Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — The Rain or Shine Elasto Painters kept the Phoenix Fuel Masters at bay to claim a 109-104 victory in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Commissioner’s Cup on Friday (April 1) at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Rain or Shine’s Jeff Chan paced all scorers with 25 markers.
The Fuel Masters recovered from a 45-56 deficit in the third period to put the game on a knife’s edge in the final quarter.
Chico Lanete converted on a drive to give Phoenix the 102-101 lead with 1:07 left to play.
The two sides battled to get the advantage in the last stretch, and the decisive moment finally came with 18 ticks left on the clock.
Phoenix import Kevinn Pinkney made a lay-up but was called for an interference violation, forcing the officials to scratch off the points— preserving Rain or Shine’s 105-104 lead.
The Fuel Masters were forced to send the Elasto Painters to the line, where Chan and Raymond Almazan put the game on ice.
Willie Wilson led Phoenix with 21 points, while import Kevinn Pinkney and RR Garcia chipped in with 20 apiece.
Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao felt that none of the breaks late in the game were falling for his team, and felt that the offensive goaltending call cost them.
“That goaltending call was a break that was due to us,” said Guiao. “If that call didn’t go for us, I think we would still have a fair chance of winning it.”
Rain or Shine improved to 5-4 in the standings, while Phoenix dropped to 3-6.
