Gian Mamuyac put up a career game to keep Rain Or Shine's season alive. PBA Images |
MANILA--Rain Or Shine had to thank Gabe Norwood in the end as the team escaped one final push from TNT courtesy of Kelly Williams before leaving the Ninoy Aquino Stadium 110-109 winners in the final game of the PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals on Wednesday night.
With the Elasto Painters holding to a 107-100 lead with 30 seconds left, Williams tried to will the Tropang Giga back into the game, starting with a quick corner three just four seconds later.
After Jhonard Clarito settled for a split from the foul line for a 108-103 ROS cushion, Williams fired a long top-of-the-key triple to bring TNT to within two, 108-106, with five seconds to play.
Gabe Norwood iced the game for the Elasto Painters with two free throws with four seconds remaining, but Williams had one last say as he drained another corner three just as the final buzzer sounded.
Gian Mamuyac put up a career-high 25 points on 11-for-20 shooting, three rebounds, two assists, and one steal for ROS, which will play San Miguel in the semifinals beginning Friday night at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
Clarito added 17 points, nine rebounds, one assist, and one steal.
In what would be his best game with TNT, Williams finished with 32 points on 13-for-20 field goals, 14 rebounds, and two assists.
Calvin Oftana added 27 points on 11-for-21 field goals, nine rebounds, four assists, one steal, and one block, but he struggled in the end, missing two straight field goals that could have given the Tropang Giga the lead and committing two crucial turnovers that helped the Elasto Painters build the needed cushion to survive Williams' vintage game.
RR Pogoy put up 22 points, six rebounds, four assists, and one steal, but he sat out the remaining 2:19 of the game after suffering from cramps.
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