Uyloan, Tang take charge as Rain or Shine slips past Purefoods

MANILA, Philippines — TY Tang scored off an offensive rebound while Jonathan Uyloan drained a clutch three-pointer as the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters turned back a streaking Purefoods Star Hotshots, 83-74, in the 2015 PBA Philippine Cup on Sunday, November 30 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Former La Salle standout Tang, 30, stopped the bleeding for Rain or Shine with his putback, 77-72, after Purefoods rallied from a 72-62 deficit and inched to within 75-72 nearing the 3-minute mark of the fourth.

And even as the Hotshots employed a full-court press to rattle the Painters, guard Paul Lee found a wide open Uyloan on the wing and the 31-year old, who went undrafted in 2009 but was signed by Rain or Shine, calmly sank the trey that gave his team some cushion, 80-72, with 1:50 left. 

A Joe Devance putback made it just an 80-74 ballgame but a Gabe Norwood three-point play with 49.4 ticks remaining pushed the lead back up to 83-74. Uyloan stole the ball for the 6th time to shut the door on Purefoods as time expired. 

“Some people may be surprised with what they do but I’m not surprised because that’s what they do in practice. They may be small guys but they have big hearts,” head coach Yeng Guiao said of Tang and Uyloan. 

“You have to include Jericho Cruz. These are unknowns but they make themselves felt during the game. For a coach it’s just satisfying to see your guys play that hard.” 

Both Tang and Uyloan came off the bench for Guiao and finished with 11 and 9 points, respectively. 

Tang added 4 assists while the 6-foot Uyloan also recorded 5 rebounds, 4 dimes and 6 steals. 

Rain or Shine rose to a 7-2 record and extended their win streak to 5, while defending Grand Slam champions Purefoods dipped to 5-4 and tied with Ginebra. 

The Painters were playing undermanned once again as they still missed the services of Jervy Cruz (pulled calf muscle), Chis Tiu (hamstring), and Jeric Teng (back spasms). 

Gunner Jeff Chan was suited up on the bench but did not see action after missing 3 straight practices prior to the game owing to flu. 

Guiao was forced into a shorter rotation.

“It might really have an advantage but we’re not used to that, we’re used to a long rotation. But they stepped up.” 

Bench players from both teams went toe to toe in the payoff period as Tim Cone’s second unit spearheaded the last-ditch rally. But Rain or Shine’s bench outplayed them, 44-34. 

“I couldn’t give the guys enough credit tonight. They just put on an effort. They wanted to win this game badly,” Guiao said. “It’s just about effort tonight. It was easy coaching the team tonight.”

Lee had a game-high 18 points including 5 assists. Norwood had a near double-double of 11 points and 9 rebounds off the bench while JR Quiñahan also added 11 markers. 

Alex Mallari led the Hotshots with his 12 points off the bench as James Yap chipped in 11. 

Devance wound up with 10 points and 9 boards. 

After trailing by 38-32 at halftime, the Hotshots rallied to within 55-54 on an Allein Maliksi basket late in the third. But the gritty Painters pushed their foes back using a 13-0 run bridging the third and fourth periods to register their biggest lead at 68-54. 

Scores 

Rain or Shine (83): Lee 18, Tang 11, Norwood 11, Quinahan 11, Uyloan 9, Belga 7, Cruz Jericho 6, Arana 6, Almazan 4, Ibanes 0, Chan 0. 

Purefoods (74): Mallari 12, Yap 11, Devance 10, Simon 9, Melton 8, Barroca 8, Pingris 6, Maliksi 5, Reavis 4, Taha 1, Allado 0, Gaco 0, Holstein 0.

Quarter scores: 16-17, 38-32, 60-54, 83-74.

– Rappler.com