PBA IMAGE/ Nuki Sabio
MANILA, Philippines – Rain or Shine gave Barangay Ginebra a big dose of its never-say-die medicine Friday night, scoring 43 fourth quarter points before prevailing, 112-105, in overtime to take a 1-0 lead in their best-of-three PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinal series.
After scoring just 33 first half points and trailing by 17 with just over nine minutes left in regulation, the Elasto Painters rode super rookie Paul Lee’s fourth quarter heroics before finishing the job in extension to stun a pro-Ginebra crowd at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“We came back from the jaws of hell,” coach Yeng Guiao told reporters. “I thought it was a lost game. For a young team, we played with a lot of maturity in this game.
“I don’t know what the probabilities are (of clinching the series),” added Guiao. “But I am sure that it’s more than 50 percent. Hopefully, we can win one more game because Ginebra is going to come back, I’m sure.”
The Rain or Shine comeback came on the heels of Alex Cabagnot superlative performance in the first game where he led Petron Blaze to a 91-84 decision of Meralco for a similar 1-0 lead.
JR Quiñahan topscored for the Painters with 21 points that went with 11 rebounds before fouling out, and Lee finished with 19, all but three coming in the fourth period and in the extra five minutes.
Mark Caguioa paced the Gin Kings with 25 points and JC Intal had 16 in just 23 minutes before being kept on the bench in the fourth period when the Painters were making a run.
The fiery Cabagnot completed rare four-point plays in succession in less than 50 seconds to break the game’s last tie at 68 and give the Boosters complete command of the game.
“He always takes charge,” Petron coach Ato Agustin said of his prized point guard whom he later described as a work nut.
“This (1-0 lead) is big because it is such a short series.
“But we have to think of it not as 1-0 on Wednesday (in Game 2),” he continued. “We have to focus on the task at hand.”
The winner of the series will advance against Talk ‘N Text in a best-of-seven semifinal series.
Cabagnot, a southpaw who was held to just four points in the first three periods before scoring 10 in the fourth, had his
last basket—a right-handed layup after dusting off Sol Mercado with a wicked crossover—with just 1:30 left for 88-80.
Denok Miranda also shone in the fourth, shooting six straight markers via a three-point basket and a three-point play off Chico Lanete before that dazzling Cabagnot layup iced the game.
“We prepared well for them,” Agustin said. “And we were able to execute our game plan, especially on defense.”
Petron came up with a hard-nosed effort on the defensive end and the Boosters were able to shut down Mac Cardona to just 12 points and force Mercado, who had 18 for Meralco, to miss a bundle of his attempts.
Chris Lutz returned from a hamstring injury to shoot 18 points for the Boosters, who were led by Arwind Santos’ 19 points and 12 rebounds.
Meanwhile, the pro league, through its board of governors, will donate P100,000 to the Gawad Kalinga on Wednesday as its Christmas gift to its Alagang PBA partner program.
The scores:
First Game
PETRON 91—Santos 19, Lutz 18, Cabagnot 14, Reyes 12, Miranda 11, Yeo 9, Sharma 4, Ildefonso 4, Doruelo 0, Baclao 0, Tugade 0.
MERALCO 84—Mercado 18, Espinas 13, Cardona 12, Isip 10, Taulava 9, Yee 7, Borboran 6, Timberlake 2, Macapagal 2, Omolon 2, Hugnatan 2, Lanete 1.
Quarters: 17-22, 40-40, 63-60, 91-84
Second Game
RAIN OR SHINE 112—Quiñahan 21, Lee 19, Chan 14, Arana 12, Rodriguez 11, Belga 9, Norwood 7, Tang 7, Cruz 5, Matias 4, Ibanes 3, Buenafe 0.
BRGY. GINEBRA 105—Caguioa 25, Intal 16, Canaleta 16, Villanueva 16, Cortez 15, Wilson W. 9, Labagala 4, Mamaril4, Maliksi 0, Wilson J. 0.
Quarters: 20-20, 33-44, 56-69, 99-99, 112-105