Rain or Shine dealt Phoenix Super LPG its first loss after coming back to take a 90-88 victory Thursday, Dec. 16 in the PBA Governors’ Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Rey Nambatac put the Elasto Painters in front 89-88 when he completed a three-point play after converting a jumper off Chris Banchero’s foul.
The Elasto Painters then prevented the Fuel Masters from reclaiming the lead on their next two possessions to cap off a rally from deficits of 86-77 and 88-83 in the fourth quarter.
It was the second win in three games for Rain or Shine, which bounced back from squandering a lead in a 112-106 overtime loss to Terrafirma last Saturday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
“Coming from a loss, sometimes that level of doubt may seep in,” said Rain or Shine coach Chris Gavina. “We’re glad we were able to get through those first half jitters and really come out with a great win.”
Nambatac continued his impressive start this conference with 17 points, Beau Belga had 16 points, eight rebounds and six assists while import Henry Walker added 15 points, seven rebounds and four assists.
Phoenix blew a chance to stay unbeaten through three matches and fell 2-1 despite 17 points, 20 rebounds, six assists and two blocks from import Paul Harris.
Banchero had 14 points, three rebounds, three assists and three steals while Matthew Wright struggled anew, going 2-of-11 for 10 points.
Phoenix took that 86-77 lead with over eight minutes left after Banchero scored an easy layup off a Rain or Shine turnover.
ROS got to within three after scoring six straight but another Banchero made it 88-83 for Phoenix, 2:58 to go in the fourth.
Phoenix would never score again and ROS staged its dramatic comeback.
The scores:
RAIN OR SHINE 90 — Nambatac 17, Belga 16, Walker 15, Santillan 13, Borboran 8, Mocon 6, Wong 6, Caracut 4, Norwood 3, Ponferada 2, Jackson 0, Torres 0.
PHOENIX 88 — Harris 17, Banchero 14, Manganti 11, Wright 10, Perkins 8, Melecio 8, Jazul 8, Rios 6, Garcia 4, Camacho 2, Muyang 0, Chua 0.
Quarters: 16-23, 44-50, 71-71, 90-88.