E-Painters, Gin Kings avert ouster

MANILA, Philippines - Gabe Norwood scored on a spectacular follow-up dunk in the closing seconds, and Rain or Shine survived a third knockout game in two weeks with a 95-92 decision over Purefoods in Game Three of their KFC PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals showdown at the Araneta Coliseum last night.

Norwood dished out a solid all-around game capped by a two-handed slam off a missed layup by Jeff Chan, allowing the Elasto Painters to avoid what could have been a second straight sorry endgame fold-up.

In the second game, Barangay Ginebra squandered a 13-point halftime lead but outfought Talk n Text in a battle down the stretch, squeezing out a 102-97 win to also keep its semis hopes alive.

“It’s really hard to play Talk n Text. You have to find a way on both ends to beat them,” said Ginebra coach Jong Uichico.

JC Intal came through with a career-high 25 points while Eric Menk added 20 points, seven rebounds and three assists as the Kings dodged the Texters’ first knockout attempt.

Jayjay Helterbrand, reactivated from the injured list in this crucial game, chipped in eight points, three rebounds and the same number of assists.

Chan, Mike Hrabak, Sol Mercado and TY Tang had their significant contributions as Rain or Shine foiled Purefoods’ sweep bid in their best-of-five quarters duel, thus, staying in the hunt for a breakthrough campaign in the all-Filipino tourney.

Rain or Shine coach Caloy Garcia admitted they got a big break with Purefoods opting to rest injured key players Kerby Raymundo, Rico Maierhofer and Peter June Simon.

The Elasto Painters, survivors from the wildcard round plays, try to survive a fourth do-or-die game tomorrow to force a rubber match versus the Giants in their fight for a semis berth against the San Miguel Beermen.

“This is about the boys coming out to compete. Basically, the boys fight with character as they don’t want to lose specially by a sweep,” said Garcia.

“We really have to compete every game. Despite what happened in Game Two, I still believe we can make a comeback if we compete with a big heart,” Garcia added.

Chan and Hrabak nailed five three-pointers each and led five Rain or Shine players who finished in double figures.

“I was encouraged by the coaching staff to take the shots. When I made my first shot, I became confident with my shooting,” said Chan who wound up with 17 points, six rebounds and the same number of assists.

Chan highlighted his exploits with back-to-back triples that helped fuel a decisive run giving Rain or Shine an 11-point spread at 91-80 entering the last three minutes of play.

But the Elasto Painters faltered at the finish, allowing the Giants to threaten at 90-93 in the closing minute.

Norwood eventually settled the outcome of the game as he slammed in Chan’s missed layup with 4.6 seconds left.

It was Rain or Shine’s third win in a do-or-die game, following victories over Sta. Lucia and Coca-Cola in the wildcards.