PBA: Rain or Shine uses second half surge, rallies past Powerade in game 1

MANILA, Philippines—Jeff Chan and Paul Lee put on a shooting clinic to help Rain or Shine comeback from a double-digit deficit to repulse Powerade, 114-97, Wednesday night in Game 1 of their PBA Philippine Cup best-of-seven semifinals series at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.

Chan scored a team-high 27 points built around five triples while second overall pick Paul Lee had a career-night with 25 points to go along with six assists and two steals against four errors.

“We kept our poise after that 11-point lead at halftime, the guys were just more committed (in the second half),” said ROS head coach Yeng Guiao.

“This is our objective, to put the pressure on Powerade and get the momentum by winning the first game. But it’s far from over,” Guiao added.

The Elasto Painters, who booted out crowd darling Barangay Ginebra in the quarterfinals, trailed 44-59 to start the third quarter before a more concerted effort at the defensive end got Rain or Shine going as it pounced on an error-prone Powerade with easy baskets.

Lee and Chan combined for 39 of Rain or Shine’s 71-point second half surge.

Gary David, who exploded for 37 points to stun the B-Meg Llamados, notched 30 points but needed 22 shots.

The Tigers started strong behind David’s 17 and Josh Vanlandingham’s 12 markers in the first half.

Powerade though cooled off when in the latter stages while Rain or Shine’s offense began to click.

“We know he (David) is going to score, we just wanted to break the rhythm and the flow of their offense and that happened,” Guiao said.

Despite how his team was able to turn the game around en route to a 17-point triumph, Guiao still believes the series isn’t over.

“This team (Powerade) can explode. JV Casio hasn’t gotten his real game, Marcio Lassiter hasn’t gotten his game. It’s a long series and if they get their game back we’re in trouble,” said Guiao.

Game two will be on Friday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Larry Rodriguez added a double-double of 16 points and 11 rebounds off the bench.

Lee, who also dished out six assists, unleashed 15 points in the fourth alone.

The Elasto Painters just shot 19-of-37 from the stripe.

Marcio Lassiter struggled with two points in 30 minutes while Casio had a quiet 12-point, nine-assist game.