2014 PBA Governors Cup Finals: Painters force a do-or-die Game 5!

Jonathan Uyloan stepped up big time on the biggest stage for Rain or Shine.

Game notes:
- Seldom-used Jonathan Uyloan proved to be the ace up coach Yeng Guiao’s sleeve, pouring in 8 points in 14 minutes, including two big threes in a key segment of the second quarter, to spark Rain or Shine in denying San Mig Super Coffee in Game 4. Not bad for a kid who has averaged under 3 points in his 4-year career and someone who might end up unprotected when the expansion dispersal draft comes along.

- Arizona Reid once again led ROS in pretty much everything, scoring 22 points and grabbing 17 rebounds, but, unlike Game 3, the Best Import of the Govs’ Cup got a lot of help. Paul Lee and Gabe Norwood each scored 14 markers while Beau Belga and Ryan Araña paired up for 21 points as the Painters forced a do-or-die affair in Game 5. ROS shot 41% from beyond the arc here, with Reid, Lee, Araña, and Uyloan each making at least 2 triples.

- Tables were turned in this game. The Mixers, who pride themselves on depth and balance, had just two guys finish in double-figure scoring: Marqus Blakely and James Yap. Coach Cone’s crew also shot themselves on the foot by making only 50% of their free throws. Considering how SMC was +14 in FT attempts, this was a decisive factor.

Game recaps by Rey Joble/InterAKTV:

RAIN OR SHINE over SAN MIG SUPER COFFEE, 88-79

The Rain or Shine Elasto Painters made a major statement after an 88-79 victory over Grand Slam-chasing San Mig Coffee in Game Four of the PLDT Home Telpad Governors’ Cup best-of-five finals on Monday at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum.

Rain or Shine proved it was not going to lay down for San Mig Coffee’s chase for history, forcing a do-or-die knockout game for the championship with the win.

The Elasto Painters, who tied the series at two games apiece, led by as many as 20 points in this game, before finding answers to every Mixers rally in the second half.

Import Arizona Reid scored 22 points – much less than his 31.7 average in the series – but unlike in their Game Three loss, he got plenty of support from his local teammates in this one.

Four of Rain or Shine’s locals finished in double figures, a big improvement from the previous game where no Elasto Painter other than Reid scored more than 10 points.

Paul Lee and Gabe Norwood each scored 14 points in this one while Beau Belga added 11 and Ryan Arana chipped in with 10 from off the bench.

Jonathan Uyloan also gave the team a big lift, scoring all eight of his points in the second quarter.

Rain or Shine, which was facing elimination in this game, came out with a sense of urgency from the opening tip.

They saw some positive signs from their local crew early as Belga and Lee found their offensive touch in the opening period, combining to score 12 of the team’s first 14 points.

They could not shake the Mixers, though, as teams ended up tied after the first.

It was all Rain or Shine in the second period, though, kicked off by Uyloan, who hit two three-pointers in the opening minutes.

With the game tied at 27-all, the Elasto Painters rattled off 12 unanswered points, including two treys from Reid to take a 39-27 advantage.

After trading a couple of baskets, it was Norwood’s turn to catch fire. He completed a pair of and-one opportunities – one off a putback and the other off a drive – before knocking down a three-pointer and assisting on one from Reid.

Reid’s long-range bomb put Rain or Shine up by 20, 53-33, with 2:25 remaining in the half.

San Mig Coffee’s Marqus Blakely tried his darnedest to keep San Mig Coffee in it, scoring 13 of the team’s 17 points in the period, which saw Rain or Shine score a total of 32 on their end.

San Mig Coffee, though, scored the last five points of the period and the first nine of the third as Rain or Shine’s big advantage quickly dwindled down to a mere six points, 53-47, after a tough stepback jumper from James Yap.

Rain or Shine finally ended their drought with a trey from Lee and later found a strong finishing kick, closing the third on a 6-0 run that gave them a 69-55 lead heading into the last 12 minutes.

In the fourth, San Mig Coffee challenged yet again, going on an 11-2 run behind Philippine Cup Finals MVP Mark Barroca.

But Rain or Shine again had an answer, scoring nine unanswered points to put the game away as San Mig Coffe coach Tim Cone emptied his bench while trailing 87-69 with a little over two minutes remaining.

The teams will duel again on Wednesday with San Mig Coffee getting a second crack at the historic Grand Slam and Rain or Shine out to win a championship of their own.

ROS 88 – Reid 22, Lee 14, Norwood 14, Belga 11, Arana 10, Uyloan 8, Almazan 3, Cruz 2, Tiu 2, Chan 2, Ibanes 0, Rodriguez 0.
SMC 79 – Blakely 21, Yap 12, Devance 9, Sangalang 8, Simon 8, Barroca 7, Maliksi 6, Pingris 4, Taha 2, Melton 2, Mallari 0, Reavis 0.
QS: 21-21, 53-38, 69-55, 88-79.