SONNY Thoss of Alaska pivots for a shot off the Rain or Shine double team of Arizona Reid and Jervy Cruz in last night’s game. AUGUST DELACRUZ
MANILA, Philippines — Flashing mean form despite missing an All-Star guard, Rain or Shine broke away late in the first half to hammer Alaska in Game 2, 99-87, Sunday night and square their best-of-five Final Four series in the PBA Governors’ Cup at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Arizona Reid scored 27 points and grabbed 13 rebounds and Paul Lee bounced back from a lethargic Game 1 ending to shoot 21 points—most of them when the Aces tried to come back from a 26-point deficit in the fourth period.
“Everybody just stepped up for Gabe,” Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao said, referring to Gabe Norwood, his top defensive man, who missed the game because of a swollen right ankle. “We’re trying to buy some time for him to get well. It gives us confidence to beat Alaska in his absence.”
The physical game was tight until late in the second quarter when Lee presided over a hot finish to usher the Elasto Painters to a 50-38 lead at the half.
It was all Rain or Shine from there as the Painters came out hot for the third period while keeping their cool even with the show of frustration of several Alaska players led by import Henry Walker.
Rain or Shine opened up a 71-45 lead midway through the third after Walker sat out the final 8:13 of the third quarter for being whistled with a flagrant foul penalty 1 infraction after gaving Beau Belga a football tackle from behind that nearly emptied both benches.
Gabby Espinas was also thrown out because of successive technical fouls when he shouted at the ear of a game official while arguing a noncall.
The closest that Rain or Shine allowed Alaska to come was eight, before Lee scored on a left-handed layup and then a three-pointer to touch off and cap a 12-6 spurt that put the game away, 97-81,3:05 to go.
Game 3 is set Tuesday and Guiao wants nothing but the same level of intensity that his wards came up with to take control of the series, the opener of which Alaska took, 97-93, in come-from-behind style.
Meanwhile, defending champion San Mig Coffee tries to apply the broom on Talk ‘N Text at 8 p.m. Monday and take the first slot in the best-of-five Finals. If ever, this will be the 27th title series appearance for the San Mig franchise and it will line the Mixers up towards clinching just the league’s fifth Grand Slam, which could be the first since Alaska’s 1996 feat.
The scores:
RAIN OR SHINE 99—Reid 27, Lee 21, Chan 18, Tiu 10, Belga 7, Arana 6, Teng 4, Cruz 2, Almazan 2, Nuyles 2, Ibanes 0, Rodriguez 0.
ALASKA 87—Manuel 22, Walker 18, Casio 11, Thoss 9, Espinas 8, Abueva 8, Hontiveros 3, Baguio 3, Dela Cruz 2, Buenafe 2, Jazul 1, Bugia 0, Reyes 0, Belasco 0.
Quarters: 17-21, 50-38, 77-59, 99-87