RoS powers past Columbian in OT victory

“Final (OT) : 88 – 86 in favor of the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters! Best Player: Denzel Bowles with 29 points, 14 rebounds and assists #PBACommsCup #PBALabanKungLaban” (Photo: PBA/Facebook)

Denzel Bowles had a triple-double for the Coach Caloy Garcia-led squad, totalling 29 points, 14 rebounds, and 10 assists, despite only going 7-of-21 with his free throws. Jewel Ponferada also contributed double digits with 10 points, but it was Rey Nambatac who was the hero of the fifth quarter after making a lay-up with 2.6 seconds left of the game. He also totalled 10 points.

For Columbian, it was Lester Prosper who led the way with a double-double at 26 points and 15 rebounds. Teammate Rashawn McCarthy was the second highest pointer for the team at 15 points, even scoring a crucial three at the last 1.1 seconds of the fourth quarter that extended the match. Unfortunately, it did not prevent the Dyip’s fall to a 1-6 win-loss standing.

RoS head coach Caloy remarks that “it’s finally nice to get a win against Columbian,” noting, “We lost for the last four conferences against them. I told the players the only motivation they can get is to win today’s game.”

Player of the Game Bowles also shared that he was still recovering through stomach flu throughout the match, telling the media, “I was just trying to focus, and I’m just happy I could fight through it. We fight. You know, we’re very upset about last game and it was almost deja vu again but we fought through, and it was a great team win,” referring to their last heartbreaking loss against NorthPort, where they caught up to the Batang Pier’s 25-point lead in the fourth.

The Elastopainters will be facing NLEX next on Friday, June 28 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. On the other hand, Columbian will attempt to finally score win number two on Sunday, June 30 at the same venue against the San Miguel Beermen.