Rain or Shine snaps Alaska’s 4-game streak with comeback win
Rain or Shine hung on the best it could for almost throughout before coming through with a decisive attack at endgame to turn back Alaska Milk, 111-105, in a crucial setto in the Smart Bro PBA Philippine Cup at Smart Araneta Coliseum Friday night.
Trailing for the most part of the game, the Elasto Painters stemmed the tide towards the end and subsequently grabbed the key win that forced a tie at second place between Rain or Shine and Alaska Milk at 7-2.
Rain or Shine makes it last push in its top two aspiration versus NLEX and Meralco. Alaska has a tougher road ahead versus San Miguel Beer and Barako Bull.
“It’s a hard struggle. We just tried to keep our composure even under pressure. We’re behind for the most part of the game, and we just stuck together, waiting for the time where we can get the game close enough to put some pressure on them too,” said Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao.
“They were executing with precision. They shot very well in the first half with 9-of-12 three-pointers. I figured this team is good but not good enough not to miss in the second half,” Guiao added.
As the Aces slowed down, the E-Painters pounded the opening to surge ahead, 106-100, with a little over a minute left to play.
Rain or Shine made another big run earlier, scoring 14 unanswered points to pull even at 81-all at the end of the third period.
The two teams then fought in a nip-and-tuck battle before Rain or Shine unleashed a lethal 10-2 salvo in the closing minutes to break the back of Alaska.
The E-Painters made the stops at endgame, holding the Aces to a single field goal conversion in a stretch of over four minutes to highlight their come-from-behind victory
Beau Belga, Raymond Almazan, Jericho Cruz, JR Quinahan, Jeff Chan, Gabe Norwood and Don Trollano scored at least 11 points each.
And Maverick Ahanmisi, Chris Tiu and rookie Josan Nimes had their contribution as Rain or Shine prevailed in the rugged, high-scoring battle.
“We look forward to playing NLEX and Meralco in our last two games, and hope to get the outright semis.
That’s the goal. We can’t lose to any of those teams as our chances are going to be a lot less than what they are right now,” said Guiao.
Behind a remarkable 23-of-39 shooting, including 9-of-12 three-pointers, the Aces sat on a 64-56 cushion at the turn.
The Aces led by as many as 11 at 58-47, overcoming the E-Painters’ strong 11-2 start.
Then they stretched it to 14 later at 81-67.
But the E-Painters patiently stayed right behind until finding the opportunity to steal the game in the end.
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