MANILA: So much for talks about another Grand Slam, Rain or Shine didn’t even let San Miguel Beer come close.
The Elasto Painters manhandled the Beermen in Game 4 of their PBA Commissioner’s Cup Final Four series on Sunday night and showed San Miguel the door after a 124-99 victory that gave Rain or Shine the first title series slot at the Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.
Rain or Shine broke away in the second period and played with great efficiency the rest of the way, never giving San Miguel a chance after breaking away from a 29-28 count with a 17-4 run to eventually wrap up their best-of-five playoffs, 3-1.
It was a great victory for coach Yeng Guiao and his Elasto Painters, who have lost just one of five games in the playoffs since advancing as the fifth seeds and not given much of a chance against Barangay Ginebra in the quarterfinals.
Guiao admitted to having doubts himself, especially after signing up a fourth import in Pierre Henderson-Niles who was far from impressive compared to the one he replaced.
“Honestly, I was really doubtful from the start, but the results speak for themselves. We have lost just one game since he came in,” Guiao said of his 6-foot-8 import, a wide-bodied hardworker who took out the 7-foot Greg Slaughter in the Ginebra series and 6-foot-10 San Miguel cornerstone June Mar Fajardo in this one.
“I guess, we’re lucky that we played Ginebra (in the quarterfinals) and San Miguel (in the Final Four),” Guiao said without mentioning that both teams make a living using their big men to the fullest. “If we had Mo (Charlo) or anybody else (as an import) who didn’t have the size of the bulk, I don’t think this would be the result.”
The Painters will now await the winner of the Alaska-Meralco series as a Finals foe.
Alaska has a 2-1 lead in that half of the Final Four, and the Aces will take the first of two chances they have of returning to the title series of this tournament for the first time since winning it in 2013 when they clash with the Bolts at 7 p.m. on Monday also at the fabled Big Dome floor.
The Aces have momentum on their side after taking the Bolts apart in Game 3.
Guiao, though, doesn’t care whoever his Painters collide with, wanting to bask in this achievement first before thinking of the next series.
“Seriously, I haven’t given the Finals much thought,” Guiao said.
“Bahala na sila sa buhay nila,” Guiao said when asked which team he wants to play in the Finals.
Paul Lee, Rain or Shine’s superstar point guard who was sidelined for most of this tournament because of a knee injury, showed that he’s back to 100% form by spearheading that second quarter breakaway together with Chris Tiu.
Lee finished with 18 points, shooting 10 of those in the second quarter with Tiu hitting eight of his 13 as Rain or Shine got a total of six players shooting 10 or better in a balanced scoring attack that befuddled the San Miguel defense.
Arizona Reid scored 25 points in what turned out to be the only game since flying in on short notice on Saturday afternoon. He will be back for the Beermen for the season-ending Governors’ Cup in five weeks.
Marcio Lassiter contributed 20 but fouled out with still under 11 minutes left. He scored 30 in a 104-98 Game 3 win.
Alex Cabagnot tossed in 18 and Fajardo 12 for San Miguel, which couldn’t give the reigning two-time MVP more than seven attempts from the field as Henderson-Niles was constantly bothering him inside.
Should Alaska dispose of Meralco on Monday night, Game 1 of the championship playoffs will be held on Wednesday at 7 p.m.
If the Bolts extend the series to a rubber match, the Finals will start on Friday.
The Elasto Painters manhandled the Beermen in Game 4 of their PBA Commissioner’s Cup Final Four series on Sunday night and showed San Miguel the door after a 124-99 victory that gave Rain or Shine the first title series slot at the Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.
Rain or Shine broke away in the second period and played with great efficiency the rest of the way, never giving San Miguel a chance after breaking away from a 29-28 count with a 17-4 run to eventually wrap up their best-of-five playoffs, 3-1.
It was a great victory for coach Yeng Guiao and his Elasto Painters, who have lost just one of five games in the playoffs since advancing as the fifth seeds and not given much of a chance against Barangay Ginebra in the quarterfinals.
Guiao admitted to having doubts himself, especially after signing up a fourth import in Pierre Henderson-Niles who was far from impressive compared to the one he replaced.
“Honestly, I was really doubtful from the start, but the results speak for themselves. We have lost just one game since he came in,” Guiao said of his 6-foot-8 import, a wide-bodied hardworker who took out the 7-foot Greg Slaughter in the Ginebra series and 6-foot-10 San Miguel cornerstone June Mar Fajardo in this one.
“I guess, we’re lucky that we played Ginebra (in the quarterfinals) and San Miguel (in the Final Four),” Guiao said without mentioning that both teams make a living using their big men to the fullest. “If we had Mo (Charlo) or anybody else (as an import) who didn’t have the size of the bulk, I don’t think this would be the result.”
The Painters will now await the winner of the Alaska-Meralco series as a Finals foe.
Alaska has a 2-1 lead in that half of the Final Four, and the Aces will take the first of two chances they have of returning to the title series of this tournament for the first time since winning it in 2013 when they clash with the Bolts at 7 p.m. on Monday also at the fabled Big Dome floor.
The Aces have momentum on their side after taking the Bolts apart in Game 3.
Guiao, though, doesn’t care whoever his Painters collide with, wanting to bask in this achievement first before thinking of the next series.
“Seriously, I haven’t given the Finals much thought,” Guiao said.
“Bahala na sila sa buhay nila,” Guiao said when asked which team he wants to play in the Finals.
Paul Lee, Rain or Shine’s superstar point guard who was sidelined for most of this tournament because of a knee injury, showed that he’s back to 100% form by spearheading that second quarter breakaway together with Chris Tiu.
Lee finished with 18 points, shooting 10 of those in the second quarter with Tiu hitting eight of his 13 as Rain or Shine got a total of six players shooting 10 or better in a balanced scoring attack that befuddled the San Miguel defense.
Arizona Reid scored 25 points in what turned out to be the only game since flying in on short notice on Saturday afternoon. He will be back for the Beermen for the season-ending Governors’ Cup in five weeks.
Marcio Lassiter contributed 20 but fouled out with still under 11 minutes left. He scored 30 in a 104-98 Game 3 win.
Alex Cabagnot tossed in 18 and Fajardo 12 for San Miguel, which couldn’t give the reigning two-time MVP more than seven attempts from the field as Henderson-Niles was constantly bothering him inside.
Should Alaska dispose of Meralco on Monday night, Game 1 of the championship playoffs will be held on Wednesday at 7 p.m.
If the Bolts extend the series to a rubber match, the Finals will start on Friday.
