Painters capitalize on Abueva flagrant, force 2-2 tie

Game Friday (MOA Arena)

7 p.m. – San Miguel vs Talk n Text

MANILA, Philippines – Rain or Shine came up with a huge four-point swing following a flagrant foul incurred by Calvin Abueva on a cheap shot on Jonathan Uyloan, and the Elasto Painters drubbed the Alaska Milk Aces, 98-91, to force a 2-2 tie in their PBA Philippine Cup Final Four faceoff at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City Thursday night.

Uyloan nailed a gift shot from Abueva’s infraction then set up Gabe Norwood for a 3-pointer from the left flank as the E-Painters stretched their lead to 96-89 with 1:27 left and went on to secure the crucial win that reduced their best-of-seven series to a race-to-two-games affair.

“We wanted to win this one, and we got a big help from that stupid move of Abueva,” said Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao.

The Aces were in possession of the ball, down by just three, when Abueva was seen sneaking a blow on Uyloan’s mid-section.

After a thorough review of the particular sequence, the referees slapped Abueva a flagrant foul penalty 2, causing his outright ejection and possible suspension for the next game set tomorrow at the same venue.

On Friday at 7 p.m., San Miguel Beer goes for a sweep of Talk n Text in their own semis duel.

If ever, the Beermen, the league’s winningest team, will have a shot at a fifth Philippine Cup crown and 20th championship in all.

Jeff Chan went 5-of-10 from beyond the arc and finished with a personal conference-high of 25 points while Gabe Norwood fired 12 markers, including seven in the last three minutes, as Rain or Shine foiled Alaska’s bid of padding its series lead to 3-1.

“It’s a good Christmas gift to ourselves. We struggled for three quarters but we gathered ourselves in the fourth period. We stayed tough though they had the lead most of the way,” said Guiao.

“It’s down to a best of three and Game Five is the most important. We just can’t rely on a stupid move by Abueva. We have to rely on our own,” Guiao also said.

Abueva had been a big thorn for Rain or Shine until his flagrant act.

Sonny Thoss also punished the E-Painters a lot but fouled out with 3:51 left to play.

Thoss delivered a personal conference best of 25 points and 12 rebounds while Abueva logged 14 markers, seven boards and six assists for the Aces who took control three-fourths of the way, leading by 11 at 69-58.

But Chris Tiu, Chan and JR Quinahan combined for five three-pointers in a 22-11 assault that knotted the count at 80 with over seven minutes left to play.

Beau Belga and Raymond Almazan also delivered a little later, and the E-Painters raced ahead at 86-82.

Alaska had a better overall field shooting (37 of 82) but Rain or Shine got away with a big edge in 3-point shooting with 13 as against the Aces’ four.

Tiu went 2-of-3 from the three-point area and had the same clip from the two-point zone as he chipped in 10 points, three rebounds and one steal in his return from injury.