PBA: Rain or Shine beats TNT, ends elims with just one loss

The Rain or Shine Elasto Painters relied on defense in the endgame as Jamelle Cornley blocked Ranidel de Ocampo's attempt to send the game into overtime, to come out on top of the Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters, 92-90, Sunday at the Smart Araneta Center, giving them a league-best 8-1 record in the elimination round of the 2012 PBA Governors' Cup,

"We really need to bring out our class A game against a class A team," said Rain or Shine head coach Yeng Guiao after the game. "It's a satisfying win; it's a win against the best team in the league the past few years.

"TNT has nothing to prove. Our team needs to prove that we're a defender not a pretender."

The two teams started out strong, with Talk n' Text slightly edging out the Elasto Painters in first quarter, 28-27.

A Larry Fonacier three to start the second quarter ignited a shootout, with Paul Lee and Ryan Reyes hitting three three-pointers each. Jeff Chan briefly gave Rain or Shine the lead with his step-back jumper, 46-45, but Talk n' Text quickly recovered to regain the lead heading to the halftime break, 51-46.


The three-point shooting contest carried on to the third quarter, as Jimmy Alapag and JR Quinahan hit five long bombs combined, as Talk n' Text hung on to a one point lead heading into the fourth, 68-67.

A lay-up by Jeff Chan had Rain or Shine up 78-70, capping off an 11-2 run to race past the Texters early in the fourth. Paul Harris' turnaround shot, followed by back-to-back hits by Kelly Williams pulled Talk 'N Text closer, 78-76, but Lee would dish out timely hits to ensure that Rain or Shine remained on top by at least four points, 82-78.

Jayson Castro would respond for the Texters, as "The Blur" hit five straight to haul his team get ahead, 83-82, but the Texters left a wide open Paul Lee to take a three at the other end, 85-83, with two minutes remaining.

Jayson Castro's jumper off a pick tied the game up at 85-all, before Jamelle Cornley flipped one over Kelly Williams, 87-85.

With a minute remaining, Cornley would follow that up by sinking two crucial free throws to put RoS up, 89-85. Two free throws by Castro made it 89-87, but Cornley hit again on a drive, 91-87.

With 14.7 seconds remaining, Castro's three point attempt fell short, but the long rebound went to the hands of a wide-open Fonacier who converted on a trey, 91-90.

Forced to foul, Jeff Chan was then sent to the line by Williams with 3.1 seconds remaining. Chan split his freethrows, leaving Talk n' Text with an opportunity to tie or win the game, 92-90.

With 2.1 seconds left, Harris found De Ocampo open in the shaded area, but three Rain or Shine defenders quickly recovered to bother his shot. Cornley would come up with a crucial block, while the ball bounced away as time expired.


Cornley posted 19 points, to go with six rebounds and four assists to lead the Rain or Shine scoring brigade. Rookie Paul Lee returned from a shoulder injury to score 18 and dish out five assists, while Jeff Chan and Jervy Cruz added 14 and 11 markers, respectively.

Jayson Castro led all scorers with 25 points, along with six rebounds, four assists and a steal.

TNT import Paul Harris and Ryan Reyes scored 11 each, while Kelly Williams and Larry Fonacier both compiled 10 markers in separate 27-minute stints.

Both teams took 29 three-pointers, but TNT's 12 was two more than Rain or Shine's. The Tropang Texters also out-rebounded their less heralded foe, but the Elasto Painters preyed on Talk 'N Text's turnovers, scoring 29 points off their 20 miscues.

Talk 'N Text managed just 11 turnover points off 12 turnovers by the Elasto Painters, in contrast.

The win gave Rain or Shine a commanding 8-1 record, which is sure to come in handy as their win-loss slate carries over in the round robin semifinals stage. Talk 'N Text on the other hand fell to 5-4, tied with the Petron Blaze Boosters and the Barangay Ginebra Kings.

Last conference's champs, the B-MEG Llamados, assumed second place with a 6-3 card. - AMD, GMA News


The scores:

Rain or Shine 92 - Cornely 19, Lee 18, Chan 14, Cruz 11, Norwood 9, Belga 7, Quinahan 6, Tang 2, Arana 2, Buenafe 2, Ibanes 2.

Talk 'N Text 90 - Castro 25, Harris 11, Reyes 11, Williams 10, Fonacier 10, Alapag 8, Aban 5, De Ocampo 4, Peek 4, Aguilar 2.

Quarter scoring: 27-28, 46-51, 67-68, 92-90