PBA: Rain or Shine drubs Air21 for 3rd straight win

(Updated 8:34 p.m.) Yeng Guiao said he wasn't surprised on Rain or Shine's hot start in the PBA's season-ending Governors Cup.

"This is exactly what we prepared for, so far everything is falling into place," said the Elasto Painters' fiery coach after Rain or Shine's 106-92 win over Air21 Wednesday night in the PBA Governors Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

"Nobody relaxes mentally nobody relaxes even if we had a good lead. We achieved what we set out to do. We haven't had a good start like this since the all-Filipino (Conference)," Guiao added.

Jamelle Cornley was again at the forefront of Rain or Shine's offense, but it was Jeff Chan who stole the show as the former Far Eastern University stalwart fired away from three-point range.

Cornley scattered 21 points, while Chan backed him up with 16 markers on 5-of-9 shooting from downtown as the Elasto Painters clinched their third straight win to remain on top of the standings.

Guiao said defense was they key to their win. “I am very happy with the way we defended the Air21 team. Air21 is a deceivingly strong team when you play them, papahirapan ka nila (they'll make things difficult for you).”

"Their (Air21) import was a fantastic scorer he carried his team with his scoring ability. (But our) game plan was to shut down Renren (Ritualo) and Mark Isip. We prepared to defend those two guys."

Air21 reinforcement Zachary Graham tallied a game-high 37 points, while Ritualo and Isip struggled against ROS' suffocating defense to finish with nine and two markers.

Paolo Hubalde was the lone local that scored in double-digits for the Express with 10 points.

Back-to-back three-pointers by Graham and Hubalde gave the Express a 16-8 start but the Painters answered with a closing 15-6 run to post a 23-22 lead after the first period.

The game was tied for the last time at 27-all, early in the second. Rain or Shine enjoyed a 53-46 spread at the turn.

The Painters pulled away for good in the third where they stretched their lead to 20, 84-64, on Chan's rare four-point play. — JVP, GMA News

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