Got a tip? Send it to us at manila@coconuts.co.
MANILA, Philippines – The Rain or Shine Elasto Painters overcame a slow start and held off a late charge by Talk ‘N Text to win Game 6, 101-93, and force a do-or-die Game 7 in the 2015 PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum.
Five players scored in double-digits for the Elasto Painters, including young big man Raymond Almazan, and Jeff Chan who suited up despite suffering from a torn plantar fasciitis.
“It’s a nice win for us,” said Rain or Shine head coach Yeng Guiao after the game. “We did a lot better defensively tonight. To beat Talk ‘N Text, you should make the stops.”
Talk ‘N Text, needing only one more win to annex the title, got off to a hot start and raced to an 8-0 lead, while Rain or Shine struggled from the field. But Almazan’s entry sparked the Elasto Painters, as the former Letran star scored 11 points and grabbed five rebounds in the opening frame alone.
“Inisip ko lang, wala ng bukas. ‘Pag natalo kami, wala na, pahinga na. Sa totoo lang, ayaw pa namin lahat magpahinga,” said Almazan.
“Almazan played another excellent game,” said Guiao.
Rain or Shine took a 23-18 lead at the end of the opening quarter and further took control of the contest with a 31-point second frame that saw them take advantage of the Texters’ turnovers.
Chan, initially ruled out for the rest of the series due to his foot injury, entered the game at the start of the contest and provided a boost offensively while inspiring his team with his presence.
“Jeff Chan is in pain, but he called me up last night and he wanted to make a contribution tonight,” said Guiao.
The Elasto Painters led by as much as 16 points after rookie Jericho Cruz sank a triple with 22 seconds left in the quarter, but a late flurry by the Texters allowed them to enter the half down by 12, 42-54.
Talk ‘N Text cut the lead to as low as three points, 54-57, early in the third period thanks to three free throws by Ranidel De Ocampo, but Rain or Shine had an answer for every one of their rallies. After De Ocampo made it a one-possession game, Chris Tiu drilled a triple of his own to put ROS up by six again, 60-54.
The Texters again trimmed the lead to three points, 73-76, off a jump shot by Matt Ganuelas-Rosser with 11:15 to go in the fourth quarter, only to see JR Quiñahan and Cruz respond with buckets of their own to extend the lead.
Though Talk ‘N Text managed to remain within striking distance for most of the final quarter, Rain or Shine was able to keep them at bay with timely baskets. Gabe Norwood struck what might have been the dagger when he drained a pull-up jumper with 46 seconds left to make it 96-87.
The Texters did not go away quietly, however. Trailing 90-97 with 25 seconds to go, the Texters got a lucky break when Rain or Shine import Wayne Chism committed an errant pass that led to a corner triple from Larry Fonacier with 12 seconds to go, allowing TNT to cut the lead to four points, 94-97.
Chism made up for his mistake, however, hitting two insurance free throws and stealing the ball from Talk ‘N Text with eight seconds to go, then icing the game with two more freebies to peg the final score.
Chism scored 18 points to go along with 24 rebounds, while Paul Lee added 16 points and Cruz scored 10 markers.
De Ocampo finished with 21 points and six rebounds for Talk ‘N Text, but they were never able to get over the hump after giving up their early first quarter lead. Jayson Castro added 17 points to go along with eight assists.
Talk ‘N Text import Ivan Johnson had a subpar game, scoring only six points with six rebounds and struggled with foul trouble. He was again involved in several near skirmishes, at one point clearly hitting the face of Lee.
“What do you need to do to get a flagrant foul?” Guiao asked. “I’m just surprised. He kept bumping us and he wasn’t even called for a technical.”
Game 7 is set for Wednesday at the Araneta Coliseum.
The scores:
RAIN OR SHINE 101 – Almazan 18, Chism 18, Lee 16, Chan 11, Cruz Jericho 10, Quinahan 9, Tiu 7, Norwood 6, Ibanes 3, Arana 3, Uyloan 0, Belga 0.
TALK N’ TEXT 93 – De Ocampo 21 Castro 17, Washington 14, Carey 13, Fonacier 11, Johnson 6, Alas 4, Williams 4, Rosser 3, Aban 0.
Quarters: 23-18, 54-42, 76-71, 101-93
Photo: Mark Cristino/ABS-CBNnews.com
This story was republished with permission from ABS-CBNnews.com.
