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SERVICES
THE INQUIRER COMPANY
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04
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19
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2024
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SERVICES
THE INQUIRER COMPANY
04
19
2024
When in doubt, put it in Paul Lee’s hands.
That’s how Rain or Shine extended its winning streak to seven and is now firmly in the semifinals of the 2015 PBA Governors’ Cup.
The Tondo native evaded two defenders and drilled the game-winning turnaround jumper with 7.3 seconds to lift the Elasto Painters over Barako Bull in a 134-132 thriller Saturday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“You can get the ball in Paul’s hands and he’ll make good decisions. As long as the ball in his hands, we can leave the decision-making to him.” said head coach Yeng Guiao of his star guard.
Lee finished with a near triple-double performance with his 23 points, seven rebounds, and eight assists to help Rain or Shine survive a very game Barako Bull squad in the highest-scoring game in the conference playoffs over the last 22 years.
Wendell McKines was spotless all game long to lead the squad, pouring in 36 markers and hauling down 15 rebounds. while Chris Tiu added 14 points even as Jeff Chan and Ryan Arana both finished with 12 markers apiece in the win which resulted in the E-Painters advancing to a seventh straight Final Four appearance.
“It took a little while before we accomplished our objective, but the more important thing is that we did it,” said Guiao. “Barako Bull gave us a really hard time but that’s the way to the semis. Our minimum objective is making it to the semis and we’ve been able to do that in the last (seven) conferences.”
Rain or Shine jumped on a huge 9-0 run to start the game, and even led by as much as 25 midway in the second quarter after Jervy Cruz made it a 56-31 affair. But Liam McMorrow and RR Garcia helped Barako Bull to cut the lead down and finally tie the game at 103 behind a JC Intal jumper with three minutes left to play.
The Energy even took a 108-107 lead with 1:43 left in regulation after a Garcia triple.
Beau Belga had a chance to win it for Rain or Shine in regulation with the game tied at 111 but his three-point shot missed the bottom of the net.
It was Garcia’s turn to force a sudden death in the first overtime but he muffed his drive as the game extended to a second extra period with the game knotted at 124.
McMorrow finished with 32 points and 23 boards in the losing effort for the Energy, while Garcia wound up with 25 markers and seven assists in the highest scoring gam e in the playoffs since San Miguel Beer defeated Swift 140-138 also in double OT in Game 1 of the 1993 Governors Cup best-of-seven Finals. (RL).
The scores:
RAIN OR SHINE 134 – McKines 36, Lee 23, Tiu 14, Chan 12, Arana 12, Belga 11, Norwood 8, Almazan 7, Quinahan 5, Tang 4, Jv. Cruz 2, Uyloan 0, Ibanes 0, Teng 0, Jc. Cruz 0.
BARAKO BULL 132 – McMorrow 32, Garcia 25, Intal 16, Yeo 16, Wilson 16, Lanete 10, Pascual 8, Salva 4, Hubalde 2, Maierhofer 2, Chua 1, Ababou 0, Salvador 0.
Quarterscores: 35-16, 60-50, 86-73, 111-111, 124-124, 134-132
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