The Rain or Shine Elasto Painters leaned on the heroics of a bloodied Chris Tiu to beat the GlobalPort Batang Pier, 96-90, in the 2018 PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum last Sunday, May 20.
Tiu went out of the game after being elbowed in the face by GlobalPort Batang Pier import Malcolm White with 6:48 left to play. He came back three minutes later to score the marginal points which powered Rain or Shine to victory.
Tiu returned to the fray, scored on a layup then drilled a three-pointer to push the Elasto Painters to an unassailable 94-83 lead with 1:14 to go in the game.
The Elasto Painters (5 wins, 1 loss) have surprised all the experts by grabbing the overall lead this conference. Trailing them closely are the Alaska Aces (4-1), the TNT KaTropa (3-1), the Meralco Bolts (3-1) and the Magnolia Hotshots (2-1).
The other teams include the Globalport Batang Pier (3-3), Columbian Dyip (3-3) and the Phoenix Petroleum Fuelmasters (2-2). Bringing up the rear are Barangay Ginebra (1-2), the NLEX Road Warriors (1-4), San Miguel Beer (0-3) and the Blackwater Elite (0-5).
GlobalPort’s hulking import Malcolm White spun to his right, drove along the baseline and scored on a rim-rattling dunk to cut the Rain or Shine lead to just five points, 67-62, going into the payoff fourth period.
White elbowed Chris Tiu in the face, grabbed the loose ball then turned to the basket to score and tie the count at 74-all with 6:48 to go in the game.
Reggie Johnson scored on a follow up then received a perfect pass from Beau Belga to score from underneath and convert the bonus free throw to extend the Rain or Shine lead, 84-78, with 4:10 to go in the game.
A melee then erupted with 3:20 to go in the game with the score pegged at 81-79 for Rain or Shine.
Technical fouls were called on Bradwyn Guinto, Ryan Arana and Jay Washington for entering the court. Fighting foul were called on Maverick Ahanmisi and Kelly Nabong who were thrown out of the game.
