Painters dedicate win to ‘Fallen 44’

Games Wednesday (Smart Araneta Coliseum)

4:15 p.m. – Kia vs San Miguel Beer

7 p.m. – Talk n Text vs Meralco

MANILA, Philippines – Rain or Shine paid respect to the SAF men killed in the Masasapano, Maguindanao incident, putting in a determined stand that carried the team past NLEX, 96-91, in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Tuesday night.

Bearing a “44” patch on their uniform, the Elasto Painters fought resolutely and got on the winning track after dropping their conference debut against the Talk n Text Tropang Texters, 86-89, last Wednesday.

“We want to pay small tribute to the 44 lives that perished in the unfortunate incident. We’re not protesting. We’re just sympathizing with the families and we want to give due importance to their sacrifice on our own little way,” said Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao, who with his staff, wore with black arm band in the game.

“I made the suggestion to our bosses (Raymond Yu and Terry Que) and they readily agreed on the idea,” Guiao also said.

Paul Lee and import Richard Jackson made the biggest damage as the Elasto Painters smothered the Road Warriors in their first game in the mid-season tourney.

Lee came off the bench and took over the game at the finish, scoring eight of his 25 points in the last three minutes

Jackson provided tough inside presence, coming through with 20 rebounds and 17 points, while Jonathan Uyloan helped with two big three-pointers entering the homestretch as the E-Painters spoiled the PBA debut of six-year NBA veteran Al Thornton.

Thornton put up 28 points and 12 rebounds against three errors.

Guiao lauded their gunners who fired 10 three-pointers as against NLEX’s six.

“With Asi Taulava and Al Thornton giving us problem, our little guys got open for the three-pointers,” said Guiao.

“Our import struggled a bit offensively, but he’s there for defense and to get the rebounds,” Guiao also said.

With the Road Warriors trying to turn the game around at endgame, Lee delivered the lethal baskets for the E-Painters.

The FIBA World Cup veteran faked off Asi Taulava and drained a runner, then drove strong off Mark Borboran as Rain or Shine made it 94-89 with 20.7 ticks to go.

After NLEX made it a one-possession game for the last time on an undergoal stab by Taulava, Lee answered with two charities to eventually seal their win.