Alaska grabs 2-1 lead over Rain or Shine

RAIN OR SHINE slasher Ryan Araña gets sandwiched by Vic Manuel (left) and Tony dela Cruz of Alaska on his way to the basket in last night’s Game 3 at Mall of Asia Arena. AUGUST DELA CRUZ

Calvin Abueva fired a career-high 28 points on Rain or Shine last night, doing a lot of the hard work underneath that helped Alaska churn out a 94-78 victory for a 2-1 lead in their Final Four series in the PBA Philippine Cup at Mall of Asia Arena.

The former Rookie of the Year also plucked down 14 rebounds and scored 12 of his points in the fourth period where Alaska snuffed every rally that the Elasto Painters tried to come up with.

In moving within two more victories of making the championship, the Aces started out hot for the first time, holding the Elasto Painters to just 27 points at the half to take a 15-point lead into the third period.

Rain or Shine would never come closer than eight points the rest of the way as the Painters shot a woeful 33 percent from the field. The Painters made just 5-of-30 three-point tries, the strong point of their game.

Eric Menk, the former MVP, also completed a double-double with 13 points and 10 boards with Cyrus Baguio and JV Casio shooting 11 apiece.

Game 4 of this series is slated at 4 p.m. on Christmas Day, and for all intents and purposes, it will be a do-or-die game for the Painters.

In the other semifinal, San Miguel Beer guns for a commanding 3-0 lead over Talk ‘N Text at 7 tonight, also at MOA Arena.

Earlier in the day, PBA Commissioner Chito Salud said he won’t fine Talk ‘N Text coach Jong Uichico for comments made about officiating after the second loss of the Texters Sunday. Salud noted that Uichico’s statements were not directed at the league, but at the San Miguel group, where he used to coach.

The multititled Uichico, who won all his eight championships coaching SMC teams, had remarked that his Texters will have a hard time getting favorable calls when playing against a San Miguel squad.

Rain or Shine gave up a total of 15 offensive rebounds, at least four of them coming in the fourth period during the stretch where the last of the Painters’ rallies was extinguished.

Guards RJ Jazul and Chris Banchero had a follow-up one after the other that opened up the fourth quarter for Alaska, 69-57, before Abueva scored two straight buckets that made it 80-68 later on.

“I thought our defense was really good,” Alaska coach Alex Compton said. “That has been the key for us this conference.”

Raymond Almazan scored 20 points to lead all Rain or Shine shooters.

Also not helping Rain or Shine’s bid one bit was the ejection of coach Yeng Guiao and starting center Beau Belga one after the other in the third for second technical fouls.