The Rain or Shine Elasto Painters banked on a strong finishing kick to take down the Barangay Ginebra Kings, 83-80, in the 2019 Honda PBA Philippine Cup Saturday at the Calasiao Sports Complex in Pangasinan.
Gabe Norwood delivered in the clutch on both ends of the floor to help the Elasto Painters secure the victory that put them up to 2-0 in the conference. The Kings, on the other hand, suffered their second straight loss for a 1-2 record.
Norwood's back-to-back jumpers made it 82-76 in favor of Rain or Shine with over a minute left, but Joe Devance's free throw and Japeth Aguilar's layup allowed Ginebra to inch closer.
The Kings had a chance to cut their deficit down to a single point when LA Tenorio broke away for a transition basket. Norwood chased it down and blocked the shot, which was initially called a goal-tending violation. A jump ball after the officials' review went in favor of Rain or Shine.
James Yap missed a three-point basket but Norwood grabbed a huge offensive board that paved the way for Mark Borboran to ice the match with a split from the line.
Borboran and Norbert Torres led the way for the Elasto Painters with 12 points and 8 rebounds apiece. Maverick Ahanmisi added 11 points, five rebounds, and four assists.
After a tight first half, Ginebra managed to build an eight-point breathing room late in the third quarter behind Greg Slaughter's timely baskets. Rain or Shine retaliated with Ahanmisi sparking a counter-run that brought it back to a one-possession ballgame heading into the final quarter.
Yap and Borboran opened the fourth with seven unanswered points to shift the advantage. The Elasto Painters preserved the lead despite persistent attempts by the Kings on the other end.
Aguilar topped for Ginebra with 19 points, eight boards, and three assists. Slaughter finished with a double-double of 15 points and 12 rebounds but he also committed nine turnovers.
THE SCORES
RAIN OR SHINE 83 -- Torres 12, Borboran 12, Ahanmisi 11, Belga 9, Yap 9, Norwood 6, Daquioag 6, Maiquez 6, Nambatac 6, Mocon 3, Rosales 2, Ponferada 1.
GINEBRA 80 -- Aguilar 19, Slaughter 15, Tenorio 12, Thompson 12, Devance 10, Dela Cruz 6, Mariano 6, Ferrer 0, Mercado 0, Caperal 0, Teodoro 0.
Quarters: 20-19, 39-38, 60-63, 83-80.
EXTRA DRIBBLES
-- The Elasto Painters' 27-17 edge in offensive boards became instrumental for them to finish off the Kings, none more important than the rebound that Norwood hauled down with 13 seconds left in the game.
-- Norbert Torres and Mark Borboran provided quality minutes off the bench and even topped the team in scoring and rebounding. After an impressive debut, rookie Javee Mocon was limited to just three points on 1-of-7 shooting but he also contributed eight boards and three assists.
NEXT GAMES
Ginebra - February 2 (Saturday) vs Columbian Dyip at Ynares Center-Antipolo
Rain or Shine - January 30 (Wednesday) vs Blackwater Elite at Cuneta Astrodome