5th Straight win For Bmeg, Pj Simons 3 Pointer Pushes the Llamados Past Rain or shine

Peter June Simon nailed the game-winning three-pointer with less than a minute left as B-MEG rallied past hard-luck Rain or Shine, 102-100, in a thrilling PBA Philippine Cup game Friday at the Araneta Coliseum.


Simon's clutch three-pointer capped Llamados’ closing 7-2 run after they trailed by three, 98-95, in the final three minutes of the contest after losing grip of a 21-point first quarter lead.

The Elasto Painters had a chance of reversing the outcome of the match after Mark Barroca failed to seal it for B-MEG when he missed on the Llamados’ final possession with 5.8 seconds left.


But rookie Paul Lee bungled a potential three-pointer just before the final buzzer, handing his team a third consecutive loss. B-MEG secured its fifth straight win.






"That was clutch basket by PJ (Simon). We're just lucky to pull this one off. Rain or Shine came ready to play," said an obviously relieved B-MEG coach Tim Cone after the match.






B-MEG and Rain or Shine are now tied at 7-4 as the Llamados remained very much in the running for the No. 2 spot and the twice-to-beat incentive in the playoffs that goes with it.


James Yap paced the Llamados with 32 points, including 19 in the first half where B-MEG zoomed to a 24-3lead with five minutes left in the opening period.






But Rain or Shine came back strong and were facing a 51-49 deficit at the turn which TY Tang closed with a three-pointer.






The Elasto Painters eventually caught up with the Llamados at 90-all behind Lee's two free throws.


Rain or Shine then scored eight of the game's next 13 points to take a three-point lead entering the homestretch.


Mark Pingris and Kerby Raymundo's consecutive baskets gave B-MEG a 99-98 lead, before Beau Belga's long two put Rain or Shine on top for the last time at 100-99.






Lee finished with 21 points to lead Rain or Shine, which is coming off a heartbreaking 106-104 overtime loss to league-leader and defending champion Talk 'N Text last week. — JVP, GMA News


Scores:


B-MEG 102—J. Yap 32, Simon 16, Barroca 14, Urbiztondo 11, Raymundo 11, Pingris 10, De Vance 3, Reavis 3, R. Yap 2, De Ocampo 0.


Rain or Shine 100—Lee 21, Buenafe 12, Matias 10, Rodriguez 9, Arana 9, Tang 8, Norwood 7, Belga 7, Chan 6, Quinahan 6, Cruz 4, Ibanes 1.


Quarter scores: 30-13, 51-49, 79-77, 102-100.


Source: http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/239698/sports/basketball/simon-s-3-pointer-pushes-b-meg-past-rain-or-shine