Aaron Fuller got his redemption from a 13-point struggle the last time, digging deep to deliver 26 points, including the game-winning three-point play in the last 3.8 seconds as Rain or Shine avoided a deep 0-3 hole versus TNT in their PBA Governors' Cup semis duel.
The Elasto Painters escaped with a 110-109 win over the Tropang Giga in their Dasmari?as Arena gig Sunday in Cavite and thus trimmed the gap to 1-2 in the race-to-four series.
Coach Yeng Guiao and his troops eye equalizer as action swings back to the Smart Araneta Coliseum Wednesday.
Held to 13 points and six rebounds in their 91-108 Game Two defeat, Fuller flexed his muscles harder, scoring all of Rain or Shine's last seven points, including the three-point play off a foul by RR Pogoy that pushed the E-Painters back in the lead at 110-109.
Then with the game still in the balance, Fuller threw in a defensive help on Gabe Norwood versus Rondae Hollis-Jefferson.
RHJ actually was still able to take a shot but went a little strong, missing the target and allowing the E-Painters to bring home the "W."
Fuller preserved his double-double game marked by 16 rebounds, and the solid backup jobs from Leonard Santillan (20 points and six rebounds), Jhonard Clarito (15 and four), Felix Lemetti (11 points) and Adrian Nocum (10).
The Elasto Painters took control most of the way, with a lead as big as 15 but faced a imminent danger with the Tropang Giga wresting the upper hand at 107-105 entering the last two minutes.
A triple each from RHJ, Poy Erram and RR Pogoy highlighted TNT's fourth-quarter salvo that had the Tropang Giga enjoying the lead for the last time at 109-107 with time down to 1:18.
They had the chance to seal the win but then came a wild sequence, with ROS taking possession and finding Fuller at the right time for a basket that tied the count at 109-all.
With a foul to boot, Fuller calmly made the bonus charity, and the E-Painters hang on to stop their bleeding in the series. (SB)
The Scores :
RAIN OR SHINE 110 - Fuller 26, Santillan 20, Clarito 15, Lemetti 11, Nocum 10, Datu 7, Mamuyac 6, Norwood 6, Caracut 5, Belga 2, Asistio 2.
TNT 109 - Erram 27, Hollis-Jefferson 23, Pogoy 22, Nambatac 17, Oftana 17, Aurin 2, Khobuntin 1, Galinato 0, Exciminiano 0, Varilla 0, Heruela 0.
QUARTERS : 23-27, 51-43, 86-78, 110-109
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