MANILA, Philippines — Rain or Shine leaned on the endgame heroics of Jaylen Johnson, Jhonard Clarito and Adrian Nocum to scraped past Barangay Ginebra, 115-111 to take Game 1 of their PBA Season 50 Commissioner's Cup semifinal series at the jampacked Ynares Center in Antipolo.
Johnson erupted for 40 points including a four-point shot to kickstart a blazing 9-0 run to help turn the tables against the league’s top crowd drawer, where 10,412 fans came to watch the series opener.
Johnson’s four-pointer rejuvenated the Elasto Painters, who then got two free throws from Nocum, and moments laterc Clarito knocked down the cold-blooded three to give 111-107 advantage with 1:19 to go.
Clarito added 25 points and six rebounds.
Gian Mamuyac chipped 18, Nocum 16 and Mike Malonzo 12 for ROS, which eyes a 2-0 series lead when it battles Ginebra anew on Friday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Justin Brownlee led Ginebra with 32 points while RJ Abarrientos had 21. RICHARD DY