DESIRE, DETERMINATION TO DECIDE GAME 3
Squared up after two games, Rain or Shine and Alaska slug it out for the pivotal 2-1 lead in Game 3 of their PLDT Home Telpad PBA Governors’ Cup best-of-five semifinal showdown at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Tuesday night.
Shove here, push there and hard fouls practically all over the floor marked Game Two of the series.
The intensity and physicality of the battle isn’t expected to wane as the Elasto Painters and the Aces break their one-game-all tie in the crucial Game 3 set at 8 p.m.
Beaten at endgame Friday, Rain or Shine played tough through 48 minutes Sunday and got back at Alaska, 99-87, to send the series back to scratch.
Going to the next game, both teams say it will still be about desire and determination.
“We wanted it more than they did, and we hope to sustain our desire,” said Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao after Game Two.
“We showed greater determination in Game One. We must find that urge and courage back if we’re to beat Rain or Shine again,” said Alaska coach Alex Compton.
Trailing most of the way in Game One, the Aces waged a big fight at end game to steal the game, 97-93.
The Aces had none of that in Game Two with the Elasto Painters all over them almost throughout.
Even with combo player Gabe Norwood sidelined by a sprained ankle, the Elasto Painters sustained a solid game through four quarters, getting back on track after seeing their six-game run snapped by the Aces in Game One.
Norwood is still doubtful but the E-Painters are confident of their chance with or without the Fil-Am player.
Shooting at a high clip and playing hard-nosed defense, the E-Painters led by as many as 26 in another dominant victory over the Aces whom they beat by 51 points in the elimination round.
Alaska actually fought to within nine early in the fourth but then Paul Lee, Jeff Chan and Chris Tiu drained clutch outside shots as Rain or Shine reestablished commanding double-digit spreads and foiled the Aces’ bid to take a crucial 2-0 series lead.
Arizona Reid and Lee presided over Rain or Shine’s searing first half and then Chan, Tiu and Beau Belga joined the fray in the final half as the E-Painters took their turn to stop Alaska’s hot streak.
“Everybody just stepped up for Gabe. We’re trying to buy some time for Gabe to get well. It gives us the confidence to beat Alaska in his absence with everybody making a contribution,” said Guiao after his troops dealt the Aces a first loss in their last six games.
Both teams are expected to dig deep in a bid to get the go-ahead win in Game Three. (SB)
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