Rain or Shine eliminates Barako Bull in double OT thriller

MANILA, Philippines – The Rain or Shine Elasto Painters eliminated the Barako Bull Energy Cola, 134-132, from the PBA Governors’ Cup playoffs on Saturday, June 27 at Araneta Coliseum.

Rain or Shine guard Paul Lee, who played with a sprained ankle sustained two days prior, finished with 23 points on 6/9 3-point shooting to go with 8 rebounds and 7 assists.

But Barako Bull didn’t go quietly.

Barako Bull overcame a 35-16 first quarter deficit to tie the game at the end of regulation, 111-111, after a dunk by import Liam McMorrow with 23.7 remaining.

The game became a matter of who will score last, as Lee and Beau Belga drained 3s for RoS, and RR Garcia and McMorrow kept Barako Energy afloat on their end.

The game finally came down to a layup by Lee with 7.3 seconds remaining in a second overtime that gave the Painters their two-point win.

“We did not want to go into a second game,” said Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao. “We played a good first quarter but they ate up the lead slowly and we fell into a mental trap. We felt that we were playing so well in the first half and the game was going to come easy to us.”

The game was the highest scoring PBA playoff game in 22 years, according to PBA statician Fidel Mangonon.

Rain or Shine will meet the winner of the San Miguel Beermen vs Meralco Bolts quarterfinal series, which begins today.

– Rappler.com