(PBA image)
Rain or Shine refused to fold despite a cold shooting night, leaning on pure hustle and heart to claw back from a 14-point hole and stun Converge, 90-84, Sunday at the Ynares Center in Montalban to seize the solo lead in the PBA Philippine Cup.
Gian Mamuyac personified the Elasto Painters’ relentless energy, delivering big plays on both ends as ROS overturned early struggles and stormed to a 7-2 record, planting itself firmly on top of the standings.
“It’s pure effort,” said head coach Yeng Guiao, whose squad stole the win from the FiberXers and pushed them into a tie for third place at 6-3 with Magnolia and NLEX. San Miguel slipped to solo second at 6-2.
Guiao admitted ROS was far from sharp offensively, missing open looks and shooting poorly even from the free-throw line. “We’re shooting badly actually… Trabaho lang talaga,” he said. He also noted the break they caught with Converge’s big men in foul trouble and Justin Arana out due to injury.
Still, Converge controlled most of the game behind Juan Gomez de Liaño’s 20 points and nine rebounds, Larry Muyang’s 18 and nine, and Justine Baltazar’s monster 21-rebound effort. The FiberXers even entered the fourth quarter on top.
But Rain or Shine dug deep.
Mamuyac locked down Gomez de Liaño in the clutch while providing timely buckets, including a dagger three-pointer off a Caelan Tiongson kickout to stretch the lead to 90-81 entering the final two minutes.
“It was the right play. Mabuti na-shoot,” Mamuyac said, relieved to halt Converge’s momentum. He finished with 15 points, six rebounds, and three assists.
Larry Santillan led ROS with 16 points, while Mike Malonzo posted a double-double with 10 points and 10 boards.
Rain or Shine closed strong, outworking the FiberXers in the decisive moments to secure one of its grittiest wins of the conference.