PBA: Rain or Shine reaches third straight Final Four appearance

Rain or Shine came back strong from a tough Game 1 loss to win the next two and book a ticket to the semifinals for the third straight conference after dismantling Converge in Game 3 of their quarterfinals match-up of the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup, 112-103, on Sunday night, February 9, at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.

The Elasto Painters reinforcement Deon Thompson made up for his early exit in their first QF encounter when he fouled out of the game just as early as the third quarter.

Last night, Thompson showed his might finishing with 34 points, 12 rebounds, and seven assists. He was supported by Adrian Nocum who fired 25 markers. These two were also the reason why they won Game 2, when they combined for a total of 55.

RoS head coach Yeng Guiao said they were happy with the victory and their hard work paid off.

"We're very happy. The past two conferences we made the semifinals so it would be a pity if we did not make the semifinals this conference," Guiao shared.

"It's also a validation of all the hard work the guys put in, the togetherness and the camaraderie that they have," he added.

Rain or Shine will face a familiar foe in the Final Four – the TNT Tropang Giga.

TNT derailed the Elasto Painters’ finals hopes in the last Governors’ Cup, winning their best-of-seven series, 4-1, and eventually won the championship.

Despite the task, Guiao is still optimistic. "Ang ano ko rito, if you hang around long enough maybe you'll make the finals. So just hang around there, be in the thick of the fight," he said, only half in jest.

"Just be there, just show up and maybe one day you can get to the finals. Iyon lang objective namin," he ended.

Meanwhile, Alec Stockton led the charge for Converge, who were denied their first-ever semi-finals appearance. He poured a career-high 26 points, on top of six assists.

Import Cheick Diallo added 19 markers and 13 boards for the FiberXers, but he had a lengthy time on the bench after committing his fifth foul at the 5:45 mark of the third. He was fielded again at the 9:45 mark of the final canto.

The semifinals will begin on Wednesday, February 26, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

RAIN OR SHINE 112 - Thompson 34, Nocum 25, Caracut 14, Clarito 11, Asistio 7, Belga 6, Datu 5, Tiongson 5, Santillan 4, Malonzo 1.

CONVERGE 103 - Stockton 26, Diallo 19, Baltazar 16, Arana 15, Winston 14, Racal 7, Heading 3, Andrade 3, Santos 0, Cabagnot 0, Caralipio 0, Delos Santos 0, Javillonar 0.

Quarter Scores: 22-21, 50-45, 80-77, 112-103.