Advertisement

Rain or Shine beats Meralco to force sudden death match

Rain or Shine head coach Yeng Guiao challenged his wards to rise up to the challenge and the Elasto Painters certainly heeded the call.

Falling back to its usual sharp form, Rain or Shine got back at Meralco Wednesday night 102-93 to take their best-of-three PBA Commissioners Cup quarterfinals series to a do-or-die showdown at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.

Smarting from a 91-94 setback in the series opener last Monday, the Painters displayed their potent offense from the get-go then fended off the Bolts last-ditch fightback behind their defense to force a decider on Saturday also at the Big Dome.

Import Wayne Chism came through anew with solid numbers of 26 points, seven rebounds, six blocks and five blocks while four local teammates chipped in at least 10 markers for the Painters, who seized control late in the second canto where they uncorked a 14-2 closeout to take a 49-32 cushion at the break.

Then they continued to pour it on in the third canto, leading by as many as 19 points, the first at 57-38.

However, the Bolts, despite the absence of ace wingman Jared Dillinger who went back to the dugout following an awkward fall against a driving Chism early in the third, found a timely lift from veteran sniper Sunday Salvacion, who exploded for 19 points, spiked by five triples.

Salvacion, together with Gary David, Cliff Hodge and import Darnell Jackson, helped Meralco in its initial counterattack that saw them pull within 70-78 early in the fourth canto and within five courtesy of his back-to-back triples with 1:36 left to play.

But the Painters won’t be denied, with Lee knocking down two freebies and rookie Alex Nuyles cruising home for the lay-up off a steal for a 97-88 going to the last 64 seconds.

When the result was already settled and some of the players were already in the dugout, Guiao waited at the baseline and was caught giving some choice words to Hodge, who hit the face of RoS rookie center Raymond Almazan in the closing seconds of the match.

Also glaring in the post-game stats was the 24 turnovers of the Bolts that the Painters translated into 20 precious points.
 
The Main Man: Outplayed by his Meralco counterpart Darnell Jackson the last time out, RoS  import Wayne Chism emerged as the constant force as he sparked with 26 points, seven rebounds, six blocks and five blocks.
 
Honorable Mentions: Backstopping Chism were the likes of Ryan Arana, Gabe Norwood, Jervy Cruz and TY Tang.
 
Game Turning Point: Off a timeout sued by Meralco coach Ryan Gregorio, the Bolts turned the ball over, enabling RoS rookie Alex Nuyles to make an unmolested lay-up that restored their lead to 97-88 with 1:04 left to play.
 
He Said It:
Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao: “We just wanted to comeback strong. Our offense was just secondary. It’s a very physical rugged game. There’s something that needs the attention of the league because it’s gotten out of control sometimes. It’s not only complaining of excessive physicality. We’ll prepare for Saturday. We’re more energetic in this game. Nakatulong ‘yung in-between break. We have two days of rest before Saturday and that's good for us.”
 
The scores:

Rain or Shine 102 – Chism 26, Arana 12, Norwood 11, Cruz 10, Tang 10, Lee 8, Tiu 6, Belga 4, Ibanes 4, Rodriguez 4, Chan 3, Almazan 2, Nuyles 2, Teng 0.

Meralco 93 – Jackson 21, David 19, Salvacion 18, Wilson 9, Hodge 7, Hugnatan 6, Timberlake 4, Dillinger 4, Caram 3, Sena 2, Ildefonso 0, Guevarra 0.

Quarters: 22-18; 49-34; 77-66; 102-93.