Playing catch-up for three full quarters, Rain or Shine turned to its defense in the fourth period to beat a surprisingly tough Terrafirma, 83-77, in the PBA Philippine Cup on Sunday at the Ynares Arena in Pasig City.
Rey Nambatac finally hit his targets after coming away with team-high 17 points, but it was Gabe Norwood who struck for the big baskets to help the Elasto Painters bounce back from back-to-back setbacks.
Norwood pumped in eight of his 15 points in the fourth period when the Elasto Painters started to gain ground after spending the first three quarters chasing the Dyip.
With Norwood presiding over a key run in the fourth, the Elasto Painters were able to complete their rise from a 16-point deficit and eventually chalk up their fourth win in six outings.
More importantly, the win erased the stigma of their back-to-back losses, that included last Friday’s 79-69 setback to returning Talk ‘N Text, and an even heartbreaking 74-48 spanking the Elasto Painters received from the Alaska Aces last July 28.
“Terrafirma made us fight until the end,” said RoS coach Chris Gavina during post-game interview.
The Dyip, with five of them alternating on offense, appeared they were ready to barge into the win column when they dominated the Painters from the onset until they sputtered in the fourth in the face of Rain or Shine’s defense.
“They (Dyip) were executing very well with Juami (Tiongson) and (JP) Calvo in the first half for whom we had no answer until the fourth quarter where we started the trap, and we were able to get defensive stuffs,” said Gavina.
