ROS hangs tough, survives Blackwater

Games today:

(Ynares Center-Antipolo)

5:15 p.m. — Magnolia vs Terrafirma

7:30 p.m. — Converge vs Phoenix

Rain or Shine weathered a third-quarter storm mounted by Blackwater to walk away with a 110-100 rebound win in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Season 50 Philippine Cup on Friday at the Ynares Center-Antipolo.

The Elasto Painters emerged victorious in a battle of runs in the second half after squandering a 19-point second quarter lead and allowing the Bossing to drop 36 points in the third period for their second win in three starts.

Adrian Nocum starred in a decisive personal 8-0 burst inside the four-minute mark of the final canto that turned Rain or Shine’s precarious 93-91 advantage into a 10-point lead with 2:52 left. 

Another nine unanswered points by the Elasto Painters capped by a Nocum jumper, finally put the game away, 110-96, in the last 31 seconds.

Keith Datu led Rain or Shine with 20 points and eight rebounds, Nocum scored 17 while Jhonard Clarito added 16. 

Gian Mamuyac finished with 13 markers for the Elasto Painters, who led 41-22 in the first half only to be outscored by Blackwater, 36-16, in the third period to trail 71-77 heading into the last quarter.     

The Bossing went up, 88-85, in the final canto but poor decision-making and costly turnovers led to their detriment.

Richard Escoto had 20 points, rookie Jack Cruz-Dumont had 19 markers while Christian David and Sedrick Barefield added 18 and 15 points, respectively, for the now 1-2 Blackwater.   

Meanwhile, Converge has finally acquired the signing rights of Dave Ildefonso in a trade with Titan Ultra approved by the PBA trade committee on Friday.

The FiberXers shipped Kobe Monje and a couple of draft picks — second round selection in Season 51 and a first round pick in Season 52 — for the Ateneo de Manila University product.

Ildefonso was selected fifth overall by NorthPort, which was eventually purchased by the Giant Risers, in last year’s Draft. He didn’t sign with the Batang Pier after failing to reach an agreement.

Instead, Ildefonso took his act to the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) for the Abra Weavers. Ildefonso is averaging 18.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, 3.7 assists. and 1.7 steals for the Weavers, who are set to play in the MPBL North Division semifinals.

Converge PBA Board representative Archen Cayabyab that they threw in the FiberXers’ first round pick in the deal after their initial proposal got rejected.

“It was a tough call. But looking at our young team, we know that we need Dave as his position is also our missing piece. We want to be competitive and give Boss Dennis Anthony Uy a championship and getting Dave is a great addition,” Cayabyab said.

Ildefonso will be playing under his father PBA great Danny, who serves as deputy of Pampanga vice-governor and Converge Delta Pineda. He will join a young but formidable squad alongside Juan Gomez de Liaño, Justine Baltazar, Justin Arana, Alec Stockton and Schonny Winston.