Rain or Shine ends Alaska’s streak, rises to solo 2nd
JR Quinahan vs Dondon Hontiveros, Gabby Espinas and Sonny Thoss. PBA IMAGE by Nuki Sabio
MANILA, Philippines — Rain or Shine burst hot Alaska’s bubble with a 101-93 win Wednesday in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Elastopainters made it rain in the payoff period as Jeff Chan started making his shots, but it was JR Quinahan and Beau Belga who kept the lead in their favor.
“We really prepared on defense, in the late stages of the fourth we were able to breakaway,” said head coach Yeng Guiao.
Rain or Shine rose to solo second at 6-2, and snapped a hot five-game streak of Alaska, after also stopping Meralco in last week’s game.
“Alaska is the hottest team and streaks have to end somewhere. Probably law of averages working for us in this game, said Guiao.
Chan poured 12 points in the first four minutes of the fourth quarter, and after his lay-up, the Elastopainters never allowed Alaska to surge back again.
Alaska, though, disappeared from Rain or Shine’s sight — but timely buckets from Quinahan and Begla made sure they end the night with a victory.
A jumper from Belga with a 1:45 in the clock stretched the lead of Rain or Shine, which trailed 71-77 at the turn of the third to a safe 98-90.
Chan and Quinahan sizzled with 22 and 20 points, respectively, for the Elastopainters, who poured 30 markers in the payoff period alone and threw the Aces’ defense in disarray.
“We win as a team, we lose as a team. Granted we miss on offense but there’s no excuse on defense. We chickened out tonight,” said Alaska mentor Luigi Trillo.
JVee Casio and Cyrgus Baguio had 16 points apiece but Calvin Abueva only had seven markers, his first non-double digit output since he’s debut.
The Aces missed a lot of baskets from the point black range, which didn’t help their cause of trying to regain control in the fourth.
Alaska took its third setback in eight games, and Trillo is welcoming the tough stretch a head as an opportunity to “know yourself as a team.”
