E-Painters squeak past Aces, earn shot at Grand Slam-seeking Mixers

MANILA, Philippines -- Rain or Shine Elasto Painters turned back gritty Alaska Aces, 97-94, Saturday night at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum to earn the shot of stopping San Mig Coffee's grand slam bid and make a run for the franchise's second PBA crown.

The Painters withstand the gallant effort of the undermanned Aces to book a return trip to the finals and will have the chance to redeem themselves after losing to the Mixers in the last Philippine Cup. But the Painters' coach Yeng Guiao does not want to be reduced as spoilers in the the season-ending Governors' Cup Finals.

"I don't think that's the purpose of us going to the finals," said Guiao who was referring to stopping the Mixers' grand slam bid.

The Mixers earned their fourth straight finals appearance last Friday at the expense of Talk n Text.

"We just want to make our own history. It's not about trying to stop them. It's about trying to win a championship for us," said Guiao seeking his 7th PBA title.

The Painters' road to the finals, however, was not easy.

The Aces, who missed Sonny Thoss, Jvee Casio and Gabby Espinas due to various injuries, almost pulled the rug under the Painters. But Arizona Reid poured in a game-high 35 points including a big basket down the stretch that gave the Painters a four-point buffer in the nip-and-tuck do-or-die match.

Reid, who has yet to win a championship in the PBA since starting to be Rain or Shine's resident import in the Governors' Cup in 2011, also added 10 rebounds and five assists.

The Painters will also look to get back the Governors' Cup title they have won two seasons ago with Jamelle Cornley as import over San Mig Coffee and Marqus Blakely when they were still under the B-Meg banner.