Rain or Shine survives Globalport

Game today:

Ibalong Centrum for Recreation, Legazpi City

6:30 p.m.- Talk ‘N Text Tropang vs. Barako Bull

The streaking Rain or Shine Elasto Painters squandered a 20-point first half lead but recovered in time to outlast the skidding Globalport Batang Pier, 103-95, last night in the 38th PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.

Rookie Chris Tiu and Gabe Norwood pumped in crucial points in the fourth period to tow the Painters to their fifth straight win and tie the Alaska Aces and the Petron Blaze Boosters with identical 5-1 (win-loss) cards. Petron and Alaska were playing as of press time for the lead.

Globalport put up a gallant effort but poor shot selection in the closing seconds sealed its fourth straight defeat to drop to 2-5.

Globalport’s import Justin Williams may have played his last game with the team as he was benched in the fourth quarter. Williams ended the game with just six points.

Even without its import, Globalport successfully came back in the fourth and wrested the lead, 89-88, on a three-pointer by Gary David in the final 3:03.

Rain or Shine regained the lead on a follow-up shot by Jervy Cruz and Gabe Norwood sank a three-pointer that made it a four-point game for the Painters, 93-89.

Veteran forward William Antonio hit a triple that cut Rain or Shine’s lead to one. Globalport had the chance to reclaim the lead following a Rain or Shine turnover but in a two-on-two fastbreak play, David hoisted a well-challenged three-point shot and badly missed.

David’s ill-advised shot led to a triple by Tiu while Cruz added a baseline jumper as the Painters took a commanding 98-94 lead with just 37.4 seconds left.

Globalport threatened at 95-98 with 29.2 seconds to go after a three-point play by Antonio but Norwood completed his own three-point play before Tiu pegged the final count with two free throws.

Bruno Sundov topped the Painters with 17 points, Tiu had 16, while Cruz and Norwood added 15 and 13, respectively.

David led all scorers with 23 markers.