Santillan game winner lifts import-less Rain or Shine past Terrafirma

Santi Santillan delivered the game-winning shot for the import-less Rain or Shine Elastopainters and took down Terrafirma Dyip, 120-118, in the 2023 PBA Governors' Cup on Thursday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

With the game tied at 118 with 25 ticks left, a Santillan layup from a Rey Nambatac assist with just a second left gave the E-painters their second win in the conference. Terrafirma import Jordan Williams tried to force an extra period with a triple but missed.

Rain or Shine import Greg Smith did not play due to clearance issues with FIBA.

The locals, however, stepped up as Andrei Caracut tallied a career-high 25 points off a six-of-eight clipping from beyond the arc. Santillan listed 21 points, six rebounds, and two assists, while Gabe Norwood and Nambatac chipped in 18 and 14 points apiece to improve ROS' record to 2-4.

The win spoiled Williams' 30-16 performance which handed Terrafirma's second straight loss to go down to 2-4.

Rain or Shine will face the Magnolia Hotshots Pambansang Manok next on Wednesday while Terrafirma will hope to snap its skid against the Phoenix Fuelmasters on Saturday.

The Scores:

Rain or Shine 120 – Caracut 25, Santillan 21, Norwood 18, Nambatac 14, Asistio 10, Belga 9, Borboran 8, Ildefonso 6, Yap 4, Ponferrada 3, Demusis 2, Clarito 0, Torres 0

Terrafirma 118 – J.Williams 30, Tiongson 23, Camson 14, Cabagnot 13, Cahilig 13, Ramos 6, Gomez de Liano 6, Calvo 5, Gabayni 4, Alolino 3, Daquioag 1.

Quarter scores: 33-28, 59-57, 90-87, 120-118.

—MGP, GMA Integrated News