Rey Nambatac sank the game-winning lay-up in traffic with 2.6 seconds left to give Rain or Shine a tough 88-86 squeaker in overtime over gritty Columbian in a thrilling bout for a much needed win in the 2019 Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup at the Batangas City Sports Coliseum Sunday night.
Denzel Bowles produced a triple-double with a game-high of 29 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists and also sealed the win for the Elasto Painters after stealing the ball in the final possession, denying the Dyip a chance to send the game to a second overtime.
With the game tied at 86-all, Rain or Shine came up with a perfectly executed play off the inbound with Nambatac finishing strong over Lester Prosper off a nice dish from Gabe Norwood.
Columbian wasn’t even able to put up an attempt with Bowles disrupting its set play.
The Elasto Painters were back on the winning track, improving to 3-3 for a sixth place tie.
The Dyip suffered another setback, dropping to 1-6 at the bottom of the pack.
Rashawn McCarthy sank a difficult right corner triple with 1.1 seconds left in regulation to tie the game at 81-apiece and send the nip-and-tuck battle into overtime.
Prior to that, the teams exchanged blows in the final minutes of the fourth as neither wanted to give any ground.
Nambatac finished with 10 points to provide support for the Elasto Painters, aside from his endgame heroics.
Rain or Shine had the upperhand in the first half, carrying a 44-39 lead at the turn.
The Painters even took a double-digit lead briefly, 42-31, in the latter part of the second quarter.
Columbian, however, stuck around to make it a tight second half until the finish.
The two team ended up tied through three periods, 62-all.
Prosper led Columbian with team-highs of 26 points and 14 rebounds.
The scores:
Rain or Shine Elasto Painters 88 – Denzel Bowles 29, Jewel Ponferada 10, Rey Nambatac 10, Ed Daquioag 9, Javee Mocon 8, Gabe Norwood 8, Beau Belga 5, Kris Rosales 4, James Yap 3, Norbert Torres 2, Mark Borboran 0.
Columbian Dyip 86 – Lester Prosper 26, RaShawn McCarthy 15, CJ Perez 12, Jackson Corpuz 11, Glenn Khobuntin 8, Eric Camson 5, Jerramy King 4, Philip Cahilig 2, JP Calvo 2, Reden Celda 1, Keith Agovida 0, JayR Reyes 0, Russell Escoto 0, Bryan Faundo 0.
Quarter scores: 22-27, 44-39, 62-62, 81-81, 88-86.