Painters pay tribute to ‘44’ then outsmart Road Warriors

RAIN or Shine’s Jireh Ibañes thwarts an undergoal stab by Asi Taulava of NLEX in last night’s game at Smart Araneta Coliseum. AUGUST DELA CRUZ

MANILA, Philippines—Rain or Shine paid tribute to the heroic Fallen 44 of the Philippine National Police Tuesday night and got the job done on the PBA floor at the same time, scoring a 96-91 victory over NLEX for its first win in the Commissioner’s Cup eliminations at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Paul Lee scored the final six Rain or Shine points inside the last 73 seconds, rescuing the Elasto Painters from a near-implosion at the crunch as they bounced back from a conference-opening defeat to Talk ‘N Text.

With the coaching staff wearing black arm bands and the players wearing black patches with the number 44 on the upper left side of their jerseys, the Painters were all business while getting their message across loud and clear.

“This is not a sign of protest, it’s just our way of paying tribute to the families of those 44 who perished in that unfortunate incident,” Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao, also a congressman from Pampanga, said.

Lee fired 25 points on 8-of-11 field-goal shooting as the Painters picked up the pieces of an 86-89 loss to the Tropang Texters last week.

Rick Jackson performed well for the second straight game for the Painters, shooting 17 points that went with 20 rebounds.

Rain or Shine opened an early 15-2 lead and was in command practically the entire game until the Road Warriors, starring NBA veteran Al Thornton and Rudy Lingganay, got their first taste of the lead, 84-82, on an Asi Taulava basket, time down to 3:20.

Thornton shot 19 of his 28 points in the last two periods.

Meanwhile, newly crowned Philippine Cup champion San Miguel Beer makes its debut at 4:15 p.m. Wednesday against KIA Motors and 7-foot-3 import PJ Ramos, also at the Big Dome.

Talk ‘N Text and Meralco dispute the solo lead in the other game at 7 p.m.

The scores:

First Game

RAIN OR SHINE 96—Lee 25, Jackson 17, Almazan 10, Uyloan 9, Norwood 8, Chan 8, Arana 6, Ibanes 5, Cruz 4, Tang 2, Belga 2, Tiu 0, Quinahan 0.

NLEX 91—Thornton 28, Lingganay 19, Taulava 17, Cardona 7, Borboran 6, Ramos 6, Villanueva J. 4, Canaleta 2, Villanueva E. 2, Hermida 0, Camson 0, Apinan 0, Arboleda 0, Baloria 0, Soyud 0.

Quarters: 25-18, 43-34, 73-65, 96-91