PBA: Jeff Chan shines in overtime as Elasto Painters edge Express

After being named Most Improved Player and Governors' Cup Finals MVP, Rain or Shine Elasto Painter Jeff Chan is showing he hasn't hit the apex of his career yet. The fifth-year pro, who also represented the country as part of Smart Gilas this past offseason, exploded for 35 big points, including the go-ahead basket, that allowed his side to trump the Air21 Express in overtime, 99-98, Friday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. The win put RoS at 2-1 in the standings, while Air21 was unable to make it two wins in a row, falling to 1-2. "We just had to do it the hard way. If we made our free throws, we would have been in a better situation and not go through the overtime, but that's the way it goes. It's part of the game," said Rain or Shine head coach Yeng Guiao. "We're just lucky we got out of that situation and were able to salvage a win." The 2012 Governors' Cup champs were up 75-68 at the end of the third quarter, but the Express' hero from their win over the GlobalPort Batang Pier, John Wilson, drained three triples as part of an 11-0 run at the dawn of the fourth to put his team ahead, 79-75. In response, the Elasto Painters' big men, Beau Belga and JR Quinahan, countered with their own makes from long-range to snatch the lead back. Chan then took over for the team, building a seemingly solid lead of 93-88 with 23.3 seconds left.    The Express weren't finished yet however, as Mark Isip completed a three-point play to put them down by just two, 93-91, with 10 seconds left. Belga was unable to bring back their two possession lead when he split his charities to make it 94-91. With a chance to force overtime, KG Canaleta drained a huge triple, his only of the game, to give the two sides an additional five minutes of play. In the extra period, Nelbert Omolon drew first blood, but after that, the Express had to play catch-up, as the more veteran Elasto Painters took over. A trip to the line by Jervy Cruz put RoS up 97-96, but Canaleta struck back anew. Rain or Shine then went to their moneyman Chan, and his drive inside got it to the final score. Still with 15 seconds to go, Air21 had an opportunity to snatch the win, but Wynne Arboleda could not connect with his jumper. Chan's 35 points came on 11-of-14 shooting from the field, 4-of-5 from downtown. He also had four rebounds and four assists. Jervy Cruz and Gabe Norwood each added 12 points, and a combined 15 rebounds, while Beau Belga and JR Quinahan scored eight apiece. Air21's John Wilson led the team anew, punching in 21 points and nine rebounds before fouling out. KG Canaleta added 13 markers, while Mark Isip came up with a double-double of 12 points and 10 boards. Though the Express shot better from the field, 41.2 percent versus 39 percent, Rain or Shine got to the line more often, converting 30 free throws, while Air21 attempted just 30 all in all. - Renee Fopalan/AMD, GMA News The scores: ROS 99 - Chan 35, Cruz 12, Norwood 12, Belga 8, Quinahan 8, Ibanes 7, Tang 5, Arana 5, Rodriguez 4, Jaime 3, Matias 0. A21 98 -Wilson 21, Canaleta 13, Isip 12, Omolon 11, Arboleda 10, Sena 8, Baclao 8, Escobal 6, Taha 4, Ritualo 3, Atkins 2. Quarter scoring: 18-26, 43-48, 75-68, 94-94, 99-98