The Rain or Shine Elasto Painters are still alive in the 2024 PBA Governors’ Cup playoffs after they escaped with a 110-109 win against the TNT Tropang Giga in Game 3 on Sunday, October 13, at the Dasmariñas City Arena.
Facing the prospect of a 0-3 series deficit in the semifinals, the Elasto Painters got a huge game from import Aaron Fuller to secure a breakthrough win.
The Tropang Giga still have a 2-1 advantage in the best-of-seven series heading into Game 4 on Wednesday, October 16, at the Araneta Coliseum.
“We got ourselves back in the series, and it gives us the confidence that we can beat TNT,” Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao said after their win.
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson blew an opportunity to seal the deal for TNT in the closing seconds, and Rain or Shine got the ball to Fuller on the break.
The import went all the way for a transition bucket while also drawing a foul from Roger Pogoy, and after a timeout, he made the free throw to give the Elasto Painters the lead for good with 3.8 seconds to go, 110-109.
Hollis-Jefferson still had a chance in the final three seconds, but his close-range attempt hit the rim and rolled out as time expired.
“Pahirapan ‘yung laro, but I think we passed the test of character today. We were able to hang in there with a strong team, a great import,” said Guiao.
Fuller had 26 points — nine in the final quarter — along with 16 rebounds, while Santi Santillan put up 20 points and six boards.
Squandered in the loss for TNT was a superb 27-point outing by Poy Erram, while Hollis-Jefferson tallied a 23-point, 11-assist, 10-rebound triple-double. Roger Pogoy added 22 points.
It was a tight game down the stretch, featuring four deadlocks and six lead changes as TNT erased a 15-point deficit.
A Rey Nambatac bucket put them ahead, 109-107, with 1:21 to play, but they had no answer for Fuller in the closing seconds. (ABS-CBN News)
RAIN OR SHINE 110 — Fuller 26, Santillan 20, Clarito 15, Lemetti 11, Nocum 10, Datu 7, Mamuyac 6, Norwood 6, Caracut 5, Belga 2, Asistio 2.
TNT 109 — Erram 27, Hollis-Jefferson 23, Pogoy 22, Nambatac 17, Oftana 17, Aurin 2, Khobuntin 1, Galinato 0, Exciminiano 0, Varilla 0, Heruela 0.
Quarterscores: 23-27, 51-43, 86-78, 110-109.