2014 PBA Philippine Cup Finals: Jeff Chan keeps Rain or Shine alive with second half explosion!

In front of more than 20,000 fans in the Araneta Coliseum, Gilas gunner Jeff Chan struck hard in the second half, scoring 23 of his 24 points as the Rain or Shine Elasto-Painters disrupted all plans of San Mig’s Game 5 title celebration, 81-74. Chan started, once again, struggling from the field, scoring just 1 point in the first two quarters, but he found his mark and went on a hot streak in the third period, where the Painters took the lead for the first time since the early goings, 48-46. It was a nip-tuck affair all the way till the end, but Chan and Paul Lee hit a couple of tough shots to preserve the big win for ROS.

After struggling in Game 4, Jeff Chan regained his fine form
to lead ROS in its Game 5 win.

This time around, coach TIm Cone’s frontline combo didn’t produce as much as they have in the past few games. With the exception of Marc Pingris, who ended up with 18 points and 15 rebounds, SMC’s frontcourt struggled big time. Ian Sangalang, Yancy De Ocampo, and Rafi Reavis all combined for just 6 points and 10 rebounds. The trio shot a total of just 1/7 from the floor. Even 6’7 swingman Joe Devance had a tough time here, shooting just 3/12 from the field to finish with 7 markers.

Turning the Tables: Rain or Shine stepped up its defense in this do-or-die affair, forcing 19 turnovers from the Mixers. ROS then converted these into 20 points-off-turnovers. This is in stark contrast to the previous game, where the Painters were the ones coughing up the ball with impunity. Coach Yeng Guiao’s bench also finally stepped into the spotlight in this encounter, with his top three scorers — Chan, Beau Belga, and Chris Tiu — all playing off the pine. ROS also did a splendid job limiting SMC’s weapons, with PJ Simon attempting just 2 field goals and rookies Ian Sangalang and Justin Melton being bottled up most of the night.


Game Recap:

RAIN OR SHINE over SAN MIG SUPER COFFEE, 81-74

Jeff Chan sizzled for 23 of his 24 points in the second half to lead the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters to a tough 81-74 victory over the San Mig Super Coffee Mixers in Game Five of the PLDT Home DSL Philippine Cup finals on Sunday at SMART-Araneta Coliseum.

“Ayoko lang talagang matalo,” said Chan. “Ayaw lang naming ibigay ‘tong larong ‘to.”

The win gave the Elasto Painters a new lease on life even as San Mig Coffee remained ahead in the series, 3-2.

“We just grinded out a win and we’re still certainly behind in this series, but one thing we can promise the fans is we will fight it out to the end and we’re still looking to make the championship,” said Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao.

“We’ll take a lot of encouragement and hope on this win tonight.”

San Mig Coffee struck first, going on a 16-1 run to open up a 20-10 lead midway through the first quarter.

Rain or Shine, buoyed by a bench crew finally showing up in the series, fought back in the second period, cutting the deficit to a single point, 28-27. But the Mixers weathered the storm, restoring a 43-35 lead at halftime.

The Elasto Painters came out roaring in the second half led by star forward Jeff Chan. The lefty gunner scored nine points in a 13-3 blast as the Elasto Painters finally took back the lead, 48-46, to start the third period.

Rain or Shine remained in control with a 57-54 edge to begin the fourth quarter.

San Mig Coffee threatened to within a single point, 61-60, before Chan caught fire with eight straight points to give the Elasto Painters a nine-point lead.

The Mixers struck back with a 9-3 run led by James Yap to cut the deficit, 72-69.

Paul Lee pushed the lead to five after a difficult jumper, but Yap answered back with a three-pointer as the Mixers came within two points, 74-72.

The teams exchanged fruitless possessions before Gabe Norwood nailed a crucial three-pointer with 1:22 left for a 77-72 lead.

After Rain or Shine forced a turnover in the next San Mig Coffee possession, Chan nailed a difficult turnaround jumper to beat the shotclock buzzer and put his team ahead by seven points, 79-72, with 48.3 seconds remaining.

Marc Pingris scored quickly in the next play after a timeout to cut the lead to five, before San Mig Coffee forced a 24-second violation on the Elasto Painters on the other end.

But Yap couldn’t convert on his three-point attempt for San Mig Coffee, leaving Rain or Shine with possession with 13.6 seconds remaining.

Chan converted two free throws to seal the deal for the Elasto Painters, who can tie the series in Wednesday’s Game Six at the Big Dome.

Rain or Shine won despite Beau Belga being the only other player in double-figures aside from Chan with 10 points.

Veteran stars Yap and Pingris led San Mig Coffee with 18 points apiece.

ROS 81 – Chan 24, Belga 10, Tiu 9, Lee 8, Norwood 7, Quinahan 6, Rodriguez 5, Arana 4, Almazan 4, Cruz 2, Ibanes 2.
SMC 74 – Pingris 18, Yap 18, Mallari 11, Barroca 10, Devance 7, Simon 4, Sangalang 3, De Ocampo 2, Reavis 1, Melton 0.
QS: 14-20, 35-43, 59-54, 81-74

Beau Belga celebrates as the Painters live to fight another day.

Gabe Norwood hit a big three late in the fourth to put ROS beyond reach.

James Yap and the rest of the Mixers were bottled up
by the airtight ROS defense.

More than 20,000 fans watched Game 5 at the Big Dome.

Recap source: Rey Joble/InterAKTV.

Image sources: Paolo Papa & Pranz Kaeno Billones/Sports 5.


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