Rain or Shine rips Purefoods

Rain or Shine turned up the heat in the second half last night and snapped Purefoods’ four-game winning streak via a 78-71 decision in a Petron Saturday Special game of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup eliminations at Dipolog Sports Center in Dipolog.

Paul Lee turned 26 and celebrated in style, shooting three triples in the second half to finish with 18 as the Elasto Painters put the first blemish on the card of defending champion Star Hotshots and rose to 3-2.

Beau Belga also shone on both ends, hitting a triple that beat the 24-second shot clock which made it 78-69. He also put the clamps on Purefoods import Daniel Orton in the second half.

Orton, after an impressive debut last week, was on the way to another monster game before Belga starved him to just eight points in the second half.

Import Rick Jackson had 12 points and 15 rebounds for the Painters, who hit 11 triples for the night.

Meanwhile, Meralco shoots for a fifth straight win and keep its franchise-best start going when the Bolts slug it out with Globalport today at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.

That game is slated at 3 p.m. before Barangay Ginebra guns for a third straight win against Talk ‘N Text in the 5:15 p.m. contest.

The Scores:
RAIN OR SHINE 78—Lee 18, Chan 12, Jackson 12, Belga 10, Norwood 7, Tiu 6, Arana 6, Uyloan 3, Tang 2, Quinahan 2, Almazan 0, Cruz 0.
PUREFOODS 71—Orton 23, Barroca 11, Maliksi 9, Mallari 7, Devance 6, Melton 6, Pingris 4, Pennisi 3, Yap 1, Taha 1, Reavis 0.
Quarters: 18-20, 38-40, 60-53, 78-71.