ANTIPOLO -- The Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, facing elimination, proved up to the challenge as they pulled away late to down the Magnolia Hotshots, 91-81, in Game 6 of the Philippine Cup semifinals at the Ynares Center.
The Elasto Painters and Hotshots will meet in a winner-take-all Game 7 on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena. The winner moves on to face the defending champion San Miguel Beermen in the best-of-seven finals set to begin on Wednesday, May 1.
From a tight 72-69 score with 7:33 to go, Rain or Shine turned to third-year guard Rey Nambatac, who dropped three triples during a crippling 11-2 run that broke the game wide open.
After racing to a 2-0 series lead, the Elasto Painters proceeded to drop three straight to the Hotshots, putting them on the brink of elimination. But rather than put pressure on his team, coach Caloy Garcia chose a different approach.
"We tried to keep everything simple and we just enjoyed practice yesterday," Garcia said. "The thing is, today we made our shots. I told them the system will work if we can shoot. We came aggressive and attacked the basket."
The Elasto Painters also cranked up their defense, forcing the Hotshots into 16 turnovers which they converted into 26 points.
But the outcome was still very much up for grabs heading into the payoff period with the score knotted at 62. That's when Nambatac stepped up, hitting the first of his four fourth-quarter triples to push Rain or Shine ahead, 69-64.
The former Letran star continued his hot shooting down the stretch, with veterans Beau Belga, James Yap and Gabe Norwood all chipping in to fuel the Elasto Painters' game-clinching run.
Nambatac and Yap both had 16 to lead the Elasto Painters, while Belga added 15. Ian Sangalang was once again solid for Magnolia with 19 points.
"Magnolia probably has the upper hand in experience. We just have to trust each other and see what happens in Game 7," Garcia said.
THE SCORES
RAIN OR SHINE 91 - Nambatac 16, Yap 16, Belga 15, Ponferada 11, Torres 8, Norwood 8, Rosales 7, Ahanmisi 5, Daquioag 2, Mocon 2, Borboran 1.
MAGNOLIA 81 - Sangalang 19, Lee 18, Jalalon 14, Herndon 9, Brondial 6, Melton 5, Reavis 4, Barroca 3, Ramos 3, Dela Rosa 0, Pascual 0, Abundo 0.
Quarters: 21-17, 41-35, 62-62, 91-81.
EXTRA DRIBBLES
Both teams combined for just two fast break points, both going to Magnolia.
Rain or Shine had more assists, 20-14, with Belga, Yap and Maverick Ahanmisi dishing out four each.
NEXT GAME
Game 7 on April 28 at the Mall of Asia Arena