MANILA, Philippines - Sweet-shooting forward Jeff Chan converted four of seven three-point tries, including a buzzer-beater as Rain or Shine squeaked past Air21, 89-86, in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Cuneta Astrodome last night.
Asian Games-bound Sol Mercado missed a crucial free-throw earlier but quickly atoned for that by creating a play in the dying seconds, leaving Chan wide open for that winning three-pointer.
Chan came through with 19 points, seven assists, six rebounds and three steals while Mercado got away with 14 points, three rebounds and the same number of assists as Rain or Shine broke into the win-column after dropping its first game in the season versus Powerade last week.
Air21 reeled to its second straight defeat following an 86-100 blowout by San Miguel Beer last Friday.
“I was on that spot as told by coach (Caloy Garcia). Coach Caloy made a good play and Sol made a good pass, allowing me to have that game-winning shot,” said Chan, runner-up to Mark Macapagal in the last PBA All-Stars three-point shootout.
“Sol went to the basket without screen and he deserves a big credit for finding our best shooter,” said Garcia.
“It was a nice win and hopefully it gives us the confidence as we play the big teams,” Garcia said.
Gabe Norwood and JayR Reyes also produced double-digit outputs while Doug Kramer tallied 11 rebounds and five points for the Elasto Painters, who pulled one over the Express for the first time in a long while.
Before the game, Air21 was 7-1 up over Rain or Shine in their head-on duels in the all-Filipino tourney.
The Elasto Painters opened with a 12-to-nothing run and sat on a 50-40 cushion at the half before slowing down in the next few minutes, enabling the Express to fight back before surging ahead at 80-73.
Ronjay Buenafe banged in three triples and totaled 13 points to fuel a hot Air21 third-quarter run, giving the Express a 74-71 lead entering the payoff period.
But the Elasto Painters refused to give up as they regained their second wind and the momentum at the finish.
The Express tied the count for the last time at 86 on two free throws by Buenafe off a foul by Kramer with 5.4 seconds to go.
Suing for a quick timeout, Garcia then plotted the winning play between Mercado and Chan.
Drawing three defenders on a strong attack to the basket, Mercado freed up Chan for the buzzer-beating triple.
Buenafe rushed to defend Chan but he came a bit too late. The Rain or Shine bench erupted into a frenzied celebration as Chan hit the mark.
Celebrated rookie Rabeh Al-Hussaini had big numbers – 19 points and 13 rebounds – that again went down the drain.
Top pick Nonoy Baclao, sustaining a foot injury a few days before their initial game, finally made his pro debut, making four points and the same number of rebounds.