E-Painters defuse Bolts, take opener

MANILA, Philippines - Rain or Shine used its experience then banked on its young guns’ efforts to regain control at the start of the fourth quarter as it subdued Meralco, 99-86, in Game One of their PBA Commissioner’s Cup best-of-five semifinal series at the Smart Araneta Coliseum last night.

With Wayne Chism and the RoS veterans on the bench, Raymond Almazan, Jericho Cruz and Chris Tiu took charge and combined in a decisive run at the onset of the fourth, powering the Elasto Painters to the breakaway victory after being dragged to a close fight by the Bolts through the first three quarters.

The two teams take a four-day break before facing each other again in Game Two on Easter Sunday.

Defending champion Purefoods and Talk n Text, meanwhile, start their own best-of-five semis series at 7 p.m. today also at the Big Dome.

“They kept with us close for three quarters and we just broke away in the fourth. It’s our experience that gave us the advantage, being able to play a good finish,” said Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao.

“It’s good to gain the advantage of winning the first game in a best-of-five series. But it’s just the first game and the series is far from over,” Guiao also said. “We have a long break where they can make the adjustment. It’s enough time to prepare.”

With hardly a preparation from their quarterfinals grinds, the E-Painters leaned on their experience and more balance roster in beating the Bolts in the series’ opener.

 “We don’t have regular first and second groups in our team. Everybody made contributions. Jericho Cruz played a hell of a game. Jeric Teng played quality minutes. That’s what we really need,” Guiao said.

Chism produced only 18 points and 14 rebounds but all but one RoS local put in their share, with Paul Lee topscoring with 14 markers.

Due to a leg injury, Jeff Chan played only five minutes and missed a field-goal attempt.

A far more experienced team ranged against the Meralco team only in its third Final Four, the E-Painters dictated the tempo and led for most part of the game.

But the Bolts did keep the game close in the first 36 minutes, trailing by just three, 71-74, at the end of the third.

The E-Painters pulled away for good on an 11-3 run by Almazan, Cruz and Tiu at the start of the fourth.

Chism, Lee and Gabe Norwood took over in the last seven minutes of the game, and the elims topnotchers went on to nail their 10th win in 13 games in all in the tourney.

The E-Painters did a fine defensive job on the energetic Meralco import Josh Davis, holding him down to 15 points and 11 rebounds.

Through the quarterfinals, Davis normed 22.1 points, 17.38 rebounds, 2.08 assists, 2.31 steals and 1.23 blocks.