Rain or Shine bounces back to level semis series

MANILA, Philippines – Calvin Abueva sat on the bench with his head down. Coach Alex Compton subbed out a wincing Henry Walker with still over a minute left. Sonny Thoss was also on the bench with his hands clasped together, watching the inevitable loss unfold.  

The Alaska Aces were a picture of frustration once again.  

Even as Vic Manuel shone bright and provided the spark for Alaska with his 22 points, the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters still came away with a convincing 99-87 victory in the 2014 PLDT Home Telpad PBA Governors’ Cup on Sunday, June 22 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum to level the best-of-5 semifinal series at one game apiece.  

“Everybody just stepped up for Gabe (Norwood). We’re trying to buy some time for him to get well,” said Rain or Shine head coach Yeng Guiao. 

Athletic swingman Gabe Norwood was unable to play in Game 2 due to a right ankle sprain he sustained in the fourth quarter of Game 1. The Painters missed his 7.4 points, 4 rebounds and 2.18 assists per game. More importantly, they missed his defensive presence on the floor.  

“I hope he can play next game but it gives us confidence to beat Alaska in his absence and everybody making a contribution,” Guiao added.  

Rain or Shine inflicted the worst damage on Alaska during the second and third periods, scoring at will to build the biggest lead of the contest at 71-45 on an and-one play from Beau Belga (7 points) with 6:11 left in the third.  

But Alaska refused to go quietly into the night. Sparked by forward Manuel, they rallied with every ounce of energy they had left and trimmed the deficit to single digits midway in the fourth.  

Manuel, 27, brought the Aces to within 83-74 with 6:51 to play after knocking down another one of his baseline jumpers.  

But offense was scarce for Alaska at that point and they couldn’t break through the 9-point barrier. 

Paul Lee (21 points on 3-of-4 three-point shooting) eventually slammed the door on Alaska with a trey that put the Painters up 97-81 with 3:07 left.  

“Our energy level today was a lot different from Game 1,” Guiao said. “We just wanted it more than they did today. We need to have that kind of intensity again on Tuesday. We’re hoping we can sustain that desire.” 

For Alaska, Walker, who played through what appeared to be an injured right arm, wound up with 18 markers and 8 rebounds, while JVee Casio chipped in 11 as they endured yet another brutal beating from the Painters.  

“We kept the pace fast, which is what we wanted,” said Guiao.  

If the Talk ‘N Text-San Mig Coffee semifinal series is all about tactics, then this Alaska-Rain or Shine series is all about physicality.  

Beau Belga and Walker got into a skirmish at the 8:13 mark of the third after Belga freed himself from being entangled with Walker as the two bigmen battled for the rebound.  

Walker, who stumbled to the outside, came charging and shoved Belga, who in turn slammed onto Abueva. 

Belga was called for an offensive foul while Walker was slapped a flagrant foul penalty 1. 

Later on, Gabby Espinas was ejected from the game with 8:12 remaining after incurring two technical fouls – the second one for complaining about a non-call under the basket. He had 8 points and 9 rebounds.  

Scores

Rain or Shine 99 – Reid 27, Lee 21, Chan 18, Tiu 10, Belga 7, Arana 6, Teng 4, Cruz 2, Almazan 2, Nuyles 2, Ibanes 0, Rodriguez 0.

Alaska 87 – Manuel 22, Walker 18, Casio 11, Thoss 9, Espinas 8, Abueva 8, Hontiveros 3, Baguio 3, Dela Cruz 2, Buenafe 2, Jazul 1, Bugia 0, Reyes 0, Belasco 0.

Quarter scores: 17-21, 50-38, 77-59, 99-87. 

– Rappler.com