GARY David (left) of Meralco sneaks in a layup against the defense of Rain or Shine rookie Alex Nuyles. AUGUST DELA CRUZ
MANILA, Philippines—If Alexander McLean is indeed on his way out, the way he performed last night was the perfect way to go.
McLean capped a 23-point night with a triple at the buzzer and, together with Jeff Chan, led Rain or Shine to a 96-79 victory over Meralco that stopped the Elasto Painters’ bleeding in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
He also had a game-high 16 rebounds and helped the Rain or Shine defense choke the Bolts, especially in the endgame, as the Painters arrested a two-game skid and improved slightly to 2-3.
“We will talk about McLean’s status tomorrow (Thursday),” Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao said as a replacement, Devon Wayne Chism, is, according to the firebrand coach, ready to fly in any time.
“Our import played well today,” Guiao continued. “But the question is: Can he be consistent, and can he take us all the way to the playoffs? This is temporary relief.”
Air21 climbed into a tie with the Bolts in fourth spot after a thrilling 97-95 victory over Barangay Ginebra later in the night.
Wesley Witherspoon, shrugging off the effects of jetlag, scattered 25 points, including a free throw with 4.8 seconds left for what turned out to be the final score.
Joseph Yeo was the biggest contributor for the Express with 18 points as Air21 pinned a fourth loss in six games on the Gin Kings.
Rain or Shine used a 15-2 run to snap a 29-29 tie and gain control before holding the Bolts scoreless in the last five minutes to deal Meralco its third loss in six games.
Chan finished with 21 points and Paul Lee and Gabe Norwood combined for 29.
Meanwhile, the PBA’s board of governors will meet at noon Thursday to decide on the possibility of allowing Gilas Pilipinas to play as a guest squad in the Governors’ Cup in May.
THE SCORES:
First Game
RAIN OR SHINE 96—McLean 23, Chan 21, Lee 16, Norwood 13, Belga 7, Cruz 6, Araña 2, Almazan 2, Tiu 2, Ibanes 2, Rodriguez 2, Tang 0, Nuyles 0, Teng 0.
MERALCO 79—David 20, Dillinger 14, Hodge 12, Butch 11, Hugnatan 7, Artadi 4, Ildefonso 2, Sena 2, Guevarra 2, Wilson 2, Mandani 2, Al-Hussaini 1, Caram 0, Salvacion 0. Quarters: 23-17; 44-33, 72-60, 96-79
Second Game
AIR21 97—Witherspoon 25, Yeo 18, Cardona 15, Borboran 10, Ramos 10, Taulava 9, Villanueva 6, Burtscher 2, Atkins 2, Camson 0.
GINEBRA 95—Rodgers 18, Aguilar 15, Slaughter 12, Ellis 10, Helterbrand 10, Tenorio 9, Baracael 6, Reyes 6, Mamaril 4, Urbiztondo 3, Caguioa 2.
Quarters: 27-25, 57-48, 80-70, 97-95
GAME SATURDAY (Biñan, Laguna)
5 p.m.—Alaska vs San Miguel Beer
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