ROS continues late dash to PBA Comm's Cup playoffs, sends reeling Terrafirma to brink of ouster

Beau Belga was almost flawless against Terrafirma. PBA Images
By Ivan Saldajeno

QUEZON CITY—Rain Or Shine ended its campaign for the calendar year 2023 still marching on after trampling Terrafirma, 116-105, in their PBA Commissioner's Cup game on Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Elasto Painters escaped a monster performance from Thomas De Thaey as they scored their fourth straight win and strengthened their hold of the eighth spot in the team standings.

Jhonard Clarito sparked ROS's pull-away after hitting a corner three just as the game reached its last two minutes, while Santi Santillan scored on a floater in the next offensive to up the lead to 11, 110-99, with 1:24 to go.

Both teams engaged in an exchange of baskets down the stretch.

Beau Belga led the Elasto Painters, who are now at 4-5, one game ahead of the NLEX Road Warriors for the last quarterfinal spot and a half-game behind the TNT Tropang Giga for the seventh spot, with 18 points on 7-of-8 shooting, four rebounds, two assists, one block, and two steals.

Clarito added 16 points, a career-high for him, and so were Santillan and Tree Treadwell, who grabbed 19 rebounds as well.

Keith Datu also had a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds with two assists and two blocks as ROS officially eliminated Blackwater from contention.

De Thaey had 31 points on 13-of-21 field goals, 14 rebounds, three assists, two blocks, and two steals for the Dyip, who lost for the sixth straight time to drop to 2-7, and another loss will or another win by the Tropang Giga and the Elasto Painters will officially eliminate them from playoff contention despite a promising start.

The Scores:

RAIN OR SHINE 116 – Belga 18, Clarito 16, Santillan 16, Treadwell 16, Datu 12, Caracut 10, Belo 7, Ildefonso 6, Nocum 5, Asistio 3, Mamuyac 2, Nambatac 2, Demusis 0, Norwood 0

TERRAFIRMA 105 – De Thaey 31, Tiongson 19, Alolino 16, Carino 15, Holt 8, Ramos 7, Go 5, Miller 2, Daquioag 2, Cahilig 0, Calvo 0, Camson 0, Gomez de Liano 0

QUARTERS: 25-26, 58-51, 87-85, 116-105

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