MANILA, Philippines—Coach Yeng Guiao didn’t regret sitting out most of Rain Or Shine’s recent conquest that solidified its hold of the lead in the PBA Philippine Cup Friday night.
Guiao was ejected late in the second quarter but it merely fired up Rain Or Shine to a 96-75 rout of the Shopinas.com Clickers at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Jeff Chan found himself in a zone, sinking 17 of his career-high 28 points in a third-quarter breakaway that set up the E-Painters to a third straight blowout victory in a 6-1 card.
After crushing the Alaska Aces by 36 points and the Meralco Bolts by 44, Rain or Shine wound up with an average winning margin of 33.5 points in its last three games.
“We’re looking to contend in the top five but we didn’t expect to be No. 1,” said Guiao, who was thrown out for the second time in three games.
With 3:12 remaining in the second period and the E-Painters ahead, 36-34, Guiao was ejected after nudging Ogie Menor at the sidelines when the Shopinas forward taunted the ROS bench following a three-pointer.
Menor, penalized for unsportsmanlike behavior and taunting B-Meg players on Wednesday, escaped ejection despite the technical.
Guiao was also thrown out against the Aces after getting a pair of technicals.
The scores:
RAIN OR SHINE 96—Chan 28, Buenafe 12, Cruz 11, Quinahan 9, Lee 7, Belga 6, Rodriguez 5, Arana 5, Uyloan 4, Norwood 3, Matias 2, Jaime 2, Ibanes 2.
SHOPINAS.COM 75—Sena 15, Menor 14, Canlas 8, Espiritu 8, Sison 6, Jazul 4, Aquino 4, Hubalde 4, Se 4, Ritualo 4, Mirza 2, Duncil 2, Hermida 0, Daa 0.
Quarters: 17-19, 43-39, 70-49, 96-75