THE RAIN OR SHINE Elasto Painters extended their series with the top-seeded Petron Blaze Boosters following a 92-87 victory in Game Three of the PBA Governors’ Cup semifinals at the Cuneta Astrodome.
The Painters banked on a strong finishing kick to beat the Boosters and slice its deficit to 1-2 in this best-of-five affair.
Jeff Chan helped Rain or Shine complete the come-from-behind win as he capped off a 12-0 run in the fourth with a booming triple that erased Petron’s nine-point lead and take an 88-85 advantage in the final 2:38.
Import Arizona Reid finished off the Blazers with two split free throws and a basket as Rain or Shine snapped the Blazers’ 11-game win streak.
Defense was also a key factor for Rain or Shine as it limited the Boosters’ scorers all-game long.
So tough was Rain or Shine’s defense in the final eight minutes of the game as Petron scored just two points in that stretch courtesy of a basket by Arwind Santos.
Reid topscored for the Painters with 25 points.
Alex Cabagnot led the Blaze Boosters with 18 while import Elijah Millsap was held down to just 17. /Copy Editor Brian J. Ochoa