Rey Nambatac delivered for the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters late in the game as they escaped the San Miguel Beermen, 95-93, in the PBA Philippine Cup at the DHVSU Gym in Bacolor, Pampanga on Sunday, September 12.
Nambatac sank the game-winning layup with two seconds remaining to help Rain or Shine complete a huge come-from-behind win and move closer to a playoff berth with a 6-4 record in the standings.
“You know, Rey’s playmaking, that was all him,” said Rain or Shine coach Chris Gavina.
“I got him the ball and he’s the one that was able to go with his instincts and make that game-winning basket for us,” he added.
Trailing by 10 points, 31-41, at halftime, Rain or Shine’s offense suddenly came alive thanks to a huge scoring outburst by its rookie Leonard Santillan, who put up 9 huge points late in the third period to help the Elasto Painters snatch the lead, 72-69, heading into the fourth quarter.
Santillan continued to wax hot in the opening minutes of the final frame, scoring 9 more markers to help keep San Miguel at bay, 81-79, with eight minutes left to play.
Still leading by 2 points, 93-91, with 19 seconds remaining, Rain or Shine rookie Anton Asistio committed a costly turnover which led to a CJ Perez game-tying layup with 12 seconds left in the game.
Luckily for the Elasto Painters, Nambatac saved the day with a left-handed bank shot to help them put the powerhouse Beermen away for good.
Santillan led the way for Rain or Shine with 21 points, while Javee Mocon and Asistio added 19 and 11 points, respectively.
Nambatac, Beau Belga, and James Yap also contributed 9 points apiece in the victory.
Terrence Romeo finished with 20 points, while Arwind Santos and Perez chipped in 18 points apiece for San Miguel, which saw its two-game winning streak snapped and moved down to 5-3 in the standings.
The Scores
Rain or Shine 95 – Santillan 21, Mocon 18, Asistio 11, Nambatac 9, Belga 9, Yap 9, Caracut 7, Torres 4, Norwood 3, Ponferada 2, Guinto 2, Wong 0, Borboran 0, Tolentino 0.
San Miguel 93 – Romeo 20, Santos 18, Perez 18, Tautuaa 13, Lassiter 11, Fajardo 8, Pessumal 3, Ross 2, Gamalinda 0, Gotladera 0.
Quarters: 16-27, 31-41, 72-69, 95-93.
– Rappler.com
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