PBA: Rain or Shine escapes Blackwater, books QF ticket

Rain or Shine escaped Blackwater, 125-123, on Saturday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo to secure a spot in the PBA Governors’ Cup quarterfinals.

The Elasto Painters held a 124-115 lead with 1:16 remaining in the fourth quarter before Blackwater mounted an 8-0 run to cut the deficit to one, 124-123, with 18 seconds left.

However, Adrian Nocum split his free throws after being fouled by Dalph Panopio to help seal Rain or Shine’s victory, as Sedrick Barefield missed his final three-point attempt.

Aaron Fuller led the Elasto Painters with 24 points, 19 rebounds, three assists, and a block, while Caelan Tiongson added 22 points, three assists, and three rebounds. Nocum chipped in 20 points, four rebounds, two assists, and two steals.

Their efforts spoiled Kentrell Barkley’s 35-point, 15-rebound performance and Barefield’s 31-point outing, which also included six rebounds, an assist, and a block.

Rain or Shine improved to 5-3 with two games remaining in its schedule, while Blackwater absorbed its third straight loss to drop to 3-6 ahead of its final game against Barangay Ginebra.

Scores:

Rain or Shine 125 – Fuller 24, Tiongson 22, Nocum 20, Lemetti 17, Malonzo 13, Cuajao 11, Caracut 10, Clarito 5, Manaytay 3, Villegas 0, Santillan 0.

Blackwater 123 – Barkley 35, Barefield 31, Ilagan 24, Panopio 13, Una 8, Tratter 4, Austria 3, Escoto 2, David 2, Murrell 1, Demusis 0, DiGregorio 0, Mendoza 0, Montalbo 0, Cruz-Dumont 0.

Quarters: 33-36, 65-64, 95-91, 125-123.

—JKC, GMA News