It took until the last second of this intensely-played game for Rain or Shine to get a commanding 2-0 semis lead with a 98-96 gritty win over the San Miguel Beermen held at the Big Dome on Tuesday.
Rain or Shine jumped to an early first quarter lead behind back-to-back threes from Jericho Cruz. Early transition attacks also helped the Painters in scoring. However, Gary David knocked down a triple to ignite a 14-3 first period closeout by SMB to take a 28-21 advantage after the first twelve minutes.
The Beermen continued their surge in the second quarter with two converted triples that extended their lead to double figures. However, Rain or Shine mounted their comeback as they shrugged off SMB’s interior dominance with defense. By the halftime break, the lead of the Beermen quickly melted down to a point.
A tidal wave of momentum favored the Elasto Painters that kicked off the new half in flames. A 12-3 opener gave RoS their double-digit lead of the game. Fortunately for the Beermen, their import Wilkerson was able to jump start a counter-rally to get his team within three entering the fourth.
JR Quiñahan and the rest of the Painters reinstalled a 12-point cushion in the latter half of the final quarter. However, Alex Cabagnot erased the lead with two key triples down the stretch to make it a ball game. With 25 seconds left, RoS held on a two point lead that was extended by two Paul Lee free throws after a loose ball joust with Arwind Santos.
On the next play, Wilkerson penetrated on their end to draw a three-point play. After the conversion, Lee made a split on his next free throw line trip. Then came the deciding final game play wherein SMB made a flurry of passes that ended up on Marcio Lassiter’s hands. Lassiter fumbled the ball for a bit, had a glimpse of the shotclock on the other side of the floor and turned around for an insane bank shot triple. The sniper managed to make the basket, but came a tenth of a second late to lift SMB.
“If we moved the ball and don’t turn ball over, we have a good chance against SMB,” said RoS assistant coach Caloy Garcia after the game. He called shots for the absent head coach Yeng Guiao, who had to attend prior commitments. Garcia added, “(Coach Yeng)believes in the players and in us. We have same instructions and told us to play hard.”
Pierre Niles had a good 15-point, 16-rebound night. After the win, he commended his team’s defense that powered them to the win. “We just gotta keep playing defense. Defense really wins games and if we play that kind of D against them we’re gonna win.”
Jeff Chan and Mav Ahanmisi continued their superior semis play, combining for 24 points and 12 rebounds. Wilkerson led SMB with 35 and 18.
The Scores:
Rain or Shine (98) – Cruz 16, Henderson-Niles 15, Chan 14, Ahanmisi 10, Quinahan 9, Almazan 7, Tiu 7, Lee 6, Belga 5, Ibanes 4, Norwood 3, Ponferada 2.
San Miguel (96) – Wilkerson 35, Ross 15, Fajardo 14, Cabagnot 13, Santos 8, David 5, Lassiter 3, Tubid 3, Reyes 0, Heruela 0.
Quarterscores: 21-28, 45-46, 69-66, 98-96
