Rain or Shine stays alive, edges TNT in thrilling Game 3 victory
Rain or Shine refused to roll over in the PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup semifinals, pulling off a heart-stopping 110-109 win against TNT in Game 3 on Sunday at the Dasmariñas City Arena.
The Elasto Painters kept their playoff hopes alive, avoiding a 0-3 deficit in the best-of-seven series with a clutch performance from import Aaron Fuller in the dying seconds.
Fuller came up big when it mattered most, converting a crucial three-point play with just 3.8 seconds left on the clock. After TNT’s Rondae Hollis-Jefferson missed a potential game-sealing basket, Rain or Shine pushed the ball up the court, finding Fuller in transition. The import powered through a foul by Roger Pogoy, made the layup, and coolly sank the free throw to give Rain or Shine the lead for good.
The Elasto Painters then survived a final TNT possession, as Hollis-Jefferson’s close-range attempt rimmed out as time expired, sealing the victory for Rain or Shine.
Fuller finished with 26 points, including nine in the fourth quarter, while also grabbing 16 rebounds to lead Rain or Shine. His heroics in the final moments capped off a gritty performance, as the Elasto Painters held off a furious TNT rally after squandering a 15-point lead earlier in the game.
Santi Santillan also played a pivotal role, contributing 20 points and six rebounds, helping Rain or Shine fend off a Tropang Giga side that was on the brink of completing a stunning comeback.
For TNT, it was a bitter pill to swallow, especially after Hollis-Jefferson’s stellar triple-double performance. The reigning Best Import tallied 23 points, 11 assists, and 10 rebounds, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Rain or Shine’s determination.
Poy Erram had a team-high 27 points for TNT, while Pogoy added 22 in the losing effort.
TNT nearly stole the game in the final stretch, outscoring Rain or Shine 11-2 in the last five minutes to take a 107-105 lead. Erram’s late-game heroics gave TNT a slim advantage, but Fuller’s clutch play in the closing seconds swung the game back in Rain or Shine’s favor.
Despite the loss, TNT still holds a 2-1 series lead heading into Game 4, which will be played on Wednesday at the Araneta Coliseum. Rain or Shine will look to build on this momentum as they aim to even the series and keep their finals hopes alive.
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