Rain or Shine survives San Miguel, nears semis sweep

Jericho Cruz. PBA IMAGES

Rain or Shine survived the absence of coach Yeng Guiao and a game-winner attempt from Marcio Lassiter to take a gutsy 98-96 Game 2 victory and a 2-0 lead in their best-of-5 semifinals series in the 2016 PBA Commissioner’s Cup Tuesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“We’re lucky na yung tira ni Marcio was late already,” sighed Rain or Shine deputy Caloy Garcia.

Without coach Yeng Guiao, who is in Pampanga attending a congressional debate in his district, the Elasto Painters followed their gameplan to a tee, unleashing a furious fourth quarter to close in on a return trip to the Finals.

But San Miguel clawed its way back from a 95-87 deficit in the last 1:09 with back-to-back treys from Alex Cabagnot and an and-one from Tyler Wilkerson, slicing the deficit to just one, 97-96. Paul Lee the split his freebies, leaving the Beermen with 13.8 ticks to get a shot.

Without any timeouts, San Miguel raced down the court before Cabagnot found Lassiter on the left wing. The misfiring shooter fumbled on the reception before heaving the ball and hitting the off-the-glass triple.

Unfortunately, the video review saw him still holding the ball as the buzzer sounded with Rain or Shine escaping with the win.

Jericho Cruz topscored for Rain or Shine with 16 points, while Pierre Henderson-Niles added a solid contribution of 15 markers and 16 rebounds in the huge win.

Jeff Chan also shot 3-of-6 from threes for 14 points off the bench, while Maverick Ahanmisi filled the stat sheets anew with 10 markers, eight boards, five assists, and a steal.

“I’m overwhelmed because the players played tonight. They followed our gameplan,” Garcia said. “We did what we wanted but we still need to work because we know San Miguel can still get back from a 0-2 hole,” said Garcia. “We can’t be complacent. We still have to work hard.”

The Elasto Painters can sweep the Beermen on Thursday at Philsports Arena.

Wilkerson unleashed a game-high 35 points in the losing effort for San Miguel that went with 18 rebounds and five assists.

Chris Ross chimed in 15 markers, seven assists, and five boards, June Mar Fajardo had 14 points and 14 rebounds, and Cabagnot shot 3-of-8 from threes for 13 markers.

Lassiter’s almost game-winner could have overshadowed his paltry 1-of-11 shooting from the field as his shooting woes continued.

The Scores:

RAIN OR SHINE 98 – Cruz 16, Henderson-Niles 15, Chan 14, Ahanmisi 10, Quinahan 9, Almazan 7, Tiu 7, Lee 6, Belga 5, Ibanes 4, Norwood 3, Ponferrada 2.
SAN MIGUEL 96 – Wilkerson 35, Ross 15, Fajardo 14, Cabagnot 13, Santos 8, David 5, Lassiter 3, Tubid 3, Heruela 0, Reyes 0.

Quarters: 21-28, 45-46, 69-66, 98-96.