Rain or Shine extends run, snaps Ginebra’s streak
PBA IMAGES
With stirring back-to-back triumphs in three nights, the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters are taking a week long break with a playoff spot under its belt.
Trampling the Barako Bull Energy on Friday, the Elasto Painters returned Sunday to turn back the Barangay Ginebra Kings, 94-86, and clinch at least a quarterfinals slot in the 2016 Smart Bro PBA Philippine Cup playoffs.
The Elasto Painters imposed a sleek up-tempo game, running the Gin Kings to the ground much to the dismay of the predominant Ginebra crowd at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“Size is their biggest advantage but quickness is ours. We pushed the pace, and we’re lucky to make our shots thus making it difficult for Greg Slaughter who is their main weapon,” said ROS coach Yeng Guiao.
“We’re now in a good place to be. We’re tied for the lead with a week break ahead of us. It’s a good break for us,” Guiao also said.
They have Talk ’N Text, Alaska Milk, Meralco and NLEX as last games, aiming a Top Two finish for an outright entry into the semifinals.
As they duplicated their previous three-game run, the E-Painters stopped the Gin Kings’ own three-game streak and relegated Ginebra to seventh place at 4-4.
“We played hard today, a little than usual, knowing Ginebra is a tough team with the winning streak. We had to run all game long. If we settled down for halfcourt game, our small size would be a big disadvantage,” said Guiao.
Play hard, tough and smart the E-Painters did, overwhelming the Gin Kings with huge leads early in the second quarter and most of the second half.
The E-Painters blew a 13-point lead in the first half but reestablished a huge margin in the third quarter and held on to stop the Gin Kings.
Taking turns to lead the way for the E-Painters were Jeff Chan, Jericho Cruz and Maverick Ahanmisi with at least 13 points apiece.
Sitting out the whole third quarter, Chan came out fresh in the final canto, rifling one tough shot after another to top score for the team with 19.
Cruz and Ahanmisi more than held their own against LA Tenorio and Mark Caguio, putting in 16 and 13 points, respectively.
The scores:
RAIN OR SHINE 94 – Chan 19, Cruz 16, Ahanmisi 13, Belga 9, Norwood 8, Ponferrada 7, Trollano 7, Ibanes 5, Quinahan 5, Tiu 3, Almazan 2, Teng 0.
GINEBRA 86 – Aguilar 22, Slaughter 19, Caguioa 11, Mercado 8, Thompson 7, Tenorio 6, Helterbrand 5, Cruz 4, Marcelo 4, Devance 0, Ellis 0, Mariano 0, Salva 0.
Quarters: 21-18, 39-39, 68-56, 94-86.
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