Rain or Shine pummels Powerade, evens semis series

(Updated 9:45 p.m.) Rain or Shine bounced back from a heartbreaking Game Three loss and survived another 30-point night by Powerade's Gary David pummeling the Powerade Tigers, 110-95, to even their best-of-seven semifinals series in the 37th PBA Philippine Cup Tuesday night at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum. The Elasto Painters hardly showed the effects of a 104-99 loss two days ago against the same team, burying the Tigers with an avalanche of shots starting the second half to pull away for good and clinch the victory that tied the best-of-seven series at two-games apiece. Game 5 will be on Friday also at the Big Dome. "We just evened the series, it's just back to square one,” said Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao. "It's nice to celebrate the win, but we're just going back to the gym and prepare for a best-of-three." Protecting an eight-point lead at the turn, the Elasto Painters opened the third with a 16-5 run to rip the game apart, 69-50 midway in the period. The Tigers never put a semblance of fight after that as Rain or Shine stretched the lead to its biggest at 86-66 early in the fourth. In all, Rain or Shine torched Powerade with 10 three-pointers, something that the Elasto Painters lack in their overtime loss against the Tigers where they were held to just three baskets from beyond the arc. "I know we have shooters who can get the shots. I don't want them hesitating... if the shot is there take it," said Guiao of his players. Jeff Chan paced the Rain or Shine franchise with 19 points, rookie Paul Lee scored 10 of his 15 markers in the first half, while Gabe Norwood had an 11-11 production in points and rebounds. Gary David had his sixth 30-plus point game with 30 points. His efforts were not good enough to lift the Tigers, who struggled to find their shots for most of the match. "I think pure and simple, Rain or Shine outplayed us,” said Powerade coach Bo Perasol. — JVP, GMA News Scores: