Lethal Weapon: Paul Lee shoots down Ginebra as Rain or Shine takes last semis seat

In the end, it was the Lethal Weapon who shot down Barangay Ginebra San Miguel’s Philippine Cup dreams.

Paul Lee scored 25 points in just 26 minutes to lead Rain or Shine to a masterful 102-89 victory over the Gin Kings in the deciding Game Three of their quarterfinals series Sunday at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum.

“We had to do it the hard way. We took the longer route but made our destination. Medyo tumagal lang,” said Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao.

“We learned a lot of things in our setback (in Game Two).”

The victory gave the Elasto Painters the final ticket to the semifinals of the tournament. Rain or Shine faces San Mig Coffee in a rematch of last season’s Governors’ Cup finals.

Lee scored 14 points in a third quarter that saw a 47-all halftime tie turn into a 76-64 lead for the Elasto Painters.

In contrast to Game Two when Rain or Shine turned cold from beyond the arc, the Elasto Painters shot the lights out from the three-point line.

“We were kinda suprised by the zone they threw at us in Game Two,” said Guiao. The Elasto Painters made 9-of-22 from three-point range (41 percent) despite the continuing cold shooting of top gun Jeff Chan, who missed all five of his attempts from distance.

“Yun ang prinaktis namin. Paul Lee went to work in the third quarter.”

Gabe Norwood helped pick up the slack for the Elasto Painters, posting 21 points, six assists, and two steals. That included a difficult two-hand alleyoop jam over Rudy Hatfield on Lee’s pass as part of the surge that saw Rain or Shine take a 21-point lead, 72-51, with four minutes left in the third quarter.

“(Ronnie) Matias hit his shots, Paul hit his shots, Gabe hit some shots. That’s the design of this team. When one player on a slump, others will step up,” said Guiao.

The closest Ginebra could get was at 79-72 on Mark Caguioa’s split from the foul line, but the Elasto Painters hit the needed free throws to deny the Gin Kings of another comeback.

The loss spoiled a career game from Billy Mamaril, who had 20 points, 10 rebounds, and six blocks. LA Tenorio added 20 points for Ginebra, which was eliminated from Philippine Cup by Rain or Shine for the second straight year.

The scores:

RAIN OR SHINE 102 – Lee 25, Norwood 21, Cruz 12, Belga 11, Matias 9, Tiu 7, Rodriguez 6, Quinahan 6, Chan 5, Tang 0, Arana 0.

GINEBRA 89 – Tenorio 20, Mamaril 20, Caguioa 14, Maierhofer 11, Helterbrand 9, Ellis 4, Wilson 4, Hatfield 4, Taha 3, Labagala 0, Espiritu 0.

Quarters: 27-27, 47-47, 76-64, 102-89

SOURCE: Interaksyon

iba rin tlga ung swerte nya kagabi kahit anong itira pumapasok.

tapos malas pa tayo nung 3rd quarter.

sana lang matalo nila ang SMCM sa semi

Actually may isang play na mali ang tawag ng ref, yung foul ni JJ kay Matias sa tres? putek di foul yun si Matias nag iniate ng contact naghahabol ang ginebra nun kung di bopols ang tawag ng ref nun baka kahit papano nakadikit pa ang ginebra, pasira talaga yun