‘Rain’ takes X’mas thriller, levels series

MANILA, Philippines - Rain or Shine seized the initiative in the final quarter with explosive quartercourt snipings and a four-point swing and went on to buck Alaska’s fired-up Sonny Thoss’ heroics for an 98-91 victory and a 2-2 tie in their side of the semifinal in the PBA Philippine Cup before a huge Christmas Day crowd at MOA Arena.

The Elasto Painters leaned on a big four-point swing following a flagrant foul incurred by Calvin Abueva on a cheap shot on Jonathan Uyloan to snatch the win and reduce their series to a best-of-three affair.

Uyloan nailed a gift shot from Abueva’s infraction then set up Gabe Norwood for a three-pointer from the left flank as the E-Painters stretched their lead to 96-89 with 1:27 left and went on to secure the crucial win.

“We wanted to win this one, and we got a big help from that stupid move of Abueva,” said Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao.

The Aces, down by just three, were in possession of the ball when Abueva was seen sneaking a blow on Uyloan’s mid-section.

After a thorough review of the particular sequence, the referees slapped Abueva a flagrant foul penalty 2, causing his outright ejection and possible suspension for the next game set tomorrow at the same venue.

Meanwhile, San Miguel Beer goes for a sweep of Talk n Text in their own semis duel at 7 tonight.

If ever, the Beermen, the league’s winningest team, will have a shot at a fifth Philippine Cup crown and 20th championship in all.

Jeff Chan went 5-of-10 from beyond the arc and finished with a personal conference-high of 25 points while Gabe Norwood fired 12 markers, including seven in the last three minutes, as Rain or Shine foiled Alaska’s bid of pulling away in the highly physical series.

“It’s a good Christmas gift to ourselves. We struggled for three quarters but we gathered ourselves in the fourth period. We stayed tough though they had the lead most of the way,” said Guiao.

“It’s down to a best of three and Game Five is the most important. But we just can’t rely on a stupid move by Abueva. We have to rely on our own,” Guiao also said.

Abueva had been a big thorn for Rain or Shine until his flagrant act.

Thoss also punished the E-Painters a lot but fouled out with 3:51 left to play.

Thoss delivered a personal conference best of 25 points and 12 rebounds while Abueva logged 14 markers, seven boards and six assists for the Aces who took control three-fourths of the way, leading by 11 at 69-58.

But Chris Tiu, Chan and JR Quiñahan combined for five three-pointers in a 22-11 assault that knotted the count at 80 with over seven minutes left to play.

Beau Belga and Raymond Almazan also delivered a little later, and the E-Painters raced ahead at 86-82.

Alaska had a better overall field shooting (37 of 82) but Rain or Shine got away with a big edge in three-point shooting with 13 as against the Aces’ four.

Tiu went 2-of-3 from the three-point area and had the same clip from the two-point zone as he chipped in 10 points, three rebounds and one steal in his return from injury.