Painters avenge Game 1 loss, humble Aces in Game 2
Jonathan Uyloan of Rain or Shine (light) vs of Calvin Abueva Alaska (dark). PBA PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines–Avenging their first game letdown, the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters trumped the Alaska Aces, 102-95, to even their PBA Philippine Cup series at 1-1 Saturday evening at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Even without head coach Yeng Guiao in the first half, the Elasto Painters kicked it in high gear, establishing a 19-point lead, 55-36, to end the second quarter.
Rain or Shine got the artisan’s touch in building the massive lead with a 15-3 dash with Gabe Norwood hitting a wide-open three-pointer in transition with 27.9 seconds remaining in the first half.
Painters assistant coach Caloy Garcia said head coach Yeng Guiao allowed him to take the reins as momentum swung heavily in favor of Rain or Shine.
“When he arrived, he told me that I should just continue,” Garcia said as they avenged their 87-80 Game 1 loss to the Aces on Thursday. “Still it was a total team effort from the coaches and players.”
Garcia added that what Guiao did the most was to rotate the players coming in and out of the playing court.
Guiao arrived in the second half after getting stuck in the dreaded Christmas rush traffic.
When the Aces came knocking in the fourth to cut the Painters’ lead to six, 84-90, the duo of Paul Lee and JR Quiñahan did not allow their advantage dissipate.
Lee hit a stone cold three-pointer and Quiñahan notched a baby hook off a nifty shoulder fake that sent Eric Menk looking at the crowd and put the boards at 95-85.
Garcia said that their early surge proved deadly as Alaska eventually faltered due to their conference-worst 25 turnovers.
“We put a lot of effort in the beginning and that was the difference,” Garcia said. “In the end we were able to settle down.”
Jervy Cruz led the Painters with a 19-point 12-rebound double-double with Jonathan Uyloan adding 18 points including four three-pointers.
Norwood and Lee added 15 and 13 points respectively.
Menk led the Aces with 18 points and seven rebounds with Vic Manuel contributing 17 points and nine boards.
“The Beast” Calvin Abueva was held to human-like numbers of 12 points and seven boards.
Box scores:
RAIN OR SHINE 102 – Cruz 19, Uyloan 18, Norwood 15, Lee 13, Almazan 10, Chan 7, Arana 7, Quinahan 6, Ibanes 5, Belga 2, Tang 0.
ALASKA 95 – Menk 18, Manuel 17, Baguio 14, Abueva 12, Banchero 8, Casio 8, Hontiveros 7, Thoss 3, Exciminiano 3, Jazul 3, Dela Cruz 2, Eman 0, Dela Roza 0.
RELATED STORIES
Alaska draws first blood in semis series vs Rain or Shine
RAIN OR SHINE ELASTO PAINTERS VS. ALASKA ACES – DEC. 18, 2014
