PBA: Rain or Shine turns back upset-minded Terrafirma, boosts playoff bonus bid

Playoff-bound Rain or Shine weathered a fourth-quarter storm from Terrafirma, cruising to a gritty 94-85 win to improve its twice-to-beat incentive drive in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup on Wednesday at the PhilSports Arena.
The Elasto Painters nearly squandered an 18-point lead, but found a lifeline late in the game in the form of Andrei Caracut, Jhonard Clarito, and Caelan Tiongson to douse the upset hopes of the Dyip and improve to 6-3.
Clarito led the charge with 12 points, five rebounds, three steals, and one assist while Caracut chipped in 11 markers, two boards, and one dime. Rain or Shine also got solid outings from Santi Santillan, Francis Escandor, and Anton Asistio, all of whom churned out 10 points.
Terrafirma, who opened their campaign with a win over Phoenix, have now absorbed its ninth straight loss to go 1-9 with only one game left in its schedule.
Despite the win, Rain or Shine head coach Yeng Guiao still lauded the fight displayed by the Dyip, stressing those who have nothing to lose are the most dangerous to compete against.
"Mahirap kasi if you give them a small window, they're going to gain confidence. It's really different playing without pressure for them and just trying to give a good show so 'yun 'yung sinasabi ko sa kanila na mag-ingat talaga tayo," Guiao said.
"Ayun nangyari nga, but it's a good thing we were able to hold them back."
[It's hard if you give them a small window, they're going to gain confidence. It's really different playing without pressure for them and just trying to give a good show so that's what I've been telling them, to be cautious... And that's what happened, but it's a good thing we were able to hold them back.]
The Elasto Painters, playing with a depleted roster, built a lead as big as 73-55 when newly-signed Kris Porter completed a layup to end the third period ahead by 18.
But Terrafirma caught fire from the downtown with Aldrech Ramos, Paolo Hernandez, and Louie Sangalang each burying a triple each to cut the deficit to six, 67-73, early in the fourth.
Stanley Pringle and Brent Paraiso then powered a 13-10 run that saw them further trimming the gap to just three, 80-83, with 3:33 left in the game.
Caracut, however, provided the finishing spark after fueling a personal 7-0 blast that allowed Rain or Shine to build another double-digit lead at 90-80.
Clarito's miracle and-one three-pointer over the defense of Keith Zaldivar in the last 42.1 seconds proved to be the dagger as Rain or Shine forced a two-way tie with Ginebra at fourth spot.
Sangalang, whose 15-point outburst in the third kept Terrafirma afloat, finished with 22 points laced with four rebounds, three assists, and three blocks.
—JMB, GMA Integrated News

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