CHAN SHOOTS LIGHT OUT AS RAIN OR SHINE ESCAPES BARAKO BULL
Jeff Chan drilled a three-pointer from the right wing with 8.2 seconds to play and Gabe Norwood stole the ball from JC Intal in the closing seconds of the fourth to preserve Rain or Shine’s win, a 99-95 decision over Barako Bull Energy Friday in the 2014 PLDT myDSL-PBA Philippine Cup at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Chan waxed hot from the field, setting the tone for the entire game as he went 3-of-3 from rainbow country in the first quarter, to finish 7-of-10 from threes en route to a career second-best 34 points to go with his six boards.
Paul Lee added 14 markers, while Norwood, Jervy Cruz, and Alex Nuyles all had eight points apiece.
“We played a bad second half. Everything we gained in the first half, we lost it in the second half because we relaxed a little bit,” said Rain or Shine head coach Yeng Guiao. “It’s a good thing that Jeff saved the day for us. He played well all night long and it’s just appropriate that it is his shot that won us the game.”
The Elasto Painters pummeled the Energy in the first half behind Chan’s 19 to erect a 14-point advantage at the half, 56-42, that became 15 early in the third canto, 58-43.
But Barako Bull came charging right back in the game behind the efforts of JC Intal, Dorian Pena, and Rico Maierhofer to close the gap after three quarters, 75-69.
The Energy would further close the gap behind Maierhofer and Pena, but Willie Miller was the one who put Barako ahead, 95-94, with 18.1 ticks to play via his signature fadeaway jumper.
But Chan would not be denied as he got free in the final 8.2 seconds and received the pass from Jervy Cruz, rising up and hitting the three-pointer to put Rain or Shine ahead to stay, 97-95.
Norwood then salvaged the victory when he deflected Intal’s intended pass to an open Mick Pennisi, stole the ball and iced the game with two freebies with 0.3 of a second remaining in the game.
Intal finished with 16 points, while Pena and Maierhofer recorded double-doubles, with Pena having 15 points and 13 rebounds, and Maierhofer grabbing 10 boards to go with his 14 markers. Denok Miranda also added 14 points in the losing effort.
“Barako Bull gave us a really tough time. They didn’t give up despite us having a double-digit lead in first half. They had great individual performances and we’re lucky to have survived a great offensive night from their guys,” Guiao said.
Beau Belga missed the game for the E-Painters due to measles. (RL)
The scores:
RAIN OR SHINE 99 – Chan 34, Lee 14, Cruz 8, Nuyles 8, Norwood 8, Quinahan 6, Tang 6, Teng 5, Rodriguez 4, Arana 2, Almazan 2, Tiu 2, Ibanes 0.
BARAKO BULL 95 – Intal 16, Pena 15, Maierhofer 14, Miranda 14, Miller 9, Pennisi 6, Lastimosa 5, Isip 5, Jensen 4, Macapagal 3, Marcelo 2, Labagala 2, Wilson 0, Buenafe 0.
Quarterscores: 28-21, 56-42, 75-69, 99-95.
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