IT was a no-bearing game for Rain or Shine against a gritty Converge five which also played with nothing but pride and bragging rights.
But the Elasto Painters’ body language proved otherwise–from import Tree Treadwell to the locals led by veteran Beau Belga who ran the hardcourt like there was no tomorrow.
Proving steadier when it mattered most, Rain or Shine nipped Converge 112-111 last night and finished its eliminations campaign with a sixth straight win in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig.
The Elasto Painters heaved a big sigh of relief and basked in frenzy after FiberXers’ rookie King Caralipio missed what could have been the game-winning basket at the buzzer after Rain or Shine wingman Gabe Norwood committed an inbound turnover in the last four seconds.
The Painters’ bid in the season-opening tilt was seemingly a lost cause after they began the tourney with a 0-5 slate but bringing in the hardworking Treadwell for DaJuan Summers drastically turned things around for the charges of coach Yeng Guiao.
Now comes the hard part for Rain or Shine–the Painters, who finished the elims with a 6-5 record for seventh–will take on either Phoenix or San Miguel Beer with a twice-to-beat disadvantage in the quarterfinals.
“Maganda naman iyong assessment namin ng chances namin. We’re coming off six straight wins pero siguro ang importante lang ay ma-improve pa namin iyong execution namin on offense and defense,” Guiao said. “Pareho kaming talo sa Phoenix and SMB sa eliminations although marami nang nag-iba like iyong import namin iba na rin.
“Pero ang tingin ko marami pa kaming dapat i-improve–inconsistent iyong free throw shooting namin. Mabuti ngayon pumasok iyong free throws ni Tree. Marami kaming turnovers, may mga masamang desisyon. Pagdating ng playoffs magkakatalo iyan one or two possessions lang,” he added.
Foremost among those who showed the way for Rain or Shine was Treadwell, who notched a double-double of 21 points and 17 rebounds, on top of eight assists, while Belga chipped in 19 markers, four boards, and two dimes.
Freshman Keith Datu also had 10 and five as the Painters did an encore to a 119-112 decision over the TNT Tropang Giga 10 days back.
Converge, coming off a 103-107 loss to NLEX, ended its stint dead last with a 1-10 card.
TNT battled Phoenix at press time last night with make-or-break scenarios on the line.
A Tropang Giga triumph will enable them to finish with a 5-6 record and clinch the eighth and final berth in the Last Eight. A loss will bring them down to 4-7 and will square off with the Road Warriors in a one-game playoff this Wednesday.
The Fuel Masters were eyeing a ninth victory against two defeats that would lock them the No. 2 spot, but a loss could relegate them to the fourth seed.
