Powerade marches to finals

Powerade, which barely survived the eliminations, repulsed Rain or Shine, 107-98, to make it all the way to the finals.

Powerade’s Big Three of Jayvee Casio, Gary David and Marcio Lassiter all came out firing and drew the needed support from their backups as the Tigers sustained their improbable run, making the finals for the first time in nine years.

“I believe there’s a formula written in stone – ‘8-4-1-2’. We’re No. 8 in the elims. We made top four. Now, we’re one of two remaining standing,” said Powerade top official JB Baylon.

“I don’t think we’re any better than Rain or Shine. It’s just our time to be here,” said coach Bo Perasol, believing they’re destined to make history, the lowest playoff seed to land in the finals.

Before the Tigers claimed the feat, San Miguel Beer and Barangay Ginebra shared the record as the lowest-ranked – sixth – to make the finale.

Casio, David and Lassiter combined for 11 triples and a total of 66 points as each one sparkled in this sudden death.

“If it’s written in stone, then we have a big chance to win. We’ll continue to write story and we’ll continue to inspire,” said Perasol.

“Whoever makes the finals in the other series is a powerhouse team. But I think we have the materials to match up with them,” said David.

In their do-or-die setto with Rain or Shine, the Tigers matched up well from the start, leading by as many as 21 and hanging tough in the face of E-Painters’ endgame siege.

Casio, David and Lassiter themselves delivered clutch shots to hold off the Elasto Painters.

As Rain or Shine threatened for the last time at 96-103, David hit his final field-goal basket and the Powerade bench and supporters started to whoop it up.

David, Lassiter, Casio and Celino Cruz combined for 5-of-8 three-point shooting in the second quarter as the Tigers built a 50-33 lead before settling for a 52-39 cushion at the turn.

The Elasto Painters scored the game’s first six points but the Tigers answered with nine straight markers and went on to enjoy a 22-18 lead in the opening quarter.

The Elasto Painters struggled badly in the first three quarters with their rotation obviously suffering on TY Tang’s absence due to an injury.

Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao surprisingly started with third-string guard Jonathan Uyloan at the point spot.

The scores:

First Game

Powerade 107 – Casio 25, David 24, Lassiter 17, Kramer 12, Cruz 10, Antonio 10, Anthony 5, Adducul 4, Vanlandingham 0, Crisano 0.

Rain or Shine 98 – Quiñahan 16, Lee 14, Chan 14, Norwood 13, Buenafe 12, Matias 10, Belga 10, Cruz 6, Rodriguez 2, Araña 1, Uyloan 0, Ibanes 0.

Quarterscores: 22-18, 52-39, 84-65, 107-98