Video by Noy Morcos lll/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines – There’s no love lost between Alaska and Rain or Shine, not even on Christmas Day.
The Elasto Painters this time, kept their emotions in check and outplayed the Aces down the stretch for a critical 98-91 win to even their rough-and-tumble semifinals series at 2-2 on Thursday night at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Swingman Jeff Chan had the hot hand and he erupted with 25 points on 5-of-10 shooting from the 3-point area for Rain or Shine.
“It’s a good Christmas gifts for ourselves. We struggled for three quarters and we just stayed tough. They had the lead most of the third quarter but we just wanted to win this one to give ourselves a good Christmas gift,” said ROS head coach Yeng Guiao.
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The Painters battled back from 11 points down with Chan connecting from long distance. A free throw by Jonathan Uyloan put Rain or Shine in front, 83-82, before a 3-pointer by Gabe Norwood stretched their lead to seven, 96-89, with 1:29 left.
Game 5 is on Saturday also at the same venue.
“We will try to enjoy what’s ever left of our Christmas. Game 5 is going to be the most crucial game in the series,” Guiao said.
Forward Calvin Abueva got slapped with a disqualifying foul after hitting Uyloan with what seemed to be a closed fist on the chest at the 1:43 mark of the fourth quarter.