping 23 factors and 25 rebounds, and Anton Asistio, who acquired going early on the way in which to ending 25 factors.
Nocum had 11 factors, becoming a member of Jhonard Clarito and rookies Felix Lemetti and Caelan Tiongson in ending with double-digit scores.
NLEX seemed prefer it was lastly going to place an finish to its three-game slide, because of new import DeQuan Jones’ 49 factors and 11 rebounds and Robert Bolick’s near-triple-double of 28 factors, 11 rebounds and 9 assists. However their scorching taking pictures deserted them when it mattered probably the most, dooming the Street Warriors to a 3-5 file.
Guiao has all the time taken video games for one thing else, and Tuesday’s triumph was no exception. The champion coach feels it’s the character check his prices want after they navigate the best-of-five quarterfinals, which will get going subsequent week.
The fiery mentor feels it’s additionally the springboard the squad wants because it once more performs San Miguel—a crew they almost beat throughout their earlier encounter.
“We’ll see if we are able to nonetheless play for that No. 1 spot in our group. We’ll preserve making an attempt,” Guiao mentioned. “We’ll have an opportunity in opposition to San Miguel on Thursday.”
San Miguel aspect recent off a cutthroat, 49-point thrashing of Barangay Ginebra.
“It’s a playoff recreation. We’ve misplaced 5 straight in opposition to San Miguel because the final convention. And we haven’t solved June Mar Fajardo and their import,” he mentioned.
“It could take us 16 tries to take action. However I do know that point will come,” he mentioned with a chuckle. “We’ll see on Thursday.” INQ
