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Rain or Shine import Jaylen Johnson in action. PBA Images
MANILA — Rain or Shine extended its unblemished run in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup.
The Elasto Painters stayed perfect through six games after escaping Converge, 120–111, on Friday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Despite the double-digit victory, the Elasto Painters were pushed to the limit late in the game.
Rain or Shine led by as many as 23 points in the final quarter before the FiberXers mounted a comeback, trimming the deficit to within striking distance.
Thankfully for the Yeng Guiao-coached squad, sweet-shooting import Jaylen Johnson delivered in the clutch, nailing a crucial triple to halt the Converge rally and restore order, after the FiberXers pulled within four, following Caelan Tiongson’s perfect trip from the foul line that made it 111–107.
Justine Baltazar and Johnson then traded baskets to exploit defensive lapses on both ends, pushing the score to a 116–109 count.
Juan Gomez de Liaño had a chance to cut the deficit to three, but he misfired from beyond the second arc. A turnover by Johnson led to free throws from Alec Stockton that made it 116–111, but the Rain or Shine import quickly atoned for it, draining a dagger three to extend the lead to eight, 119–111, 20.9 seconds on the fourth quarter timer.
The victory somehow mirrored the Elasto Painters’ triumph over San Miguel last Wednesday, where they squandered a sizable lead but maintained their composure in crunch time.
READ: PBA: Rain or Shine denies San Miguel fightback for franchise-best start
"It's always a mental collapse, 'no? It's just relaxing, when you feel that you have a good lead, madalas mangyari pero ando'n pa rin 'yung suwerte," Guiao acknowledged during the postgame press conference.
Adding to the significance of the night, Rain or Shine stalwart Gabe Norwood had his jersey retired at halftime. According to Guiao, the team was just determined to honor the veteran with a victory.
"We wanted this win, really, for Gabe. We didn't want to disappoint him on his day of jersey retirement," said Guiao.
READ: PBA: Rain or Shine officially retires Gabe Norwood's No. 5 jersey
Johnson, who came up big for RoS, finished with 35 points, 21 rebounds, and two blocks, and was expectedly named Best Player of the Game.
Gian Mamuyac, who helped his team install a huge lead in the third frame, closed the night with a 21-point, three-rebound, and three-assist showing. Tiongson, for his part, had 14 markers.
Meanwhile, Converge continued to struggle as it suffered its fifth straight loss. Stockton had 17 points, while Mikey WIlliams had a decent output of 16 points and 10 assists.
The Scores:
RAIN OR SHINE 120 – Johnson 35, Mamuyac 21, Tiongson 14, Caracut 12, Lemetti 10, Nocum 8, Malonzo 7, Clarito 5, David 3, Manaytay 2, Roque 2, Santillan 1, Villegas 0
CONVERGE 111 – Stockton 17, Williams 16, Kelley 16, Arana 16, Gomez de Liano 14, Polcarpio 11, Baltazar 9, Abueva 5, Garcia 5, Muyang 2, Concepcion 0
QUARTERS: 31-29, 61-54, 95-75, 120-111