Barangay Ginebra hung on for a 96-94 win over Rain or Shine on Monday to advance to the 2018 PBA Commissioner's Cup finals.
The Gin Kings will play the reigning champion San Miguel Beermen in a best-of-seven finale beginning Friday.
Greg Slaughter and Joe Devance led Ginebra with 19 points apiece and combined for eight rebounds, and nine assists. LA Tenorio had 16 points with three rebounds, six assists, and three steals.
The usually prolific Justin Brownlee struggled with 12 points. What he lacked on offense he made up for in other categories, finishing with 17 rebounds and eight assists.
Tenorio made the key baskets but it was Scottie Thompson's defensive stop in the final play that sealed the victory for the Gin Kings.
With 1.4 seconds remaining, Thompson intercepted Gabe Norwood's inbound pass, sending the Ginebra faithful into a frenzy.
Before that, Jeff Chan split his free throws, giving Rain or Shine a chance of at least sending the game into overtime. But the Elasto Painters couldn't pull off a magic after that.
"I'm so relieved we don't have to play a Game 5 against them. What an incredible battle," said Ginebra coach Tim Cone.
Rain or Shine actually climbed back from eight points down behind Raymond Almazan and turned a catch-up game into a nip-and-tuck battle.
James Yap tied the match at 88 with less than three minutes remaining before Norwood's jumper on top of key gave the Elasto Painters the lead, 90-88.
But not for long.
Tenorio answered with a 3-pointer to regain the edge. Beau Belga committed a costly error that led to a Devance breakaway layup, 95-92.
Reggie Johnson scored on a quick two. Tenorio hurried an attempt in the ensuing play, then Chris Tiu munched a pair of free throws with 7.2 ticks remaining, 95-94.
Johnson churned out 22 points, 16 rebounds, five assists, three steals, and two blocks for the Elasto Painters, who finished the elimination round as the top seed.
Raymond Almazan had 13 points and six rebounds, while Borboran and Jay Washington chipped in 11 points each.
Yap added 10 points.
THE SCORES
Ginebra (96): Slaughter 19, Devance 19, Tenorio 16, Brownlee 12, Chan 9, Thompson 6, J. Aguilar 6, Caguioa 4, Mercado 3, Ferrer 2, R. Aguilar 0, Mariano 0
Rain or Shine (94): Johnson 22, Almazan 13, Borboran 11, Washington 11, Yap 10, Norwood 8, Tiu 7, Ponferada 4, Nambatac 3, Daquioag 3, Belga 2, Ahanmisi 0
Quarterscores: 25-20, 47-40, 73-67, 96-94
EXTRA DRIBBLES
Scottie Thompson hauled down 10 rebounds to go with six points and three steals.
Raymond Almazan was slapped with a technical foul with 3:48 remaining in the first half.
Gary David watched the game at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. He is now playing for the Bataan Risers in the MPBL.