By Diego de la Paz
QUEZON CITY, Philippines (Eagle News) – Rain or Shine poured on a barrage of treys in the fourth period to finally end Alaska’s dream of a miraculous turnaround, etching a 109-92 win in the books to capture the 2016 PBA Commissioner’s Cup crown on Wednesday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Elasto Painters torched the nets for seven three-pointers in the first quarter to jump the gun on the hapless Aces and set the tone for the match. The team wound up with an all-time record-tying 15 three pointers in the match to seal the win.
Paul Lee put up 20 points on a near-perfect seven-for-eight shooting night to win the nod for the Cignal-PBA Press Corps Finals Most Valuable Player citation. Rookie guard Jericho Cruz fired a career 21 points built around three triples, and Raymond Almazan adding 15 points.
This is Rain or Shine’s second PBA championship in franchise history since snaring the 2012 Governors’ Cup led by then-best import Jamelle Cornley. Inversely, Alaska lost in three consecutive Finals – the second franchise to achieve the unenviable distinction.
In the 1980 season, Toyota achieved the dubious trifecta – losing the Open conference to U-Tex, the Invitational to Nicholas Stoodley, and the All-Filipino to Crispa.
Rain or Shine Head Coach Yeng Guiao said that their play throughout the last few seasons – including a heartbreaking loss in the 2015 Commissioner’s Cup – propelled the team to victory this time around.
“We are not the most talented team, but we are the most consistent. That consistency will one day lead you to the championship,” said Guiao. “We were looking to be consistent all the time.”
Whether we have injuries or lose some players, it’s not just the system but the culture that carries the team,” he added. “It’s the core of our existence. The players know what I require of them and they know also that each member of the team is dedicated to each other.”
Rain or Shine jumped the gun in the first period, racing to a 38-24 lead then further growing its advantage to its biggest at 23, 56-33, midway through the second quarter behind Lee’s incredible 17 points on six field goals without a miss in the first two quarters.
Alaska never led in the contest – save for the first two points on RJ Jazul’s free throws – and failed to bring down their deficit to single digit since the Elasto Painters grew its lead and trimmed its deficit to as low as 12, 104-92, with 1:06 left in the contest.
Calvin Abueva tallied 26 points with eight rebounds before fouling out with two minutes left in the fourth quarter, while rookie forward Kevin Racal added 15 for Alaska.
