MANILA, Philippines – Rain or Shine held its ground against GlobalPort to come out with a 96-90 win in a highly-physical contest in the 2018 PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Araneta Coliseum on Sunday, May 20. 

Reggie Johnson finished with 17 points, 15 rebounds and 7 assists to tow the Elasto Painters to their 5th win in 6 outings in a game that saw two players thrown out and 4 slapped by technical fouls following a bench-clearing scuffle.

Things turned ugly with Rain or Shine leading 84-79 with less than 4 minutes left in the game as Maverick Ahanmisi and Kelly Nabong almost came to blows after a loose ball play. They were both ejected after sustaining “fighting fouls.”

GlobalPort’s Bradwyn Guinto, Ryan Araña and Malcolm White and Rain or Shine’s Jay Washington were each whistled for technical fouls for leaving their benches.

With both of their key cogs gone, it was the Elasto Painters who proved steadier in the endgame with Chris Tiu, who was left bloodied following a hit from White midway through the 4th period, in command.

Despite suffering from a busted lip, Tiu, who filled in for Ahanmisi, scored a dagger triple that gave Rain or Shine a 92-83 lead with 1:14 left in the clock. 

The Batang Pier threatened a comeback after they trimmed their deficit to 4 points off a Nico Elorde a trey with 22 seconds remaining but to no avail.

“Another hard-earned victory for us. At least ‘di nila tinanggal kumbaga ‘yung focus nila after that scuffle,” said Rain or Shine head coach Caloy Garcia. 

(Another hard-earned victory for us. At least they did not lose focus after the scuffle.)

Tiu chalked up 10 points, 6 assists and 4 rebounds for Rain or Shine, which claimed the top spot in the standings, while James Yap added 14 points and Raymond Almazan chipped in 12 points and 8 rebounds.

Ahanmisi had 13 points and 6 rebounds in the win before leaving the court. 

The Batang Pier, who were led by White’s 21 points and 8 rebounds, slipped to 3-3 for 6th place.

The Scores:

Rain or Shine (96): Johnson 18, Yap 14, Ahanmisi 13, Almazan 12, Tiu 10, Ponferada 9, Daquioag 7, Belga 6, Norwood 5, Torres 2, Nambatac 0

GlobalPort (90): White 21, Pringle 15, Anthony 14, Nabong 13, Tautuaa 8, Elorde 8, Grey 4, Javelona 3, Sargent 2, Guinto 2, Araña 0, Teng 0

Quarter scores: 26-30, 45-45, 67-62, 96-90

– Rappler.com