The second game of October 21 PBA double-header presented a match between Rain or Shine and San Miguel Beermen. Losing Paul Lee to a knee injury to start the second quarter, RoS would not be able to match the ferocity of SMB, falling to their opponents, 79-87.
Former FEU player Arwind Santos and Gilas center Junmar Fajardo kick started SMB’s cause by scoring the first 6 points of the game. Ryan Arana scored the Elasto Painters’ first five points, keeping the lead from growing at 5-8.
San Miguel was able to pull-away and earn a 10-point advantage over their opponents with a 3 from Lassiter, 13-23. A basket from Doug Kramer pushed the lead to 12, 13-25, but was answered with a basket from Almazan and 2 free throws from Paul Lee. Despite this, a triple from Tubid pushed the lead back to double-digits, 17-28. Lee was fouled at the waning moments of the quarter to put him into the free throw line, he made 1 of 2. The first quarter ended with a score of 18-28.
Things got scary for Rain or Shine, when 47 seconds into the second quarter, Paul Lee landed awkwardly, Hyper extending his right knee.
An Almazan dunk was the first basket for RoS in the game, but Ross was able to go on a fastbreak lay-up to keep the lead at double-digits. 2 free throws from Quinahan and another Almazan basket cut the lead to 6, 24-30. A basket from Santos was answered by a Tang 3. With the lead cut to 5, a basket and 1 free throw from Kramer, as well as a 3 from Hubalde ballooned the lead back to double-digits at 27-38. A Belga basket and Teng FT was countered by a Lutz and-one, and subsequent free throw in the next possession. With the lead now at 12 at 31-43, both teams would trade baskets until the half, with the score at 37-49.
Just like the 2nd quarter, Almazan started the 3rd with a dunk, this time followed by another basket to bring the lead down to 8, 41-49. Santos was fouled on his shot attempt, splitting his free throws. Rain or Shine would counter with a basket from Quinahan and an Arana fast break from a steal, cutting the lead to 5, 45-50.
It was San Miguel’s turn to go on a run, with Lassiter, Mercado, Fajardo, and Santos making baskets for an 8-0 run.
Rain or shine went on another run with Chan being fouled on a 3-point shot, making both the triple and subsequent free throw attempt. Chan was fouled on another attempt, splitting his free throws. Almazan capped of the 7-0 Rain or Shine run with a putback basket, once again cutting the lead to 5, 53-58.
San Miguel, though, would pull away again when Fajardo was fouled on a shot attempt, making both free throws. Arana was called for a technical foul due to complaining, and Tubid’s shot would make it through the ring. Another basket from Tubid put them back up, 56-66, but another RoS basket trimmed the deficit to 8, 58-66 at the end of the third.
RoS tried to make an early comeback to start the fourth with a Belga layup and Jervy Cruz Jumper, but San Miguel was able to make 2 baskets of their own. Jervy didn’t let up, completing an and-one to bring the deficit down to 5, but consecutive baskets by big man Fajardo kept RoS at bay.
Down 5, a Chan 3 brought the deficit down to 2 at 77-79. The closest his team would get to catching up to SMB. Things turned grim for RoS when Quinahan committed his 6th foul at the 1:12 mark of the fourth, fouling out of the game. No Lee and no Quinahan, RoS eventually fell to SMB, 79-87.
Rain or Shine shot poorly from the free throw line, hitting just 16 of 31 attempts or 51%.
Arwind Santos earned MVP honors, leading his team with 16 points and 13 rebounds.
