NOT even the return of Arizona Reid could stop Rain or Shine from making its way to the finals.
Rain or Shine emphatically showed how badly it wanted to return to the big stage as it manhandled helpless San Miguel Beer, 124-99, from start to finish, closing out their best-of-five semifinal series, 3-1, in the 2016 Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Sunday night.
The Elasto Painters’ urge to earn the first ticket to the finals was very evident as they dominated from start to finish.
Paul Lee’s deadly form is slowly coming back for Rain or Shine as he scored 18 points on 6-of-9 shooting and dished out five assists to lead his squad to victory.
“I’m really proud of the resiliency of the team,” said Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao, who is now in his 15th finals’ appearance as a coach. “I have to give credit to the coaching staff and the players. They were motivated to make it back to the finals.”
Rain or Shine now awaits who it will face between Alaska and Meralco in the best-of-seven finale. Alaska, ahead 2-1 in its own semis series with Meralco, will try to end its own semifinal series today when it goes for the kill against the Bolts at 7 p.m. in Game 4 of their best-of-five affair, also at the Big Dome.
Through Lee’s 12 quick points in the first half, Rain or Shine grabbed a commanding double-digit lead, 48-33, at the 4:27 mark of the second, after a critical 19-7 blast in the middle of the quarter.
There was no looking back from there for the Elasto Painters as they comfortably cruised the rest of the way and took care of their double-digit lead.
In the second half, Rain or Shine built its largest lead of 26 several times.
After playing without an import in an excellent Game 3 effort, San Miguel brought in Reid in Game 4, but his presence and his team’s effort weren’t enough to prevent the Painters from completing their revenge on the Beermen, who won their last two semis clash.
Game Today (Semis, Game 4 – Smart Araneta Coliseum):
7 p.m. – Alaska vs. Meralco