E-Painters even series

CEBU, Philippines – The Rain or Shine Elasto Painters once again saw a large margin slip away against Alaska but did enough this time to preserve the victory, 102-95, and level their PBA Philippine Cup semifinal series at 1-all on Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Jervy Cruz had 19 points and 12 rebounds and Jonathan Uyloan added 18 as Rain or Shine bounced back from a Game One loss last Thursday.

Gabe Norwood also had a strong game with 15 points, five rebounds, five assists and four steals in a rounded effort for Rain or Shine. Paul Lee added 13 points, including two three-pointers in the fourth quarter, in the win.

Rain or Shine led by 19 points at the halftime break but allowed Alaska to come back to within five points in the fourth quarter, but Norwood and Lee hit some key free throws in the dying minutes to hold off the Aces’ charge.

The first half of Game Two followed a familiar script as Rain or Shine once again made a major run in the second quarter.

Unlike in Game One, though, they saved it for later in the period as they closed out strong to take a massive 19-point advantage, 55-36, to the halftime break.

Cruz kicked off the run with back-to-back baskets as Rain or Shine raised its aggressive attack going to the hoop. They hustled their way to earn transition baskets and trips to the free throw line as they began to put some distance on Alaska, which at one point trailed by just two, 29-27.

The Elasto Painters shifted the attack to the outside late, as Uyloan and Norwood knocked down consecutive threes to end the period on a 26-9 run.

Cruz and Uyloan led Rain or Shine with 11 points apiece while Norwood and Raymond Almazan each had eight.

Veteran Eric Menk was Alaska’s lone bright spot in the first half, scoring 11 of his own.

But like in the opener, the Aces quickly showed their ability to come back against the Elasto Painters.

Vic Manuel quickly rattled off eight points while sharpshooters Dondon Hontiveros and JVee Casio both offered some support from long range as they sparked a 23-10 run that got them to back to within single digits, 67-59, at the 5:30 mark.

Uyloan stemmed the tide somewhat for Rain or Shine, responding with five unanswered points, but Alaska was able to hang around behind the offense of Calvin     Abueva and enter the fourth quarter down by just nine, 83-74.

The Aces quickly whittled the lead down to just five points, 85-80, early in the fourth.

Lee, who was quiet in the first three periods, then knocked down two three-pointers and JR Quiñahan had a nice sequence, blocking Menk in the post and scoring on a hook shot on the other end as Rain or Shine pushed its advantage back to 10, 95-85.

Alaska would again come to as close as five but Norwood and Lee knocked down some free throws and the sturdy Rain or Shine defense kept the Aces at bay in the end. — InterAKTV (FREEMAN)