Paul Lee delivers as Rain or Shine survives GlobalPort's late rally

Steely down the stretch, Rain or Shine averted a big meltdown and held off a late-charging GlobalPort on Friday night to a hard-earned 104-98 victory in the PBA Commissioners Cup at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.

The Elasto Painters, banking on an airtight defense in the third canto, seized control and even built a lead as big as 18 points at 76-58 but were still pushed to the limit by the Batang Pier, who mightily clawed their way back behind top guards Terrence Romeo and Stanley Pringle and pulled within three twice in the final two minutes.

Good thing for Rain or Shine, reserve guard Jonathan Uyloan buried a dagger of a triple over the outstretched arms of GlobalPort defender Denok Miranda, beating the 24-second shot clock, while shooting guard Paul Lee proved steady from the foul line, hitting his last six free throws inside the last 50 ticks to hold off the Batang Pier.

More importantly, the Elasto Painters gained a fitting follow-up to their 96-91 win over NLEX last Tuesday while dealing the Batang Pier a second straight setback following a 70-83 shellacking at the hands of defending champion Purefoods Star last week.

The 6-foot Lee finished with a team-high 25 markers for the second straight time, highlighted by five triples, while import Richard Jackson banged in another double-double outing of 16 points and 18 rebounds that enabled Rain or Shine to improve its mark to 2-1, tying idle Talk ’N Text at the fourth spot.

Import CJ Leslie dished out a brilliant performance of 29 points and 18 rebounds but it was Romeo—who finished with 29 markers—and his backcourt mate Pringle who took up the cudgels in their searing fightback.

After sizing up each other in the first half, the Painters tightened up their defensive screws and made life miserable for the Batang Pier, preventing them from making a field goal while scoring 14 unanswered points that turned a one-point lead to a 71-56 cushion.

Rain or Shine, courtesy of a Raymond Almazan split, stretched its lead to as high of 76-58 early in the payoff canto and seemed headed for a cruising finish.

But GlobalPort showed some signs of life behind Pringle and back-up center Mark Isip before Romeo and Leslie joined the fray, enabling them to come within three at 88-91 with 1:32 left to play.

However, Uyloan doused cold water on the Batang Pier with a clutch triple—his only made shot in three tries—then Lee scored six on the team’s next eight points—all from the charity tripe—to keep their lead at five at 103-98 with 17.1 seconds to play.

The Main Man: For the second straight time, Paul Lee delivered big-time for the Painters with 25 points, even hitting all of his 10 tries from the 15-foot line.

Honorable Mention: Sharing the limelight with Lee was reserve guard Uyloan, who hit a badly-needed triple that swung the momentum back on the Rain or Shine going to the last 67 seconds.

Game Turning Point: The Batang Pier appeared on the verge of completing their fightback from 18 points down as they pulled within three at 88-91 but Uyloan saved the day for the Painters with a shotclock-beating triple over Miranda going to the critical juncture.

Stat of the Game: Proving he’s a clutch guard, Paul Lee knocked down all of his 10 tries from the foul line, including six in the last 60 seconds. He also had a five triples.

He Said It:
Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao: GlobalPort played a really good game. It was difficult to put them away. I thought at times we’d win with some comfort but they just kept coming back even in the last few possessions. They’re starting to mature, they’re starting to learn how to cope with adversity. They forced us to struggle and I thought they had a lot of individual players who could break the defense on their own. Romeo gave us problems in the match-ups. I just feel that you cant keep testing yourself, you’ve got to win comfortable games.

The scores:
Rain or Shine 104 -- Lee 25; Jackson 16, Cruz 10, Chan 9, Belga 9, Tang 8, Uyloan 7, Norwood 7, Arana 6, Almazan 3, Tiu 2, Quinahan 2, Ibanes 0.

Globalport 98 -- Leslie 29; Romeo 29, Pringle 16, Isip 8, Buenafe 4, Ponferada 4, Miranda 3, Jensen 3, Semerad 1, Taha 1, Caperal 0, Pinto 0, Baclao 0.
Quarterscores: 27-20; 53-52; 75-58; 104-98.

Next Games:
GlobalPort versus Alaska on Feb. 10 at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum

Rain or Shine versus Meralco on Feb. 10 at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum