RAIN or Shine playmaker Andrei Caracut took two dribbles to create just enough separation from the outstretched arm of Magnolia import Ricardo Ratliffe before launching a four-point shot from way, way out last night.
Caracut’s guts personified the Elasto Painters’ resolve as they essayed a nail-biting 102-100 decision over the Hotshots for their third straight win in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila.
Phoenix and Converge try to get a winning streak going when they clash today while TNT collides with Blackwater at the same venue.
A third-year pro and former La Salle standout, Caracut boomed in the four-pointer that knotted the tiff at 100-all with 3:50 to go before Rain or Shine’s vaunted defense forced Magnolia to bleed for its points.
The Hotshots wound up scoreless in the final 6:06 with Adrian Nocum streaking for an unmolested fast-break layup off a Leonard Santillan that pegged the final count, still 3:26 left.
Painters’ coach Yeng Guiao was understandably pleased no end with how his charges got their bearings back after they squandered a 13-point third-quarter lead.
“Mahirap. Magnolia came in full force. Noong previous games nila medyo nag-struggle sila kasi hindi sila kompleto. Pero noong na-kompleto sila, Paul (Lee) is playing, (Zavier) Lucero is playing, so, they’re a different team kung nandiyan iyong materyales nila,” Guiao said. “We just got luck, actually. But gusto ko iyong ipinakita naming laban. For most part of the first half and first quarter, we had the game under control kaya lang nawala iyong momentum sa amin noong patapos Ng third quarter, napunta sa kanila (Hotshots).
“I think the good thing about this is ang ganda ng balik namin. Usually kung iyong dating team namin, kapag nag-collapse na ng ganoon, hindi na makakabalik. Pero ito I see it as a good sign,” he added.
Import Deon Thompson turned in 18 points, to go with a game-high 15 rebounds for Rain or Shine while Santillan chipped in 17 markers, three boards, and two assists.
Caracut, Caelan Tiongson, and Nocum also had 15, 11, and 10 points, respectively, as the Painters scored a big follow-up to a 107-93 whipping of the defending champions San Miguel Beermen Tuesday last week and rose to 3-1.
Magnolia absorbed its fourth loss in a row, including a 100-103 defeat to TNT Wednesday last week for a 1-4 slate.
Rain or Shine took a 50-47 buffer at the halfway point of the duel that it increased to as much as 77-64 on a Thompson free throw at the 4:28 mark of the third canto.
But Ratliffe powered Magnolia’s comeback that saw the Hotshots pull within 78-81 heading into the final stanza.
Ratliffe unleashed 27 points and 13 caroms for the Hotshots while Ian Sangalang added 21 and four.
Mark Barroca and Lucero also got 18 and 11 markers, respectively for Magnolia.
Guiao’s squad has shown fortitude—something he hopes will continue in their bid in the tourney.
