Video by INQUIRER.net’s Ryan Leagogo and Noy Morcoso III
MANILA, Philippines–Starting out strong and getting solid local contributions for a change, Rain or Shine dragged its PBA Governors’ Cup title series with San Mig Coffee into a deciding Game 5 Monday night and inched its way toward a little piece of league history as well.
With four locals scoring in twin digits to back up Arizona Reid, the Elasto Painters took control in the second quarter and never looked back, scoring a lopsided 88-79 decision at Smart Araneta Coliseum that put the Mixers’ Grand Slam dream in peril.
JAMES Yap of San Mig Coffee goes one-on-one against Paul Lee of Rain or Shine in last night’s Game 4 at Smart Araneta Coliseum. August dela Cruz
Rain or Shine led by as many as 20 points in the second quarter and then held off the Mixers the rest of the way, gathering the momentum it needs for the rubber match slated tomorrow at 8 p.m.
“It’s really just a simple formula for winning today: We played a lot harder, definitely a lot harder than in Game 3,” Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao said. “As long as we play with energy and intensity, we have a chance to win.”
San Mig has not lost in nine straight KO games this season, but for the first time in three Finals, the Mixers were taken by a foe to a rubber match.
The Mixers won the Philippine Cup in six games, also over the Painters, and the Commissioner’s Cup in just four games over Talk ’N Text.
Guiao pulled an ace out of his sleeve in the second period in Jonathan Uyloan, who cranked up the Rain or Shine offense, and Gabe Norwood was in scoring mode all night in the Painters’ most convincing win of the series.
“It was really just about postponing their (Mixers’) party today,” Guiao said of the win, carved out before about 18,000 fans. “We’re hoping that we have a chance to cancel it (Grand Slam party).”
Reid shot 22 points, and he and Norwood had nine each with Uyloan tossing in eight in the second period that pushed the Painters ahead, 53-33, before settling for a 15-point lead at halftime.
And while the entire Rain or Shine team functioned well offensively in the second, Marqus Blakely groped for support as only he and Mixers rookie Ian Sangalang scored in the quarter.
“We played a little pressured tonight, and when you’re pressured you have the tendency to play hero basketball,” San Mig coach Tim Cone said. “We had some players doing that tonight. They were a little focused on the offensive side tonight.”
Meanwhile, Globalport, the winner of the controversial Rookie Draft lottery, on Monday hailed the PBA board’s swift action in resolving the lottery issue. The team also thanked Rain or Shine for its efforts in helping make a better PBA by calling for a tighter conduct of the rookie draw in the future.
THE SCORES:
RAIN OR SHINE 88—Reid 22, Lee 14, Norwood 14, Belga 11, Arana 10, Uyloan 8, Almazan 3, Cruz 2, Tiu 2, Chan 2, Ibañes 0, Rodriguez 0.
SAN MIG SUPER COFFEE 79—Blakely 21, Yap 12, Devance 9, Sangalang 8, Simon 8, Barroca 7, Maliksi 6, Pingris 4, Taha 2, Melton 2, Mallari 0, Reavis 0.
Quarters: 21-21, 53-38, 69-55, 88-79