When Anton Asistio stepped to the free throw line with 4.3 seconds left and Rain or Shine trailing Titan Ultra, the entire game hung on his shoulders. Four free throws. One chance to win.
“I just told myself, take it one free throw at a time. Just focus,” said Asistio, recalling the moment that defined Rain or Shine’s gritty comeback.
The veteran guard’s calm under fire didn’t come out of nowhere. It was years in the making — from his Ateneo days in grade school and college to his pro career, thousands of reps at the line had built the muscle memory for moments like this.
“This is why you practice,” he said with a smile. “Coach Yeng didn’t bring me back in until that last play, but as they always say, you have to be ready.”
Down 108–111 with just seconds remaining, Asistio inbounded the ball to Jhonard Clarito, got it right back, and launched from the four-point line as Titan Ultra’s Junior Munzon fouled him on the release. The shot missed — but the foul meant four free throws.
“I’ve made shots late in games before, but never this kind of free throws,” Asistio said. “So I just drew from all those long hours at practice. You want to repay the trust that Coach Yeng gives you.”
He did exactly that. Asistio, perfect from the stripe in the game, calmly drained all four to seal a dramatic 112–111 victory — Rain or Shine’s third win in four outings.
On the other end, Titan Ultra still had one last chance. Calvin Abueva’s runner hit the rim, bounced out, and with it went their hopes.
For Asistio, the night was a testament to preparation meeting opportunity. In the clutch, practice didn’t just make perfect — it made a winner.
