E-Painters inch closer to locking up second seed

Rain or Shine has no intention of giving Petron Blaze any chance for the remaining twice-to-beat incentive.

Locked and loaded from the get-go, the Elasto Painters romped past the fading Barako Bull Energy Cola Friday night via a 106-97 win that cemented their hold of second place in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

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Smarting from a painful 84-89 overtime defeat against pace-setting Alaska last Friday where they blew a big 22-point lead, Rain or Shine immediately buckled down to work then sustained its offensive prowess to gain its ninth win against four defeats, moving one and a half games ahead of third-running Petron (7-5).

The relatively easy victory of the Elasto Painters also paved the way for sister teams Talk ‘N Text and Meralco, both sporting identical 6-6 marks, to the quarterfinals while diminishing the quarterfinals hopes of Barako Bull, which dropped to 4-9, a full game behind Air21 (5-8) for the eighth and final playoff spot.

Towering import Bruno Sundov dominated with 25 points and 15 rebounds while Paul Lee contributed 19 markers and Ryan Aran came off the bench to add 18 for Rain or Shine, which can totally seal the last playoff incentive with another victory against Meralco on Wednesday, the last playing day of the eliminations.

Danny Seigle tallied a team-high 19 points to lead three other local Barako teammates with at least 10 but import DJ Mbenga failed to live up to his billing anew, scattering just nine markers and six boards in 23 minutes of play.

The Energy Cola are now hoping the Express to drop their assignment against the Boosters on Saturday while bidding to gain a much-needed victory against eliminated GlobalPort on Sunday to forge a knockout for the final quarterfinals berth.
 
MVP: After getting hounded by foul woes anew in their tough loss against the Aces, the 7-foot-3 Sundov finally managed to take play honest defense and helped the Painters big time offensively, especially in the decisive third-quarter surge.
The Croatian giant knocked in two of his four triples and added two free throws as Rain or Shine turned a 10-point halftime lead into a commanding 62-41 edge, setting the stage for another cruising win.
 
X-Factors: With top gunner Jeff Chan having another disappointing outing with just four markers, Paul Lee and reserve Ryan Arana took turns in doing the offensive damage for Rain or Shine.
Lee, the former University of the East star, collected 19 markers, six rebounds, four assists and two steals while the La Salle guard came off the bench to fire 18 points built around an efficient 6-of-8 shooting in 25 minutes of play.
 
Game Turning Point: Protecting a 48-38 edge at the break, Rain or Shine hardly gave Barako Bull any chance of getting back in the game during the scorching third-quarter charge, dropping a jarring 14-3 run led by Sundov and enjoying a 23-point bubble off a Jervy Cruz bucket.

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The Energy Cola managed to trim their deficit at 86-96 off a Seigle bucket with 2:18 left but Lee sealed the deal for the Painters with another back-breaking triple.
 
Quotable Quotes:
 
“We were able to push the pace as we had planned. We didn’t want to make the same mistake like we did against Alaska. Our last game is really important to us. We don’t want to go into a playoff. The real advantage is winning 10 games and waiting for our matchup in the quarterfinals. We’re trying to avoid getting into a playoff,” stressed Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao.
 
 

RAIN OR SHINE (106) – Sundov 25, Lee 19, Arana 18, Tiu 12, Cruz 7, Matias 6, Norwood 4, Chan 4, Rodriguez 4, Belga 3, Jaime 2, Quinahan 2, Tang 0, Ibanes 0.

BARAKO BULL (97) – Seigle 19, Pennisi 17, Urbiztondo 12, Maliksi 10, Mbenga 9, Macapagal 8, Intal 6, Monfort 5, Anthony 5, Kramer 4, Cruz 2, Duncil 0.

Quarterscores: 26-14; 48-38; 84-67, 106-97.

SLIDESHOW OF THE GAME: