(CNN Philippines) — The Rain or Shine Elasto Painters went up against an import-less Meralco, but had to play with so much gusto to hammer out a 107-98 Game 3 win over the Bolts Tuesday (April 7) and book a ticket to the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Commissioner’s Cup finals.
Paul Lee finished with a game-high 23 points for the Elasto Painters, who blanked the Bolts in the best-of-five series to reach the finals for the third time in five conferences.
Import Wayne Chism added 16 points with 11 rebounds, and seven assists.
“We got really a big break with their import not being able to play,” said Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao, referring to Meralco import Josh Davis who was shelved by a right shoulder injury.
The Elasto Painters raced off to a scintillating 30-11 start behind Ryan Arana and Lee, who combined for 19 points in the opening period.
But a resilient Bolts squad showed they were not backing down even in the face of Rain or Shine’s relentless offense and stifling defense.
Meralco’s Mark Macapagal waxed hot and dropped 13 of his 20 points in the second period, where the team even took a 52-47 lead on the sniper’s five straight points.
But Meralco’s efforts went for naught as Rain or Shine restored order just when the Bolts seemed on their way to breaking away. Raymond Almazan stepped up just in time and scored 13 points in the period alone.
From there, things went downhill for the Bolts, whose local star Gary David went scoreless in almost 24 minutes of play.
“The scores don’t reflect how difficult this series was for us. They will be a better team next year or conference with the experience they had in this playoffs,” Guiao said.
Rain or Shine awaits the winner between the Purefoods Star Hotshots and the Talk ’N Text Tropang Texters in the other semifinal pairing. Their series is tied at one-game apiece.
The scores:
RAIN OR SHINE 107 – Lee 23, Chism 16, Almazan 14, Arana 12, Norwood 10, Uyloan 8, Tiu 7, Belga 7, Ibanes 2, Teng 2, Cruz Jericho 2, Cruz Jervy 2, Quinahan 2, Tang 0.
MERALCO 98 – Hodge 20, Macapagal 20, Hugnatan 19, Anthony 14, Cortez 11, Caram 4, Wilson 3, Ildefonso 3, Sena 2, Ferriols 2, David 0.
Quarters: 31-21, 49-52, 84-74, 107-98
