Alaska takes 2-1 series lead over Rain or Shine

JV Casio of Alaska (dark) vs Chris Tiu of Rain or Shine (light). PBA IMAGE by Nuki Sabio

MANILA, Philippines —Alaska leaned on import Henry Walker late to beat Rain or Shine, 104-94, and move a game away from a trip to the Finals in the 2014 PBA Governors’ Cup Tuesday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Walker scored 11 of his game-high 26 points in the final frame with six coming in the last two minutes that pushed the Elasto Painters to the brink.

“I’m proud of Henry and the way he came out and battled today,” said Alaska head coach Alex Compton of the former NBA veteran.

“I’m glad we won. But still everybody who has ever watched the PBA know the series is not over. Ultimately, we need to get one more,” Compton said.

Alaska led by as much as 15 in the fourth quarter before ROS chopped it down to just seven, 98-91, on a free throw by Raymond Almazan with still 2:20 left.

But that’s when Walker took over.

The 6-foot-5 Walker silenced the Painters’ run with a tough turnaround jumper over Arizona Reid before making two free throws and again putting the same move on Reid for the dagger jumper, 104-94, with 46 ticks left.

Reid couldn’t get into usual offensive groove with just 17 points on five-of-19 shooting from the field. Jeff Chan paced Rain or Shine, which committed 16 errors that netted Alaska 21 turnover points, with 22.

The Aces look to close the Painters out in Game 4 on Thursday.