QUEZON CITY, Philippines (Eagle News) – The Rain or Shine Elastopainters successfully completes a sweep over the Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Quarter Finals to advance to the semis and await the winner between the San Miguel Beermen and the Purefoods Star Hotshots.
The Elastopainters were rallying on the let go behind Jeff Chan’s 9 points in the opening quarter that helped them mount a 10 point lead heading to the 2nd quarter. Ginebra had a change to trim down the lead late in the 2nd and in the early 3rd quarter behind their import, Othyus Jeffers.
In the 4th quarter, Chan unleashed another barrage of points as he scored 10 of his 22 points to finally seal the fate of the Gin Kings with a final score of 102-89.
“We didn’t expect to go 2-0 against Ginebra. We were looking all the way to game 3 and it is going to be a hard series,” said Rain or Shine head coach Yeng Guiao who was surprised to sweep a team headed by coach Tim Cone.
“We played good defence tonight and tried to avoid the bad start in the previous game. All the guys are hustling, everyone was active and wanted to win this game,” said Guiao who credited the entire team for the well rounded effort.
Aside from Chan, he got help from JR Quinahan who chipped in 21 points of his own. Rain or Shine’s hulking import had 10 points but grabbed 14 boards in his 2nd game in the PBA.
On his exit, Ginebra import Othyus Jeffers produced numbers across the board with 27 points, 14 rebounds, 6 assists and 3 steals.
Rain or Shine will have enough rest until their semi-final game which may start as early as Friday, April 22 or this coming Sunday, April 24 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. (Ernest Hernandez)
The scores:
RAIN OR SHINE 102 – Chan 22, Quinahan 21, Ahanmisi 13, Henderson Niles 10, Almazan 6, Norwood 6, Belga 5, Cruz 5, Tiu 5, Teng 4, Lee 3, Ponferada 2, Ibanes 0.
GINEBRA 89 – Jeffers 27, Aguilar 14, Slaughter 14, Tenorio 11, Caguioa 10, Devance 7, Ellis 4, Thompson 2, Helterbrand 0, Marcelo 0, Mercado 0.
Quarters: 31-21, 50-44, 77-64, 102-89
