PAINTERS UP 1-0
Game today
Cuneta Astrodome
6:45 p.m. – Talk N Text vs. Petron
Gary David had his third straight 30-point game but it may need more than a high-scoring performance from the prolific guard for the Powerade Tigers to stand a chance against the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters.
Not only did they overcome David’s offensive outburst, the Painters also survived a listless first half in chalking up a come-from-behind, 114-97 win over the Tigers last night at the start of their best-of-seven semifinal series of the 37th PBA Philippine Cup at the Cuneta Astrodome.
David scored 30 points but failed to get ample support from his teammates as the Tigers crashed back to earth following their two gallant victories against the top-seed B-Meg Llamados in the quarterfinal round.
David combined for 69 points in those two wins that helped the Tigers overhaul a twice-to-beat disadvantage.
But for Rain or Shine, the ploy was to allow David to get his usual number but contain the other Tigers.
“We know he can score but we wanted him to get out of their offensive rhythm,” said Rain or Shine Elasto Painters head coach Yeng Guiao.
Rookie Paul Lee supplied the Painters the needed offensive production by coming up with 25 points, going six-for-10 from the field and nine-for-11 from the free throw line.
With David poised to have another big scoring game, the Tigers posted an 11-point lead at the half which they increased to as many as 15 points in the third.
Rain or Shine battled back and it didn’t take long for them to recover as they stole the upper-hand going into the fourth period, 78-76.
Powerade suddenly turned cold in the fourth, settling for outside shots and one-on-one plays against the Painters’ terrific team plays that broke the game wide open.
Rain or Shine staged a 21-8 run and at one point unloaded 10 unanswered points to erect a huge, 99-84 lead with only 5:13 to play.
“We kept our poise. The players stayed committed to our gameplan when they (Powerade) took an 11-point lead at the half that’s why we were able to bounce back,” said Guiao.
