Alaska Aces 4th loss, Rain or Shine Grabs Solo Lead

Behind an extra hot shooting, Rain or Shine dealt Alaska its worst loss in memory and seized the lead in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Sunday.

Jeff Chan torched the Aces with a 5-of-5 three-pointers in the first quarter, and the Elasto Painters sustained a torrid clip throughout for a 120-84 rout. 

It was Rain of Shine’s largest winning margin in franchise history and Alaska’s worst defeat at least in the records kept by the league.


Coach Yeng Guiao being ejected on technical fouls late in the third seemed to just fire up the Elasto Painters even more.

“I got ejected but the situation got better after that. I just thought that no matter the score was, everybody has to do their job. I thought there were sloppy calls,” said Guiao after the lopsided match sending Rain or Shine to the top and Alaska to the bottom.

The Elasto Painters bamboozled the struggling Aces with a 57.5 percent shooting, and zoomed to the top with a second back-to-back wins in the tourney.
Petron yielded the lead as it bowed to Meralco, 70-80, earlier in the day.

Rain or Shine surged ahead at 4-1 with Petron moving down to joint second place with Talk n Text and Barako Bull at 3-1.

Alaska remained winless in four outings – the franchise’s worst start in an all-Filipino tourney since 1995. Overall, it’s Alaska’s worst since likewise going 0-4 in the 2001 Governors Cup.

“It’s our best offensive game so far. I was worried before the game that this might be the day Alaska would get its bearing. It’s still not,” said Guiao.
“Alaska is still a threat; a talented team. It’s a matter of time before they get their game back. We’re lucky it’s not tonight,” Guiao added.
The veteran Rain or Shine mentor said a good indication was winning this big even with Paul Lee off in the contest.
“It showed the balance that we have. Everybody made a contribution. It proved a point that we’re not going to put all responsibilities on Paul’s shoulders,” said Guiao.

Chan finished with six triples and a total of 20 points that went with five assists, three rebounds and two steals against two turnovers.

JR Quinahan, Ronjay Buenafe and Larry Rodriguez added at least 16 points each for the Elasto Painters who terribly outshot the Aces.

Behind clutch baskets by LA Tenorio and Mac Baracael, the Aces got to within eight, 45-53, at the half after trailing by as many as 18 early on.

That was their temporary relief as the Elasto Painters came out firing again in the final half. (SB) 

 The scores:

RAIN OR SHINE 120 - Chan 20, Quinahan 19, Buenafe 17, Rodriguez 16, Norwood 9, Arana 9, Cruz 7, Lee 5, Ibanes 5, Uyloan 4, Matias 3, Jaime 3, Belga 3.

ALASKA 84 - Tenorio 20, Cablay 15, Baguio 13, Baracael 8, Dela Cruz 8, Thoss 7, Custodio 5, Reys 4, Salamat 3, Bugia 1, Mepana 0, Thiele 0, Eman 0. 

source: Pba.ph



Quarterscores: 32-18, 53-45, 81-62, 120-84