Having failed to close it out in the past two games, the balloons finally fell for Rain or Shine.
The Rain or Shine Elasto Painters were crowned the 2016 PBA Commissioner’s Cup champions after taking care of business in Game 6, with a 109-92 victory over the Alaska Aces to seal the championship for the franchise for the first time since 2012, at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum Wednesday evening.
Paul Lee stole the opening spotlight in the first period, as the ‘Leethal Weapon’ unleashed 15 points in his four-minute run off the bench, which included four triples. His team lost an early eight point lead to a deadlock in the opening minutes, but managed to bounce back and take back the advantage. Behind seven triples, and notwithstanding five early turnovers, Rain or Shine took control in the first quarter, as they led 38-24.
Rain or Shine increased their cushion to 18 in the opening part of the second period. Alaska tried to barge back via transition, bringing the big lead down to 42-33, capped by a Dondon Hontiveros three-pointer. Unfortunately for the Aces, Rain or Shine repeated the first quarter script by establishing another counter-run to pull away again.
Despite three first-half fouls for Jericho Cruz, the former Adamson guard led the response with back-to-back fast break layups for his team. The highest lead of the first half was 23 for Rain or Shine, but Alaska had the last run prior to the break, as the Aces punched in three triples in a minute, two of which came from Kevin Racal. At halftime, the lead melted down to ten.
Alaska failed to convert on early Rain or Shine misses at the start of the new half. Rob Dozier was also plagued with fouls in the third quarter, which limited the Aces’ chances to overhaul the deficit. However, a good exchange of points favored Rain or Shine in maintaining their lead, as Alaska struggled to get successive stops.
The series was practically over prior to the start of the fourth period. Alaska made a late-game mini-scare and brought the lead down to 13 from brute hustle with 4 minutes left. However, key baskets by Paul Lee, in addition to Calvin Abueva fouling out put the entire momentum in favor of the Rain or Shine.
Rain or Shine had more fastbreak points, 15-7, and made three more three-pointers compared to Alaska. In addition, they capped the championship with a 48% clip from the field, while maintaining an all-around contribution from their rotation.
“Salamat sa lahat ng naniwala samin, sa lahat ng nag dasal. Para sa inyo to. Magaling po talaga ang Alaska, mabuti na lang at nakuha namin to,” stated coach Yeng Guiao, who clinched his seventh career championship, all of which came with reinforcements.
Jericho Cruz finished with 21 points, five rebounds, and three triples. “I don’t know what to say, I’m so blessed and speechless to all the coaches thank you for believing in me,” the second-year Elasto Painter said. “I wanna thank my teammates and for all the fans for coming out here.”
Lee was hailed the Finals Most Valuable Player after finishing with 20 points ,with only one missed shot for the entire game. As for the ‘Angas ng Tondo’, who came back from an injury in the prior year, mentioned how hungry the team had been coming into the conference.
“In-enjoy ko tong game na to ginawa ko lang talaga lahat para makatulong,” said the Finals MVP. “Sobrang saya ng feeling kasi natapos ko and naglaro kami, maganda pinakita ng team.”
“Naranasan ko na maging runner up at alam ko yung feeling na gusto talaga namin makuha tong kampyunato na to. Sana may susunod pa.”
The Scores:
Rain or Shine (109) – Cruz 21, Lee 20, Almazan 15, Quinahan 14, Ahanmisi 8, Chan 8, Norwood 7, Henderson-Niles 7, Belga 4, Tiu 3, Ponferada 2.
Alaska (92) – Abueva 26, Racal 15, Jazul 14, Dozier 11, Baguio 9, Thoss 6, Banchero 6, Hontiveros 3, Exciminiano 2, Menk 0.
Quarterscores: 38-24, 59-49, 84-69, 109-92.
