Game 3 win ng quarter finals nasungkit ng Elasto Painters via OT vs. Magnolia

Rico Lucero
photo courtesy: PBA

Nalampasan ng Rain or Shine Elasto Painters ang overtime game sa Game 3 ng quarter finals kontra Magnolia Hotshots sa Ynares Center, Antipolo City 111-109. 

Ang parehong free throws na naibuslo nina Jhonard Clarito at Gian Mamuyac ang nagdala sa Elasto Painters ng panalo at makuha ang 2-1 lead sa serye. Dahil dito, isang panalo na lang ang kailangan ng Rain or Shine para makapasok sa semis. 

Ayon kay coach Yeng Guiao, natuwa sila na nakuha nila ang panalo sa Game 3 laban sa mga beteranong manlalaro ng Hotshots. 

“Natuwa rin ako na we were able to hold our emotions, we were able to play through the end game. Beteranong beterano na itong Magnolia. They’ve been through a lot of battles like this. Talunin mo ang Magnolia sa isang dikdikang laban sa end game, ibig sabihin, medyo matibay ka na rin pang-ending.” ayon kay Guiao. 

Samantala, matapos ma-injury si Aaron Fuller noong Game 2 ay nakapaglaro na ulit ito. Bagaman hindi pa ito totally 100 percent na magaling, hinangaan naman ni Guiao ang ipinamalas nitong dedikasyon sa koponan at ang determinasyong manalo sa Game 3  kung saan nakapagtala siya ng 29 points at 11 rebounds.

"Aaron just provided us with a lot of inspiration and energy. They (players) know what he went through. He was doubtful all the way up to the afternoon but he told our trainers he was feeling better and he wanted to play.  Warrior talaga itong si Aaron. Tahimik lang siya but he plays with a big heart. He's able to control his emotions and carry our team on his shoulder. Hindi naman kami makakarating dito at mananalo sa larong ito kung hindi siya naglaro talaga," papuri ni Guiao. 

Nanguna naman sa panalo ng Elasto Painters sina Jhonard Clarito na may 18 points at eight rebounds habang sina Gian Mamuyac at Andrei Caracut ay may tig 15 points. 

The scores:

Rain or Shine 111 – Fuller 29, Clarito 18, Mamuyac 15, Caracut 15, Santillan 13, Belga 10, Nocum 6, Norwood 5, Tiongson 0, Lemetti 0.

Magnolia 106 – Bird 31, Lucero 24, Dionisio 12, Sangalang 9, Ahanmisi 9, Abueva 8, Barroca 6, Lee 6, Mendoza 1, Dela Rosa 0, Reavis 0.

Quarters: 29-18; 50-38; 73-66; 98-98; 111-106.