PBA: Rain or Shine rattles Petron, books first finals berth

The Rain or Shine Elasto Painters were stellar on both ends of the floor, out-hustling the Petron Blaze Boosters while knocking down clutch shots to take Game 5 of their semifinals series, 97-88, and book the first Finals berth in the PLDT MyDSL 2014 PBA Philippine Cup.

Beau Belga scored 18 points and nine rebounds, while Jeff Chan added 17 points and nine boards. Paul Lee notched 16 points, while Ryan Arana tallied 10 points and five rebounds.

[Related: Guiao fined P100,000, draws game five ban for 'dirty finger']

The Elasto Painters pulled through despite coach Yeng Guiao's absence due to a one-game suspension tonight, in addition to a P100,000 fine levied by commissioner Chito Salud for his "unsavory actions" in previous games in the series. Guiao watched the game from his home in Pampanga, and communicated some halftime advice to the team.

"Pinaalala lang sa amin ni Coach Yeng yung flaws namin nung first half and we made adjustments," said assistant coach Caloy Garcia, who helmed the squad tonight. "We had to make adjustments in the second half because in the first half we were giving up too much layups."

Ultimately, Garcia believes that the Elasto Painters won because of their discipline, regardless of who held the reins. "The system is the system. Kahit sino ang humawak, basta sumunod sa sistema," he said.

Beau Belga ignited Rain or Shine's hot start, scoring six points to open the game with an 8-2 lead. But the Elasto Painters settled for several missed jumpers early in the clock, while Petron went aggressively at the basket. Doug Kramer and Paolo Hubalde notched and-ones, while Arwind Santos had a huge breakaway dunk to seal a 28-16 run to close the first quarter, 31-22.


Rain or Shine trimmed the lead to five in the second quarter, 38-33, on a midrange bucket from Jervy Cruz. The Boosters countered with a 12-5 run, drawing contact inside while forcing transition opportunities, to put up a 50-38 lead with under four minutes to play. Undeterred, the Elasto Painters rallied back, 50-45, after a Jeff Chan corner triple, but Chris Ross replied with under a minute left to maintain a 52-45 halftime lead.

Chan lent his shooting touch during a 14-7 rally that tied the game, 59-59, to kick off the second half. June Mar Fajardo fished an and-one that quelled the run, though, and carried the Boosters' offense for a 69-63 margin. But with pesky defense, the Elasto Painters held Petron without a field goal in the last 2:26, while Gabe Norwood and Belga scored seven points in a 9-0 run to snag the lead after three quarters, 72-69.

Marcio Lassiter kept the Boosters alive in the fourth quarter, trading buckets with Ryan Arana and Norwood. The Boosters couldn't stay ahead by more than one point, while a 10-0 Rain or Shine run, capped by a Belga and-one, made it an 89-80 game with 2:34 remaining.

Santos quickly replied for Petron, but the Boosters were unable to generate stops and prevent Rain or Shine's quick hitters. Santos got Petron within six after hitting a trey, 93-86, with a minute and change left. Rain or Shine scored anew, though, and milked the clock on every possession to formalize their entry into the finals.

The Elasto Painters shot 34-of-80 (42.5 percent) from the floor, and led 17-10 in fastbreak points. The Boosters went 31-of-80 (38.8 percent) from the field.

Arwind Santos led all scorers with 20 points and 13 rebounds. Marcio Lassiter added 18 points and five rebounds, while June Mar Fajardo registered 16 points, 16 rebounds and four blocks. - RAF, GMA News


The scores:

Rain or Shine 97 - Belga 18, Chan 17, Lee 16, Arana 10, Norwood 9, Rodriguez 8, Cruz 6, Quinahan 5, Tang 4, Almazan 2, Nuyles 2, Tiu 0, Teng 0, Ibanes 0

Petron Blaze 88 - Santos 20, Lassiter 18, Fajardo 16, Kramer 8, Cabagnot 8, Hubalde 6, Tubid 5, Ross 4, Lutz 2, Taha 1

Quarter scoring: 22-31, 45-52, 72-69, 97-88