PBA: Asistio, Mamuyac power Rain or Shine’s late rally vs sliding Phoenix

Anton Asistio and Gian Mamuyac took turns to lead Rain or Shine to a 91-80 win against Phoenix in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup on Wednesday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. 

Asistio hit crucial triples in the fourth while Mamuyac provided the finishing kick as the Elasto Painters (5-1) secured their fourth win in a row while sending the Fuel Masters (1-5) to their fourth consecutive loss.

Down four in the payoff period, Asistio buried a three-pointer before Jhonard Clarito completed a three-point play for a 77-71 cushion. The former Ateneo guard then sank another long bomb before hitting a pair of free throws to stretch that to 82-73. 

Sean Manganti tried to spark a Phoenix rally by knocking down a triple of his own and completing a layup to cut the gap to four, 82-78. 

However, a Santi Santillan putback and a Mamuyac jumper capped a quick 7-0 swing by the Elasto Painters as they zoomed to an 89-78 lead with 55.6 ticks left. 

Mamuyac would seal the victory with an and-one basket off a Ricci Rivero foul in the final 14.3 seconds. 

Mamuyac top-scored with 22 points, three rebounds, and three assists while Asistio chipped in 20 markers, three boards, and three dimes as well to help Rain or Shine break out of a triple-tie and claim solo leadership in the team standings. 

Clarito and Nocum chimed in with 11 and 10 points each. 

Jason Perkins led Phoenix with 17 points, seven rebounds, and one assist while Manganti finished with 13 markers. 

Scores:

Rain or Shine 91 – Mamuyac 22, Asistio 20, Clarito 11, Nocum 10, Datu 9, Malonzo 6, Santillan 4, Norwood 2, Belga 2, Porter 2, Lemetti 1, Caracut 0, Ildefonso 0.

Phoenix 80 – Perkins 17, Manganti 13, Santos 9, Ballungay 9, Tio 8, Rivero 7, Garcia 6, Tuffin 6, Kwekuteye 3, Daves 2, Nelle 0, Caperal 0.

Quarters: 21-15, 36-37, 63-63, 91-80.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News