SUMMARY
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Rain or Shine extended their win streak to 7 and outplayed a much bigger Ginebra squad to finish the eliminations at 9-2 atop the standings.
“The guys really wanted this win. This is our best chance of making the semis. We don’t want to go the long way, that’s a risky proposition,” said head coach Yeng Guiao after the game.
Belga, who added 5 rebounds across his name, was responsible for the momentum-stopping baskets in the payoff period that halted a streaking Ginebra.
After the Gin Kings rallied from 23 points down in the third and came as close as 88-80 with 7 minutes remaining, Belga unleashed a solo 7-0 run which re-established the Painters’ double-digit 95-80 lead.
Rain or Shine went on cruise control from there as Ginebra sputtered to their 5th loss in 11 games.
Belga had 9 points in that pivotal final frame – which included a triple, 4 charities, and a basket off a steal – while gunner Paul Lee finished with 18 points, including 11 in an explosive third period that saw Rain or Shine erect an 80-57 advantage over their foes.
Jeff Chan and JR Quiñahan contributed 11 points apiece as the Painters deservedly earned a two-day break before they will return to practice in preparation for the best-of-7 semis series.
LA Tenorio, Greg Slaughter, and Japeth Aguilar each had 14 points for Ginebra, who will go through the quarterfinals with a twice-to-beat advantage.
The Painters went off to a sizzling start and promptly built an 18-point 36-18 lead in the first period before the Gin Kings trimmed the deficit down to a manageable 55-41 entering halftime.
But Lee and Jonathan Uyloan (8 points, 6 assists) conspired for an offensive burst early in the third to notch the biggest lead of the game at the 4:26 mark of that quarter.
With Joseph Yeo, Slaughter, Aguilar, Mark Caguioa and James Forrester fielded in, Ginebra established some rhythm and went on a 19-4 blast until the early goings of the fourth, 84-76.
The Gin Kings could not break through the 8-point barrier and came up empty on several possessions before Belga doused water on the furious rally.
“We expected a run by Ginebra and our preparation was if we could just hold on to our lead and anticipate that run of theirs, we can pull this through,” Guiao said.
Sophomore Forrester logged in quality minutes for coach Jeff Cariaso and had 5 points.
Scores:
RAIN OR SHINE (100): Belga 21, Lee 18, Chan 11, Quinahan 11, Ibanes 9, Uyloan 8, Norwood 8, Cruz Jervy 4, Tiu 3, Arana 3, Cruz Jericho 2, Almazan 2, Tang 0.
GINEBRA (90): Tenorio 14, Slaughter 14, Aguilar 14, Caguioa 10, Mamaril 9, Yeo 9, Reyes 7, Baracael 6, Forrester 5, Brondial 2, Monfort 0, Helterbrand 0.
Quarter scores: 36-22, 55-41, 84-71, 100-90.
– Rappler.com
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