MANILA, Philippines — As Rain or Shine stared disaster in the face, Andre Caracut stepped forward to lead the team’s efforts to extinguish the fire.
Caracut dropped 10 big points in the stretch highlighted by a booming four-point bomb as the Elasto Painters salvaged a 102-100 win over Magnolia in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup last night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
The former La Salle star’s heroics enabled ROS to get a second wind after it blew a 13-point lead and even allowed the Hotshots to wrest a 12-point tear in the fourth.
With this escape act, the troops of coach Yeng Guiao stretched their streak to three for 3-1 overall and a share of third with idle Meralco behind co-pacesetters NorthPort (5-1) and Eastern (5-1).
“The good thing about this is yes, nawala ang momentum sa amin, nakuha nila ‘yung lead pero nakabalik pa rin kami. So ibig sabihin nag-iiba na ang character ng team. It’s a good sign,” said coach Yeng Guiao.
“That’s really the way to win a game. Kung nawalan ka ng momentum, you must find a way to get back and that’s what we did. If for that alone, magandang panalo ito kahit hirap kami.”
After holding control for three quarters, ROS got caught in wave after wave of Magnolia attacks in the first six minutes of the fourth.
With ROS down 86-98, Caracut took on the fireman’s role and knocked down back-to-back buckets, a three-point play and that game-saving four-ball in the last 5:57. The Caracut-spearheaded 16-2 counter put the E-Painters back on top, 102-100, before they fended off the Hotshots’ attempts to steal it.
Deon Thompson posted 18 points and 15 rebounds to pace ROS with Leonard Santillan (17), Caracut (15), Cealan Tiongson (11) and Adrian Nocum (10) also contributing.
Ricard Ratliffe had 27 with 13 rebounds for Magnolia, which fell to four consecutive losses for 1-4.