RAIN OR SHINE UP 2-1

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Head coach Yeng Guiao and his Rain or Shine team gave themselves the very gift they wanted so much this Christmas – a 2-1 lead over San Mig Coffee in their PBA Philippine Cup best-of-seven semifinal showdown.

Shunning much Christmas activities in the last three days, the Elasto Painters had a blast Tuesday night with a 98-72 demolition of the Mixers at the MOA Arena in Pasay City.

“I just told the guys let’s us give ourselves, our families, our friends and our fans a nice Christmas gift,” Guiao said.

Indeed, it was a nice gift for the Elasto Painters, a victory that put the team back in command with a chance to get to the threshold of a second straight finals Thursday.

“For me, Game Four is the biggest game in the series. If we can go up three-one, we have one foot in the door and the burden of adjustment is on them,” said Guiao.

Walloped, 82-106, in Game Two, the Elasto Painters dug deep for inner strength and got back harder at the unsuspecting Mixers.

Asserting themselves with up-tempo game, the E-Painters took the half at 51-32 and stayed in cruise control to the finish.

“Our main purpose coming into the game was just to stay in the game mentally and not get frustrated as what happened last game,” said Guiao.

“And the game plan just fell into place. We get the rebounds. And as long as we get the rebounds, we get into open court. We like fastbreaks, we like up-tempo game. That’s the objective,” Guiao also said.

All the players fielded by Guiao responded to the challenge, playing a balanced game as they utterly dominated the Mixers.

They evenly distributed point production and defensive load with Paul Lee, Jervy Cruz, Jeff Chan, Larry Rodriguez and Chris Tiu leading the scoring with at least 11 points each.

On the defensive end, most remarkable was Rain or Shine’s effort on James Yap, holding him down to six after exploding for 34 the last time.

Jireh Ibanes was the main guy keeping Yap out of his comfort zone. The two-time MVP winner threw bricks, converting just 1-of-11 field attempts.

Rain or Shine outscored San Mig Coffee, 10-2, on fastbreak and, 8-2, off turnover points in the first half, and the E-Painters breezed through in the final half.

The Elasto Painters got off to a hot start, taking an early double-digit spread at 16-6.

The Mixers actually wiped out their early 10-point deficit, charging to within one, 17-18, at the end of the first quarter then surging ahead, 21-18, as Marc Pingris and PJ Simon scored the first two baskets in the next period.

The Elasto Painters, however, asserted themselves again late in the second period, uncorking a 17-4 run to enjoy a 19-point spread at the turn.

Returning from the bench, Cruz, Chan and Gabe Norwood teamed up with Tiu in a vicious 10-2 attack to close the opening half.

Tiu checked in with four minutes to go in the second quarter and instantly made an impact, burying a three-pointer then setting up Cruz for an under-goal stab. (SB)

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