Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 5) – The Rain or Shine Elasto Painters became the first team to win in PBA Season 47 with a comeback victory against the league’s newest team Converge FiberXers, 79-77, on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Elasto Painters unleashed a 13-4 scoring barrage in the last three-and-a-half minutes of the game to deny the FiberXers a winning start in the Dennis Anthony Uy-owned franchise’s first-ever PBA game.
Santi Santillan, who led Rain or Shine with 18 points and nine rebounds, converted the shot inside the paint that tied the game at 73-all after fighting back from a seven-point deficit.
Rey Nambatac broke the deadlock with a strong layup off a dribbling turnover by Converge guard Mike DiGregorio in the last possession.
RK Ilagan sank his two free throws to equalize the match at 75-all, while FiberXers star guard Jeron Teng scored his second field goal in the second half with over 23 seconds left to give the advantage to Converge.
A wide open Beau Belga sank the dagger triple from the top of the key with over 13 seconds left for a 78-77 lead, then spearheaded a pressuring defensive screen play with Santillan in the next possession that forced Teng to commit a passing turnover.
“We know the ball will go to Jeron’s hands. As we performed that screen, we felt we needed to double team him and the turnover happened,” said Santillan, who split his two charities in the last 2.3 seconds that sealed the Rain or Shine win.
Rain or Shine head coach Chris Gavina said he hoped the opening day victory would set the tone for his players to adopt a winning mentality, coming off a mediocre performance in Season 46.
“It is extremely important for us to come out and we’re able to seal this tough, gritty win against Coach Jeff (Cariaso) and this young Converge team,” Gavina said.
Belga posted 17 markers for Rain or Shine while Andrei Caracut and Norbert Torres each chipped in 10 points for the win.
Teng finished with a double-double effort of 23 points and 13 rebounds for Converge, where he scored 19 of his total production in the first half. Alec Stockton tallied a career-high 13 points in a second-half offensive explosion.
The Scores:
RAIN OR SHINE 79 – Santillan 18, Belga 17, Carcut 10, Torres 10, Nieto 8, Nambatac 8, Asistio 5, Norwood 3, Tolentino 0, Ponferrada 0, Mamuyac 0, Ildefonso 0, Borboran 0
CONVERGE 77 – Teng 23, Stockton 13, Ilagan 10, Ambohot 7, Arana 6, Adamos 5, Hill 5, DiGregorio 4, Bulanadi 2, Lojera 2, Tolomia 0, Racal 0
Quarterscores: 16-19, 31-38,57-55,79-77
