Rain or Shine gets back at Alaska, evens semis series

Paul Lee of Rain or Shine (dark)vs Dondon Hontiveros of Alaska Aces (light). PBA IMAGE by Nuki Sabio

MANILA, Philippines — Rain or Shine leaned on a collective effort to beat Alaska, 99-87, in Game 2 and level their best-of-five semifinals series in the 2014 PBA Governors’ Cup Sunday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Arizona Reid set the tone as he scored 20 of his game-high 27 points in the first half while Paul Lee led the Elasto Painters out of harm’s way late with 11 of his 21 points coming in the fourth quarter.

“Everybody just stepped up for Gabe,” ROS head coach Yeng Guiao said, referring to his swingman Gabe Norwood, who was sidelined with a sprained right ankle.

“It gives us the confidence to beat Alaska with his absence. Our energy level today is a lot different from Game 1. We just wanted it more than they did today and we need that kind of intensity again on Tuesday. We’re hoping we can sustain that desire,” Guiao added.

Lee took matters into his own hands the moment the Aces threatened and cut what was once a 26-point lead in the third quarter down to just nine, 83-74, with 6:51 left.

The explosive guard Lee delivered the timely baskets including a 3-pointer that stretched Rain or Shine’s lead back to 16, 97-81, with 3:07 remaining.

Vic Manuel led the Aces, who saw their five-game winning streak come to an end, with 22 points on 10-of-12 shooting from the field while import Henry Walker had 18 points and eight rebounds while playing through an apparent right arm injury.

Jeff Chan added 18 while Chris Tiu had 10 for the Painters, who zoomed ahead in the second quarter where they outscored the Aces, 33-17, to take a 50-38 halftime lead.

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