ROS seals playoff spot, nips Blackwater

MANILA, Philippines — Rain or Shine secured a playoff spot after scoring a 125-123 escape act against Blackwater in their PBA Season 50 Governors' Cup match on Saturday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo. The Elasto Painters nearly wasted a 13-point, fourth quarter lead as the Bossing staged a major uprising behind the trio of Sedric Barefield, Kentrell Barkley and RK Ilagan. In the end, Barefield missed a potential game-winning three which allowed ROS to improve to 5-3 and tie at second spot in Group B. Magnolia and Phoenix were the first two teams in Group B to secure spots in the quarterfinals. The fourth and final spot will now be up for grabs among Barangay Ginebra, Meralco, and Blackwater as the tournament winds down with its elimination round this coming week. Blackwater fell to 3-6. Aaron Fuller led ROS with 24 points and 19 rebounds, Caelan Tiongson added 22. Adrian Nocum had 20, while Felix Lemetti 17. Barkley led the Bossing with 35 points and 15 rebounds, while Barefield had 31. Meanwhile, Juami Tiongson and Maverick Ahanmisi led Terrafirma’s high-octane offense to roll past Titan Ultra, 149-117 to end its season 50 campaign on a winning note. Tiongson banged in 18 of his 30 points in the opening frame...