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Painters thwart Bolts in OT, notch twice-to-beat edge

Maverick Ahanmisi tries to score against Meralco defenders in this piece of PBA action Sunday. PBA Media Bureau
By Ricky Manliguis

QUEZON CITY—Rain Or Shine held tough in overtime to repulse Meralco, 106-99, and clinch the first twice-to-beat advantage and top seeding in the first game of Honda PBA Commissioner’s Cup Sunday at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.

In its fourth OT game this conference, the Elasto Painters found resolve when it needed most after blowing an 18-point lead in regulation for the win, boosting its record atop the standings with 9-1 win-loss card with a game remaining.

ROS had a hot start, firing 11 three-pointers to erect  a 64-51 halftime lead. But the Bolts retaliated after the break, with Baser Amer erupting for 13 of the team’s 30 third-quarter points to inch closer 80-84, at period’s end.

A sloppy fourth quarter followed with both teams blowing scoring opportunities, before Chris Tiu’s jumper gave the Painters a slight 96-94 lead with 4:12 left. Amer went to work again, scoring on a transtion lay-in to knot the count at 96 and force overtime.

After that, it was all Rain Or Shine.

Reggie Johnson atoned from his luckluster fourth quarter with a  triple plus two free throws for a 101-98 cushion, 2:02 left. Tiu then scored two of his four free throws, before Ed Daquioag launched the marginal triple for the final count.  

Meralco went cold in OT, scoring just three points coming from Ranidel De Ocampo and Jarred Dillinger.

Johnson finished with 21 points, five in the extra session, along with 18 rebounds and three blocked shots. Maverick Ahanmisi finished with 20 on a 50 percent clip from the field (6-of-12) plus eight boards and six assists. Tiu had 13, while Daquioag had 11.

ROS went smoking from beyond the arc, hitting 17-of-42 (40.5%), while having a 19-8 advantage in second chance points.

Newsome topscored for the Bolts, absorbing a second straight loss for a 7-4 slate, with 21 points, 11 assists, and seven boards , while Arinze Onuaku followed suit with 20 and 11. Amer had 19 markers.

The scores:

Rain or Shine 106 – Johnson 21, Ahanmisi 20, Tiu 13, Daquioag 11, Norwood 9, Almazan 9, Yap 7, Nambatac 5, Belga 5, Ponferada 4, Casino 2, Washington 0, Torres 0.

Meralco 99 – Newsome 21, Onuaku 20, Amer 19, De Ocampo 10, Canaleta 9, Hodge 7, Caram 4, Tolomia 3, Lanete 3, Dillinger 3, Hugnatan 0.

Quarters: 28-27; 64-51; 84-81; 96-96; 106-99.

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