MANILA, Philippines – Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao vowed they would work on their shooting and they would bounce back after yielding Game Three Sunday.
They did.
The Elasto Painters torched the Powerade Tigers with torrid shooting and pulled off a 110-95 victory that forged a two-game deadlock in their PBA Philippine Cup best-of-seven semifinal showdown at the Smart Araneta Coliseum tonight.
“We shot better and worked harder than the last time. That’s the simple reason we won tonight,” said Guiao.
“We shot just 10 percent from the three-point area in Game Three. We worked on it and prepared for their zone. My reminder is for them to take the shots without conscience. ‘Take it if it’s there. Don’t hesitate. Don’t worry about the percentage,’” Guiao added.
The Elasto Painters threw bricks the last time, converting only three of 28 three-point attempts.
Tonight, they went 5-of-11 from beyond the arc right in the first half and added three in the third period.
Even big men JR Quinahan and Beau Belga drained three-pointers with the former knocking in one as Rain or Shine opened a 69-50 lead midway through the third.
The Elasto Painters sustained their hot shooting through the finish as they came through with the convincing win.
“Just to rebuild our confidence, I told the guys if we’re to win this game, let’s win it big,” said Guiao. “But you really have to step on the gas to get going against Powerade. Otherwise, kakainin ka nila.”
“We’re outplayed in this game. It’s just simple,” said Powerade coach Bo Perasol. “Maybe since their back was against the wall, they’re more motivated.”
Jeff Chan knocked in three of five three-pointers to pace the Elasto Painters with 19 points while Paul Lee contributed 15 points, five rebounds and four assists to make up for his crucial errors in the last game.
Gary David got away with yet another 30-point performance but his effort went down the drain together with Doug Kramer’s double-double stats of 12 points and 14 rebounds.
Chan and Lee drained three straight treys as Rain or Shine made its initial decisive move, building a double-digit spread at 53-43 with 26 ticks left in the second period.
With better shooting coupled by better rebounding, the Elasto Painters took the half at 53-45.
Chan, Lee, Gabe Norwood and Ryan Arana combined for 5-of-8 three-point shooting and the Painters outrebounded the Tigers, 33-18, in the first 24 minutes of play.
Stepping on the pedal, the Elasto Painters stretched their lead to 79-61 after the third period.
The scores:
RAIN OR SHINE 110 – Chan 19, Lee 15, Matias 12, Norwood 11, Belga 10, Tang 9, Quinahan 9, Rodriguez 6, Buenafe 6, Arana 5, Cruz 4, Ibanes 4, Uyloan 0, Jaime 0.
POWERADE 95 – David 30, Lassiter 18, Kramer 12, Anthony 11, Casio 9, Vanlandingham 7, Lingganay 4, Adducul 2, Antonio 2, Martinez 0, Allera 0, Cruz 0, Crisano 0.
Quarters: 25-21, 53-45, 79-61, 110-95