PBA: Lee hits game-winner as Rain or Shine claims game one versus San Mig Coffee

(Updated 10:56pm) Gabe Norwood inbounded the ball to a streaking Paul Lee with 1.6 seconds remaining as the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters defeated the San Mig Super Coffee Mixers, 83-80, in Game 1 of the 2014 Philippine Cup finals on Friday at the Araneta Coliseum.

Prior to that, San Mig Coffee had a chance to win with the shot clock turned off, but called another timeout at 8.7 seconds to draw up a final play. Mark Barroca plunged into the lane for a potential game-winner but his shot fell short, returning the ball to the Elasto Painters with 1.6 seconds left.

Rain or Shine called a timeout to advance the ball, and freed up Paul Lee for an alley-oop with 0.9 seconds to spare. The Mixers called a timeout despite having none left, giving Lee a chance to hit a technical free throw, 83-80. San Mig Coffee was forced to inbound from beneath Rain or Shine's basket and were unable to get a prayer off in time to beat the buzzer.

Beau Belga and Jervy Cruz each had 15 points to lead Rain or Shine, who had seven players scoring at least six points. Lee himself finished with six points, and shook off a largely forgettable 1-of-8 shooting performance.

As usual, coach Yeng Guiao said the game came down to luck for his team. "We set up the play for Jeff [Chan] in the corner but Paul got open. It was good recognition for Gabe to get him the ball," he said. "This is how the series will run its course. There will be close games, exciting games, and it'll be fun all the way."

Guiao said winning the first game gives them an advantage, at least in terms of setting the tone for the series. "Winning the first game just gives you the adjustment advantage," he explained. "It gives you the chance to dictate the matter in which the series is going to be played. It's important to keep the game fast. The longer this series takes I think the more advantage we have."

However, it wasn't as if the game was completely out of San Mig Coffee's hands. They made just 15-of-30 (50 percent) free throws, despite conceding  a 9-of-15 (75 percent) clip from the free throw line to the Elasto Painters the entire game.

Both teams warmed up slowly, but a bevy of blocks and transition chances helped Rain or Shine lead early on, 10-4. The Elasto Painters' physical defense came at a price, though, and the fouls let the Mixers capitalize from the line to trim the deficit, 20-15, at the end of the first period.

Solid defensive play kept the scores low in the second quarter. San Mig Coffee cut the lead to two, 22-20, on split free throws by Joe Devance. But they suffered a lack of quality shots as the Elasto Painters pulled away during a 10-5 stretch, with Larry Rodriguez and Beau Belga combining for eight points, 32-25.


With under four minutes to play in the first half, the Mixers' veterans checked back in to resuscitate their flagging offense. This time, Marc Pingris and PJ Simon tore up the paint with 10 points in a 12-5 rally. Pingris converted a layup as time expired to knot the score after two quarters, 37-37.

San Mig Coffee took their first lead of the game during the third period, 43-42, on a Simon fast break layup. Rain or Shine retook the lead, though, driven by their midrange game, but the Mixers stayed close by creating mismatches for Devance in the low post, 54-53.

The pace quickened in the last two minutes, and San Mig Coffee took advantage. Mark Barroca scored four of their last six points, sinking a floater at the buzzer to trail 60-59.

No shot went unanswered in the early part of the fourth quarter, as both teams went at the basket hard. However, the Mixers pulled away with a 9-2 run as Rain or Shine struggled to contain Simon and Mallari, 76-70.

Belga cut to the rim with four minutes left, ending a three-minute dry spell for the Elasto Painters. And as if on cue, Jeff Chan followed it up with back-to-back three-pointers, 78-76, with 2:39 left. San Mig Coffee took a while to counter, blanking thrice, before James Yap tied the game on a jumper from the right wing. Another defensive stop allowed Yap to drill another one from the same spot, 80-78, with 34 seconds left.

Rain or Shine called timeout, and Jervy Cruz cleaned up a missed Chan trey to level the score, 80-80.

After the game, coach Tim Cone rued those two timeouts he called, and took responsibility for the loss. "I allowed them to see the matchups out there on the floor. I never do that, I shouldn't have done that. So I'm gonna kick my hind in tonight and stay up all night," he said.

"Yeng made a brilliant play down the stretch, just a brilliant play, and that was totally on me. But they gave me a chance to win it, gave me a chance to help them win it, and I couldn't help them in the end," he said.

Rain or Shine made 34-of-78 (43.6 percent) from the field, while the Mixers were 32-of-78 (41 percent). San Mig Coffee led on the boards, 55-44, including 20-10 offensive, which produced an 18-11 margin in second-chance points.

Joe Devance led all scorers with 17 points and 10 rebounds. Marc Pingris had 13 points, 12 rebounds and six assists. PJ Simon logged 13 points and nine rebounds, while James Yap had 12 points and five rebounds. - RAF, GMA News


The scores:

RAIN OR SHINE 83 - Belga 15, Cruz 15, Chan 8, Norwood 8, Rodriguez 7, Arana 6, Lee 6, Tang 5, Teng 5, Almazan 4, Quinahan 2, Nuyles 2, Tiu 0, Ibanes 0

SAN MIG COFFEE 80 - Devance 17, Pingris 13, Simon 13, Yap 12, Barroca 9, Melton 6, Mallari 4, Reavis 4, Sangalang 2, De Ocampo 0

Quarter scoring: 20-15, 37-37, 60-59, 83-80