E-Painters overpower Gin Kings

RAYMOND Almazan of Rain or Shine wards off Ginebra’s James Forester in last night’s game at Smart Araneta Coliseum. AUGUST DELA CRUZ

Rain or Shine scooted away from Barangay Ginebra early and completed its rise from the depths of the standings early in the elimination round to become the first team to gain the Final Four of the PBA Philippine Cup.

The Elasto Painters never trailed, opening up leads of as big as 23 points before holding off the Gin Kings in a 100-90 victory last night to advance to the semifinals with their seventh straight win in the season-opening tournament at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“The guys really wanted this win, we don’t want to go the long way,” said Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao, whose wards opened the conference with a loss-win-win-loss slate. “That (going through the quarterfinals) is a risky proposition.”

Beau Belga equaled a career-high 21 points, shooting nine in the first quarter to help jumpstart the Rain or Shine offense before shooting another nine in the final frame that kept the Kings at bay as the Painters moved closer to a return trip to the Finals.

Rain or Shine finished with a 9-2 record, which San Miguel Beer is expected to match with a win over winless Blackwater tomorrow.

Should the Beermen win, San Miguel will take No. 1 ranking owing to its victory over the Painters in the eliminations.

Three others scored in twin digits for Guiao, including super guard Paul Lee, who fired 11 of his 18 in the third period.

Ginebra couldn’t maximize its advantage in size over the Painters, who ran at every chance and kept their nerves when the Kings crept to within 88-80 in the fourth period.

“That’s our only chance at beating them,” said Guiao. “We need to run.”

LA Tenorio, Greg Slaughter and Japeth Aguilar shot 14 points each to pace the Kings, who wound up with a 6-5 card and could qualify as No. 6 for the quarterfinals at worst.

Team Nos. 3 to 6 will have twice-to-beat privileges over lower-ranked foes in the first phase of the quarterfinals, and Guiao’s remark of this particular phase being risky stems from the fact that those making the second phase will still play KO matches for semifinal berths.

Alaska and Talk ‘N Text will be Nos. 3 and 4 in the event of an expected San Miguel win.

Defending champion Purefoods will be in the bottom half of the standings regardless of the result of its clash with Barako Bull tomorrow as Globalport and Meralco, which both defeated the Star Hotshots, will dispute No. 5.

Meanwhile, NLEX snapped out of a four-game losing spell earlier with a hard-earned 88-80 victory over ousted KIA Motors, which played without head coach Manny Pacquiao.

Asi Taulava fired 19 points and grabbed 14 rebounds for the Road Warriors, who will be No. 8 in the quarterfinals.

The scores:

First Game

NLEX 88—Taulava 19, Canaleta 16, Ramos 11, Villanueva E. 10, Cardona 7, Villanueva J. 7, Borboran 6, Baloria 4, Camson 3, Arboleda H. 3, Lingganay 2, Raymundo 0, Apinan 0.

KIA 80—Cervantes 34, Buensuceso 18, Bagatsing 11, Custodio 5, Thiele 3, Burtscher 3, Poligrates 2, Revilla 2, Pascual 2, Ighalo 0, Dehesa 0, Webb 0, Alvarez 0, Bartolo 0.

Quarters: 21-25, 40-42, 62-57, 88-80

Second Game

RAIN OR SHINE 100—Belga 21, Lee 18, Chan 11, Quinahan 11, Ibanes 9, Uyloan 8, Norwood 8, Cruz Jervy 4, Tiu 3, Arana 3, Cruz Jericho 2, Almazan 2, Tang 0.

GINEBRA 90—Tenorio 14, Slaughter 14, Aguilar 14, Caguioa 10, Mamaril 9, Yeo 9, Reyes 7, Baracael 6, Forrester 5, Brondial 2, Monfort 0, Helterbrand 0.

Quarters: 36-22, 55-41, 84-71, 100-90