By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter
THE Columbian Dyip put some flicker back into their quarterfinal hopes in the PBA Philippine Cup after an 85-82 victory over the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Getting balanced contributions from the rest of team, Columbian upended Rain or Shine to improve to 4-5 in the ongoing Philippine Basketball Association tournament, still in contention for a playoff spot.
Rain or Shine (ROS) got it going early as veteran James Yap was finding his mark and help his team to a 26-15 lead at the end of the first 12 minutes.
But Columbian regrouped in the second quarter, chipping away on its deficit to come to within three points, 32-29, with 5:14 to go and eventually tying the count at 34-all two minutes later.
Pulled by guard Rashawn McCarthy the rest of the quarter, the Dyip completed the turnaround, holding a 42-40 lead at the half.
A back-and-forth marked the start of the third canto before Mr. McCarthy instigated a pullaway by Columbian as they built a 55-46 separation by the 6:47 mark of the frame.
The Elasto Painters tried to claw their way back but the Dyip held strong to stay in control, 66-59, heading into the final canto.
Mark Borboran and Ed Daquioag jolted Rain or Shine to start the fourth.
They levelled the count at 73-all with seven minutes left in the contest after back-to-back triples from Messrs. Borboran and Daquioag.
Columbian scored four quick points after care of Jackson Corpuz and CJ Perez to make it 77-73.
The score was 79-75 with four minutes to go, and the Dyip still on top, before the Elasto Painters made it a one-point game, 83-82, entering the last two minutes.
It stayed that way until Reden Celda made it a three-point cushion for Columbian, 85-82, with 2.3 seconds to go.
Rain or Shine sued for time after to set up a play to extend the contest.
The Elasto Painters went to Mr. Yap for the game-tying trey but his desperation heave as time expired just hit the front of the goal, sending them to the defeat.
Mr. McCarthy paced Columbian with 22 points with Mr. Corpuz adding 12.
Rookie Perez had a double-double of 11 points and 11 rebounds.
Rain or Shine (7-3), meanwhile, had Mr. Borboran top-scoring with 21 points with Mr. Yap and Javee Mocon adding 10 each.
The Elasto Painters have now lost back-to-back matches after winning their previous five.
“It was a total team effort for us. We struggled early but we were able to pick it up with contributions from both the veterans and our rookies,” said winning coach John Cardel after the game.
“This win helps us in our push for the quarterfinals with two games left in the eliminations,” he added.

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