by Waylon Galvez
Games Tomorrow (Smart Araneta Coliseum)
5:45 p.m. – Ginebra vs Globalport
8 p.m. – San Mig vs Talk ’N Text
Manila, Philippines – JR Quinahan buried a three-pointer at the buzzer as Rain or Shine escaped with an 89-86 win over Meralco to extend its winning streak to six games in the PLDT myDSL PBA Philippine Cup last night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
After sliding from a pick he gave for Paul Lee, the 6-foot-5 Quinahan took a baseline inbound pass from Gabe Norwood with 0.7 seconds left before firing the winning shot from the left side and over the outstretched arm of Meralco’s Gary David.
Quinahan was immediately mobbed by his teammates even before the referees ruled through a video review that the bulky Cebuano beat the buzzer.
“Alam ko kasi quick release si JR,” said Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao, whose team improved to 10-3 and pull within a half-game of Barangay Ginebra (10-2) for the lead in the standings.
Quinahan only scored five points and missed his first three rainbow shots prior to the game-winner.
“Maganda ‘yung pag-tanggap ko ng bola, buti nakita akong open ni Gabe,” Quinahan said of his first career game-winner. “Pero kahit sino naman sa aming apat na pwedeng pasahan ni Gabe kayang tumira, swerte lang din na pumasok.”
Prior to that shot, David buried a triple that tied the score at 86-all with 8.6 seconds remaining.
Lee’s jumper in the next play off Rain or Shine’s timeout was partially blocked by Reynel Hugnatan. Meralco’s John Wilson got the rebound but lost control of the leather, setting the stage for Quinahan’s heroics.
“I just felt that one good shot, or a great shot deserves another. After Gary made a big shot, JR made an even bigger shot. Kumbaga, one tsamba deserves another tsamba,” said Guiao.
Meralco dropped to 5-8 and tie Barako Bull and Globalport for 6th to 8th.
The scores:
First game:
RAIN OR SHINE 89 – Chan 16, Lee 14, Norwood 10, Cruz 8, Belga 7, Almazan 7, Ibanes 7, Rodriguez 6, Quinahan 5, Nuyles 4, Teng 3, Tiu 2, Arana 0, Tang 0.
MERALCO 86 – David 25, Wilson 12, Hugnatan 11, Dillinger 11, Salvacion 8, Artadi 6, Al-Hussaini 5, Ildefonso 4, Hodge 4, Guevarra 0.
Quarters: 23-21, 45-45, 70-64, 89-86
Second game:
SAN MIG SUPER COFFEE 112 – Simon 20, Barroca 19, Yap 19, Sangalang 13, Devance 12, Pingris 12, Mallari 7, Reavis 4, De Ocampo 2, Gaco 2, Melton 2, Cawaling 0.
PETRON 93 – Lassiter 20, Lutz 18, Santos 12, Fajardo 11, Cabagnot 9, Kramer 8, Tubid 4, Ross 4, Marata 3, Duncil 2, Deutchman 2, Taha 0, Lanete 0, Hubalde 0.
Quarters: 25-12, 50-35, 79-62, 112-93