PBA: Team effort tows Rain or Shine past GlobalPort

Six Rain or Shine players scored in double figures as the Elasto Painters narrowly escaped the GlobalPort Batang Pier, 86-83, Wednesday at SMART-Araneta Coliseum.

"GlobalPort really pushed us. They're giving the veteran teams a hard time," said Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao. "Our energy has been inconsistent that's why our game's inconsistent. We're a veteran team. I always feel we'll make big shots in the end. The big shot in this game for us were the freethrows."

With 55 seconds to go and Rain or Shine leading 84-83, Beau Belga committed a turnover, giving GlobalPort the chance to grab the lead. But Batang Pier guard Alex Cabagnot missed on two attempts, allowing Paul Lee to ice the game with two charities with four seconds left to secure the victory.

An active Jervy Cruz gave Rain or Shine a 23-20 lead at the end of the first quarter, 23-20. The Elasto Painters continued to rely on their big men in the second, as JR Quinahan, Raymond Almazan and Beau Belga all took turns draining shots. A Paul Lee jumper made it a 13-point game at the halg, 49-36.

Stanley Pringle and Alex Cabagnot came alive in the third, chipping away at the lead before surging ahead at the 4:17 mark, 58-56. The re-entry of Rain or Shine's big men was not enough of an adjustment, as Keith Jensen's back to back treys gave GlobalPort a 70-63 edge after three.

A seven-point swing from RoS, capped by a Jireh Ibanes jumper tied the game at the start of the fourth. Rain or Shine led as much as four with less than three minutes remaining, but a basket from Pringle and a Yancy De Ocampo split made it a one-point game with 1:04 left.

With the win, Rain or Shine improved its Philippine Cup record to 4-2. GlobalPort, meanwhile, fell to an even 3-3. — Renee Fopalan/JST, GMA News

The scores:

RAIN OR SHINE 86 - Chan 16, Belga 12, Lee 11, Almazan 11, Cruz Jervy 10, Quinahan 10, Ibanes 8, Cruz Jericho 4, Norwood 3, Teng 1, Tang 0.

GLOBALPORT 83 - Cabagnot 20, Jensen 15, Pringle 14, De Ocampo 14, Semerad 8, Isip 6, Romeo 3, Buenafe 3, Baclao 0, Ponferada 0, Nabong 0, Taha 0, Caperal 0, Pinto 0.

Quarters: 23-20, 49-36, 63-70, 86-83