Yap scores 27 to will Rain or Shine past GlobalPort

James Yap had 27 big points to lead the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters past the GlobalPort Batang Pier, 109-97, in the quarterfinals of the 2018 PBA Commissioner’s Cup.

The Batang Pier led by as many as six in the second period, 30-24, before Reggie Johnson and Gabe Norwood started a mini run to give Rain or Shine a two-point lead at the 4:18 mark, 38-26.

Five straight from Yap, followed by a Beau Begla triple stretched Rain or Shine’s lead to eight heading into the halftime break.

GlobalPort struggled to chip away at the lead in the second half, as the Elasto Painters stretched their advantage to 13 points with 3:16 remaining in the fourth, 97-84.

The Batang Pier outscored Rain or Shine 13-6 in the final minutes, but the lead proved to be too large to overcome, giving Rain or Shine the victory.

Yap finished with a high 52 percent shooting clip, hitting 9 of his 17 attempts. Import Reggie Johnson still paced Rain or Shine with 29 points, while Raymond Almazan and Chris Tiu tallied 16 and 12 points, respectively.

The win also meant Rain or Shine prevented an upset, where the eighth seed toppled the number one seed in the quarterfinals.

Stanley Pringle tried to carry the Batang Pier with 23 points, eight assists, and five boards, but it wasn’t enough especially with import Malcolm White scoring just 12 points off a paltry 29 percent clip.

Last game’s hero Jonathan Grey was also limited to just 10 points along with Sean Anthony. The two combined for just 5 of 17 from the field.

Rain or Shine will now face Barangay Ginebra San Miguel on Sunday in a best-of-five series. — BAP, GMA News