Fuller brings life to ROS chances

MANILA, Philippines — The PBA Governors’ Cup semifinals isn’t just about Justin Brownlee (Ginebra), Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (TNT) and EJ Anosike (San Miguel).

Rain or Shine import Aaron Fuller reminded everyone of that as he redeemed himself with a heroic performance to inject some life into the Elasto Painters’ semifinal campaign.

Fuller, a veteran PBA reinforcement like Best Import staple awardees Brownlee and Hollis-Jefferson, had his best game thus far in the best-of-seven series capped by the game-winning three-point play in the last 3.8 seconds.

The 34-year-old American finished with 26 points and 16 rebounds with nine coming in the payoff period to complete ROS’ comeback from an early 12-point deficit for a 110-109 win over TNT Tropang Giga last Sunday.

The Elasto Painters dodged a massive 0-3 hole in the race-to-four duel.

“It’s about just having confidence in myself. It’s just trying to lay it all out there” beamed Fuller, who had his worst performance all-conference long in ROS’ deflating 108-91 Game 2 loss.

Fuller is the league’s top rebounder with 17 a game but bled for just six rebounds in Game 2 on top of his dismal 13 points.

With his squad staring at a 107-109 deficit down the stretch for a near 0-3 deficit, Fuller just would not be denied in finally breaking out of his shell.

“It’s about knowing that we don’t want to go down 0-3. It’s not impossible to get back but trying to come back down 0-3 would be a tall order,” added Fuller, who once played for his team’s rival TNT.