Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.
Scoring just 3 points in the first two games combined, Anton Asistio catches fire from long distance as Rain or Shine cuts its deficit in the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals to 1-2
MANILA, Philippines – Rain or Shine pounced on an undermanned TNT side to avoid a deep 0-3 hole in the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals.
Powered by the surprise explosion of Anton Asistio, the Elasto Painters gave the Tropang 5G a 107-86 beating in Game 3 at the Araneta Coliseum on Sunday, June 29, to cut their deficit in the best-of-seven series to 1-2.
Asistio, who scored just 3 points in the first two games combined, unloaded a conference-high 24 points with 6 assists as Rain or Shine capitalized on the absence of TNT star Roger Pogoy, who is out due to a hamstring injury.
“Just being ready to step up,” said Asistio. “We’re missing players [because of injuries], I knew I’m going to get my chance.”
Asistio hit his stride in the third quarter where he poured 14 points, including the four-pointer to end the period that gave the Elasto Painters a commanding 84-57 lead.
He added 7 more points in the fourth quarter as he shot 4-of-5 from three-point range and 2-of-3 from four-point distance.
Also hardly felt in the first two games where he averaged just 2.5 points and 2.0 rebounds, Keith Datu rose to the occasion for Rain or Shine with 13 points and 10 rebounds, while Caelan Tiongson put up 16 points and 4 rebounds.
Datu conspired with Santi Santillan and Adrian Nocum as they set the tone in the win, the trio combining for 20 points in the opening quarter to help the Elasto Painters mount a 33-15 lead.
Santillan put up 12 points and 8 rebounds, while Nocum produced 10 points, 4 assists, and 4 steals.
No longer having to think about Pogoy, Rain or Shine keyed on Calvin Oftana, who got limited to 16 points after his masterful 39-point performance in Game 2.
“Their victories in Game 1 and Game 2 were really just the outstanding play of Pogoy in the first game and then the outstanding play of Calvin in the second game,” said Elasto Painters head coach Yeng Guiao in Filipino.
“So when we solve those two, we have a big chance.”
Glenn Khobuntin and Simon Enciso tallied 12 points each as the only other Tropang 5G players in double-figure scoring.
The Scores
Rain or Shine 107 – Asistio 24, Tiongson 16, Datu 13, Santillan 12, Nocum 10, Caracut 8, Norwood 6, Malonzo 6, Mamuyac 5, Porter 4, Clarito 3, Ildefonso 0, Escandor 0.
TNT 86 – Oftana 16, Khobuntin 12, Enciso 12, Vosotros 9, Galinato 8, Williams 8, Heading 7, Aurin 4, Erram 4, Ganuelas-Rosser 2, Varfilla 0, Nieto 0, Ebona 0.
Quarters: 33-15, 51-37, 84-57, 107-86.
– Rappler.com
