PBA Fiesta semis: Rain or Shine shocks Ginebra to go up, 2-1

MANILA, Philippines – Young and inexperienced, Rain or Shine wasn’t really given a second look to go this far in its semifinals series with defending champion Barangay Ginebra. But just look where the Elasto Painters are – just two wins away from marching into a first-ever PBA finals stint. Gabe Norwood tallied a team-high 15 points and three others finished in double figures for Rain or Shine in a 94-88 win over the Kings Sunday in Game 3 of their Fiesta Cup Final Four at the Araneta Coliseum. Import Jai Lewis added 16 markers on a perfect 8-of-8 from the foul line and 16 rebounds while Eddie Laure and TY Tang had 16 and 15, respectively, lifting the young franchise to a surprising 2-1 lead over the beleaguered Kings. “We just want to have fun and winning is having fun for us," said Norwood. “Kahit ako hindi makapaniwala," said Rain or Shine coach Caloy Garcia. “But it’s happening. And we don’t want to stop there. We want to achieve more." The Kings struggled from the foul line behind a 10-of-22 shooting and never really got into the groove as they played catch-up the entire contest. JayJay Helterbrand paced Ginebra with 17 points, import David Noel added 16 and 17 rebounds while Cyrus Baguio got 16 before getting ejected early in the fourth period following a flagrant foul 2 he committed against Ryan Arana while the Kings trailed, 79-68. Except for a brief stretch in the third period when JC Intal and Baguio provided the energy for the Kings to rally the team from a 56-41 deficit to within 69-64, Ginebra didn’t really have a shot against the inspired Rain or Shine quintet. – GMANews.TV