Rain or Shine downs Alaska for finals’ rematch vs San Mig in PBA Governor’s Cup

Tony Dela Cruz of Alaska (dark) vs Jervy Cruz of Rain or Shine (light). Nuki Sabio/PBA

MANILA, Philippines – It would be a finals rematch, in another playing field.

In another deciding Game Five in the Philippine Basketball Association Governor’s Cup, the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters held off a pesky Alaska Aces, 97-94, Saturday evening at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Elasto Painters Guard Paul Lee was the cooler for Rain or Shine as he drained two crucial free throws with 12.7 seconds remaining to seal the fate of the Aces.

Rain or Shine took the second Finals slot to book another title matchup with the San Mig Coffee Mixers.

San Mig took the glimmer of the Elasto Painters during this season’s Commissioner’s Cup.

Painters import Arizona Reid paced Rain or Shine with 35 points with Lee and forward Gabe Norwood adding 10 apiece.

“We just couldn’t shake them off, they showed tenacity,” Painters head coach Yeng Guiao said.

Guiao added that the second meeting against the Grand Slam-seeking Mixers is to write some history for their own.

“We’re not trying to make our own history, we just want to make our own history.”

Aces Import Henry Walker cashed in from deep to cut the Painters lead to one, 94-95, with 23.9 seconds to go.

Guard Dondon Hontiveros nearly took the Painters’ lives away with a near-steal that Lee recovered that led to his closing free throws.

“We’re done with Alaska, and I’m gkad we’re done with them,” Guiao said. “They showed lots of guts and tenacity even without their key players.”

Alaska played without injured stars Jayvee Casio, Sonny Thoss and Gabby Espinas.

Walker led the Alaska offense with 29 points while forware Vic Manuel had 20.

Guards Dondon Hontiveros and Cyrus Baguio had 17 and 11 respectively.

As a sign of respect and sportsmanship, Walker embraced Guiao after the final buzzer sounded.