PBA: Rain or Shine edges out Ginebra in dramatic Game 1 finish

MANILA, May 21 ------ Rain or Shine hacked out a 115-111 victory over Barangay Ginebra in a dramatic Game 1 finish to kick off their best-of-seven semifinals series in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner's Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo, Rizal.

The Elasto Painters rode an 11-0 run late that put them up 113-107, after a Gian Mamuyac jumper with 38.1 seconds left on the fourth quarter clock. True to their "Never Say Die" spirit, the Gin Kings refused to bow out just yet. Scottie Thompson, despite injuring his head on Jhonard Clarito's foot in the ensuing play, visibly suffering a lump on his forehead, sank a crucial four-pointer, 19.5 ticks, that kept themselves in the match at 113-111.

Clarito calmly drained freebies on the other side after a Thompson duty foul, 115-111, but the game wasn't sealed just yet, as the Gin Kings were only one-possession behind. RJ Abarrientos, given the chance to tie the game, unfortunately airballed his attempt. Troy Rosario kept possession with an offensive board, but he was blocked by Clarito on his second-chance attempt. Just when they appeared to have settled the game, as coaches Tim Cone and Yeng Guiao have already shook their hands, the Barangay Ginebra tactician argued to the referees that there was still time left.

Upon review, there was still 0.5 seconds left — barely enough for a shot to be put up. With Ginebra retaining possession, Clarito then repeated his heroics, disrupting the inbound play from Thompson to Justin Brownlee as the Elasto Painters guarded the four-point line well to seal the deal and take the series opener. "Show up and compete," said Guiao during the postgame press conference, sharing his reminder to his wards.

ROS import Jaylen Johnson heeded the call, stuffing the stat sheet with a 40-piece, highlighted by back-to-back threes in the payoff period that enabled the Elasto Painters gain the advantage, to go with 19 rebounds and two steals. Also stepping up was Clarito, who finished with 25 points and six rebounds, while Mamuyac also had 18 markers and five dimes — both contributing in the intense endgame. On the other hand, Brownlee breached the 30-point mark with a 32-point outing of his own, to go along with five rebounds and five assists. Abarrientos chipped in 21 points and four rebounds, while Thompson concluded with 17 markers and seven boards. Both teams will meet again on Friday, May 22, for Game 2 of the series.

The Scores:

RAIN OR SHINE 115 – Johnson 40, Clarito 25, Mamuyac 18, Nocum 16, Malonzo 12, Caracut 2, Manaytay 2, Santillan 0, Asistio 0, Villegas 0

GINEBRA 111 – Brownlee 32, Abarrientos 21, Thompson 17, Pinto 13, Gray 8, Holt 7, Rosario 7, J.Aguilar 4, Cu 2, Torres 0

QUARTERS: 26-17, 42-49, 74-77, 115-111

Source: news.abs-cbn.com