Jun 16, 2018

Johnson, Yap rally Rain or Shine past Phoenix

RAIN or Shine survived the hot shooting night of Phoenix duo of Jeff Chan and Eugene Phelps to hack out a come-from-behind 108-106 win and retain the top spot in the PBA Commissioner's Cup at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The Elasto Painters found themselves behind by as many as 19 points early in the first half as Chan and Phelps exploded and combined for 45 points for the Fuel Masters at the break.

But challenged by coach Caloy Garcia, they willed their way back into the game behind import Reggie Johnson and veteran two-time league MVP James Yap to close the gap entering the homestretch of the Petron Saturday special.

Yap finished with 13 points and tied the game at 96-all after a long chase, before Johnson, who tallied a game-high 32 points and 17 rebounds, scored four straight points to finally put Rain or Shine on top for good, 102-98, at the 4:48 mark of the fourth.

Johnson also played good defense when he foiled the attempt of Chan at the buzzer for a possible game-winner by the Fuel Masters.

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"During halftime I told the players we can't be complacent against any team because I felt we didn't want to win today's game," said Garcia in the post-game interview. "I just told them that we have to keep the game at least close to have a chance to beat Phoenix."

The Rain or Shine coach in particular mentioned Chan and Phelps, who already had 23 and 22 points, respectively at that point.

"They tied us at halftime sa scoring. They had 45 points and we had 45 points," noted Garcia as Rain or Shine trailed after two quarters, 57-45.

"Sabi ko mahiya naman sila na matalo pa kami sa dalawang players lang."

That obviously sparked the Elasto Painters in the second half to pull off the win - their eighth in nine outings as they kept a distance anew between them and second running Alaska (7-1) to stay on track of finishing at no.1 by the end of the eliminations.

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Beau Belga added 13 points and Raymund Almazan woth 11 for Rain or Shine.

The fourth straight loss by Phoenix (3-6) put to naught the combined 52 points by Chan and Phelps, who both finished with 26 points.

To their credit, the Fuel Masters made a last ditch stand to turn the game around.

A three-pointer by RJ Jazul cut the deficit to 107-106, and Phoenix even had the chance to retake the lead after Rain or Shine failed to score at the other end.

But Phelps missed on a driving lay-up with eight seconds remaining, before the Fuel Masters sent Gabe Norwood to the foul line to stop the clock. The veteran Fil-Am guard split his charities for the final count.

Despite the setback, Phoenix still has a slim chance of advancing to the quarterfinals for the first time under coach Louie Alas.(GR)

The scores:

Rain or Shine 108 - Johnson 32, Yap 13, Belga 13, Almazan 11, Tiu 9, Daquioag 7, Ponferada 7, Ahanmisi 7, Norwood 5, Borboran 2, Nambatac 2.

Phoenix 106 - Chan 26, Phelps 26, Wright 15, Jazul 13, Kramer 11, Wilson 6, Perkins 5, Chua 4, Revilla 0, Intal 0, Mendoza 0.

Quarters: 17-31, 45-57, 80-85, 108-106.