PBA: Cruz, Chan connect to lift Rain or Shine past Alaska in Davao

Jervy Cruz had 12 points and 12 boards while Jeff Chan rung in four treys, as the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters defeated the Alaska Aces, 87-74, on Sunday at the University of Southeastern Philippines gym in Davao City, in the Mindanao leg of the 2013-14 PBA Philippine Cup opening day slate.

The Elasto Painters, runners-up in last season's tourney, established a 15-point advantage at the half and never looked back, pushing the lead to as much as 20 points in the third.

Rain or Shine found various ways to score to start the game, 10-6, as Cyrus Baguio carried Alaska. Calvin Abueva and Aldrech Ramos teamed up to cut the lead to two, before the RoS defense yielded a steal and a layup for Gabe Norwood, 16-12.

It was then Jervy Cruz' turn to get some points, as coach Yeng Guiao's squad established a 20-14 lead. After a Gabby Espinas and one, two rookies, Alex Nuyles and Ryan Buenafe, exchanged baskets. A Larry Rodriguez deuce then had Rain or Shine leading 24-18 after one.

After struggling to connect from long range, Alaska finally got one to go thanks to Dondon Hontiveros' reply to a Jeric Teng trey. RJ Jazul then joined the perimeter party, reeling the Aces to within three, 29-26. The two teams continued with the exchange, as Beau Belga and Jeric Teng countered makes from Hontiveros and Calvin Abueva. Soon after, Jeff Chan connected twice from deep, as Jervy Cruz and Jayvee Casio scored, 45-34, still for RoS.

A JR Quiñahan triple gave RoS their then biggest lead of the game to end the first half, 49-34.

Baskets from Baguio, followed by a Sonny Thoss throwdown, cut the Rain or Shine lead to 11 early in the third. There was a stoppage of play soon after, as Jireh Ibañes and Calvin Abueva got into a semi-scuffle. With Norwood connecting inside and out, the Elasto Painters were able to establish a 14-point spread, before Chan poured it on, draining triples for a 20-point lead, 68-48.

Down 18 to start the final quarter, Alaska tried to mount a comeback as Hontiveros and Jazul scored, 70-56. Triples from Casio and Baguio cut the lead to 10 with less than two minutes remaining. A Ryan Buenafe basket ayer further into their deficit, reducing it to nine after a Ryan Araña put-back, but the Aces lost steam in the end, handing the win to Rain or Shine. - AMD, GMA News


The scores:

Rain or Shine 87 – Chan 17, Rodriguez 13, Cruz 12, Quinahan 9, Norwood 8, Ibanes 6, Belga 5, Teng 5, Arana 4, Lee 4, Nuyles 4, Matias 0

Alaska 74 – Baguio 17, Casio 10, Hontiveros 10, Espinas 8, Abueva 7, Ramos 7, Buenafe 5, Jazul 5, Thoss 3, Avenido 2, Eman 0, Dela Cruz 0

Quarter-scoring: 24-18, 48-39, 70-52, 87-74