Gilas weathers Rain or Shine

MANILA, Philippines -  Smart Gilas withstood Rain or Shine’s gutsy stand, hacking out a 99-94 win to move in the threshold of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup playoffs at the Cuneta Astrodome last night.

The Nationals opened a 10-point cushion on a key assault late in the third period and sustained the momentum as they stretched their stirring unbeaten run to five games.

“We’re virtually in, and we’re now in a situation where we can try to get the No. 1 or No. 2 position in the playoffs,” said Smart Gilas coach Rajko Toroman.

“Our goal is to make the playoffs and gain toughness and confidence which can help prepare us for the Fiba Asia championship,” Toroman added.

The Nationals assure themselves of a spot in the post-season play with only one more win in their last four games versus the Derby Ace Llamados, the Powerade Tigers, the Ginebra Kings and the Meralco Bolts.

They gain outright entry into the semis should they finish first or second in the elimination phase.

Rain or Shine slid to join fourth with Ginebra at 3-2, finding it hard to compete with import Hassan Adams playing with a sprained ankle.

Nonetheless, the Elasto Painters put up a tough stand allowing them to fight the Nationals in a close battle in the first three quarters.

The count was tied at 60-all before Chris Tiu and Chris Lutz fuelled a decisive run that opened a 74-64 lead for the Nationals going into the final canto.

Tiu himself later delivered clutch baskets that scuttled Rain or Shine’s endgame charge.

Tiu, Jayvee Casio and Marcus Douthit formed a deadly triumvirate for Smart Gilas against Rain or Shine, combining for 74 points, 26 rebounds and nine assists.

Casio led all scorers with 29 points, Douthit had another double-double with 23 points and 18 rebounds while Tiu finished with 22 points, five rebounds and two assists.

Adams, who suffered an ankle sprain in their last game that caused him to miss their next practices, struggled for only 14 points and six rebounds.

In the nightcap, Meralco nailed its first win in style, overcoming a 10-point deficit in the last four minutes in stunning B-MEG Derby Ace, 89-86.

 Champ Oguchi banged away four of his seven triples in the homestretch, keying the Bolts’ stirring come-from-behind win.

 “We’re a work in progress in terms of cohesion, but in tonight’s game we just didn’t give up,” said Meralco coach Ryan Gregorio.

But the Elasto Painters didn’t shy away from the fight, riding high on the efforts of Ronjay Buenafe, Doug Kramer, Ryan Arana, John Ferriols and Beau Belga.

Buenafe went 5-of-5 from the field in leading a searing Rain or Shine attack on Douthit’s brief rest in the second quarter, sending the Elasto Painters ahead at 38-32.

The Nationals regrouped on Douthit’s return and pulled even at 47-all at the half.

Down by 12 at 93-81, the Elasto Painters went to Ferriols, Belga and Jeff Chan as they got back in the thick of things at 88-93.