Rain or Shine evens series

Arizona Reid. INQUIRER.net/RYAN LEAGOGO

MANILA, Philippines–Arizona Reid hit a three-pointer with 6.7 seconds remaining Thursday night that keyed an 89-87 Rain or Shine victory over San Mig Coffee which squared their PBA Governors’ Cup title series after two games at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Reid came out firing after halftime, shooting all but two of his 29 points in the final half and in overtime, capping it with that superlative triple over Marc Pingris.

Game 3 is set Friday at 5 p.m. also at the Big Dome.

“That’s why he is the Best Import,” coach Yeng Guiao said of Reid.

After getting the work done on the floor, Guiao later came up with a bombshell, saying Rain or Shine will seek an investigation on the Draft lottery that happened before Game 1 on Tuesday.

“We are pursuing our intention to have the lottery draw investigated if possible,” said the outspoken Guiao. “We thought it was just crude, lacking in credibility.”

“I don’t think that the issue is the process, the process needs to be improved, definitely, but I guess it’s really the credibility and the integrity of the process itself and the commissioner who conducted the lottery draw.”

Guiao said that their letter, which will be forwarded to the board Friday, will request the board itself to conduct the investigation.

Globalport won the first pick, but a controversy stemmed from the failure of commissioner Chito Salud to take his hand out of the box after putting the two Globalport balls and one Meralco ball in it.

Rain or Shine owns the Meralco draft right.

“I’m starting to notice that we are always the aggrieved party,” said Guiao. “This league will be a stronger league if these issues are addressed.”

Guiao also questioned the statement of Salud on Wednesday that said the endgame incident in Game 1 was a “50-50” situation. The Painters protested a non-call on Paul Lee, who got bumped by Marc Pingris while attempting a triple in the final play of Game 1.

Meanwhile, Talk ‘N Text’s Ranidel de Ocampo won his first Best Player of the Conference award before the game. Reid got his second Best Import citation in four seasons.

THE SCORES:

RAIN OR SHINE 89—Reid 29, Chan 14, Lee 12, Norwood 10, Cruz 8, Teng 7, Belga 4, Arana 3, Almazan 2, Tiu 0, Ibanes 0, Rodriguez 0.

SAN MIG COFFEE 87—Yap 22, Pingris 17, Blakely 14, Simon 11, Mallari 7, Barroca 6, Sangalang 6, Melton 4, Maliksi 0, Devance 0, Reavis 0.

Quarters: 18-24, 37-37, 66-59, 80-80, 89-87