Painters seal playoff for semis

Rain or Shine went scoreless in the final five minutes but made key defensive stops down the stretch as it squeaked past Magnolia Ice Cream, 69-68, yesterday to seal a playoff for an outright semifinal berth in the 2006 PBL Heroes Cup at the San Andres Gym.

Gilbert Malabanan knocked in two free throws to give Rain or Shine a 69-61 lead with 4.58 minutes to go, which proved to be the team’s final score as the Elasto Painters failed to convert the rest of the way, enabling the Wizards to close to within 68-69 with 45.3 seconds remaining in the contest.

But Magnolia failed to sustain their fightback either as Fil-Am Kelly Williams’ jumper at the buzzer bounced off the board, allowing the Elasco Painters to escape with the victory.

Eugene Tan and Jun Jun Cabatu each had 13 points as Rain or Shine joined its victim on top with 7-3 (win-loss) slates. A win over Montaña on Sunday will give the Elasto Paints an outright semifinal berth.

"We relaxed in the fourth quarter," said Rain or Shine coach Caloy Garcia. "But a win is a win, at least we have a chance to correct our mistakes."

Earlier, Hapee Toothpaste-Philippine Christian University leaned on Jason Castro’s second half explosion as it ripped Montaña Pawnshop, 75-65, to stay in the hunt for a semis slot.

Castro sizzled with 12 of his 22 points in the final 20 minutes of play as the Teeth Sparklers went on to clinch their sixth win to move a win closer from forging at least a playoff for an outright semis berth.

Alex Compton and Rob Sanz figured in a shooting duel with the former firing 19 points early in the third period, including a triple that gave the Jewels a 44-40 lead. Sanz, on the other hand, scattered 10 of his 18 points in the first half.

It was the Jewels’ fifth loss against the same number of triumphs. — Joey Villar