Games Today (Mall of Asia Arena)
3:30 p.m. – Petron vs Talk N Text
5:45 pm– Ginebra vs Meralco
Manila, Philippines – Rain or Shine’s national team standouts Jeff Chan and Gabe Norwood came through with the big plays down the stretch as the Elasto Painters survived a late comeback by the Barako Bull Energy Cola with a 99-95 win in the 2014 PLDT myDSL PBA Philippine Cup last night at the Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena in Pasay City.
With Rain or Shine trailing by a single point, 94-95, the sweet-shooting Chan, who is hitting 40 percent from the three-point territory this conference, hit his seventh in the game–with 8.2 seconds left–giving them a two-point advantage, 97-95.
Norwood then came with a big defensive stop.
Considered one of the best defensive specialists in the pro league, Norwood stole the leather from JC Intal in the next play. Fouled by Intal, Norwood calmly sank the pair of foul shots that sealed the win for the Painters with 0.3 seconds left.
Chan finished with a game-high 34 points, just one point shy from his career-best, while guard Paul Lee contributed 14 points off the bench. Norwood, Jervy Cruz and rookie Alex Nuyles added eight points each for Rain or Shine.
The victory was Rain or Shine’s second straight after its morale-boosting overtime win that handed Petron Blaze its first defeat this conference last Saturday. The team now sports a 6-3 record for solo third in the standings.
Barako Bull dropped to 3-7.
Despite the win, Rain or Shine head coach Yeng Guiao was a bit disappointed with how his team performed in the second half where they blew a 14-point halftime lead when Barako Bull got the lead, 95-94, when former two-time MVP Willie Miller nailed a jumper with 18.1 seconds to play.
“We played a bad second half, everything we gained in the first we lost in the second. We relaxed,” Guiao said.
“Jeff saved the game for us. It was his shot that won us the game. Barako gave us a really tough time. They didn’t give up even we had a double-digit lead. Intal and (Dorian) Pena played well, we’re lucky to survive a good offensive night from those guys.”
“We missed Beau (Belga who is out with measles), a wide body against Pena. But no excuse, we just have to make do with what we have,” added Guiao, who will continue to miss Belga when the Painters clash with the San Mig Super Coffee Mixers tomorrow at the same venue.
Meanwhile, league-leader Ginebra shoots for its sixth straight win as it tries to avenge a first-round loss to Meralco in today’s Petron Saturday Special at the Mall of Asia Arena. (Waylon Galvez)
The scores:
First game:
RAIN OR SHINE 99 – Chan 34, Lee 14, Cruz 8, Nuyles 8, Norwood 8, Quinahan 6, Tang 6, Teng 5, Rodriguez 4, Arana 2, Almazan 2, Tiu 2, Ibanes 0.
BARAKO 95 – Intal 16, Pena 15, Maierhofer 14, Miranda 14, Miller 9, Pennisi 6, Lastimosa 5, Isip 5, Jensen 4, Macapagal 3, Marcelo 2, Labagala 2, Wilson 0, Buenafe 0.
Quarters: 28-21, 56-42, 75-69, 99-95
Second game:
ALASKA 88 – Thoss 16, Espinas 15, Abueva 15, Baguio 14, Jazul 10, Ramos 8, Casio 6, Eximiniano 4, Dela Cruz 0, Hontiveros 0.
SAN MIG SUPER COFFEE 75 – Yap 21, Sangalang 13, Devance 9, Barroca 6, Simon 6, Acuna 5, Mallari 5, Reavis 4, De Ocampo 2, Gaco 2, Holstein 2, Cawaling 0, Melton 0.
Quarters: 16-22, 35-35, 62-55, 88-75