E-Painters turn back Gin Kings

MANILA, Philippines - Rain or Shine battled back from an early 18-point deficit and outfought Barangay Ginebra in a volatile duel at the finish, carving out an 82-79 win to wheel back to joint second place in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Cuneta Astrodome last night.

With great resolve, the Elasto Painters made one big stop after another, blanking the Gin Kings in the last 4:22 of play as they bounced back from a loss to the San Miguel Beermen Friday and pulled even with the Purefoods Star Hotshots and the Talk n Text Tropang Texters at second at 6-3 (win-loss).

Failing to get decent shots in the face of the E-Painters choking defense, the Gin Kings blew away an eight-point lead, 79-71, entering the last four minutes and dropped to a four-team logjam at fifth place with the Globalport Batang Pier, the Barako Bull Energy and the Kia Carnival at 4-5.

Earlier in the day, KG Canaleta picked up from where Al Thornton left off in their last game, sizzling with a personal season best of six three-pointers and a total of 29 points as NLEX sustained its rampage and rolled past Globalport, 94-81, to inch closer to playoffs at 5-4.

Thornton struggled for only 19 points after his 50-point explosion in their 96-90 win over Barangay Ginebra Wednesday, but Canaleta took over, carrying the cudgels as the Road Warriors roared to a fourth straight win and their fifth in their last six games.

As amazing were the E-Painters in their come-from-behind victory over the Kings in a highly charged game marred by numerous technical infractions and two fans being escorted out of the venue for throwing plastic bottles on the floor following a double-technical foul on Mark Caguioa and Beau Belga.

“It’s another one of these hard, rugged, exciting games with Ginebra. You have to be physically and mentally tough when you’re playing them,” said Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao.

Booed by the Ginebra crowd practically all throughout the match, Belga had the last laugh in blocking a three-point play by Mac Baracael in the closing seconds.

Belga scored 11 points, including two free throws that touched off Rain or Shine’s key 11-to-nothing finish.

Wayne Chism followed up a 50-point game with 28 points and 17 rebounds while Paul Lee had his own double-double effort with 18 markers and 11 boards.

Canaleta struck hardest in the second half, leading the Road Warriors on their breakaway from a slim 40-36 halftime.