Anton Asistio's fiery offense carries Rain or Shine to lopsided Game 3 win vs. TNT

Anton Asistio atoned for a low output in the first half, catching fire from downtown in the next half to power Rain or Shine to a dominant 107-86 win against TNT in Game 3 of the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Elasto Painters did everything right while also capitalizing on the absence of RR Pogoy as they finally struck a win in the series with the Tropang 5G still in the lead at 2-1. 

Asistio, who only had three points in the first two quarters, went ballistic in the second half by unloading 14 points in the third quarter capped by a massive buzzer-beater four-point shot that helped the embattled Rain or Shine take a huge 84-57 lead heading to the payoff period. 

The TNT bench, though, tried to breathe some life back to the Tropang 5G with big man Henry Galinato and veteran guard Simon Enciso starring in a 7-0 run that sliced the gap to 19, 74-93. 

But that was the closest TNT could get as Caelan Tiongson and Keith Datu each buried a three-pointer before Asistio punished TNT with the dagger four-pointer. 

Asistio finished with 24 points on an impressive 4-of-5 from three-point area to go with six assists and one rebound while Tiongson and Datu chipped in 16 and 13 markers apiece. 

"Even after nu'ng loss sa Game 2, I was really happy with the effort. Nando'n na 'yung innate confidence that we can compete with TNT and I was telling them before the game how hard we tried to win that last game," Rain or Shine head coach Yeng Guiao said. 

"So if we can replicate that effort, maybe we can win this game."

While Rain or Shine's offense was clicking all game long, it was the exact opposite for TNT. 

After averaging 105.5 points in the last two games, TNT was held to its lowest output this series, no thanks to the absence of its gunner Pogoy, who was sidelined due to a hamstring injury. 

Calvin Oftana, who erupted for 39 points in Game 2, was also limited to just 16 this game while only Glenn Khobuntin and Enciso reached double-digit scoring with 12 markers apiece. 

"Siguro I'm just ready to step up kasi 'yun nga, kulang kami kasi wala si Felix (Lemetti) so I know I'm gonna get my chance. Sabi ni coach Yeng, 'yung eliminations iba pa 'yan sa quarterfinals at sa semis," Asistio added.

"The farther you go, kailangan mo. i-elevate 'yung game mo."

Scores:

Rain or Shine  107 – Asistio 24, Tiongson 16, Datu 13, Santillan 12, Nocum 10, Caracut 8, Norwood 6, Malonzo 6, Mamuyac 5, Porter 4, Clarito 3, Ildefonso 0, Escandor 0

TNT 86 – Oftana 16, Khobuntin 12, Enciso 12, Vosotros 9, Galinato 8, Williams 8, Heading 7, Aurin 4, Erram 4, Ganuelas-Rosser 2, Varfilla 0, Nieto 0, Ebona 0

Quarters: 33-15, 51-37, 84-57, 107-86.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News