Andre Emmet and Wendell McKines. INQUIRER.net PHOTO/Tristan Rafael Tamayo
RAIN or Shine extended its winning streak to six following a 96-89 win over Meralco to secure a twice-to-beat edge in the 2015 PBA Governors’ Cup Sunday night at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Elasto Painters played catchup for two and a half quarters before they found their rhythm and were able to take control late behind their hardworking import Wendell McKines.
McKines scored 26 points and had 13 rebounds with two blocks to boot for the Painters, whose conference has taken a 360 turn after losing four of their first five games.
“We did not have Gabe for this game. He attended a brother’s wedding. We needed him badly to defend the import on the other side and we encountered some problems because our next best defender or arguably our best defender Jireh Ibañes was ejected for a flagrant 2 foul which I felt wasn’t right,” said ROS head coach Yeng Guiao.
“We just toughed it up especially in the end game. They had a good game plan and they gave Wendell a hard time in the post. But it’s just the tenacity, the intensity of our import. He’s contagious. He works so hard,” Guiao said of McKines.
Rain or Shine went on a 17-6 run in the fourth quarter to pull away from Meralco with the Painters getting contributions from several players. Jeff Chan made two 3-pointers during that key stretch, McKines completed a 3-point play, Paul Lee scored on a beeline drive and Beau Belga also played a significant role in the game to rout Meralco, 89-78, with 2:12 left.
The Bolts needed a win to stay in contention for the top four and were very determined to accomplish their goal. They kept the Painters at bay for the most part but just couldn’t hang on to it.
Andre Emmet had 33 points, 13 rebounds and six assists for Meralco, which dropped to 5-5 and is in a must-win situation against Kia on Wednesday to avoid any complications.
Things got testy between the two teams. ROS swingman Jireh Ibañes got ejected after taking a whack at Emmet while trying to stop him on a fastbreak play with under 30 seconds left in the second quarter.
Also during the second quarter, Painters guard Chris Tiu and Bolts enforcer Kelly Nabong crashed into the Meralco bench while going for the loose ball. A commotion ensued with Guiao approaching the Bolts bench and getting into a verbal war with the opposing coaches. Meralco guard/forward Jared Dillinger was called for a technical foul.