Lee shines in comeback as Painters draw first blood

Game Sunday (Smart Araneta Coliseum)

5 p.m. – Alaska vs Rain or Shine

MANILA, Philippines – Paul Lee, on the comeback trail from an injury, announced he’s back with a superb 20-point game capped by a vicious three-pointer at the finish as Rain or Shine drubbed Alaska Milk, 105-97, in the opener of the Oppo PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Friday night.

Guys like Pierre Henderson-Niles, Beau Belga, Jericho Cruz and Gabe Norwood also played vital parts as the Elasto Painters overcame Alaska’s vaunted press and Rob Dozier’s PBA-best of 41 points to draw first blood in the best-of-seven titular series.

“It’s nice to be back in the finals, and it’s nice to win Game One. But it’s not over until you win four games. They’re gonna be a lot tougher in Game Two,” said Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao.

“We made a mistake at the start and we made a mistake at the finish. You can’t afford to do that playing a veteran team,” rued Alaska coach Alex Compton.

The Elasto Painters did outfox and outplay the Aces in the opening minutes and at crunch time, with Lee dealing Alaska the most telling blows.

Averaging only 6.5 points before the game, Lee found the right time to rediscover his old lethal form, delivering his conference best spiked by four treys, including one after the Aces threatened the last time at 94-96 inside the final minute.

  “We knew Paul’s getting back his games. Three or four games ago, he’s started to get into the groove. This is the right time -- championship, game on the line – and he’s back,” Guiao of his ace guard.

“There were scary moments when he hurt his ankle or shin. But he was able to go back to the game. He’s really back and he’s back as the leader of the team,” Guiao added.

Maverick Ahanmisi canned in four charities later to help seal the deal.

Niles produced only 13 rebounds and six points but played a big part in putting the shackles on Dozier at the finish.  

“Dozier played great. He didn’t seem to be missing his shots. Ayaw magmintis in the first three quarters. In the fourth quarter, I experimented playing Pierre on him. They’re collegiate teammates and might be familiar with each other. And he (Dozier) started missing some shots,” said Guiao.

“When our locals we’re guarding him, halos ayaw magmintis. We’re kind of waiting for him to miss. It didn’t seem to work until the fourth when we put Pierre on him,” Guiao added.

With a previous PBA best of 32 points, Dozier carried the bulk of the fight for the Aces with 41 points on a remarkable 18-of-22 field-goal shooting.

Outrunning and outgunning the Aces at the get-go, the E-Painters erected an early double-digit spread at 18-7, then stretched it to 24-10 before settling for a 51-46 lead at the half.

Lee and Cruz handled the Alaska pressure at the backcourt with ease, leading the way for the E-Painters with 13 and 10 points, respectively, in the first 24 minutes.

Cruz started so strong that he outscored the entire Aces, 12-10, in the first six minutes of the game.

The ROS sophomore guard scored on a layup off Dozier to cap a 10-to-nothing roll that opened their 18-7 spread – a lead they held on until a Dozier-led third-quarter surge came along, pushing Alaska ahead at 66-63.

Dozier and Cyrus Baguio put in 12 apiece as the Aces went on a roll in the third and held on a 77-74 lead going into the payoff period.

But the E-Painters would regain control in the fourth and held on to beat the Aces.