Rain or Shine nips Meralco despite horrible 3-point shooting

Jamine Cornley of Rain or Shine Elastopainters and Mario West of Meralco Bolts. PBA IMAGES

MANILA, Philippines — Rain or Shine leaned on its clutch freethrow shooting as it nipped Meralco, 81-77, Friday in the 2012 PBA Governors Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The last five points of the Elastopainters, who notched their fifth victory in six outings, came from the stripe and those carried them out of a seesaw fourth quarter against the Bolts.

Lee delivered three of the last five points as he finished with 16 points and four rebounds for Rain or Shine, which got the victory despite going 0-of-14 from outside.

Import Jamelle Cornley, who knocked down a crucial jumper with 1:31 left, scattered 21 points along with 10 rebounds.

The Elastopainters also thrived in such defense-oriented match and held Meralco’s import David West to just two points in the fourth quarter.

Meralco was even leading 71-67 with under four minutes to go, but wasn’t able to keep up with Rain or Shine offensively with West struggling from the field.

West, who scored 23 points and got 10 rebounds for the Bolts, missed on two consecutive attempts in the final 30 seconds which doomed Meralco for good.

Meralco, on the other hand, claimed its fourth loss in six starts.