Rain or Shine toys with KIA

RAIN or Shine swingman Gabe Norwood (left) thwarts a shot by Michael Burtscher of KIA in last night’s game. photo: AUGUST DELA CRUZ

MANILA, Philippines–Although not at its best, Rain or Shine still toyed with newcomer KIA on Wednesday night, blasting the Sorento to bits, 117-88, in the PBA Philippine Cup eliminations at Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.

Using the game as a virtual warmup for a big outing against a powerhouse on Sunday, the Elasto Painters ran rings on the hapless Sorento and won their second straight game in coast-to-coast style and improved to 2-1 overall.

“We started the conference slow,” said Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao, referring to a loss to San Miguel Beer and a narrow win over Blackwater. “We’re just trying to regain our chemistry back, our confidence back.”

“I guess this is the best way to do it,” he added. “We were able to sustain our energy level. That was our problem in our first two games.”

Paul Lee returned to active duty after a scary fall in his first game and was the lethal point guard of old, shooting 11 of his 22 points in the fourth period.

NLEX rode a hot second half to deal Barangay Ginebra a first loss later in the night, with a 97-81 win denying the Gin Kings the solo lead.

“This win is on the boys. We had a bad game against Talk ‘N Text and I challenged the players to really step up their defense,” said coach Boyet Fernandez, back in the PBA after six years.

The Road Warriors, who got 25 points from Mac Cardona and twin digits from four others, thus tied Rain or Shine and their victims at 2-1.

THE SCORES:

First Game

RAIN OR SHINE 117—Lee 22, Belga 16, Tang 15, Cruz Jericho 12, Teng 12, Cruz Jervy 12, Uyloan 10, Quinahan 6, Almazan 6, Ibanes 4, Chan 2, Norwood 0.

KIA 88—Cervantes 18, Padilla 17, Revilla 10, Lingganay 10, Thiele 7, Dehesa 4, Alvarez 4, Pascual 4, Raymundo 4, Buensuceso 3, Alonzo 2, Saldua 2, Burtscher 2, Ighalo 1, Bagatsing 0.

Quarters: 36-25, 59-46, 81-65, 117-88

Second Game

NLEX 97—Cardona 25, Villanueva J. 14, Canaleta 13, Ramos 10, Apinan 10, Taulava 9, Baloria 8, Borboran 6, Raymundo 2, Camson 0, Villanueva E. 0, Arboleda 0, Villarias 0.

GINEBRA 81—Ellis 19, Aguilar 17, Slaughter 13, Caguioa 8, Mamaril 6, Tenorio 4, Urbiztondo 3, Helterbrand 3, Yeo 3, Baracael 3, Brondial 2, Forrester 0, Reyes 0.

Quarters: 18-20, 34-34, 62-66, 97-81