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| Gabe Norwood is in tears as he tastes his first PBA Championship. |
The B-Meg Llamados made it awfully tough, but the Rain or Shine Elasto-Painters wouldn’t be denied their date with destiny.
Led by James Yap and Marqus Blakely, B-Meg’s resolve was never in doubt as the Llamados equalized the series in Game 6. For the second straight game, Coach Tim Cone’s wards limited the Painters to just 81 points, and they themselves never looked back in forcing a rubber match.
By all indications, Game 7 promised to be a barn-burner, and it did not disappoint.
The Painters, never tagged as a title contender anytime this season until their fortunes changed in the Governors’ Cup, seized the moment and delivered on Coach Yeng Guiao’s championship guarantee. After a couple of bad games, Finals MVP and National Team guard Jeff Chan scored 16 points to help RoS clinch its first PBA title ever.
The exit of Llamados import Marqus Blakely definitely helped the Painters’ cause, but it was mainly the big misses of B-Meg’s top guns in crunch time that sealed the result. PJ Simon and James Yap had some clear looks in the dying minutes that could’ve trimmed Rain or Shine’s lead to just a couple of points, but they muffed their chances and, with that, B-Meg slowly sank amidst the din of the Painters’ onslaught.
Rookie of the Year Paul Lee, sidelined with a shoulder injury, could only watch as his teammates turned back every B-Meg rally. Nevertheless, he was still a picture of delight as he enjoyed the first PBA championship in what promises to be a colorful pro career.
Game 6 Report:
B-MEG LLAMADOS over RAIN OR SHINE ELASTO-PAINTERS, 97-81
The B-MEG Llamados used a total team effort to win its second straight elimination game, defeating Rain or Shine, 97-81, in Game Six of the Governors’ Cup finals Friday at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum.
James Yap once again led the charge for B-MEG, top-scoring with 20 points and nine rebounds, but got ample support from his teammates in the rout. Marqus Blakely posted 19 points and 15 rebounds, outplaying his counterpart Jamelle Cornley, while Peter June Simon added 16 and eight. Jonas Villanueva chipped in 11 points.
The Llamados’ defense limited Cornley to just 14 points and held the Elasto Painters to just 38 percent shooting. Rain or Shine shot just 18 percent from beyond the arc, with sharpshooter Jeff Chan going 1-of-9 from behind the three-point line.
Rain or Shine was still in striking distance early in the fourth quarter after a TY Tang three-pointer cut the B-MEG lead to just seven points, 70-63. A turnaround, buzzer-beating three-pointer by Simon in the ensuing possession, however, triggered a 14-2 run that put the game away, 84-65.
The Llamados led by as much as 24 points late in the game after back-to-back three-pointers by Yap, who has had a marvelous series, averaging 21 points in the Finals coming into the game.
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| Rafi Reavis helped B-Meg square the Finals series at 3-3. |
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| James Yap came up big again in Game 6. |
BML 97 – Yap 20, Blakely 19, Simon 16, Villanueva 11, Barroca 8, De Ocampo 8, Urbiztondo 7, Reavis 6, Pingris 2, Gaco 0, Burtscher 0.
ROS 81 – Cornley 14, Tang 13, Norwood 12, Quinahan 9, Chan 7, Buenafe 7, Ibanes 7, Belga 6, Arana 4, Cruz 2.
QS: 19-13, 42-30, 65-56, 97-81
Game 7 Report:
RAIN OR SHINE ELASTO-PAINTERS over B-MEG LLAMADOS, 83-76
In the ultimate game of the season, Rain or Shine finally booked its date with destiny.
The Elasto Painters survived a tough challenge from a veteran B-MEG squad, 83-76, to win the Governors’ Cup in a thrilling Game Seven Sunday at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum.
Rain or Shine, which won its first PBA title in franchise history after six years in the league, caught a big break after Llamados import Marqus Blakely fouled out with still 8:30 remaining in the game. B-MEG tried to come back behind James Yap, who led all scorers with 23 points, but was kept at bay with timely hits by Rain or Shine.
Import Jamelle Cornley scored 20 points and grabbed 14 rebounds to lead the Elasto Painters. Jeff Chan and Gabe Norwood added 16 and 15 points, respectively.
Rain or Shine won the title despite missing star guard Paul Lee, the league’s Rookie of the Year, who re-injured his shoulder in Game Two. Guiao ruled out playing Lee in Game Seven despite Lee making his desire known that he wanted to see action to help his team.
The Elasto Painters raced to a fast 35-22 start in the first quarter, with Cornley and Chan, the finals Most Valuable Player, combining for 17 points. B-MEG, though, would cut the deficit to just two points at the half, 50-48.
The game remained close to start the second half, before foul trouble sent Blakely to the bench late in the third quarter, allowing Rain or Shine to grab the upper hand again.
The Elasto Painters made good on the promise of coach Yeng Guiao, who guaranteed a victory after the team’s Game Two loss.
“Naglakas-loob lang ako, either mag-mukha akong tanga, o magmukha akong genius,” he said, adding that his pronouncement added to the confidence of his players, none of whom had any championship experience coming into the series.
“Tingin ko nakatulong.”
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| In the end, Jeff Chan was adjudged the best local player of the Finals. |
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| Coach Tim Cone failed to deliver the Governors' Cup for the Llamados. |
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| Jamelle Cornley battled through cramps late in the game to help Rain or Shine clinch the ultimate triumph. |
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| Kobe Saya is a winner, too, after posing with this triumvirate of AKTV beauties. |
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| Yeng Guiao gets a victory ride after his championship promise is realized in Game 7. |
ROS 83 – Cornley 20, Chan 16, Norwood 15, Ibanes 8, Cruz 7, Belga 7, Arana 5, Tang 4, Buenafe 1, Jaime 0, Quinahan 0.
BML 76 – Yap 23, Blakely 15, Simon 11, Urbiztondo 8, De Ocampo 8, Barroca 5, Reavis 4, Pingris 2, Villanueva 0.
QS: 35-22, 50-48, 68-64, 83-76.
Source: Unless otherwise specified, game recaps were compressed and compiled from InterAKTV. (Writing credit to Rey Joble.)
Images: All images are from InterAKTV. (Photo credit to Paolo Papa & Paul Ryan Tan)
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