Maverick Ahanmisi (13) missed crucial free throws in the final minute of their loss to GlobalPort. PBA Media Bureau

MANILA, Philippines – Rain or Shine guard Maverick Ahanmisi took responsibility for the Elasto Painters' painful loss to GlobalPort in the PBA Commissioner's Cup quarterfinals on Tuesday – a result that pushed the top overall seed to the brink.

Ahanmisi had a chance to ice the game for Rain or Shine with 39 seconds to go, when they were up 112-111. But Ahanmisi, who shot 73.3% from the line during the elimination round, bricked two free throws. 

After a turnover by GlobalPort's Sean Anthony in the next possession, Ahanmisi got another opportunity. This time, he made one of two charities for a 113-111 lead with 16 seconds to go.

Unfortunately for the Elasto Painters, Jonathan Grey drained a cold-blooded three-pointer to swing the lead to GlobalPort, 114-113, with 11 seconds to go. Gabe Norwood and import Reggie Johnson both missed their shots in the ensuing Rain or Shine possession, and Ahanmisi's heave from beyond the arc was off the mark as time expired.

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"That game is on me, definitely, for missing the free throws," said Ahanmisi, as quoted by the PBA website. "If I made those, it would have been over."

However, Ahanmisi also pointed out that the game should not have gone down the wire in the first place. After all, Rain or Shine already had a 16-point lead in the third quarter and was well in control of the contest.

But they gave up a whopping 31 points to GlobalPort in the payoff period, squandering their hard work in the previous three quarters.

"It shouldn't have even gotten up to that point," he lamented.

Fortunately for Rain or Shine, the loss did not spell the end of their campaign in the PBA Commissioner's Cup. As the top seed, they are armed with a twice-to-beat advantage – and the Elasto Painters are determined not to waste it.

Ahanmisi, who finished the game with 15 points and eight assists, intends to bounce back in their do-or-die game on Thursday.

"(I'm) definitely determined. I mean, nobody wants to miss free throws in a crucial moment, especially being the top seed," he said. "It's do or die now."

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