MERALCO import Darnell Jackson (right) tries to shoot against Wayne Chism of Rain or Shine. AUGUST DELA CRUZ
MANILA, Philippines — Ignoring all the bad things said and written about him before, Wayne Chism responded with another big game that established himself as a force in the PBA and boosted Rain or Shine to the Final Four of the Commissioner’s Cup.
Chism played without relief Saturday night, shooting 37 points and grabbing 21 rebounds to lead the Elasto Painters to a 97-96 overtime victory over Meralco at Smart Araneta Coliseum that kept Rain or Shine on course for a third straight Finals appearance.
Paul Lee added 18 points, including two free throws with 5.7 seconds remaining that ushered the Painters to a 97-93 lead and sewed up the second straight win of Rain or Shine in the best-of-three series and a semifinal date opposite undefeated Talk ‘N Text starting tomorrow also at the Big Dome.
Also advancing was San Mig Coffee, which dethroned Alaska, 79-65, in their own KO match.
The Mixers sealed a best-of-five semifinal clash with Air21 starting Tuesday at 8 p.m.
The Express ousted No. 2 San Miguel Beer in double overtime, 101-95, late Friday.
Meanwhile, fiery Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao apologized to the fans for calling Meralco’s Cliff Hodge a “mongoloid” after Game 2.
But Guiao, who was fined P100,000 by the league for that slur, made it clear that he wasn’t in any way apologizing to Hodge.
“But my apology does not extend to Cliff Hodge,” Guiao said.
“He put another elbow on Jeff Chan’s face today. He uses himself as a human projectile and that is bad for the league.”
The scores:
First Game
RAIN OR SHINE 97—Chism 37, Lee 18, Belga 9, Norwood 8, Chan 7, Cruz 4, Almazan 4, Tiu 4, Ibañes 4, Araña 2, Tang 0.
MERALCO 96—Jackson 31, David 20, Salvacion 18, Hugnatan 6, Dillinger 5, Hodge 5, Al-Hussaini 4, Wilson 4, Sena 3, Timberlake 0, Caram 0.
Quarters: 20-28, 48-46, 70-66, 85-85, 97-96
Second Game
SAN MIG COFFEE 79—Simon 21, Mays 17, Barroca 14, Pingris 10, Sangalang 6, Devance 5, Mallari 4, Melton 2, Reavis 0, Yap 0.
ALASKA 65—Dozier 23, Casio 14, Jazul 8, Hontiveros 7, Espinas 5, Baguio 4, Thoss 2, Manuel 2, Reyes 0, Dela Cruz 0, Abueva 0.
Quarters: 21-15, 35-27, 57-45, 79-65