Rain or Shine stuns SMB in semis opener

JAY R. GOTERA Saudi Gazette MANILA — The Rain or Shine Elasto Painters climbed from a deep hole to stun the top-seeded San Miguel Beermen, 98-94, in Game 1 of their best-of-5 semifinal series of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Sunday night. It looked like a long night for the Painters in the first quarter as they trailed by 18 points, 33-15, in the first quarter as the Beermen entered the game like a house on fire. But the Painters never lost hope and composure as they methodically chipped away at the huge deficit before finally unleashing their full might in the payoff period to overtake the Beermen at the finish. The Beermen and the Painters had squared off in the last two PBA semifinal matches, with SMB taking the first game and the series in both instances. On Sunday night, the Painters made sure the result, at least in Game 1, would be different. Game 2 of their best-of-five series is Tuesday night. What made Rain or Shine’s victory all the more memorable was that SMB import Tyler Wilkerson—the front-runner in the race for the Best Import award—and back-to-back MVP June Mar Fajardo both had explosive games. Wilkerson led all scorers with 40 points, half of them scored in the first quarter, while Fajardo was back in top form, finishing with 23 points, 13 boards, three assists, two blocks, and two steals. But still, the Painters managed to stand their ground and beat the talent-laden SMB through the heroics of rookie Maverick Ahanmisi, Jeff Chan, Jericho Cruz and their import Pierre Henderson-Niles. Ahanmisi played his best game in the league, leading ROS with a career-high 23 points, including the two free throws in the endgame to cap the Painters’ victory. The rookie also had nine rebounds and four assists. Henderson-Niles overcame early foul trouble to add 13 points, nine of them in the fourth quarter, plus nine rebounds in 21 minutes. Cruz and Chan chipped in with 11 and 10 markers, respectively. Chan’s booming three-pointer with 1:03 left gave ROS the lead for good. After patiently clawing their way back into the game, the Painters got their first taste of the lead at the 7:37 mark of the fourth quarter. ROS coach Yeng Guiao said what his boys did was nothing short of amazing. “It’s just one of those comebacks that will linger in your memory,” he said. “I almost gave up on the guys, but the guys did not give up on me. “They proved their coach wrong,” he added. “As good as their import and June Mar were playing, we pulled a win. That’s a great testament to the character of this team.” Game Monday: Alaska Aces vs. Meralco Bolts (Game 1, best-of-5 semifinals).