E-Painters turn back Gin Kings

RAIN or Shine’s Gabe Norwood grabs the ball from an elevating Greg Slaughter of Ginebra in last night’s game. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO / NUKI SABIO, PBA

BIÑAN, Laguna—It was a lot less than a 51-point victory, but Rain or Shine still looked as dominant against yet another formidable opponent.

With Paul Lee leading the way, the Elasto Painters demolished crowd-darling Barangay Ginebra in the second half to post a 117-108 victory last night and sustain their pursuit of the PBA Governors’ Cup leaders at Alonte Sports Arena here.

Lee drained two triples late in the third period and anchored the Rain or Shine breakaway, finishing with 12 points for the quarter as the Painters used leads of as large as 17 points early in the fourth to win with plenty to spare.

Coming off a 123-72 rout of Alaska three nights before, the Painters have now won their last three games to rise to 4-3, now just half a game out of second place jointly held by sister teams the Gin Kings, idle San Mig Coffee and San Miguel Beer and Air21.

Meanwhile, Allen Durham debuted with a triple-double of 32 points, 24 rebounds and 10 assists as Barako Bull arrested a five-game slide by ripping Globalport apart, 112-98, to stay in the playoff hunt.

Barako Bull rose to 2-5 and into a tie for eighth spot with idle Meralco, while the Batang Pier lost a fifth straight game and are alone in the cellar with a 1-6 record.

Talk ‘N Text (5-1) now has a clearer shot at the No. 1 spot— and the lightest quarterfinal- round assignment—going into the final week of the elimination round after Ginebra failed in its bid to reclaim a tie for top spot.

Lee finished with 24 points. But he wasn’t done even after towing the Painters to an 83-73 lead at the end of the third quarter.

Lee also provided the clutch hits in the stretch when the Kings tried to rally from a 77-94 deficit.

After Ginebra came within 98-106 courtesy of an LA Tenorio triple, Lee drove and launched a floating layup off the glass over the outstretched arms of the 7-foot Greg Slaughter for a 10-point lead with 2:48 left.

The Kings scored four straight points, before Lee hit a triple—also off the glass—that made it 111-102 heading into the last 1:50.

Import Arizona Reid also had a big offensive night with 31 points and Jeff Chan added 18 and Beau Belga 12 for the Painters.

“We shot the ball well,” said Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao. “It’s been a long time since all three of them clicked at the same time.

The scores:

First Game

BARAKO 122—Durham 32, Miranda 20, Intal 14, Thiele 13, Jensen 12, Miller 9, Pennisi 5, Custodio 4, Fortuna 3, Isip 2, Lastimosa 2, Salva 2, Marcelo 2, Najorda 2, Wilson 0.

GLOBALPORT 98—Romeo 22, Lowhorn 17, Washington 15, Cabagnot 13, Menk 9, Macapagal 8, Garcia 5, Buenafe 4, Ponferada 4, Yee 1, Lingganay 0, Hayes 0, Salvador 0.

Quarters:  38-20, 59-47, 92-69, 122-98

Second Game

RAIN OR SHINE 117—Reid 31, Lee 24, Chan 18, Belga 12, Cruz 8, Norwood 6, Arana 5, Tang 3, Almazan 2, Teng 2, Uyloan 2, Rodriguez 2, Ibanes 2, Nuyles 0, Tiu 0.

GINEBRA 108—Mason 25, Slaughter 20, Tenorio 13, Helterbrand 12, Caguioa 11, Ellis 11, Aguilar 10, Baracael 4, Reyes 2, Mamaril 0.

Quarters: 30-30, 53-55, 83-73, 117-108