MANILA, Philippines–With a dominating effort on both ends, Rain or Shine made sure Wednesday night that Air21 won’t be pulling off any more surprises this PBA season.
Arizona Reid nearly came up with a triple double in just 33 minutes and three locals tossed in twin digits for the Elasto Painters, who overwhelmed the Express, 111-90, to clinch the third Final Four seat in the Governors’ Cup at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Reid finished with 30 points on top of 11 rebounds and six assists and Paul Lee hit nine fourth quarter points that helped seal the win of the Painters, who reached the semifinals for the fourth straight conference.
“We were ready for a hard endgame,” Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao said, surprised at how easy the Painters won a sixth straight game against a side that had pulled off a lot of surprises in the last two conferences.
“We were surprised that we were able to break away. Our defense has been consistent and that is what has been carrying us through,” Guiao added.
The second-ranked Painters will now train their guns on Alaska, which pounced on the injury of import Zach Mason to post a 92-81 victory over Barangay Ginebra in the nightcap.
“Hopefully, they’ll have some mercy on us,” Alaska coach Alex Compton said in jest after sealing a best-of-five clash with a Rain or Shine crew that dealt his Aces a 51-point beating in the elimination round.
Meanwhile, a high-ranking personality in the league yesterday told the Inquirer that should the Air21 sale to NLEX push through, it is most likely that the Express may never be readmitted to the league again.
NLEX is reportedly buying the Air21 franchise for a sum that is a lot bigger than the P100 million expansion fee, and an Air21 official had said that selling to NLEX is an option as they will just re-apply for a new franchise the following season.
“That will not happen in all likelihood,” said the source, who said that he had talked to several Air21 officials about this scenario. “Should they sell and then re-apply, it will only mean that they made money out of their franchise, and the board doesn’t like that.”
Rain or Shine opened up leads of as large as 23 points in the third quarter and was mildly threatened with just over five minutes left when Aldrech Ramos made it a 96-83 game with a triple.
But Lee hit a free throw off a foul by Sean Anthony, and after Asi Taulava knocked down a short stab to usher the Express closer, 97-85, with 5:01 left, Lee drained two treys that knocked the wind out of Air21’s sails.
THE SCORES:
First Game
RAIN OR SHINE 111—Reid 30, Lee 14, Rodriguez 12, Arana 11, Norwood 9, Nuyles 7, Tiu 6, Chan 6, Belga 5, Teng 5, Ibanes 4, Uyloan 2, Cruz 0, Almazan 0.
AIR21 90—Sutton 35, Poligrates 18, Ramos 16, Taulava 11, Anthony 5, Yeo 3, Cardona 2, Borboran 0, Villanueva J. 0, Burtscher 0, Menor 0, Camson 0, Atkins 0.
Quarters: 30-21, 55-45, 83-64, 111-90
Second Game
ALASKA 92—Casio 15, Espinas 12, Hontiveros 12, Abueva 12, Manuel 12, Thoss 11, Walker 7, Jazul 7, Dela Cruz 2, Baguio 2, Belasco 0.
BRGY. GINEBRA 81—Aguilar 18, Slaughter 16, Baracael 10, Ababou 10, Helterbrand 7, Caguioa 7, Tenorio 6, Mamaril 3, Mason 2, Reyes 2, Ellis 0, Monfort 0.
Quarters: 14-21, 39-33, 64-54, 92-81